The Copie of a Letter from his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAXS his Quarters.
THe Generall considering, that the Reducing of this Citie of Oxford to be of great concernment to the whole Kingdome, and of great use to the peace
thereof, it being the mother▪ seat to hold up the spirits of the Enemie; The taking
whereof, his Excellencie prosecuted with much wisedome and gallant [...]ie: His Excellencie searched into the strength and condition of the Garrison, that
so he might acco [...]dingly proceed in the taking in thereof, a worke of greater consequence then any
action since the Warres began.
His Excellency therefore called a Councell of warre, consisting of the chiefest of
his Officers, who making all diligent enqui [...]y into the state of Oxford, held many debates about the same, and upon their consultations thereon, found as
followeth:
1. R [...]solved upon the Question.
That the City of Oxford is furnished with Victuals and provisions for 6. months.
[Page 2]2. Resolved upon Question.
That the City of Oxford is furnished with Ammunition sufficient to serve for their defence during the said
6. months.
3. Resolved upon the Question.
That there are neer 5000 Horse and Foot upon constant dutie to defend the Citie and
Workes of Oxford against his Excellency.
4. Resolved upon the Question.
That there is a Regular Line without the Workes of the Citie of Oxford, to the strengthning of the North-side, whereof it reacheth from Isis to Charwell, it is flanked with good Bulwarkes, the Grasse very deepe and broad, the Counter-scarp
stockadoed, the Rampart high and pallizadoed within.
5. Resolved upon the Question.
That there is a very defencible Line, and behind that the Wall of the Citie of Oxon.
6. Resolved upon the Question.
That on that side which S. Clement stands, without Maudlin bridge, the Worke of the Garrison of the Citie of Oxford, are as strong, or stronger, then in any other part of the Citie; and that in case
it should be gained by storme, there would the greatest difficultie remaine to enter
the Citie on that side, by reason that the Bridge is in the Enemies power, and the
River under their command.
7. Resolved upon the Question
That the South, and the West parts of the Citie of Oxon, have strong Workes and Regular, and also the benefit of the Rivers, the Medowes being
deepe with waters, that are floated for their defence.
These, and all other considerations being had, and the Councell of Warre further considering,
that we had but little advantage of any approaches that we had or could make, being
much upon Causey-wayes, and the neerest in places so low, that our men could not goe
on without danger of being surrounded, in cafe they should attempt upon us by a sally
from Oxford.
Therefore the Councel of War, consulting what to doe, it was debated:
1. Question.
Whether any attempt might be made against Oxford by a storme?
1. Resolved upon the Question.
The storming of Oxford is a thing for the present not adviseable.
2. Question.
Whether the starving of the Citie be most convenient for the reducing of Oxford.
2. Resolved upon the Question.
That in regard there is six moneths provisions in the Citie (of victualls) the starving
of Oxford is not most convenient.
3. Question.
Whether it be adviseable to proceed by approaches, for the taking of the Citie of
Oxford?
3. Resolved upon the Question. Yea.
This way (therefore) being found most adviseable, was at first intended, in regard
that we were necessitated to go on, all being resolved to follow it with all faithfulnesse
and diligence; yet considering afterwards this way (though the speediest in wisedome
to t [...]ke it by force▪ might take up as many moneths as starving the Citie, and being labourers
for the peace of the Kingdome, as you may see by this following Paper.
A Paper upon the Result of the Councell of Warre.
1. IT will be necessary not only to privide money to pay the Army, according to the
establishment, in regard the countrey is already exhaust, and not able to beare free
quarter, nor will Victuall be brought to the Leaguer, except there be money to pay
for it, but also, that considerable summes of money be alwayes in hand for Approaches,
Mines, Bridges, Galleries, Forts, Batteries, and many other contingent charges which
will arise in the carrying on a worke of this nature,
2. Sufficient proportions of Powder, Match, Ball, Granadoes, Sp [...]des, Shovels, Pickaxes, Spikes, Nayles, &c. and these to be brought to Reading, to be in readinesse, as wee shall have occasion to use them.
3. That care be taken to provide victuals for the Foote, which doe daily walke by
sicknesse and otherwaies; It being the opinion of the Officers, that the numbers
of the Foote must be held up, being alreadie upon hard duty▪ to carry on the worke
at present, which will be much more increased as the approaches come nearer to the
Enemies works.
All which must have beene continued, had they gone on to take Oxford by [...] therefore they were resolved to provide in the Treaty which accordingly was done,
and concluded on Saturday night last. On Monday there marched out of Oxford Prince Rupert, Prince Maurice, the Lord Hanly, the Lord Gerrard, and all about 70. with their Horses, Carriages, &c. are gone to Gilford in S [...]trey: Many others come out, many Knights, Colonels, and others have had their passes: We
have had very sufficient Hostages, to assure us that we shall to morrow enter Oxford according to the Articles, and then you shall have the particulars from
Your Servant, N. T.
Water-Eat [...]n, the 23. of June, 1646.
The Parliament considering the many gallant actions done for this Kingdome by his
Excellencie Sir Thomas Fairfax, and particularly this against Oxford, made these Votes:
Die Martis, 23 Junii, 1646.
1 Resolved upon the Question.
That this House doth approve of the Proceedings of the Generall in the making of these
Articles, for, and concerning the rendring of the Garrisons of OXFORD and FARRINGDON,
and in the performing of them.
2 Resolved, &c.
That these Articles, for, and concerning the rendring of the Garrisons of OXFORD
and FARINGDON, be forthwith Printed.
FINIS.