A true Relation of the stormiug and taking the Town of Conoway in Northwales, by Major Generall Mitton.
GEnerall Mitton, whose industry and eare to reduce the Northern countries to their due obedience to King and Parliament, and to ease them of thofe present burdens under which they lie, will admit no delay or remisnesse in a work of so great and present concernment, being newly returned from his civill imployment in Shropshire in the discharge of the office of high Sheriffe there, falls to his military service with his wonted [...]erity and resolution, as one that had long intermitted exercise, acts with more strengt hand celerity; so he to redeem the time he had lost from the main imployment, improves his work an advantage of so short a espi [...]e by undertaking, and by the blessing and assistance of that God who hath crowned his fore-going endeavours with victory and successe, by compleating a work [Page] of the greatest difficulcy and hazzard, the storming of Conoway, a Port Towne, for its situation convenient for transportation into Ireland, and therefore dangerous; and for its fortification in the eye of man and repute of the enemy, invincible; did not God infatuate the spirit, and cease upon the strength of the defendants, yet that God that that will honour them that honor him, and who is a worker of good to his servants, was pleased to cast in this to the heap of his former blessings of victory and deliverance.
On Saturday being the 8. of this instant, Generall Mitton returning to his military imploiment, at Conoway Castle, a Councel of Warre to which was joyned the grand advice of Docter Williams somtimes Arch-Bishop of Yorke, where he represents unto them his intentions concerning the surpisall of the Towne of Conoway, together with the former order for the managing of that service; it was concluded by all to be feasable though full of doubt and hazard, and not to be affected without much losse, yet they resolved to use their best skill and indeavour to command the successe and blessing so good, resolute, and approved men of his own Horse and Foote were imployed preparations of Granadoes and Ladders made ready, and after Provisions for the service and thus prosecuted and affected.
[Page] Captaine Simkis was appointed [...] give and continue an Alarm to the Towne on the North side, that while the enemy that were upon t [...]e Guard advancing themselves to defend and secure that part of the Towne, Major Eliot on the South side, and Captaine Camburs and Captaine Gethin in too other places with three select Companies of resolute men, might as they were ordered make their advantage of that oppertunity, and to stop me in the places to which they were directed on the Southside the Gun, himselfe to animate and incourage the Souldiers more and to the walls where he was with the rest entertained with watch, Granadoes, Stones, and Bullet interchangeably mixe, yet such was the resolution and gallantry of the Sonldiers, that though some were knockt downe and crusht with Horses, others cast of the Ladders (which were 10. yards high, and yet proved a yard and a halfe to short) that they renewed the action drawing up over the author by the Army till a considerable Company were got over, which being done, they fell into the Towne surprised, the maine Guard killed a Corpotall and a Gentleman there, wounded many, taken a Major, one Captaine Wine an old Cowdriver, 4. Lieutenants, 4. Ensignes, 22. Souldiers of fortune, 50. Townesmen in army many perish who were commanded to be tied back to back, Rich to be cast over board and sent by water to theit own Country, there was one great Gun taken, 200. Armes, Ammunition, answerable, wine, Corne, and victualls good store, and considerable good booty for the Souldiers, the [Page] Guards being s [...] his Towne sucured, and all things quiet, the Generall sent this summons for the surrender of the Castle, viz.
I Cannot but be sensible of the misery you have brought upon your Countrey, by holding this Towne and Castle from the obedience of the King and Parliament.
Now it hath pleased God to give this town into our hands, I can doe no lesse then put you in mind, that your holding of the Castle can produce no other probable effect then the effusion of Christian blood, and the ruine of your Countrey, and by what authority you doe it, I am ignorant, the King being come into our quarters, and known made unto you, that he is not able to relieve you. I cannot omit to tell you what a desperate condition you will bring your selfe and estate if you persist in your way but few daies, I doe therefore summon you to deliver the Castle into my hands for the fervice of the Pa [...]liament, and expect your answer withtwo hours.
I Received yours yesterday, and this day I send you mine: I wonder you should tax me with bringing misery upon this Countrey, which my conscience tells me I am free of, especially in doing my endeavour in holding it in obedience to his Majesty.
Now you have gotten the Towne, I expect no other Title from you then of the Castle, which Title I will maintain with my life. For the effusion of Christian blood, farre be it from my heart, onely I must seek to defend my selfe and those that are with me. As for the ru [...]e of the Countrey, let the blood of those that lost it fall upon them that were the contriivers of it. I free you and yours. And if you would know by what authority I hold this place, I have formerly given you an answer. You vvrit that the King was in the Parliaments quarters, I beleeve hee was never further from them; and withall you beleeve he hath made it known unto me hee is not able to relieve me: this point I doubt very much. You after tell me I am in a desperate condition, I will bring my selfe and estate in persisting in not veelding to your desires. I can bee nothing bettered unlesse you have an absolute power from the Parliament. As for your summons, I shall hold this Castle as long as it pleaseth God, for his Majestie; yet if you shall accept of such conditions as I shall propound, which shall be honorable for us both, I will bee content to treat with you onely, and rest,
I Received yours, even now to omit your answers to all the perticulars of my Summons which in time you shall find to be true, I come to your conclusion which is you will treate with me onely, if I will axcept of such considerations, if you shall propound conditions you know are to come from me; but if you have Propositions ready I shall receive them and returne an answer unto them, if they be not ready, if you please to come out I will speake with you before I goe, my time being very short, and this shall be a sure passe for your safe returne.
Sir Iohn Owen replyed he had no propositions ready but desired 3. dayes time to consider and finde them out, which was accordingly granted, and they were expected on Wednesday the 12. of this instant, there is no doubt but they will come to a sodain conclusion and agreement, and a good account will be given by Gen. Mytton of the Castle.