EBEN-EZER. A Full and Exact RELATION OF THE Severall Remarkable and Victorious proceedings of the ever-renowned Colonell MASSY, Governour of Glouceſter, from May 7. to May 25. 1644.
In which time he tooke theſe ſeverall conſiderable Garriſons of the enemies in Glouceſterſhire and Wiltſhire, namely, Wesbury, little Deane, Newnam, Beverſton-caſtle, Malmsbury, and Chippenham.
With the Summons ſent by Col. Maſſie to Col. Howard (ſonne to the Earle of Berkſhire) Governour of Malmsbury; and his anſwer thereunto. And the names of the Officers and Commanders taken there.
As alſo, the Votes of the Houſe of Commons on Friday laſt, concerning the ſupplies to be ſent to Col. Maſſie, and a thouſand pounds per annum to be given to him and his heires for ever, out of the eſtates of Papiſts and Delinquents; as a reward for the many acceptable ſervices performed by him.
Imprimatur,
LONDON, Printed for T. W. and are to be ſold in the Old-baily. 1644.
ON Tueſday the 7th of May the Governour marched out of Glouceſter with about nine hundred foot, and his owne Regiment of Horſe, and Col. Purefoys regiment of Horſe, two pieces of Ordnance, and other Carriage fit for the march, with purpoſe to remove the enemies Garriſons at Wesbury, Little-Deane, and Newnam, all ſtrongly fortified, and well provided with Men, Armes, and Amunition; all which it pleaſed God miraculouſly to deliver into his hands. For he firſt aſſaulting the Garriſon at Weſbury (which was Mr. Colcheſters houſe, and the Church) he got to the Church, and with Granadoes and Piſtollſhot, the which he ſent in at the Windowes, he preſently made the enemy to forſake the Church, and to runne to the houſe: which being diſcerned by the Governours2 Forces, the Church was quickly poſſeſſed by them; which made the Enemy forſake all their out-workes, and to cry for quarter. There were ſlaine of the enemy about twenty, and about threeſcore taken priſoners in that Garriſon, with their Armes and Ammunition. Whileſt the Foot was at this Garriſon at Wesbury, Colonell Maſſie commanded ſome of the horſe to march to Little-Deane, where the enemy had alſo fortified a houſe to face them, who falling ſuddenly into the Towne tooke divers of them in the Towne, and there killed Lieutenant-colonell Congre Governour of Newnham; and the Horſe onely with their Carbines, Swords, and Piſtols, ſuddenly ſurpriſed the Garriſon it ſelfe (although fortified) where were neere forty priſoners taken: and that night Colonel Maſſie quartered at Wesbury and Deane, and the next day drew up to Newnham, where preſently he beat the enemy out of the Towne into their Workes, which were double fortified and very ſtrong, having a very ſmall compaſſe to make good, and there being but one place poſſible to fall on the enemy, who having there foure ſmall pieces of Ordnance and good ſtore of Proviſion and Amunition. Yet it pleaſed God to give the ſouldiers ſuch courage and reſolution that they fiercely ſtormed the Workes, and made the enemy to forſake them, and to runne into the Church, where the Governours forces ruſhed in upon them pell-mell, with much violence, which enforced them to cry out for quarter; which one Tipper an old ſervant to Sir J. Winter and an arch Papiſt perceiving, and being not willing to take quarter, gave fire to a barrell of Powder intending to deſtroy himſelfe and all the reſt, which occaſioned the putting of more to the ſword then otherwiſe had been, the Governour being much enraged to ſee any of his men ſcorched with Powder. In this3 Garriſon was taken good ſtore of proviſions of all ſorts, 4 Guns, one great Wall-piece of 8 foot long, good ſtore of Granadoes, and ſome Fireworks, 8 barrels of Powder, 60 skeines of fine Match, with good ſtore of great ſhot for the Guns, about 150 priſoners, whereof 3 were Captaines, and one Capt. Butler was ſtaine with the buttend of a Musket, and ſo was old Tipper (that traitor to the rules of War) with about 20 others; there were taken about twenty others; there were taken alſo about 40 horſes. The priſoners were inſtantly conveyed to Glouceſter with ſafety, and the Governour quartered that night at Newnam and little Deane. But the wonderfull and extraordinary providence of God was in this, that in the taking of three fortified garriſons in two daies, and all by ſtorme, the Governour loſt never a man, onely ſome few were ſcorched with the treachery of the Papiſts powder-plot, and one had his arme ſhot off with Cannon-bullet, but none of the wounds mortall.
