Shrewsbury taken.

A COPIE OF Sir William Breretons LETTER TO THE PARLIAMENT: And the Copie of a Letter FROM The Committee of Shropshire: WITH A full Relation of the manner of the taking of Shrewsbury, by Colonell Mitton and Colonell Bowyer, with Sir William Breretons and Colonell Mittons Forces, on Saturday last, February 22.

AND The Particulars of that great Victory against P. Maurice's Forces there: Also a List of the chiefe Prisoners names; and what was taken in the said Garrison.

Published according to Order.

LONDON, Printed by Robert Austin, in the Old-Baily. 1645.

The Copie of a LETTER FROM THE Committee of the County of SALOP, FOR THE PARLIAMENT.
To the Honourable, Sir William Brereton Baronet, Commander in Chiefe of the Cheshire Forces.

SIR,

LEt us admire the mercy and goodnesse of God, that hath so far looked upon our low conditi­on▪ [...] to advance us now in his own time, and to possesse us of Shrewsbury. What shall we render for this unspeakable mercy? We be­seech you joyne with us in the praise of our God. This morning, about break of day, we entred Horse and Foot, and all in it, and are now staving off the souldiers [Page 2] from plundering. We have not yet time to give you a [...] the prisoners, but many of quality, the Governour, and [...] John Wylde, and his sonne, with many more. We beseechy you consid [...]r how to improve this advantage, and the d [...]ection that the Prince must needs receive by it: VVe doubt not if your assistance as occasion shall present: And for the pr [...]t in great hast (with our humble thanks to you for this great fa­vour you have affoorded us, and our unspeakable and humble acknowledgement of Gods great mercy) we rest,

Salop, 22. Febr. 1644.
Your most affectionate faithfull Servants, The Castle holds out yet, for ought we know.
  • Thomas Mitton.
  • Samuel More.
  • Robert Charleton.
  • Andr. Lloyd.
  • Rob. Clyve.
  • Tho. Hunt.
  • Leege Bruen.
SIR,

THough these lines may come unexpectedly to you, yet they will present you with so great a manifestation of Gods wisdome, power, and goodnesse, as that they will be welcomly entertained; Shrewsbury was this morning about five a clock taken by some 700. of our men of Staffordshire, and Cheshire, (and a company of Sir William Breretons own Regiment, com­manded by Colonell Bowyer) and the Shropshire Forces, in all about 1200. we lost not a man (as I heare of:) the prisoners are many▪ and considerable, and the prize great, Sir Michael Ernely, Governour, Sir Iohn VVylde, and divers others; the Town is rich, and it is said all the Princes treasure and carriages, were left there. I hope this victory will be pursued: I am constrained to be so brief▪ as that you will scarce believe it, because it will be so un­expected▪ therefore looke upon the inclosed, and joyn in praises: excuse my hast.

In regard we came with our Forces out of Wales, and must stay with our Army till the Lancashire and Yorkeshire men come up, my Generall Sir VVilliam Brereton was de­sirous to improve time, and not to lie idle, and therefore sent the Staffordshire Forces, which are put under his com­mand for this service, and some Cheshire Horse and Foot, under the condduct of Colonell B [...]y [...], a brave fellow.

Christlet [...]n Feb. 22. 1644.

Sir William Breretons Letter to the PARLJAMENT.

