147 
Making Bath his head-quarters, and getting what support he 
could from Bristol, he at once with his usual energy set about 
raising and organizing a force fit for an encounter, but after using 
every endeavour, and exhausting every means, by the 24th of 
June he had not five hundred foot.* . 
The difficulty about money too was almost insurmountable. 
This department was entrusted to Mr. Ashe, of Freshford, but 
the neighbouring hundreds being already eaten up he was greatly 
perplexed at the small sums he received. The Parliament in 
committee, on the 22nd June, sent to Mr. Ashe two thousand 
_ pounds, and considered further how a regular payment could be 
made to him, at the same time acquainting Sir William Waller 
with the great solicitude on his behalf. Sir William himself was 
also busy on this important matter, and went purposely to 
Bristol on it, his men meanwhile keeping a solemn fast at Bath. 
The following letter to Col. Fiennes, the governor of Bristol, 
which seems to bode no good to the party named, will show how 
pressing this difficulty was :— 
**T beseech you, take care of this shippe, 1 can scarce tell what to doe for 
‘money. Good Sir helpe me, make what you can for the payment of these 
**companies, otherwise I must give over. There is one Capt. Phair that 
**is gon to Bristow, he found a sume of money, some say a very great one, 
“he is now with you to secure his mony. I intreate you would improve 
**your best to find out what it is. Desire him from me to make haste to his 
‘colours, but good Sir, if it is possible find out what he leaves amongst 
‘you. I doubt not of your best assistance and will ever be your faithful 
* servant, + 
Wittiam WALLER. 
Being joined by Col. Popham, Col. Strode and others, with 
_ both horse and foot, retiring from about Glastonbury and Wells 
when their enemy passed by to Frome ; and also by Sir Arthur 
Haselrig from London, with his regiment known as the regiment 
_ of lobsters from the bright iron shell or cuirass which they were 
* Clarendon MSS., 1705, Ed. Cooke to Col. Fiennes. 
4 {+ Clarendon MSS. 1712, 