After the taking of the ſaid three ſeverall Garriſons, the Governour of Glouceſter marched with his ſaid forces to Lidney, where Sir Iohn Winters fortifications and proviſions being found too ſtrong for ſuch forces as the Governour had with him, the Governour drew off his wearied men, and cauſed three Iron-mills of Sir Iohn Winters, with his proviſion of Coales to be deſtroyed and burned, the ſame being very beneficiall to the ſaid Sir Iohn Winter, and moſt uſefull to him and the popiſh party for proviſions of warlike engines againſt the Parliaments Army and the Kingdome. While thoſe Noble actions of the Governour were performed in Glouceſter ſtire, Col. Mynn with his Regiments of Horſe and Foot forſooke Roſſe in Herefordſhire, and entered ſome into Hereford, and ſome into Monmoth for their better ſecurity; whereupon4 the worthy Governour with his ſaid Forces of Foot and Horſe marched into Herefordſhire, poſſeſſed himſelfe of Roſle, tooke Wilton-bridge, being a draw-bridge on the River Wye, and tooke the houſe or caſtle neere unto it, with one and thirty priſoners and ſome horſe; and then ſent part of his horſe, viz. Col. Purefoys Regiment of horſe towards Monmoth, to give an Alarm there; and the other part, viz. his owne Regiment of horſe, towards Hereford, to performe the like; which cauſed the great Jeſuiticall Papiſt and arch Traytor, the L. Herbert, to gather his forces of horſe and foot into Monmoth to joyne with the forces there of Col. Minus, and ſent all their horſe from Monmoth towards Wilton-bridge; but they were encountered by the way by the horſe ſent by the Governour towards Monmoth, who charged them bravely, ſlew 5 or 6 of them, and the reſt being neere the Towne of Monmoth ſheltred themſelves there. In the meane time the Governour being now quietly poſſeſſed of all that part of Herefordſhire, ſummons the County to come in, and to take the Covenant, and to pay contribution unto him; where he found willing obedience by the greateſt part of the Yeomanry of that County, and was reſolved to have beſieged Hereford, which would have yeelded unto him in very ſhort time, as is ſince informed, had not other important occaſions called him from thence, to performe a greater ſervice in Gods cauſe. While the Governour was thus employed in Herefordſhire he received advertiſment that 7 of his ſouldiers had taken Col. Oglethorp the Governour of Beverſton-caſtle, and ſix others of his Troopers, and brought them to Glouceſter; and that a Captaine of his was going away into other ſervice of the Parliament: whereupon he comming to Glouceſter May 21, in the evening, diſpatched the buſineſſe he came about;5 and finding then by examination of ſome of the ſaid priſoners, that there were ſome diſtractions hapned upon taking the Governour of Beverſton-caſtle, touching the government thereof, and the rather becauſe the King had granted the ſame unto Sir Baynham Trockmorton whilſt the ſaid Oglethorpe was Governour; the ſaid Noble Governour of Glouceſter reſolved to take the opportunity to performe ſome worthy exploits; and having then about 10 a clock at night the ſaid 21 of May received Letters from the Committee of the houſe of Commons nominated for the affaires of the garriſon of Glouceſter, he wrote ſeverall Letters unto them from Glouceſter, which tooke up his time untill two a clocke in the morning, and then poſted backe into Herefordſhire 12 miles from Gloceſter the ſame day Wedneſday May 22. and there drew his ſaid forces of horſe and foot into one body at Roſſe, and then preſently cauſed his horſe to march by Glouceſter, appointing them to be the next day at the Rendezvouz within 3 miles of Beverſton-caſtle 15 miles from Glouceſter Southward; and alſo the ſame day cauſed his foot to march ſomewhat a neerer way towards Beverſton-caſtle, over the River Severne unto Frampton, being at leaſt 16 miles, and were conſtrained to march all Wedneſday night to meet the horſe at the Rendezvouz appointed, as aforeſaid; and from thence marched to Beverſton-caſtle on the Thurſday, where they firſt ſurprized about 60 horſe depaſturing under the Caſtle walls, and guarded with about 6 Musketiers, who flying gave the Alarm to the Caſtle, which the Noble Governour ſuddenly ſurrounded with his horſe, and the ſame night drew up his foot and Artilery, and then ſending to ſummon the Caſtle, and writing alſo to the Lieutenant-colonell and other Officers there ſome plauſible Letters, and offering faire6 quarter and true performance, the Caſtle was ſurrendred unto him about 12 a clock the ſame night by accord, onely to give them quarter, liberty and their wearing apparrell. In which Caſtle they had 50 Muskets, 4 barrels of Powder, and other proviſion; the command whereof was preſently delivered unto Captaine Read a faithfull man in the ſervice of the Parliament. The noble Governour having thus ſetled a garriſon for the Parliament in Beverſton-caſtle, continued his march the next morning toward Malmſbury in Wiltſhire, and the ſame day ſent this enſuing ſummons written with his own hand unto the Governour of Malmsbury, viz.
