I Readily embrace this op­portunity to salute you, wherein, as you will re­ceive the grateful acknow­ledgement of fore-passed favours, together with the tender of my constant re­spects to so deserving a friend; you will al­so perceive that wee move in Abington, accord­ing to the straitnesse of our orb, and meditate now and then some good turnes to our neigh­bours. I could look back, and tell you, that in frosty weather wee made bold to fetch two hun­dred loads of wood from Bayly-wood, within [Page 2]sight of Oxford; and that there is not a day pas­seth, wherein our commanded parties fetch not in provision from the enemies mouths, and fill our Gaols, besides, out of pity, that they may crowd one another warme this late frost. In fine, Oxford is pleased to connive at our continuall alarms, and suffer us to view their walls daily, within Musquet-shot; if they see halfe a dozen honest Troopers face them, 'tis held a point of policy to suspect a plot, an ambuscado; and tru­ly, well they may, if it be true, that the burnt childe dreads the fire. Now your Wallingford sparks being not long since encouraged by the surprizall of three or four close by Redding, har­boured some better thoughts of their valour, as indeed not being so often cow'd as the other. But Major Generall Brown gives them all by de­grees a taste of his vigilancie; for this very morn­ing he ordered Major Blundel to send a party of forty horse to march up to Clifton and Dorchester, thereby to secure our Markets, who in the after­noone about two of the clock, were to go up to Benson and Cromish, and so to give an alarm to Wallingford Castle, and if possible, draw out their horse, who, if they should issue forth, [Page 3]these forty horse were to retreat. Major Blundel himselfe was commanded to take an hundred more, and at an appointed hour to crosse over at Chisleton bridge, and so to come upon the reare of the enemy. The plot took, for Captain Roe, who commanded the first forty, drew out the enemy from Wallingford, and retreated in good order, till beyond Dorchester, receiving now and then some sleight charges, but at last appeared a grea­ter body, and that of select men, no worse then all Officers and Reformades, being of the Kings own life-guard. Truly, then the retreat of ours proved an absolute flight, the enemy doubling our number. Captain Roe, with thirty more of his Company, were taken prisoners, being pur­sued eagerly as far as Clifton, within three miles of Abington. These prisoners were conveying to Wallingford, when they were met by Major Blundel very oportunely (who observed his orders most punctually) so as that immedi­ately each prisoner seises upon his keeper. Major Blundel, now with the whole party, charges up to the body of the enemy, who were not farre before expecting none of us in their return home. There with ease wee noos'd them, amongst us [Page 3]took threescore horse and more, and fifty priso­ners, whereof the Governour at present, of Wal­lingford was one, Lievt. Col. Lowre, by name, and not long since knighted: one Major, sixe Captains, divers Lievtenants, Cornets, Ensignes, some in present commands, others Reformades, to the number of twenty, the rest are not yet dis­covered, only by their horses and habites cannot be guessed ordinary souldiers. Lievt. Colonell Wilford, who commanded this party of theirs, was slaine upon the place, with three more of theirs, and one of ours. Lievt. Col. Lowre pro­tested, he came forth of the Castle of purpose to hinder their pursuit of us too far, as suspecting something, but was not able to forbeare the pur­suit, till he was entrapt himself with his whole party. I shall trouble you no further; but hoping you will requite us with some of your more con­siderable Intelligence from London. I rest