The true relation of the taking of the town of Preston, by Colonell Seatons forces from Manchester sent in a letter from a worthy minister, (an eye witnesse thereof) to an emminent divine in London.

The true relation of the taking of the town of Preston, by Colonell Seatons forces from Manchester sent in a letter from a worthy minister, (an eye witnesse thereof) to an emminent divine in London.

Table of contents

❧ The true Relation of the taking of the Town of Preston, by Colonell Seatons Forces from Manchester, Sent in a Letter from a worthy Minister, (an eye witnesse thereof) to an emminent Divine in London.

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❧ The true Relation of the taking of the Town of Preston, by Colonell Seatons Forces from Manchester, Sent in a Letter from a worthy Minister, (an eye witnesse thereof) to an emminent Divine in London.

Worthy Sir,

BE pleased to accept this poor rude paper, it is a Messenger sent to tell you good Tydings: We have assaulted and taken Preston, a Towne very considerable, and which much tends to the advancement of the Publike worke in this County, and so not altogether impertinent to the Kingdome. We were about 900, or 1000 Firemen, horse and foot, and about 600 Bill-men, Halberdiers and Clubmen; our march in the night was tedious, especially to many who had marched the night before, and to accommodate us in that, God gave us a faire night, such as had not beene of a space before, yea, and indeed the day forerunning threatned us a very foule night; this was of God: Our men assaulted it a little before Sun-rising, in an houres time they were Masters of it: It was well fortified with Brick-Walls, outer and inner: Our men (but especially 3 Companies that came from Manchester) fell on with notable resolution: Captain John Booth scaled their walls, bidding his Souldiers either follow him, or give him up; but they forgetting their owne safety followed him. The garrison fought it out stoutly, they kept their inner workes with push of Pike, and also the Breach they kept with their swords, which aggravates the matter: We have not lost above 3 or 4 men (very strange) falling upon them in their Workes; of theirs I saw lying dead in one street end at least 5 or 6, besides other parts of the Towne severall, and many in the houses not calling for quarter; And as if men must have been singled out for slaughter, wee could scarcely have picked out better, the Major (that was resolute to desperatenesse in the Cause, that had often times been heard sweare, He would fire the Towne ere he gave it up, and begin with his owne house) was slain, and that very day he had appointed to constrain the well-affected, or to have seized on their estates, Sir Gilbert Houghtons brother a Captain, and a desperate Papist; Mr. Westby a Physitian and a desperate Papist; a Serjeant to the Freehold, that came lately out of Ireland, a most wicked wretch, were of the number of the slain: Severall of our men are shot, but none mortally, (its notable) many are shot in two or three or four severall places, and neither to death, nor dangerously: We have taken some prisoners of note, Captain Farrington, Sir John Talbots sonne, one Fleetwood, and they say, Anderton of Clayton, if so, I assure you, he is one of the most considerable men for estate, and activity in the County, and many others, with many Arms, and a large part of things justly, and by plunder (alas, that that is so much lamented, but most hard to be prevented,) seized on: more prisoners of note, we had been possessed of, but that honest flight rescued them: The fruit of this design is not yet perceived, but will shine forth more and more, I am confident: It blocks up the way, that all the North vast part of Lancashire, where were the chief Malignants, and the Cream of the Earls Forces; yea, and indeed, they will come in (I am perswaded, and partly perceive already) and subscribe to the Propositions. So soon as matters were setled, we sung praises to God in the streets (Sir it was wonderfull to see it) the Sun brake forth and shined brightly and hot, in the time of the exercise, as if it had been Midsummer. Truely Sir, we owe (subordinate to God) a great deal to Sir John Seaton: Things are artificially and methodically done, past what they were before; he is a man of wonderfull care, and unwearied industry; onely rather too harsh for our Northern knotty rigged dispositions; had he the meek spirit, and smooth tongue of S. M. Sparrow, he were Peerlesse, and without parallell, doubtlesse. Sir I am in hast, just come from Preston, and the Poste about to take horse, pardon my rudenesse, and brevity; onely, I beseech you assist us in praises, that we may not loose God for want of praises, and pray for us, that plunder cry not louder for justice then prayer for mercy: Remember my love and service to your wife, Farewell is the wish of

Preston, Feb. 11. 1642.

Your humble servant and respective friend,

John Tilsley.

Postscript.

ANderton of Clayton is out of question taken, Captain Preston taken also, he, with Captain Farrington came this night to Preston, The Serjeant mentioned before was an Irish Rebell, And Fleetwood before named, was he that kill'd the man in Manchester, at that time the Earl came thither a little before the late Siege.

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London, Printed by J. R. for Luke Fawn. Feb, 14. 1642.

Information about this book

Title statement

The true relation of the taking of the town of Preston, by Colonell Seatons forces from Manchester sent in a letter from a worthy minister, (an eye witnesse thereof) to an emminent divine in London.

Tilsley, John, 1614-1684.

Edition statement

1642

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2009-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A94367

ID [STC]

Wing T1275

ID [STC]

Thomason 669.f.6[105]

ID [STC]

ESTC R204400

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99863910

ID [PROQUEST]

99863910

ID [VID]

160966

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Early English books online.

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A94367)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 160966)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 245:669f6[105])

Source

— The true relation of the taking of the town of Preston, by Colonell Seatons forces from Manchester sent in a letter from a worthy minister, (an eye witnesse thereof) to an emminent divine in London., Tilsley, John, 1614-1684..

Extent

1 sheet ([1] p.)

Printed by J.R. for Luke Fawn,. London :: Feb. 14. 1642 [i.e., 1643].. (Signed: John Tilsley; dated: Preston, Feb.11. 1642.) (Reproduction of the original in the British Library.)

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