178 



A Contribution to the History of 



Port, in which they had cast up a breastwork and planted a pieco of ordnance. 

 The streets so narrow at the upper end next the work, that not above four could 

 march in breast ; this businesse cost hot water : as we fell on we advanced two 

 Drakes and under that favour our musqueteers possessed themselves of some 

 houses near the Port, from whence we galled the enemy very much : If our men 

 had then come out soundly we had then caryed it ; but the falling of some 

 cooled the rest ; And so the first assault failed after a fight of neer half an hour. 

 Whilst we were preparing to renew the assault the enemy showed himself neer the 

 Town with seaven or (as some say) ten troops of horse ; whereupon Sir Arthur 

 Hazelrig fell out upon them with eight troops, but upon his approach they retired 

 speedily. In the meantime before his return that night, we gave on again upon the 

 Town, and had a very hot fight, which after an hours continuance at the least 

 we were fain to give over for want of ammunition, the main part whereof was 

 unluckily stayed behind by a mischance of the carriage, and could not come up 

 till the next morning ; I was in such want of powder, and especially ball ; that 

 if the enemy had fallen out upon me, I could have maintained a very small fight, 

 and I had no notice thereof from the officer, until I was reduced to this straight ; 

 whereupon I thought fit to draw off the Drakes that night, or rather morning for 

 it was neer two of the clock ; The better to effect this, and to prevent the hazard 

 of the enemies' sally, I caused all the Drums to beat and trumpets to sound, 

 drawing both horse and foot out into the streets ; As in preparation to an Assault 

 with all the strength I had ; which gave the enemy such apprehension, that 

 immediately they sent out a Drum, and craved a parley. They yielded upon 

 quarter, and gave the entrance about seven or eight of the clocke that morning. 

 They were about three hundred foot, and a troop of horse, but the horse I related 

 formerly shifted for themselves upon our first coming. We have prisoners 

 Colonel Herbert Lunceford, Colonel Cook, Lieutenant Colonel Dabridgecourt, 

 Serjeant Major Finch six Captains, six Lieutenants, six Ensignes, one cornet, and 

 four Quartermasters besides, ordinary soldiers, part whereof we mean to send to 

 Gloucester, the rest to Bristoll. 



" This morning, in the name of God I propose to march to Cicester, where 

 there are seven hundred Foot and three hundred Horse and Dragoones. 



" I must not omit to represent, Major Burghell's merit to your Excellencie 

 who on the 19 of this present having information at Bath, that there was a party 

 of two hundred and forty Horse Plundring Sir Edward Hungerford's house ; 

 drew out a hundred Horse and marched thither but finding they were gone from 

 thence, and quartered at Sherston a place about three myles from Malmesbury ; 

 he pursued them thither and about twelve of the clock that night, falling into 

 their quarters routed them took twenty five prisoners ; whereof there was one 

 Captain Two Lieutenants, and one Quartermaster, six or eight slain upon the 

 place, and three dead since, between forty and fifty horses taken with some Arms, 

 without the losse or hurt of any one man of our own. I shall upon all occasions 

 certainly advertise your Excellencie of what passeth herej I commit your 

 Excellencie to God's heavenly protection, and rest 



" My Lord 



" Your Excellence's devoted humble servant 

 "Malmesbury "William Wallee 



23 Martii 1642" (1643) 



