THe good successe it hath pleased God to give our Forces lately, makes mee once more set pen to paper, thereby desiring to informe you; That on Tuesday, the 18 of this instant Fe­bruary, our Plimouth Forces were drawne forth to all Quarters of the Towne, the Enemie having the night before with a considerable number of Horse and Foot gained an Hill over-against the Towne, the water being betweene, where formerly we had a Worke called by the name of Mount Stamford, [Page 2] which we lost about a twelve-moneth since, and was open my Lord Generalls advance into the West quitted by the Enemie, and slighted by us: To this place the Enemie no [...] came againe, and in one night did, with the helpe of some hundreds of Faggots, which they brought with them, make up a verie formidable Worke, at the least twelve foot thicke, with a Brest-Worke drawne from each side in man­ner of a Line, which they compleatly man'd with Musquetiers, and stood in that posture, intending the next night to finish the Worke, which then would have beene impregnable, from whence they might shoot into the Towne at their pleasure, and have so annoyed us, that no Shipping could have layne in Catwater without danger of sinking or fie­ring, which is the most convenient place for Ships to ride in, that must unload at the Key. But blessed be God, by his helpe and the vigilancie of our Commanders, all this was prevented by a timely sallie (delayes in such cases proving dangerous) the weather did prove so advantagious, that both Horse and Foot went so chearfully, so universally, to all the Workes, that neither the Enemie with­out, or the stander by within, could imagine where we intended to fall on. About noone there were a considerable number of Foot and a strong Partie of Horse conveied in Boats over the water, to a Worke we have under the Hill called Mount Batten, it not being much above two flight shot from Mount Stamford, then in the Enemies Possessi­on; [Page 3] and being on the height of the same Hill, out Forces were commanded to march up against the Enemie, who lay within their Workes and Line, being well manned both with Horse and Foot rea­die to encounter ours, yet not so strong as was supposed: the Enemie having drawne off a great part of them to the other side of the Towne, when they rather expected wee should fall on; but wee crossing their expecttation, fell on where wee were least looked for, the weather proving so cleare, and wee approaching so openly, gave the Ene­mie warning enough, wee could not stirre but they must see us.

Well, our Foot, who were most Sea-men, mar­ched up resolutely, the forlorne hope of horse go­ing before, and the reserve with them in the bottome, who had the advantage of some hedges which they lined with Musquetiers, who fired upon the Enemy while the rest advanced, the Enemy firing very fast upon them also; and while our Foot were getting up the hill, our horse and the Enemies met, who disputed not long, the Enemy rather trusting to his Horse leggs, then their owne swords; our Horse followed them amaine, and it is verily thought kept some of them from comming back againe thither any more.

Our Foot seeing what good successe the Horse had, went, or rather ran up to the Enemies worke [Page 4] with their colours in their hands; and in a very short time made the Enemy flie fort; yet before they quitted the worke, they blew up their Powder, and then betooke them to their heeles: our men en­tred the Worke, and placed their colours upon it: our Horse cha [...]ed the Enemy a mile and better while they ran, as the old saying is, and never looked behind them: I meane never made halt, unlesse to take breath, till they came to a Worke they have two miles off; by this time the night comming on, our men retreated to their Fort which they manned all night, intending to make even with the ground, contenting themselves with the beating the Enemy out of the field, and the taxing 104 Common Soldiers and Officers, whereof one a Lieueenant Colonell, one a Major, foure Captaines, and the rest Lieutenants and Ensignes; there were taken also about 300 Armes, and in the worke good store of Mattockes, Shovells, and Faggots: On our part we have but one man slaine, and that by an ac­cident, some few hurt, and one they say taken by the Enemy: This is no small encouragement to our Soldiers, who are never better then when they are a fighting. In the meane while, both from the Ships and Forts, on that side the Towne were at the least sixty great Gunnes shot off, which beat up the dirt bravely about the Cavies eares: some there were slaine upon the place, but not many, but without question many of them hurt, for our Horse were in amongst the Foot, slashing them a­maine, [Page 5] whom they routed totally, and made them runne away basely. Which had you seene as I did, though at some distance, you would have laughed heartily, as I did.

Sir, you need not question the truth of this; I assure you, I saw many of the Rogues brought in: I know you will receive this Relation from better hands, but being such good Newes, I could not o­mit to give you an accompt of it: If I have not expressed my selfe in proper Phrases, excuse me, for I am no Souldier, Wee shall have one day this weeke set apart for a speciall thanksgiving for this great mercy: So humbly beseeching God to give us thankfull and cheerefull hearts, and such courage, that wee may neither feare man, or distrust God, I humbly take my leave, and rest