ON Tuesday the Earle of BEDFORDS troupes (by reason of an alarum from Hartford, that the Cavaliers were within six miles of the Towne) were com­manded at one a clock in the morning to put themselves in a posture of defence, and march towards Hartford; which they with great willingnesse performed. But on the way towards Hartford, at Hodsdon, Sir Thomas Dakers, a Parliament-man, met them, telling them, he feared they should have a battell betwixt that and Hartford, and, as he thought, neare Sir Iohn Watsons house, withall incouraging them to proceed valiantly, intimating the justnesse of the cause, with many noble incouragements: [Page 2]which indeed served but as an addition to that honourable fire that ardently warmed their brests, the Captains and Souldiers be­ing so truly noble, and religiously valiant.

Having parted from Sir Thomas Dakers, and arriving neare the place where this sup­posed battell shoulde be, Captain Ankle gave command that every man should charge with bullet, and by reason that every man was not accordingly provided, he desired those that were provided, to impart to o­thers, promising supply when they came to the town. Neverthelesse the Cavaliers ap­peared not, neither found they any opposi­tion til they came within sight of the town, where they saw a Court of Guard, and some three bow-shoots on this side certain Cen­tries: which Captain Ankle seeing, sent out a Party to discover what they were: who coming up to the Centries, they demanded the word, and for what cause or pretence they came so armed? Our Party told them, they had no command to resolve them any such demand, onely that they were sent to demand the cause of their warlike appea­rance, [Page 3]and for what cause they had taken Armes: the Centries desired the Party of Horse to march up to the Court of Guard, but they refused, onely caused the Centrie to march to the head of their troupe, which being done, they having informed the Cap­tain what they were, the Captain drew out a Squadron of Horse, and (being conducted by the Centries) marched up to the Court of Guard, where he found almost five hun­dred men completely armed, with their mu [...]kets presented against them, and their pikes halfe ported or charged: and at the entry of the town stood the whole Traine band in a full body placed in a warlike equi­page. The Court of Guard where he was demanded the word, which was Preventi­on: having given it them, he was by them conducted to the second Watch, being a Company of Pikes with Bowes and Ar­rowes, they conducted him to the Captain, who demanded by what authority he had brought his Forces to the town? The Cap­taine told him that his Troup was raised by the Earle of BEDFORD, for the maintenance [Page 4]of the true Protestant Religion, the Lawes of the Land, the safety of His Majesties Person, and His Royall Posterity, the High Court of Parliament, and the Liberty and Propriety of the Subject: and having intel­ligence that the town was in danger of be­ing opposed by the Cavaliers, against whom he and all his followers were resolved to ad­venture their lives, obliged thereunto by his duty to the Parliament, and his own ho­nour, to give them his best aid and assistance against the distu [...]bers of the peace of the Kingdome. Having spoke thus to them, they gave him a generall welcome, condu­cting him through the Watches to his own Troupe, opening their whole Body to the right and left, leaving a large distance for the Horse to passe through them, and giving them an unexpected welcome, shewing themselvs such fire-men as can hardly be bet­tered. Notwithstanding they find but hard usage in their provision both for Horse and man, paying eight pence a meale, come or come not, for mean diet. Wherefore they intend to petition the Parliament, that there [Page 5]may be a reasonable rate for diet set downe, and for Oates and Hay, that this exaction may not continue.

Since their abode there, Sir Iohn Lucey and Sir Iohn Watson came to the Bell at Hartford with certain Cavaliers, giving out that they intended to put the Commission of Array in execution, which caused us to arm our selves, and stand right against the Bell, which the valiant Knights perceiving, stole out of the towne.

We march out daily to exercise, because we daily expect to be opposed. All our Troupes from the greatest to the least stand well affected to the Parliament, and (I am confident) will do good service, if occasion serve, our Captain being a well experienced souldier, and our other Officers sutable both in skill and behaviour.

On munday the 29. of August a Troupe of Horse under the command of the Earle of BEDFORD, with the assistance of some Horsemen from London, marched to the Lord Capels house, where they found arms sufficient to arme about a thousand men, [Page 6]with ten Horses, great Saddles, Pistols and Carbines. Likewise at Sir Thomas Fan­shaws house were found two Peeces of Ordnance, with severall barrels of Powder, Musket and Pikes: and is thought in the countrey that he is a great deale better pro­vided, having kept two Gun-Smiths these three moneths in his house to mend and make armes cleane, but for the present they cannot learn where they are bestowed.

These are the chiefe of our Proceedings in the County of Hartford, being in a very good Posture. The next return you shall heare from me. So I rest,