YOu are hereby ſummoned, that you within one halfe houre after the comming of this to your hands, ſurrender the ſame, with all the Armes, Ammunition, proviſion, and other things of ſervice and uſe whatſoever unto Col. Maſſie Governor of Glouceſter, for the uſe, and on the behalfe of the King and his Parliament now ſitting at Weſtminſter. And he doth hereby engage himſelfe by all the ties of honour, that you, your officers, and ſouldiers ſhall not onely enjoy your lives, and be received under the protection of good uſage and quarter, but alſo all ſuch as ſhall deſire imployment with us, under my command, ſhall finde entertainment according to their qualities, or depart whither they pleaſe. And if you ſhall refuſe this proffer of mercy, then you are to expect no other but what Fire and Sword ſhall bring upon you.
The Governour of Malmesbury within the time limited in the ſaid Summons ſent this inſuing Anſwer.
I Have received your Summons, and (without any unſavoury language) do returne you this Anſwer: That we will maintaine this towne for the King and Parliament now ſitting at Oxford, in defence of thoſe Rites that pretended Parliament at Weſtminſter have abuſed and robbed our Nation. For the other particular, that upon deniall we muſt expect the extremity of Fire and Sword, we make this Anſwer: That thoſe extremities, I believe, are as likely to fall upon thoſe that aſſault this towne, as thoſe that defend it. For that point, of ſerving you, the truth is, we are all too proud.
This Henry Howard, a Colonell of Foot, and one of the Earle of Berkſhires ſonnes, being Governour there, prepared his Souldiers for defence, as well as for defiance, and filled his Works with his numerous Souldiers, bragging much of their valour and reſolution; which cauſed that worthy Commander Colonell Maſsie, to double his cart and diligence to ſtorme it, with all vigour, courage, and expedition; but it was late in the evening before he could draw up his Horſe, Foot, and Artillery before the ſaid8 Towne: and theſe two difficulties happened unto him the ſame time: the one was his ſouldiers want of ſleep, having continued their conſtant watch, and continuall duty, for ſeverall dayes and nights together, without intermiſſion: the other was, the great ſtore of raine that fell the ſame evening, and continued all the night enſuing, whereby Colonell Purefoy's Regiment of Horſe were conſtrained to forſake the field, and ſeeke out ſome ſhelter for themſelves and their horſes: But the unwearied Governour, with his Foot, and ſome three or foure Troupes of Horſe of his owne Regiment, gave the Alarum to the Enemy all that night, playing hard with his Ordnance and Musketiers, during which time he himſelfe tooke great paines in making Bliues, and in taking ſuch houſes as might beſt preſerve his men, and reſolved to ſtorme it early the next morning, and accordingly about Sun-riſing May 25. he drew out a ſtrong party of Musketiers againſt the Turne-Pike and chaine, who very gallantly aſſaulted the Enomy, and beat them from their Ordnance and Guards: ſome other of the Musketiers aſſaulting the Enemy in their Works (at one and the ſame time) with ſcaling-ladders, beat the Enemy from their Works, and with great courage and reſolution entred the ſame, wounded ſome, and the reſt fled further into the Towne: in all which it was hard to judge, whether that worthy Commander, by his perſonall action, or diſcieet direction, were of greater availe in taking the Towne: but ſure it is, the ſame added much courage to the Captaines both of Horſe and Foot; inſomuch that Major Gray and Captaine Ayleworth with joynt courage, and brave horſes well mann'd, ſwiftly entred the towne, by leaping their Horſes over the chaine, and over the Turne-Pike, and encountred the firſt Enemy, by cutting off his arme with a ſword, and ſhot the next in the head9 with a Piſtoll; and Captain Blunt, one of the Captaines of Foot, upon the diſcharge of the Enemies Ordnance forced his entrance into the Towne through the Enemies Worke where the Enemy plyed the Ordnance, which he overturned upon his entrance, and made way for his Souldiers to follow: and Captaine White entred the Towne in another place over the Works, firſt maſtering the ſame with his Musketiers: but the firſt man that by force entred the Enemies Works, was a Serjeant with 40. reſolute Musketiers, to whom the Governour had promiſed five pounds, with other rewards to the 40. Musketiers, if they would give the firſt aſſault, and performe it with courage, which they did accordingly, and the Governour paid them liberally. It was a brave ſpectacle to ſee, how unanimous both Commanders and Souldiers undertooke the enterprize, and with what undaunted ſpirits and carriage all of them in one minute of time performed the ſame, notwithſtanding their hard marches, want of ſleepe, and the unſeaſonable raine all that night. But let all glory and praiſe be given to the Lord of Hoſts, by whom the worke was done in ſo little time, and without ſo much as a man hurt of the Governours Souldiers in the ſtorming of it: nor did they loſe a man during their time of being there, except the Governours boy, and one common Souldier: our Forces lay but twelve or thirteene houres before the ſame, ere they tooke it by aſſault: the Governour of Malmesbury, and ſuch other Priſoners as were taken, are contained in the enſuing Liſt.
