A more exact and full RELATION Of many ADMIRABLE PASSAGES, Which happened During the whole Siege of LIME.
Wherein Gods Mercy is oftentimes miraculously expressed towards the Inhabitants of the said place.
As also the manner of relieving of the Town of LYME, by the Right Honourable, Robert Earle of Warwick, Lord high Admirall of ENGLAND.
As it was sent to a speciall Friend, by William Iesop, Esq Secretary to his Honour.
Also the Names and number of such persons as came from Prince Maurice, to the Earle of Warwicke.
Published according to Order.
Iune 19. Printed for Mathew Walbanke. 1644.
A more full and exact Relation of many admirable Passages which hapned during the whole Siege of Lyme.
AFter many dayes of sadnesse for poore Lyme, God hath at last vouchsafed a day of deliverance, the enemy having this morning about two of the clock raised his siege, and is gone to Excester after his losse of 105. Officers, beside some more superiour Officers, 25. Gunners, and more common Souldiers then they lost at Bristoll and Excester, as some of themselves confest. I was this day in Lyme, and had a hand in pulling downe some part of the Huts left in the enemies Quarters. He that sees the Line about the Towne, and compares the slendernesse of it with the sollidity and strength of the enemies, will easily grant that the defence of Heaven hath beene their munition of Rocks. The truth is, it is little lesse then a miracle they should hold out so long and so violent a Siege, the Towne standing at the bottome of two Hills, and their Workes being so low and thinne, that I my selfe could in many places runne over them, and a strong hand may in many parts thrust them down. About foure dayes agoe the enemy shot into the [Page 2] Towne bars of Iron, pieces of Anchors, and great shot, blowne up to as great a measure of [...] as was possible (they having a forge on purpose) which falling on Houses fired many, yet were suddenly quenched, and with them onely three men hurt. On Thursday night 26 came in from the enemy. amongst the rest Lieutenant Faire of the Lord Barlens Regiment, he came aboard our Ship yesterday, and this day I saw him within the Town, his wife also and her brother came in. This day about ten of Inchiquins Regiment came in; one Irish woman left behinde was slaine and pulled almost to pieces this day by the women of Lyme. Foure other women were taken, being beggars, left behinde by their companions, and set on worke to pull downe the enemies Fortifications, to perfect which the Country will also be summoned in, their hands contributing to raise them. There are very many Houses burnt, yet the other day a Granado falling into a roome, and breaking on a bed wherein lay three children, not one of them had any harme: there is scarce a House in the towne that is not battered, and scarce a roome into which shot hath not beene made. At the last great fire, two maids carrying betwixt them a vessell of water, had three of their hands shot off. The enemy is marched to Excester. This day a Messenger came into the towne from my Lord Generall, and brings word that his Excellency intended to be at Dorchester this night.
My Lord Admiralls noble and faithfull affection to this towne hath gained an acknowledgement [Page 3] that they owe their lives, under God, to his Lordship.
Much praise is due to God for poore Lymes deliverance, it being of such mighty consequence to bring in the West, who resolved long since to obey no commands on the other side till Lyme were taken. Stirre up all Gods people to acknowledge the greatnesse of this mercy, though none of you can rate it as those that beheld it, in whose eyes it is very wonderfull.
Post-script.
An other Letter sent from a Gent. of worth, out of his Majesties Ship the James, to his Friend in London to the same effect.
THe 14 of June, Prince Maurice and the rest of the Kings Forces, were seene to draw off their Ordnance, which encouraged the Towne from a Fort they had on the East side to play sore upon them, so that when the teames were readie to drive away, two or three Oxen at once were cut off and seen to fal which made the enemy (the better to get them off) to storme the Towne in that part, and thereby blinding the view of the Fort by their small shot, had the better opportunitie of conveying their Guns.
This morning the coasts being cleare, we went a shore into the Towne, viewed the workes thereof, and therein the greatest miracle that could be imagined; their paper Fortifications poorly, though resolutely mann'd by weake Souldiers, and the powerfull batteries of the Enemie, and their generall advantages over all or part of the Towne was throughly viewed and censured, but the observation of the same, from those cruell intendments, cannot be sufficiently wondred at, and as the Towne frequently discourseth, had Prince Maurice but obtained [Page 5] one Commander of theirs (that is God and their good Cause) he had proved Victor with halfe the force he brought by relation of the Country people thereabout. The Enemie curses the unluckie houre of his coming thither, having lost from first to last about 2000. The Towne sixscore with the most.
There came in voluntarily, and with much danger into the Town the other night, one Lieutenant Paire, an Ensigne, Corporall, and 20 Souldiers that were of the Lord Inchiquin's Regiment, and were upon the Guard that night, who have demeaned themselves very civilly, being readie to beare Armes for the Parliament when they shall be commanded; since that, very neare a 100 of the honestest are escaped away from the Enemies Army, and returned to the Towne offering them their service, their inducements of their comming away, being (as themselves ingeniously confesse) the cursed oathes and hellish acts of the Souldiers, as also the great influence the Irish Rebells and Papists, (whereof there are great store) have upon the Prince and principall Commanders. The Towne is wholly employed this day about slighting the Enemies works, the cause of Prince Maurice so suddaine hast away from the siege, is (as we have it from some of their owne men this day taken) some sadding newes they received yesterday by three severall posts of Sir Ralph Hoptons weaknesse, and their misfortunes in all parts.