SInce our comming to Launceston, the Intelligence and affaires of the Army may be thus represent­ed. On Thursday, Febr. 26. (the day after our entrance,) the Ge­nerall sent a Letter to Captaine Weldon to send all the Horse he could spare, and as many Dragoones he could possi­ble, to advance up the River as farre as Liston, to stay the passage at the Fords, that so our Horse might the better overtake them, in case the Enemy indea­vour to escape, which probably they intend, and might doe in such small parcels, and with such haste, that his Horse might fall upon them with good suc­cesse. Friday, February 27. we understood that the [Page 2]Enemie was at Camelford that morning, and at Twilsborough Downe, two miles distant▪ from thence, towards the North-East, and a considera­ble partie of Horse lay there that might: Their head Quarters remain at Bodman, from whence they have issued a Posse Comm. for appearance of all able men at Bodman on this Friday. Saturday, Febr. 28. the greatest part of the Army marched from Launcest­on to Lowenrick, but three miles, in regard there could be no conveniency of Quarters between that and Bodman. Our Information by our Scouts [...] this day was. That the Enemie had drawne off their Guard from Twilsborough Downe, and that their Horse were all gone from Hamelford in great feare to Bodman, where they attempted to get in, but the Foote refused to let them, have entrance, three of them were killed in this difference, Hopton went on Friday from Master Bellins house (where he quarter­ed before) to Bodman: The Enemy is reported to have a thousand Foot, and a consider [...]b [...] [...] of Horse, but their, Armes and courage but meane: They give out they will make a desperate attempt, to breake through and leave the Cornish in their in­kindnesse, which is so great, that they are more rea­dy to disarme them, then assist them: The Country people at Tawnes disarmed eight of them, and the rest of them about Camelford desire our Army to come to secure them from the Enemy, who then for their non appearance, declared, they knew no greater Enemies then Gorings Horse. The Ene­my published through the Country before our en­trance, [Page 3]that we would destroy all, but since our com­ming into the Country (such hath been the saire and orderly demeanour of our Souldiers,) they say they finde us friends rather then enemies, and admire in many places that we should tender Money for our provisions, which, (to use their owne expression,) they never were wont to tange of Gorings men on the Lords day. March 1. the Generall and Lieute­nant Generall advanced all the whole Army to­wards Bodman, in the way had a Rendezvouze of Horse and Foote upon the Downs, aboot ten miles from Launcerton, over which the Army marched compleatly in Batalia; (being indeed a brave appea­rance.) The Forlorne Hopes were sent out, who met with the Enemies Scouts, two of them who were scouting in one Company, they seemed to be ignorant of our so neel approach, acknowledged that they were part of a Guard of 300. Horse under Sir Tames Smith, that were to keepe a Guard within three miles of Bodman. Upon the Armies advance within foure miles of Bodman, we discovered two great Bodies of the Enemies Horse, who faced us a while upon the top of an hill (though neare two, Miles distant) but a Party of a thousand Horse being sent, towards them, and for the reliefe of Captaine Morgan and Captaine Farmers Compa­nies of Dragoones, who we then understood were engaged, and in great hazard to be lost, the Ene­my being between them and our Rendezvouze; our Horse no sooner appeareth, but the Enemy posteth away towards Bodman, our Dragoons also having [Page 4]first made good their retreat into a Close, defended themselves gallantly there, and afterwards got into a Church, and so came off with the losse onely of foure Prisoners, slew divers of the Enemy; the Ar­my quartereth this night at St. Blissen, and all the Villages thereabouts, with so much advantage that its thought that Sir Iames Smiths Brigade will hardly get off; the faithfull, valiant, and religious Lievt. Generall Cromwell is all this night abroad with the Horse, the issue we shall heare next morning; we had advanced this night to Bodman but that the Enemy is strong in Horse, and our Foot had some of them marched this day above 12. long miles most part of the Lords day (all night) our men brought in Priso­ners, many of which say they are glad they are ta­ken, for they still looke for it first or last, they gi­ving both themselves and all their party for lost. The Gentry generally have inclinations to come in, and send for Protections; the Lord Mohun is unwilling to obey the Lord Hoptons Commands. If the Enemy get not through, in probability we shall drive them into the corner of this County, and make them glad to accept of Conditions.

