AS I gave you an account of the ta­king of Bridgwater, so God multi­plying his mercies upon us, we ha­ving taken in Bath also; I shall briefly give you an account there­of: only I cannot omit something yet behind of Bridgwater, for we have found six peeces of Ordnance which the enemy had hid, and there is left besides what was destroyed by the fier, 44. barrels of gunpowder, and 4000 weight of match.

On Satterday last, Sir Thomas Fairfax marched out of Bridgwater, Lievtenant Generall Crumwell hath been ill, but God be thanked mends, that night we mar­ched to Marstock about nine miles on the way to Sher­burn, where we quartered that night and Sunday night.

On the Lords day wee heard that Rupert had beene himselfe in person (the day before) at Bath with Sir Tho. Bridges, to encourage him to keep it against us, pro­mising him reliefe in case he should be besieged.

On Munday the 28. of July, 1645. the Generall marched to Sherborne, about fourteen miles from Mar­tock: Major Generall Massie was left further west: And the same day, viz. Munday, about 60 horse, (most Welch) came from Prince Rupert to strengthen Bath; and other Officers with them to governe the Towne, because that P. Rupert had found, when hee was there two dayes before, that Sr. Thomas Bridges was quite out of heart to keep it: for the very name of Sir Thomas Fairfax strikes a terrour to the enemy. But when they were come into Bath, the Towne cryed out as one man, all against the Welch: No Welch, no Welch: Neither did Sir Thomas Bridges take it well, that he should bee displaced, and another put in; which caused a great di­vision in the Towne, that the Officers and Horse would not stay to dispute it: yet neverthelesse some Welch stayed in the Towne, which did much displease both the Governour, the Officers, the Townsmen; yea and the Garrison souldiers also.

On Tuesday the Generall sent 2. Regiments of horse and two Troops of Dragoons, under the Command of Colenell Rich, to view and give account of the condi­tion of the Garrison of Bath, then held by Sir T. Brid­ges for the King. The Army removed to Wells.

Col. Pickering is with a party before Sherborn, a nest of most mischevous vermine, under whom the countrey hath much suffered, and by whom before we came thi­ther some of our owne messengers have been taken, and our letters intercepted, & the countrey do wholly com­plain against them for very great plunderers, and barba­rous neighbours.

We made on towards Bath, having no foot at all with us, onely the aforesaid two Regiments of horse, and 2. Companies of Dragoons and about an hour before sun­set, the South side was close beset, the Dragoones lay a­bout Holliwell, and we kept them on the South, and on the west parts of the towne; But the north part of the towne lay open, for we came not to block them up, nor had we forces to do it then present there: The Enemie might have gone away on the North part of the towne, in despight of all that we could do to hinder them, but God did so infatuate them, that they had not power, as in our former victories, so particularly in this taking of Bath, the hand of God was much seene for us.

About Sun set we gained Holliwell; and placed our Dragoones within halfe Pistoll shot of the Gate on the Bridge at Bath, where there was some skirmishing, and the Dragoones behaved themselves very gallantly, In the Night the Enemie within took several Alarmes; and were in great fear of, us I conceive they knew not our strength, onely before had some intelligence of the ad­vance of our Armie.

On this present Wednesday morning the Enemie heard of a party from Malsbury, on the North side of them, but they were not Considerable, but they were strucke with such a fear that Sir Tho. Bridges sent a Mes­senger very early forth of Bath to us, to desire a parly, which we wondred at, so we presently held a parly with them, and by Sun rising had the Garrison of Bath deli­vered up to us, upon very good Conditions,

• 1. All, Both officers and souldiers to have quarter for their lives.
• 2. That Sir Thomas Bridges and all the Officers be permit­ted to march away to Bristoll, without let or molestation.
• 3. That Sir Thomas Bridges, and all other Field officers, and Captaines have liberty to march away with horse, and Armes.
• [Page 4]4. That all Officers under the degree of Cap­tains, march away without Arms (only staves in their hands) to Bristoll.
• 5. That Sir Thomas Bridges, with all the Officers asoresaid doe immediatly march out of the Garrison, and surrender it to Colonell Rich for the service of tho Parliament.
• 6. That all the Ordnance, Armes, and Ammu­nition be surrendred also.
• 7. The common souldiers to be left all priso­ners.

All which was done; and we were possest of the Gar­rison by beak of the day; And truly you may think it a strange thing for horse to take a Town, and no foot with­in 15 miles of it, but you may see how God infatuates men, and possesseth them with a feare, that deprives them of wisdome and courage.

Farly Castle (Sir Edward Hungerfords house) is also besieged, and the whole Army is every where full of action; and generally goe on exceeding cheerfully: not­withstanding much hard duties, and constant service.

Bristoll is in the same condition, you would hardly beleeve the feares they are in there, Rupert went out thence yesterday, and the town and souldiers in a great perplexity; the King hath been long expected there, but we heare he stayes still at Cardiffe Castle? whe­ther Rupert be returned back againe to Bristoll, we doe yet heare; but the plague doth certainly abate in that City.

Goring is still in in his old quarters about Okehamp­ton [Page 5] and confidently expects Greenvils and Hoptons recrutes, and the prest men to be 7000 horse and foot,

The Cornish it is beleeved will doe him little good out of their own County, and the forced Clubmen as little as they.

Some VVelch landed on Munday last at Posets point, that came from VVales; but I hope care will be taken for the guarding of the Seas, especially that River, which may so be kept, that no boat can passe (without difficulty:) neither in nor out.

VVe shall suddenly have our recrutes, and what else we stay for; and then we shall on in our designe. In the mean time you see how industrious our Generall is to loose no time, whilst he is necessitated to stay; and I hope God will goe on to blesse Colonell Pickering against Sherburn, as he hath us; in the taking of this Garrison of Bath: which make a good account of our service in this vacasie.

Yet in all this we look up to God, who is the Lord of Hoasts; by whose power we have done those things wherein he hath so blessed us; and therefore to him be given the praise of all his power, and goodnesse.

Bath the 30 of Iuly, 1645.