SIR EDWARD HVNGERFORDS Vindication, for the ſurren­dring of Malmsbury in Wiltſhire to the Kings forces, after it was taken by Sir William VValler.

I Have not heard that either the let­ter ſubſcribed by Sir William Waller, Sir Arthur Haſlerigge, and my ſelfe at Malmsbury, to certifie the Parlia­ment of the taking of that towne, or mine, (within a few dayes after) relating the ha­ſty deſerting of that towne unto the enemy; was e­ver read, or came to the view of either Houſe of Par­liament, Wherefore to avoid miſtakes or miſ-un­derſtandings, that may happen by Common fame, I ſhal•breifly give you the true relation both of tak­ing and deſerting of the ſaid Towne. Vpon the Tuſ­day ſenight before Eaſter, about one of the clock in the afternoone, Sir VVilliam VValler came before it, and at the fi•ſt onſet tooke the Suburbs, but the Towne held out longer, being fiercely aſſaulted by our men, all that afternoone, till about ten of the clock at night, and aſwell defended by the Enemy within then being weary on both ſides there was a pawſe for a few houres, after which our drums bea­ting an Allarum, the enemy began to treat, and up­on Wedneſday by ſeaven of the Clock in the mor­ning, Sir William did peaceably enter the Towne, where beſides three hundred priſoners that was ta­ken, there was an Iron Saker, ſome Muſquets, and ſome Pikes, and ſome few horſes taken, but little or no ammunition.

I was apointed to take the charge of that Towne and accordingly expected to have it left withall things for defence, but much buſineſſe happening, and Sir William Waller haſtening out of Towne up­on his deſigne towards Glouceſter, before any con­ſultation, could be had concerning the ſettlement thereof, upon Thurſday I went out of Malmeſbury to wards Tedbury, with Sir William Waller at what time the Town was left with more Priſoners then Soul­diers, without Ammunition and money, and by the way mentioning to Sir William Waller, the danger­ous condition of that Towne if he left not there a very conſiderable party, eſpecially in caſe he remov­ed to any remote place, without forceing the enemy firſt from Cirenceſter, who was there at that time ve­ry ſtrong both in horſe and foote, whereupon Sir William Waller did that evening at Tedbury order 3. Barrells of Pouder to be preſently ſent unto Mal­meſbury, and appointed Major Clyfton to repaire thi­ther, to joyne with Major Trayle, in the ordering of the forces there, that Captain Talbot with his Troop ſhould preſently go thither, to guard the Priſoners from thence the next day to Bath and Captaine Wal­don with his parcell of Dragooners, neare upon 20. to remaine at Malmeſbury, I conceiving that the ſaid Serjeant Major Clifton ſent thither by Sir Wil­liam Waller was a Commander able and fit to give direction and ſecure the Towne, I left all my forces with him at Malmeſbury, and went my ſelfe to Bath attended onely with my owne ſervants, ſpee­dily to ſend more Ammunition Men and Horſe, whereof there was not at Malmeſbury a ſufficient number for Scouts, as alſo to get money for the payment of the Gariſon at Malmeſbury, whilſt I was about this worke, had gotten my horſes together, made up two companies ready on their march to­wards Malmeſbury, with Ammunition which was wanting there, for Ordnance, and a ſupply of other Ammunition, newes was brought that Malmeſbury was abandoned, (and for ought I could underſtand) rather upon the conceipt then ſight of an enemy, the cauſe of this conceived to be, from an appre­henſion of the power of an enemy neare them; the ſmale force they had then in the Towne (not ex­ceeding one hundred and Twentie Souldiers) to make reſiſtance, the backwardens of the Country to come in to beare Armes or to aſſiſt with money who ſeemed very forward whileſt Sir William Waller was preſent but altered their minds ſo ſoone as they did ſee him with his Army, to be departed from them, my Souldiers generally diſcontented, that they had not Pillage as others who tooke leſſe paines (as they thought) and loſt no blood, over bur­thened with duties, being but a few in number, and howerly raiſed with Allarumes.

The Captaines at odds amongſt themſelves, Ma­jor Trayle that ſhould have reconciled all, not ſo carefull as he ought, Major Clifton that was ſent to joyne with him, gone away from thence to Bath, theſe two being the able Commanders, eſpecially truſted for the defence of the Towne, One of the Officers alſo amongſt them, did much increaſe their feares, and ſeeing falſe Alarumes, and after as their number decreaſed, did helpe to diſarme the remain­der; alſo two of the Captaines that ſhould have en­couraged them, told them that they were all but dead men, if they did not flie forth preſently, they being the firſt that ſhewed them the way by their example; after this the ſouldiers could not be ſtay­ed, butein ſpit of their Captaine & Officers which were left, who ſought to keepe them in, they ranne away ſo that within a houre or two, there were ſcarce tenne ſouldiers left in the Towne, thus was Malmſebury left at eleven of the Clock upon Sat­terday at night, no enemy entring until ſeven of the clock next morning being Sunday.

At this preſent the enemie hath in Garriſon there, foure hundred foot, and Curſton his Troope of Horſe, Collonell Bawfeild, is appointed Gover­nour thereof, and this is the true relation of the winning and looſing of that Towne, within leſſe then the ſpace of a weeke, (as will be teſtified by many of very good credit) wherewith I ſhall en­treate you to acquaint the Houſe, that they may not ſuffer their ſervants in the Countrey to undergoe an ill oppinion, who have not deſerved the ſame, which is all that I have at this time, to recommend unto you, but that I am.