NEWES FROM DENNINGTON CASTLE OR A true Copy of Major William Rives his Letter, in VINDICATION of himselfe and others.

Wherein is related the Condition of the Leaguer before it, and the man­ner of the late Sallie from the Castle, With what losse was on Both sides.

Licensed and Printed according to Order.

‘IN DOMINO CONFIDO’

Printed for Henry Twyford, at the signe of the three Daggers in Fleetstreet, neere the Temple. Aprill the first 1646.

Newes from Dennington Castle, or a Copy of Major Rives his Letter, &c.

SIR,

IT was my fortune yesterday to bee very much ingaged, but it pleased God to give me deliverance. On Tues­day last wee drew forth of this Towne, and faced the Castle on the Hill next Shaw, where we sent them a Summons, which was not totally re­fused, but they desired three dayes time to send to his Majesty. This was taken as dila­tory, and that night to begin the siege, I had orders with three Companies of mine, which were my owne, Captaine Doves and [Page 2] Captaine Knowles, and with Major Bla­graves foure Companies to begin the works, and to raise a redoubt on the side of the May-pole hill, which was performed that night without losse of one man. The next morning we began to heighten our Worke, but about seven of the clock the Enemy ob­serving our Horse-guard drawne off, fell out on us most desperately with all their Horse, and neere all their Foote, and beat in our by-guard, which was to discover cleere to the Castle. Our guard was scarcely in to give us all arme, but their Horse were in with them, and ere we could have any notice fi­red their Pistolls on our men in the pit where they were, which I had stickadoed round, to prevent the falling in of their Horse. At the same instant their Foot fell on on the other side o [...] us, and beat in our Pyoniers, who re­treating in some disorder to their Armes, caused some distraction amongst our men. But of my owne Company of Gray-coates being next hand, I rallyed some suddenly, thinking to have manned our imperfect re­doubt, but ere I could doe it, their Horse [Page 3] were in it; out of which I drawing my selfe some Muskettiers to the corner of it, beate them out, and killed one of their Horses. Assoone as my Ensigne saw that, hee fell on the man with his sword, and either killed or wounded him; But their Horse and Foot comming on, he was forced to retreat to his Colours, And the Enemies Foote possessing the trench of our Redoubt next the Castle under shelter of our Worke, fired on us in the pitt, where their Horse could not breake in. These did I by about twenty Musket­teires of my owne Company beat back, but they being well seconded, came on againe, and fell in from the hill side of the pitt, whiles their Horse fired on the other side which was open. This put our men in such a maze, being so suddenly, that they in the reere runne away in confusion, which occasioned my men be [...]ng diserted to run al­so. My owne Company which were formerly of the Kings party fought very wel, knocking it out at Musket stocke, till they broke many of their Muskets. And one of my Corporals beat a Trooper from his Horse [Page 4] With his Musket, and tooke his Sword, but the man was rescued ere he could kill him; we got two Carbines, and some Pistolls of such as were killed, or wounded by us. And since I understand by some of my woun­ded Souldiers prisoners (came off since) wee killed and wounded as many of theirs, as they of ours, only the losse of our Colours. Which might well have beene saved, had there beene any Horse-guard, or that Major Blagraves men (though I cannot impeach him in his person) had seconded me as they ought, but run first. At the crosse Lane neere Dennington towne I forced some men to stand and fire, which forced▪ the Enemie to retreat in haft. And assoone as my men got more Ammunition, having spent their owne on ser­vice, I advanced againe to my post, and al­most finished the Redoubt ere night. This night Collonel Martin finished it, and drew a line from Dennington Lanes to shelter our approach, and this night or to morrow wee plant our Cannon and great mortar. And although we have a desperate Enemie, who the first night shot, and one fally fought like [Page 5] divels, yet I hope we shall be able suddenly to give a good account of the place. And had all done like the gray-coates (however some say they run away to the Castle) they never durst attempt us. And truly my Ensigne with them fought gallantly; And of six on­ly of them taken, there are foure wounded, and yet prisoners in expectation of exchange. Ere long I presume you will heare that wee shall repaire our honour, which is greater then our losse. I am

From the Leaguer before Dennington the 26. of March, 1646.
Your humble servant, WILLIAM RYVES.
FINIS.

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