A LETTER TO His Highneſs THE LORD PROTECTOR, Signifying the totall Defeat of the Cavalliers in the Weſt, under the Command of Sir Joſeph Wagſtaff.
YEſterday morning, being Tueſday, I marched with my Troop to Huninton, being fifteen miles Eaſtward from Exon, with intention to2 ſtop the Enemy from coming further Weſtward; but gaining intelligence that they were come that way, and that they would be too ſtrong for me, I made my retreat to Exon; the next morning I underſtood that they were in their march for Cornwal, and in order thereunto they were come to Collumpton, within ten Miles of Exon, I heard they were much tyred, and their number two hundred, and therefore imagined that if they ſhould gain Cornwal, it might be much prejudicial; I was reſolved to hazard all that was dear to me rather than let them have their End, and therfore marched towards Collumpton with only my own Troop, I had no more for this Service, but when I came near that place, I underſtood3 they were marched to Tiverton, whither I purſued them with all ſpeed, but there miſt them alſo, but received Information that from thence they were gone to Southmolton, twelve miles further, ſtill in order for Cornwal; thither I reſolved to follow them; they took up their quarters about ſeven of the Clock this night, and by the good providence of God, directing and aſſiſting me, I beat up their Quarters about ten of the Clock; they diſputed it very much with me in the Houſes for more than two hours, firing very hot out of the windows; they ſhot ſeven or eight of my men, but none I hope mortally wounded, they ſhot many of my Horſes alſo; but, My Lord, we broke open many Houſes; ſome4 of them yielded to mercy; I promiſed them, I would uſe my endeavours to intercede for their lives, I have taken moſt of their Horſes, about fifty Priſoners, amongſt whom are Penruddock, Iones, and Grove, who commanded thoſe Horſe, each of them having a Troop. Wagſtaff I fear is eſcaped, he was with them, but at preſent I cannot find him, yet hope to catch him as ſoon as Daylight appears. I will raiſe the Country to apprehend ſuch Straglers, which for want of having Dragoons narrowlie eſcaped me. My Lord, they are all broken and routed, and I deſire the Lord may have the glorie. I beſeech your Highneſs to pardon this unpoliſht account, I can hardly indeed write, being ſo wearie with extream dutie, but I hope5 by the next to ſend your Highneſs a more perfect one, and a Liſt of the Priſoners, many of them, J ſuppoſe being very conſiderable. Colonel Shapcot of this County was pleaſed to march with me on this Deſign, and was with me at the beating up of their Quarters, and hath ſhewed himſelf wonderfull ready, in every reſpect, to preſerve the Peace of this County. My Lord, I remain,