The reſt of the Officers and Souldiers by running thorow the River made their eſcape.
As ſoone as the right worthy Colonell Maſſey had poſſeſſed himſelfe of Malmesbury, and the Priſoners, he preſerved all the towne from plunder of the Souldiers, and then ſent a ſtrong party to Chipham, who tooke in that Garriſon alſo, and about 80. Musketiers Priſoners, he took alſo ſeven Waines or Waggons laden with Sack and other Wines, going from Briſtoll to Oxford: but it is affirmed by others, that much of that lading is Armes and Ammunition. He hath ſince taken other townes, and brought the greateſt part of Wiltſhire under the obedience o•the Parliament, and hath taken many other Commanders and Malignants adhering to the Cavaliers, and the Iriſh Rebels, viz. M. George Low, of the Oxford-Parliament, and another, ſecond ſonne of Sir Edward Barmons, and one M. Chivers, with others: And by taking of Malmesbury and Beverſton Caſtle, all trade and commerce out of the Weſt to Oxford is much hindred, and from Briſtoll to Oxford quite taken away, and the trade of clothing opened from thoſe parts to London; and, as the report is, there are upon the way now coming up out of Wiltſhire towards London thirteen Wains laden with woollen cloth, which wilbe welcome to the Merchants and Drapers here, and other wares and commodities will be ſent and returned from London into the Countrey: This is the Lords doing, and to him be given all the praiſe and glory. This alſo may ſtirre up the hearts of ſuch as are able to lend upon the Glouceſter Ordinance, for the raiſing of ſome horſe to ſerve under the command of that valiant Commander, who will be left deſtitute of horſe, when the Regiment of Colonell Purefoys Horſe ſhall be called away from him, who is earneſtly deſired by the Committee of Coventrey, that he may returne againe into Warwickſhire, for the defence of that County, being raiſed by them for that purpoſe. 12To all which I will onely adde, and conclude with the Votes and Reſolutions of the Houſe of Commons, made upon reading the ſaid Governours Letters of the taking of Malmesbury and Beverſton, before-mentioned.
A Letter from Colonell Maſſey from Malmesbury of the 25. of May concerning the taking of the Towne of Malmesbury, and a copie of the Summons ſent to the Towne, and the Anſwer of the Garriſon, were all read: and likewiſe a Letter of the 27. of May from Malmesbury, relating the ſame particulars more at large, was likewiſe read; deſiring that his Regiment might be recruted before any other addition of force: and likewiſe deſiring to know how that Town of Malmesbury ſhall be diſpoſed of.
Ordered, That the Towne of Malmesbury, and the Caſtle of Beverſton, as to the Government of them, ſhalbe left wholly to the diſpoſall of Colonell Maſſey.
Ordered, That before there be any addition made of new Regiments for the aſsiſtance of Colonell Maſſey, Colonell Maſſeys owne Regiment of Foot be first recruted, and that his Regiment of Horſes may be compleated for Men, Horſe, and Arms,13 by ſuch ſupplies of Moneyes as by the Ordinance may be procured for Glouceſter.
Ordered, That after Colonell Maſſeyes Regiments of Horſe and Foot ſhall be recruted and completed, That a Regiment of Horſe ſhall be raiſed for Colonell Stephens, High Sheriffe of the County of Glouceſter, to be under the command of Colonell Maſſey: and that my Lord Generall be deſired to grant no Commiſsion to any other for raiſing any other Regiments for the County of Glouceſter, and the other Counties mentioned in the Ordinance, but to ſuch as ſhall be recommended by Colonell Maſſey unto the Committee of Glouceſter, and by them to this Houſe.
Ordered, That Roger Burgoyne do by this day ſevennight at fartheſt pay in the 400. l. owing upon Bond to Capt. Matthews deceaſed, and aſsigned by former Order upon Colonell Maſſey.
14Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for Glouceſter, to prepare an Ordinance, and bring it in on Tueſday morning next, for ſetling upon Colonell Maſſey an Eſtate of Jnheritance to the value of 1000. pound per Annum, at least, out of ſome Papists and Delinquents Eſtates.
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