Munday, March the second, the Army was this morning by breake of the day drawne to a Rendez­vouz upon the Heath within two miles of Bodman: a Party being sent out to discover whether the Enemy were in the Towne, brought intelligence that both Horse and Foot quit the Towne the last night. About ten of the Clock the Lord Hopton him­selfe brought up the Reare; their Foot (not above [Page 5]foure hundred) being most of them Welch-men, went out disorderly, wearing Leekes (it being Taffies day) and according to their wonted custom were most of them drunke; a great part of the Horse and Foot went towards Truro, the rest of the Horse towards Ware Bridges; to which if they steere their course they are like to meete with gallant entertainement from the Lord Generalls two Regiments of Horse, and two Regiments more of Foot being sent to his assistance; the Prince is at Pendennis Castle, and its supposed waites for a winde for France, we hope (through Gods blessing) in a few daies to give a good account of the clea­ring these parts of the Enemy, and if they be lookt after as well by Sea as they shall by Land, many of them will not be left to tell the story of their sad misfortunes: by which the whole Kingdome may take notice of the great zeale and earnest affection of the Commanders in this Army for the welfare of their Country, and that they are unwearied in their paines and indeavours for the putting a more speedy period to these intestine differences; for had the whole Army stayed before Excester, which-might have been as much as could be expected this Winter season, the worke would have been much longer in doing; but as these resolutions were un­expectedly taken, so the issue of them hath been beyond expectation. The Enemies chiefe power in the Island being dissipated in about a Moneths space, and scarce left all the face of an Army with out blood-shed, and the most malignant County [Page 6]of the Kingdome reduced, and (if they be not un­parallel'd dissemblers) the County generally endea­vours, and their hearts drawne to the Parliament, for (as before in other places) so now in Bodman the inhabitants were no waies terrified a tour com­ming, but rather manifested expressions of Joy, being so oppressed by Gorings Horse taken from them. The Townes-men averre for truth, that at the Grand Passe held neare this Towne on Friday last there did not appeare fourescore of the County, besides Gorings and Hoptons Horse; they generally report (but I durst not assure it for certaine) that the Lord Mohun is under restraint for disobeying the Lord Hoptons Gommands, this morning foure of our Troopers who went forth to scout in the Enemies quarters, tooke and brought away 42. of their foot Souldiers with their Armes. The Lord Hopton had this day a Randezvouz of neere 3500. Horse at St. Dennis, a place sixe miles from Bodman; the Cornish this morning fired their Beacons, their intentions therein we are yet igno­rant of. This day sixe of our Troopers fell into Lislythell, and brought away foure of the Enemies carriages laden with Muskets, Powder, Bullets and other Ammunition; we have store of Guns, Horse, and Foot at all the passes about Bodman.

Bodman March 3. 1645. at 5. in the morning.

HAving the opportunity of this Messenger, a friend of yours, I could not omit the writing unto you, as a returne of thanks for your candid and constant remembrance of me: I shall not trou­ble you with particulars of Newes, having written so largely to Master Scawen, of which I doubt not but you will have the perusall, otherwise I should redeeme some of that little time I have to write un­to you. Wee entred Bodman Monday, March 2. in the Morning, the Enemy quitted it, the Night before; at 10 of the clock, upon our approach neere it; the Lord Hopton himselfe brought up the Reare; their Army is 3500 Horse, and about 400 Foot, most of which are Welch, and were drunk when they went forth: wee keepe Guards at Warre. Bridge, and Listithell, to prevent their breaking through East-ward; six of our Troopers yesterday entred Listithell, and tooke 4 Wain loads of the Enemies Amn uni­on, each drawn with 10 Oxen; they beat off the Guard that were to secure it; the Enemy had a Rendezvouz at Saint Dennis, 6 miles from hence, but durst not [Page 8]stay there long, but are gone towards Truro: the Prince is in Pendennis, expecting a faire wind for France, wee hope soone to make an end of our work in these parts through Gods blessing: I shall re­maine

IUst now wee have intelligence, That the Prince, the Earle of Barkeshire, the Lord Culpepper, Ned Hide, the Lord Capell, Fanshaw, and others of qua­lity, were ship't yesterday from Falmouth, for the I­sland of Sill, as is supposed, and not for France; the Lord Hopton this day had a Rendezvouz of his Horse at Saint Michill, all their Foot are at Truro, they give all for lost: a ship of their best Horse was last night cast away, splitten on the Rocks.