By W. TF. RavenhUl, Esq. 



135 



outguard of the towne was denied passage by the guard they alleadging, that C 

 Gorge hath soe given order, that none must passe without his license ; whereupon 

 we halted there about a quarter of an hour, and in the meantime sent to know of 

 C Gorge what his meaninge was, who then gave a ticket for our passage which C 

 Ceely took soe unkindly, he being the older Colonell, that he refused to march 

 by the others leave ; and by this meanes we were altogether disappointed of 

 what in probability might have been easily pffected ; I meane the ruine of our 

 enemies, who were not in number above 160, as I am since very certainly 

 informed ; and in a very tremblinge^'posture. Their horse are many of them 

 very good, but the riders very ill accoutred for the most parte ; yet notwith- 

 standing these discouragements, their purpose is, to pursue tomorrow with what 

 horse they can make, and if possible joyne with the Sheriffe of Devon (to whome 

 they have wrytten to that purpose) that soe they may, being united, if not take 

 them at least disperse them ; which I heare they begin to do already. Truely, 

 Sir, I am hartily sorry to see these divisions, that are amongst us ; and truely 

 though I cannot say that C Pyne and the others fully comply with the 

 present government ; yet I am verily perswaded, that they were very harty in 

 this present worke ; and I am sure have been formerly very good instruments 

 for the secureing these partes, and for any publicue good ; and therefore I 

 cannot but be troubled, that C Gorge, a man but of yesterday, who hath not 

 soe fully borne testimony against the cavaliers in former times, should soe 

 much insult and greive the spirits of those gentlemen. I observed further 

 yesterday, that C Gorge took some distaste at C Bovett, for that he, upon the 

 alarum, entered the Castle of Taunton, and secured it with some of the Company 

 that formerly served him in the Militia, and refused to turne out his men again, 

 and deliver the possession thereof to C Gorges. Indeed, my opinion is, that 

 what Lieutenant Col Bovett did was meerly for the preservation of the place, 

 without any sinister end ; and to my knowledge was exceeding forward to 

 further any designe against the enemy, and to reconcile divisions here. But I 

 must begg your pardon for this trouble ; at present I shall not much inlarge, 

 but desire, that if opportunity be offered, you will be pleased to acquaint my 

 Lord herewith, which, with the tender of my reall and hearty respects to 

 you, is all at this time from, 



Sir your most obliged servant, 

 Taunton, March 14, 1654 (5) "William Gotjgh. 



The Superscription 



For my much honoured friend William Malyn Esq e Secretary to his highnes 

 the Lord Protector these present at Whitehall. 

 The Endorsement 



Sir, Being newly come to this towne with 4 troopes of our regiment, where 

 Major General Disbrowe will meete tomorrow, I thought it necessary for your 

 helping us with intellegence in our pursuance of the enemy, to open your letter. 

 I have honestly sealed it up againe, 



Your humble servant, 

 Shaftsberry March 15 1654 (5). William Boteler." 



On the following day, or the day after, Boteler was joined by 

 General Disbrowe and the forces from London, and Hampshire, and 



