IN my last I told you of our marching backe to Muslebo­rough, where we stayd Thurs­day night, Friday, and Satur­day, taking in provisions; and on Sunday the 17 mar­ched backe to our old Quarters on Pencland hills.

Whilst we stayd at Musleborough Fields Orders were given for the possessing and fortifying of two Houses, one belonging to Mr. Hamilton, who with his man were guides to that party that fell so desperately into our quarters in Musleborough, and both kild on each side the House. The other was a Frontier to Dalketh, and another Garison formerly kept by our Dragoons neere Eden­borough (but quitted.) The former (being neer the Waterside) is intended as a Maga­zine for provisions for the Army, in it there are 140 Foot commanded by Cap. Hughes, [Page]one of Col. Fenwickes Captaines, and forty Horse under Lieut. Wilkinson of Col Lilburns Regiment, and twenty Dragoons: and the latter to secure the passages betweene the Garrison and the Army, it being in the mid­way betweene both: in it there is a party commanded by Cap. Webb of Col Malliveres Regiment. We had intelligence of the kil­ling two of our Foot souldiers that went to seek provisions in the Country, besides one of Col. Daniels that was kild by some of the enemies Horse adventring too far into their quarters towards Edenburgh when the Army was encampt on Pencland Hils.

In the Armies march from about Muslebo­rough to Pencland Hils the Enemy drew out severall bodies of Horse which faced us in the way, but came to no engagement; they also fired at our men out of severall Houses which they had Garisond in the way. At his Excellencies comming up on the hils he sent two Troops of Dragoons to possesse Collin­ton house, which is a very strong House with­in halfe a mile of Redhouse (a Garrison of the enemies) which annoyed our men upon their former march thither.

A Sergeant of Col. Coxes Regiment was ex­ecuted on a Gallows on Pencland hils, though there was no Tree to hang him on, for being present with some Souldiers of that Regi­ment when they plundered a House, and him­selfe took away a Cloke: and so tender is his Lordship of any injury to be done to the Country, that he renders good for evil: there were three Souldiers condemned with him, but his Excellencies mercy was extended to­wards them, and a pardon brought them im­mediately after the execution of the other.

In the meane time severall great bodies of the enemies Horse, to the number of 2 or 3000 were drawne out on the West side of Edenburgh betweene the River Lieth and the Sea, and having an advantage of a passe over the River (which they supposed our designe was to take) severall parties of theirs came and pickeerd in the sight of our Army, but upon the drawing up of our parties, retreated back. His Excellency in person drew out a forlorn and went before them; when he came neer them one of them fired a Carbine, upon which his Excellency calld to him, and said, if he had been one of his Souldiers he would [Page]have cashierd him for firing at such a distance, whereupon he that fired having formerly ser­ved L.G. Lesly, comming up told him he was Cromwell himselfe, and that he had seen him in Yorkshire with his Master.

There are 39 of the Runawaies that went from the army brought prisoners by Sea from Barwick, where they were apprehended by Col. Fenwick the Governour, more are com­ming, & some of them wil be made exempla­ry, 27 of those already brought were Mon­day Aug. 19. condemned at a Court-martial.

Divers women and others get away by night from Lieth by Land and water, and steal back into the Country: by which we perceive they are in some straights for want of provision: We wonder to see such a false relation prin­ted as goes under the name of one Mr. Brookes at the Angel in Cornhill, Numb. 3. wherein he relates the taking of Leith, which if it were done our worke were soon at an end, it being the most considerable place, and the onely considerable Port town in Scotland: certainly none in the Army would mention such a fi­ction, when we see the Enemy in it every day. Tuesday Aug. 20. there was a parley between [Page]Maj. Gen. Lambert and other Officers of ours, and Col. Straughan and others of the enemies Army: much was said to convince each other, but it amounted to nothing.

Lieut. Gen. Lesleys Trumpeter came with a Letter, and Declaration of their Kings (as they call it) which He hath now subscribed, but was drawn up by the Kirk; the effect was in confessing his Fathers and his own guilt in the late War, and promising for the future to doe nothing but by the advice of the Kirke and State. There is also a sheet of paper, en­tituled, A Supplication of the Officers of the Army to the Committee of Estates, to purge the Army and Court of Malignants, without respect of persons: & the Committees thanks to them, and promise to doe it.

This day the Enemy drew their whole Ar­my Horse and Foot out of Leith, they gave them out to be 30000. they left a Regiment of horse and 1000 commanded Foote in it. The King was then at Dumferling with a Life­guard of Horse, and two or three Companies of Foot: But when we expected an Engage­ment they retreated back to Leith: Our Ar­my is begun to intrench on Pencland Hils.

Wednesday August 21. a Counsel was called [Page]of all the Field-officers & Captains: the busi­nes was to relate what transactions had been, and how the Scots having combin'd with their King, and scornefully sent his Declara­tion before any thing could be offered far­ther in an amicable way to prevent the mise­ry of what must follow by force, or that we should doe our utmost endeavours to reduce them, using all meanes which an envading E­nemy will doe one against another; and as they were speaking every Man his heart, whereby there might be a knowledge how it was with them, There came an Alarum that the Enemy was drawne out severall waies to­wards Sterling, towards the provisions: There was pickering neere Collington house with the Dragoones, and the Enemy had a Captaine of theirs slaine and two prisoners: The Ene­my are reduced to such extremity for want of provisions that they must move one way or other, and I doubt not but God will fill this hippocriticall Generation with whom we have to deale with their own waies.

This night a party of Horse and Foot are drawne out upon a considerable designe, of which more by the next.

Stonehill Garison, Aug. 23 1650.