THese Lines may conveigh unto you the welcome newes of surprizing Shrewsbury this Saturday mor­ning about five a clock: which mercy cannot but bee acknow­ledged to be the return of those many supplica­tions put up to that God which heareth pray­ers, and giveth successe to those that seeke him, and make their dependence upon him; so hath he now dispensed (blessed be his great name) to his humble and unworthy servants, who have been plotting and contriving that which the Lord hath now effected. The Committee at Wem have been a long time very industrious about the effecting hereof, & it hath been several times [Page 5] attempted, though we have failed therein: the Lords time was not then come, and his time is the best time. I hope it may produce a very good effect in all these parts of the Kingdom, wherin there is not a more faithfull industrous Com­mittee, who lesse seeke themselves, and more the advancement of this cause, then the Com­mittee of Wem, and Oswestree, whom the Lord hath much crowned and prospered of late, though they were in so weake a condition, as that they had not sufficient men to maintaine their Garrisons, of Wem, and Oswestree▪ so as I was constrained to assist them with foure Com­panies of my own Regiment, untill they were possessed of the Garrison of Moreton-Corbet, since which time my Lord CALVILL, and a­nother Cheshire Company have remained with them, unto whom I sent, upon Wednesday last, foure hundred Horse of Cheshire and Stafford­shire, and three hundred Staffordshire Foot, and one Companie of my own Regiment, under the command of Colonel BOVVVER, which together with the Forces of Wem, and Oswe­stree, under the Command of Colonell MIT­TON, did not exceed 1200. men, to whom the Lord hath delivered one of the strongest [Page 6] Peeces in all this Kindome, and therein ma­ny considerable Prisoners, Sir MICHAEL ERNELY, the Governour, Sir JOHN WYLDE, and divers others, where of I have not as yet re­ceived a list, nor any more advertisement then is comprehended in the inclosed, being a copie of the Letter from the Committee, whereunto I shall not know what more to add, but to as­sure that no assistance which can be affoorded nor any endeavour upon my part shall be want­ing, to improve this advantage which God hath given. They cannot keepe Salop, and their other Garrisons, therefore I purpose with all speed (God willing) to march nearer unto them, that so we may be able to give them re­liefe, if occasion require. As there may be further opportunity administred, I will not faile to give you advertisement, and to imploy my utmost endeavours to shorten this Warre. Which that it may, is not more desired by any man, then by

Christleton, Feb. 22. 1644.
Your most faithfull Servant, William Brereton.

The Relation of the manner of the taking of Shrewsbury on Saturday the 27th of February, 1644.

By Collonel MIRRON, and Collonel BOWYER.

SIr William Brereton being ever vigi­lant to take the best opportunity of times, that might stand for the ad­vantage of the Common wealth, and at this time t [...]king this occasion, whilest Prince Maurice was advan­ced with his Forces on the Welch side of the Rivet D [...]e, whither hee was marched to releeve Chester that way, Sir William Breretons forces being all on the North side of the River; for the Welch side is so barr [...] that there is not provisions for a considerable Party that are able to defend them­sel [...] to lye there. But Sir William Brererton per­ceiving that Prince M [...]e would not fight with him, but rather [...] through that barren place to [...] Chester that way if he can, Sir William Brere­ton [Page 8] was very willing to make the best use of the occa­sion that he could.

On Tuesday February the 18. th 1644. Sir Willi­am Brewerton (having received Instructions from the Committee of a Designe which they had against Shrewsbury; and therefore desired a party of his Horse and Foot to joyne with Collonel Mittons) he made no delay therein; and Collonel Bowyer, awery able gallant Souldier was designed for the businesse.

On Wednesday February 19. Sir William Brere­ton having drawne out Foure hundred of Cheshire, and Staffordshire horse of those that were with him out of his Army, and Three hundred of the Staffordshire Foot, and a Company of his owne Regiment, put them under the command of Collonel Bowyer, and sent them to the Committee at Wem, well armed, and fitter for present service, who went very cheerefully and with admirable resolutions, not doubting but that the Lord (whose blessing they prayed for) would stand for them and protect them, and give a blessing to their endeavours.

Sir William Brewerton also sent divers Petars and other necessaries for the storming of Shrewsbury, to breake open the Gates or for such other services as they should find occasion, in which Sir William took great paines that there might be no delay in a busi­nesse of so great concernment; and it was carried on with very great speed as may appeare by the insuing d scourse each thing lying in order as the businesse was performed, which was performed in a very short time, to God be the pra [...].

[Page 9]On Thursday February the 20. 1644. Collonel Mitton with 500 of the Shropshire forces, and Collo­nel Bowyer with the aforesaid Cheshir [...] and Stafford­shire forces met at W [...]m, there number in all were a­bout 1200▪ and there they received Instructions from the Committee for the carrying on of the businesse in going against Shrewsbury, Collonel Mitton him­selfe is one of the said Committee, a very gallant Souldier, and one that is full of valour, and Cordeall for the publique good, as appeares by all his actions, he having in all that he hath done received very little pay; yet is not any the lesse active in preferring the publique before his owne private interest; And the next day they were designed to march against Shrews­bury, the strongest Garrison in Prince Maurices asso­tiation, and not much inferiour to the strongest garri­son that the King hath in all England.

