THE BLOUDY FIELD, OR, The great Engagement of the English and Scottish Forces beyond Sterling; with the manner how Major Gen. Massey's Lieu colonel led on the Forlorn Hope against Col. Morgan, and charged each other with abundance of Courage and Resolution.
The Particulars of the Fight, the event and success thereof, the number killed, taken, and wounded on both sides, and the Commissions granted in the name of the King of Scots, to the English Red coats that come in to his assistance.
Likevvise, the imbodying of the tvvo Armies on both sides, the interposing of General Monk neer the Mountains, the advancing of Col. Lilburn to his assistance, the besieging of one of our chief Castles, and the marching of some of the Cavalry towards Cumberland.
Imprinted at London for George Horton, 1654.
SInce my last of the 15 instant, here hath hapned a great change and alteration; no less then 1000 new foot are gone in to the enemy, and General Middleton hath taken the whole charge of the Army, resolving to force his passage through our forces, if he can, and to march Southward. The whole body is drawn up into a Regimental way, and Col. Massey's Lieu. col. is commander in chief of the English Cavalry, consisting of about 1500 hors with whom he made his way through into Ross, where little Col. Morgan attended his motion, and drew out a considerable [Page 4]party to receiv them, but being over powred, and having received a desperate charge, were forced to wheel off towards Dingwel, which the little Col perceiving immediatly advanced with 700 horse, and coming near them, gave Order, that not a man should fire til he came within a horse length of the enemy, and then to throw their pistols in their faces, & so to fal in with their swords, which accordingly they did, and after a tedious and sharp Conflict, dispierced these valiant Heroes, took about 100 prisoners, and killed many upon the place; but not without some loss. Nevertheless, coming to a Pass 5 miles from Dingwel, they rallyed, and so consequently may be able to defend it til the Army comes up.
Maj. Gen. Dylar has besieged Sinclair Castle with 900 foot, and five Troops of Horse, and summon'd the Governor; who [Page 5]returned an Answer from the mouth of the Canon, and is resolved to dispute it with fiery Arguments. Lieu. Col. Irwin is returned from the Borders of England with some prisoners, and as he passed by Aberfoy Castle gave them a Volley, but made no further attempt. Ruthin Castle is in some danger; but supplyes are gone both in the Primrose and Sparrow. The people are mad from all parts to be ingaged, and we fear the further spreading of this great insurrection, notwithstanding the great overthrow given to the Earl of Selkeith, and the Load Noughton, whose parties were so dissipated that not ten men were left in a company, besides above 250 (as vve hear) vvere slain upon the place. Sundry other disputes hath hapned, and many desperate engagements, vvherein our Atchievements (sometimes hath been crovvn'd vvith tryumphant success.
For Col. Fitch advancing to a Pass, and conceiving it feasible, made so dexterious an attempt, that after an houres dispute, he beat them out of their Trenches, possessed the Works, took four picces of Canons, killed divers, and took about 150 prisoners; but not without some loss.
Since which time, Gen. Middleton has had a randevouz in Southerland, unto whose assistance the Earl of Seafort, and the Lord Mac-Aldow are come in with eleven hundred horse and foot; so that they now speak themselves to be no less then 12000 horse and foot: But we deem them to be not above 5000; and their main Body continues in Southerland; against whom Col. Monk is marched with 850 Horse, and 2000 Foot, which the enemy perceiving, drew forth about 1500 horse and foot, under the Command of Sir Arthur Forbis, who marched up in three several Bodies to maintain a Pass against our forces, and to fight them: insomuch, that upon Major Bridges advance with our Forlorn-Hope, Sir George drew forth above 300 English that had deserted their Colours, and charged in person with them very puissantly; but they were as gallantly received, and charged each other through and through: yet so dubious was the conflict, that for a time it seemed very disputable, till [Page 7]at last, the additional Forces came up, and put a period to the dispute, taking divers prisoners, and killing many; and 'tis said, that Monro escaped narrowly: In this Conflict we lost about 20 men, and 30 wounded. The enemies loss is conceived to be treble.
As soon as the additional forces come up, We intend to take the field, and interpose, if possible, between General Middleton, Glencairn, Kenmore, and Loftus, who threaten fire and sword to all that will not come in and rise with them. And they give out, that they will rather engage with Us then hazzard going through the Hills, they being so mountainous and impassable, knowing that it will be the ruine of their horses, and most of their Foot.
We expect a sudden Engagement, and the additional Forces and new Levies on both sides are drawing up to dispute the quarrel: so that consequently it may prove as desperate an en [...]agement as ever yet hapned. The justness of the Cause carry it.
Edenborough April 26. 1654.
POSTSCRIPT.
UPon the close of the precedent Letter, arrived a Post from the North, who intimateth, that his Excellency General Monk is got beyond the Enemy, and interposes between the mountains and General Middleton, so that now a sudden engagement is expected between the two main Bodies, and some notable Passes has already been disputed, but not with too much Conquest on either side: For, those English that have deserted Us, are as full of policy as valour, and fight with great courage and resolution, and for the encouragement of others, divers are made Officers, & to that end, several Commissions are issued forth in the name of Charles Stuart. Col. Lilburn, Col. Daniel, and Col. Fitches Regiments are marching towards Dingwel, and our Design is to surround them (if we can) and then engage them.