ACcording unto your Commands I drew forth neere nine hundred Foot, and my Troop of Horse, and upon advice from the Governour of Gloucester I marched unto him, but finding the way which was intended al­together frustrate, and the Governour of Gloucester not very well, I went with Sir John Bridges neere to Hereford, and sent for thither the two Gentlemen who Sir John had treated withall about the businesse, who were then out of Hereford fearing to come to Towne, whom I satisfied my selfe of the Enemies secu­rity and the negligence of the Guards, which caused me to thinke of some other way; and amongst others this was most prevalent with me, which by Gods blessing tooke effect, the way was his; To march in one day and night to Hereford from Gloucester, which done I had provided sixe men in the forme of Labourers, and one with them to be a Constable, with a war­rant to bring these men to worke in the Towne to them, I gave a good summe of Money in hand, and promised them a large reward; these men with 150. Fire-locks in the darke of the night I intended to lodge neere the Gate, and so neere them as the ground would admit out of sight; I intended to draw a Body to second them and enter with them, and so to surprise the Towne upon the letting downe the Bridge in the morning; then I came backe to Gloucester and enformed Col. Morgan of it, desiring him to joyne with me to put it to tryall, [Page 2] which he condescended unto, and we marched munday to that purpose all night, but fell short, and therefore to delude the Enemy retreated backe within nine miles of Gloucester; the next day at night we returned againe, and with carefull Spies and Scouts kept back intelligence from them, so that they ne­ver discovered us; but I laid my Country-men and Firelockes within three quarters Musket shot, a place which I had enquired out for the purpose, which Party I left to be managed by my Lievtnant Colonell, who behaved himselfe very gallantly, and the maine body of Foot. I led my selfe, Col. Morgan being with the Body of Horse which he undertooke; and this morning up­on the letting downe of the Bridge the Country-men went with their Pickaxes and Spades to the Bridge, the Guard beginning to examine them, they killed three of the Guard, and kept the rest in play untill the Fire-locks came up to them, then made good until the Body came up; and it pleased God the Designe so tooke, that we entred the Towne with small losse; in which we had 11. peeces of Ordnance, much Armes, and the Priso­ners here inserted, there being many more in Towne as I be­leeve, which one day will discover. The Mercy is wonderfull, I desire the Lord may have the honor of it, for it is his own Work. I am deeply ingaged by Monies laid out in this businesse, and by promise with Col. Morgan; I humbly desire your Honours to give Or [...]r for the Summe you were pleased to give Order for this businesse, and for my selfe I shall endeavour to settle this place, and waite the further Orders for the subsistance of my Regi [...]ent which is in great necessity, or what other Com­mands you shall be pleased to signifie unto

WE gave you an account in our last that we found the City of Hereford, by our Intelligence to be so strong, both in it selfe and the resolution of the Defendants, that much hazard would be in the gaining of it; Notwithstand­ing, having a party of about 2000. Horse and Foot betwixt us, viz. of Gloucester Forces 1050 and of Ba [...]he Forces 930. resolved to make tryall by falling on upon the place; unto which endeavour the Lord was pleased so to adde his bles­sing, that this morning about breake of day we forced our entrance, God putting such a spirit into the Souldiers; as was beyond expression: Our ingagements to them was very large, the designe being very desperate, and also to some other Gen­tlemen who were very helpfull, and behaved themselves very gallantly in the falling on: Which ingagements, that we may be able to discharge, we humbly desire your Lordships to give Order for that summe which you were pleased to promise for this service. After they had marched this night in the snow up to the mid-legge, almost twenty miles in and out, which that the Enemy might not be jealous of, we marched the same march upon Munday night, though with such hardship, that three of our men died in the snow; and retreated upon Tuesday almost to Gloucester, they then beleeving we had beene cleare gone, were more secure, and we fell on unexpected; Our losse was not considerable, God be blessed▪ whose goodnesse was plainely seene, (to him be the glory.) The Enemy fought it out in the streets, where [Page 4] divers are slaine, and the rest prisoners: We are not able at present to particularize them, onely those whose names wee can at this instant be informed of we have here inserted. The Townesmen have suffered by the Souldier, by reason we entred it by force, and that the Enemy shot out at the windowes and in the streets, the Souldier was so inraged that we could not prevent them from plundering, which we indeavoured much to have done, and shall be alwaies rea­dy to approve our selves

ACcording to your Commands I marched with the party, as in a former Letter signed by Coll. Morgan and my selfe, we made bold to informe you, since which time it hath pleased the Lord to shew his power in our weaknesse, by giving us this City, into which we forced our entry this morning, as in the Letter signed by Colonell Morgan and my selfe more particularly appeares; the Resolution of the Souldier carryed them on beyond imagination. I shall indea­vour to set things in order here, according to that [Page 5] Command your Lordships have been pleased to give me, (the place is very evill affected.) I have here 900. Foote, but they will be too small a number; I intend to adde to them, if your Honours please, and make them up 1200. which will be few enough for this ill-affected place. When I marched hither I left two Companies at Bathe, which being it is to be slighted, I shall humbly desire an order for the drawing of those two Companies to this place, which would be a good addition. I should have waited upon your Honours my selfe, but I dare not be absent, though my extrea­mity be great for necessaries for my poore Souldiers; I shall humbly intreate you to signifie your further Commands in that or any other thing, which shall be carefully observed by