On Friday February the 21. th, Collonel Mitton, and Collonel Bowyer with the said 1200 of Cheshire, Staffordshire, and Shropshire forces, Horse and Foot marched from Wem, they marched all Friday night, such was their courage and earnestnesse, with their vi­gilancy and care, that they would loose no opportuni­ty, notwithstanding the Coldnesse of the seasor, and darknesse of the night, but went on unanimously about the worke they were designed for; Collonel Mitton led on the Van, and Collonel Bowyer brought up the Reare, the Army being drawne into a formedable marching posture, in which they matched all that night.

[Page 10]On Saturday February the 22.th 1644. They drew neere to the Enemies garrison about Three or 4 of the clocke, Collonel Mitton led on the Horse, and Collonel Reynings the Foot, and so they marched up to their very Workes about foure of the clocke that morning.

About five of the clock in the Morning Collonel Mitton having passed some of his Foote in some Boates on the Severne, which runnes all along by Shrewsbury, toward which River the Castle stands, which foot were commanded by Collonel Rayning a very gallant able Souldier with Carpenters and other workemen and Artists fit for that employment who went along with them in boates, and when they came to the Walls, the Carpenters sawed down the Palla­sadoes, and the Souldiers helping one another got o­ver, and slew the Sentinels, and surprized the Souldi­ers in the Court of guard, and from thence went to the Magazine, and their chiefe Workes, and posses­sed themselves of them before they opened the Gates to the rest of the foot, and the Governour and many of the great ones were surprized in their bedds, and when they had made all sure they opened the Castle Gate, and let in all the Horse and the rest of the Foot, and marching up with Couragious resoluti­on to enter, the Enemy within being exceedingly amazed fled, some threw downe their Armes; and all crying out Arme, Arme, which opportunity our men tooke, marched in and opened the Gates, and [Page 11] Horse and foot all entred, and with the spilling of very little bloud gained the Towne.

When they had made entrance thorough the gate, and guarded the Town, our men some went into one street, and some into another, to search for the chiefe Officers, and Souldiers, and great care was taken to get betweene them and the Castle, whic [...] stands neere the west gate, and they took the Governour, and divers other very considerable men, besides other purchase as you may see in the List which followes.

And the Committee of Wem comming along with them, they took great care that those who are well­affected in the Town might not suffer, and therefore the Officers kept off the Souldiers from plundering of the Town, that so the Committee might see right done and none but Malignants onely to suffer.

And cruelly have the good people been long hand­led by the Cavaliers in that place, that they were no little glad that Collonel Mitton hath taken it, and accordingly expressed themselves to the Com­mittee.

The Committee gave notice hereof to Sir wil­liam Brewerton, certifying him what they had done, and he hath taken care for Forces to lye neere them to releeve Collonel Mitton if occasion be.

The whole County are glad of th [...] he well-affec­ted part thereof, and desire that Collonel Mitton may be made the Governour thereof; who is an honest Cordeall well affected man, and of true in­tegrity.

[Page 12]About twelve of the clocke on the same day the Castle was surrendred upon Condi­tion, that the Officers and Souldiers that were in the sayd Castle should March away with their Armes and leave the Ammuniti­on, and Armes, in the said Castle, and all the Officers and Souldiers in the Town behind them.

But there were many Papists and some notable Agents that fled out of the Town, and ranne away as soone as they heard that our forces had made entrance.

A List of the particulars what was taken at Shrewsbury by Collonel Mit­ton, on Saturday, February the 22. th 1644.

  • Eight Knights and Barronets taken Prisoners.
  • Forty Collonels, Majors, Captaines, and others of quality.
  • Two hundred other Prisoners, besides those that are not taken.
  • One Captaine, and 5. Souldiers slaine.
  • Fifteene piece of Ordnance taken.
  • Many hundred of Armes taken.
  • Divers barrels of Gunpowder.
  • Prince Maurice his Magazen.
  • The Towne, the Castle, and all the Workes.
  • Divers Carriages, bag and baggage of the Princes.
  • Besides other Prisoners and purchase not yet dis­covered.
  • Wee lost onely two Men.
FINIS.

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Text Creation Partnership. Searching, reading, printing, or downloading EEBO-TCP texts is reserved for the authorized users of these project partner institutions. Permission must be granted for subsequent distribution, in print or electronically, of this EEBO-TCP Phase II text, in whole or in part.