TVVO LETTERS FROM HIS EXCELLENCIE Robert Earl of ESSEX: The one unto the SPEAKER of the House of Commons; Relating the true state of the late Skirmish at Chinner, between a party of the KINGS and Parliaments Forces, on the Sabbath day the 19. of June, 1643. with the number of such persons as was taken and slain on both sides.
The other to the well-affected of the County of ESSEX.
ORdered by the Commons House in Parliament, That these two Letters be forthwith Printed and published.
London, Printed by John Field for Edw: Husbands, and are to be sold at his shop in the Middle-Temple, June 23. 1643.
A Letter sent from his Excellencie Robert Earl of Essex, directed to the Speaker of the House of COMMONS.
THere being some of my Horse that had an Encounter with the Enemy yesterday being Sunday; I thought fit to give the House an Account of the particulars of it, knowing how apt many are to mis-report things to our disadvantage.
About two of the clocke on Sunday morning, the Enemy with about twelve hundred Horse and a great body of Dragoons fell into a Towne called Percham, where o [...]e Troope of Horse (being Colonell Morleyes) was Quartered, of which they tooke the greatest part, and from thence went not far to another [Page 4]Village called Chinner, where they beat up some of the new Bedfordshire Dragoons and tooke some of them Prisoners, and three of their Colours, and some of the Officers behaving themselves very well, and defending the Houses wherein they were; they set fire on the Towne; these being out-Quarters, the Alarm came where Major Gunter lay with three Troopes (viz.) his own, Captain Sheffields, and Captain Crosses, whom he presently drew out and marched towards the Enemy; Colonell Hampden being abroad with Sir Samuel Luke and onely one man, and seeing M [...]jor Gunters Forces, they did go along with them, Colonel Dulbeir the Quartermaster Generall did likewise come to them: with these they drew neare the Enemy, and finding them marching away, kept still upon the Reare for almost five Miles. In this time there joyned with them Captain Sanders Troop, and C [...]ptain Buller, with fifty commanded men, which were sent to Chinner by Sir Philip Stapleton, who had the Watch here that night at Thame, when hee discovered the fire there, to know the occasion of it, he likewise sent one Troope of Dragoones under the command of Captaine Dundasse, who came up to them. There were likewise some few of Colonell Melves Dragoons that came to them: at length our men pressed them so neer, that being in a large pasture ground they drew up, and notwithstanding the inequality of the numbers, we having not above 300. Horse, our men charged them very gallantly, and slew divers of them; but while they were in fight, [Page 5]the Enemy being so very strong, kept a Body of horse for his reserve, and with that Body wheel'd about and charg'd our men in the Reare, so that being encompassed and overborne with multitude, they broke and fled, though it was not very far; For when I heard that our men marched in the Reare of the Enemy, I sent to Sir Philip Stapleton, who presently Marched toward them with his Regiment; & though he came somewhat short of the Skirmish, yet seeing our men Retreat in that disorder, he stopt them, caused them to draw into a Body with him, where they stood about an hour: Whereupon the Enemy marched away. In this Skirmish there were slain forty and five on both sides, whereof the greater part were theirs.
They carryed off the Bodies of divers persons of quality. On our side Major Gunter was killed, but some say he is prisoner and so hurt; a man of much courage and fidelity, his bravery engaging him, and his small party too far: Colonell Hamden put himselfe in Captaine Crosse his Troop, where he charged with much courage, and was unfortunately shot through the Shoulder. Sir Samuel Luke thrice taken prisoner, and fortunately rescued: Captain Crosse had his horse killed under him in the middest of the Enemy, and was mounted by one of his owne men, who quitted his owne horse to save his Captain.
Captain Buller was shot in the neck, who shewed very much resolution in this fight, taking one prisoner after hee was shott. Mounsieur Dulbier with Captaine Bosa and Captaine Ennis, did likewise [Page 6]carry themselves very well. Wee likewise lost two colours, viz. Major Gunters and Captain Sheffeilds; no prisoners of quality were taken by the enemy, but Captain Sheffeilds Brother. Prince Rupert was there in person, and the Renagado Hurry. Wee took prisoner one of the Earle of Berks sonnes, Captaine Gardener, the late Recorders sonne of London, and captain Smith, with some others of quality and divers prisoners.
Sir, this is the true Relation of what passed in this businesse, I rest;
A Letter sent from his Excellency the Earl of Essex, to the Gentlemen, Freeholders and well-affected people in the County of Essex.
HEaring of your readinesse to assist in this great cause with your persons and purses, for the defence of Religion and Liberty, and what ever is deare unto us, and of your willingnesse to rise generally, and to joyn with other Counties, to deliver your selves from that slavery and misery that our enemies would bring upon us. I do with much joy receive your resolutions, and count it a speciall mercy of God, that makes his people sensible of their dangers, and willing to hazard their lives for him, and do judge it the most hopefull means of concluding these unhappy distractions of the Kingdom. Therefore I desire you to assure your selves of all assistance from me that the Army can afford, and my earnest desire is to helpe you in it. And I desire such may appear in this cause, as have most interest in it; such of whose constancy and courage wee may be assured, men of Religious lives and affections fittest to bear Arms for truth of Religion, Men of estates to defend those estates that the enemy seeks to devour: The employment is not too mean for the best [Page 8]men, and then we shall hope for successe when such put their hands to the work; for assure your selves, the loosnesse and inconstancy of the Souldiers, amongst others is one cause of the continuance of the Warre. I desire you to provide your selves as well as you can with arms and necessaries, and to bring six weeks pay in your purses, considering that the march is long, and but a moneth of that may be spent in service; when that time is expired, we hope you may returne home with peace; If we shall entreat your further helpe, we shall provide for you as well as God will enable us. Chuse Commanders your selves, Colonells and Captains, when we shall heare their names we shall send them Commissions, and when you shall come near us, we shall send some able and experienc't Commanders from our Army to assist you. Doubt not of your Country in your absence, we shall take a course for the securing and quieting of the Malignants; your safety is in being in Arms, it will be your happinesse to fight with your enemies at distance, and so keep them from spoyling that as yet peaceable and flourishing County. If God stirre the hearts of people to appeare generally, and to prosper our endeavours, wee hope the successe will be happy and comfortable.