BY reason of the Generalls advance towards Barn­staple, for the reducing of that Garrison, and the affaires of Exeter referred to Lievtenant-Generall Cromwell, and Col. Lambert (upon whom I attended for the management of the affaires therof, about which I was particularly employed, and of which I had a difficult en­gagement) I wrote not to you, as I intended, though I be­leeve some Letters were conveyed from Barnstaple side to your parts; but having not the opportunitie of convey­ance, I hope it will suffice to excuse so long intermission, it being my desire to give you as full advertisement as may be of our occurrences. On Munday April 13, our Forces entred Exeter, Sir John Berkley the Governour, and about 2000 of his Forces marched forth; but the Cornish (being about 700) shewed him a slipperie trick, and faced about Westward to their owne homes: there was not the least reproachfull speech, or insultation, utte­red by our men against them. The Enemy had (before our coming) burnt all the Suburbs, being a place as po­pulous as the Citie, and for buildings not much inferior to the Citie, who are generally (for ought I can yet per­ceive) as malignant as may be, though our thoughts [...]e­fore entrance were otherwise; but it seemes the constant residence of the opposite partie hath had a great influence upon them; yet a care is to be had in the gubernation thereof, Col. Hamond is Governour. The Army is with all speed to march Eastward: the Generall will himselfe [Page 2] advance in person, so soon as hee can settle affaires here: His Excellencie hath sent Orders for the slighting, de­molishing, and razing downe of the works of Tiverton, Poultem [...]re, Bedford-house, Hulford-house, the works at Affington, B [...]otwell-house, Barley-house, Exwick mills, March-house, Nutwell, Poulston, and other Gar­risons, which were made for the siege of Exeter, which I beleeve will not be unacceptable to the Countrey.

On Tuesday April 14, the castle and towne of Barn­staple were surrendred into such hands as the Generall appointed for that purpose: The Enemy under Sir Allen Apsley being (according to Articles) to remaine in the Fort untill Tuesday next: Major Roberts is for the pre­sent appointed Governour of Barnstaple by the Generall, who will in few dayes particularly advertise the Parlia­ment, of all these his proceedings: I had now sent you the Articles; but it is not thought fit any Copie should be sent, till the originall be dispatched from the Generall. The Foot march this day, the Generall will follow to morrow. I remaine

THe Generall having setled Exeter in a good posture, and with great discretion ordered all things for the peace and safety of those parts, and our foot being ad­vanced some dayes before, the Generall and Lievtenant-Generall, advanced this day with our Army to Chard, where we quarter this night, 27. miles we have mar­ched, for so much it is from hence to Exeter.

On Thursday night, the enemy in Dunster-Castle, cal­led to Capt. Burridge who is of Col. Blakes Regiment, the Colonell himselfe being not then come backe from the Generall, to the Leaguer, where he had left part of his forces: it seems some of our souldiers had informed some of the Dunster-castle souldiers, that Exeter and Barnstaple were both taken in, and that the Army were coming that way; Capt. Burridge hearkening to what the Enemy said, they tendred their desires, that they might have libertie to send to Barnstaple to know the truth of it: and that if it were true, then they would ca­pitulate, Capt. Burridge returned answer, that he would not by any false way of smooth language, goe about to begge their castle, but in a just and right way, and offered himselfe to be hostage, if they would send out one of the like quality, whilst they sent for intelligence, and that if what hee had said, was not true, hee would lose his life: Provided, that they would be ingaged to surrender upon the certaine information thereof from the place, they being all then in the Fort, having surren­dred all the rest, and that also to bee surrendred accor­ding to a day set in the Articles agreed on; these words wrought so much upon them, that Friday morning they sent out to desire leave to send out for intelligence, to be fully certified concerning Exeter, and Barnstaple; to whom Capt. Burridge desired them to have patience, who having intelligence, that Colonel Blake would sud­denly be there, he assured them that they should very speedily have an answer from his Colonell himself, and accordingly the same day, Col Blake did returne about twelve a clocke at noone with the remainder of his owne Regiment, and those of Major-Generall Skippons Regi­ment from the Generall; who faced the Castle on an [Page 4] hill, and there drew up into two Bodies, and sent in a Summons according to the Generalls directions: from whom he had received orders, and instructions, for that purpose. To morrow, the Generall intends to advance towards Dorchester, this is all at present from

ON Munday April 13. 1646. about twelve of the clock the Enemy marched out of Exeter, in num­ber about 2000, who when they were come out, said, That they had served long enough, and now would go home, and accordingly (in a disorder) divers Cornish threw downe their Armes, and ran home; their number are judged about 600, or some say 700, the Generall be­ing then full of action about the taking in of Barnstaple. Lievtenant-Generall Cromwell entred Exeter about two a clock in the after-noone; there marched out on the Ene­mies part Sir John Berkley, Sir Iohn St [...]well, Mr. Evill, Mr. King, and divers others, on towards Oxford; the Princesse was carried out in an Horse-litter, and the Lady Bartlet, and others, with her Attendants about her, till it be determined whither she shall go. The Earle of Bri­stoll, and the Lord Pawlet, with some others, are still in Exeter, their time being not expired for their going be­yond Sea. There are so many Ordnance, such store of Ammunition and provisions, that the Papists and great Malignants raile against Sir Iohn Berkley for surrendring such a strength. On Munday night April 13 instant, the [Page 5] Generall came into Exeter, having laboriously set in or­der things about Barnstaple, where the Enemy (accor­ding to Articles) marched out of the Castle and Towne, into the Fort, where they are to remaine till the time a­greed on be expired, the Castle with all the Works there­to belonging, being surrendred to us.

On Tuesday Aprill 14. the Inhabitants of Exeter o­pened their shops, and took money of our souldiers for divers things they wanted, who paid civilly for what they had, but the Citizens have learned like the Cavali­ers, to sweare, God damne them, &c. they want good Ministers to teach them better, all that week the Gene­rall had little rest, as also the Lievtenant-Generall, and the rest, by reason of great imployment to settle the town in a good posture; the well-affected in the town expresse much joy. The Major of the towne invited the Gene­rall, and Lievtenant-Generall, to supper one day last weeke, where they were entertained with great respect, yet there are some in the town that are exceeding malig­nant. On Thursday the foot began to march Eastward, and on Saturday the Generall, Lievtenant-Generall, and the rest marched out of Exeter, and that night came to Chard, 27. miles, where they quartered Saturday night, and the next day being the Lords day April 19. instant, the Generall intended to march to Dorchester, which is some 20. miles further, and just as the Messenger was co­ming away, there came one of Lievtenant-Gen. Crum­wels Messengers out of Cornwall, who told the Gene­rall that Michaels Mount was agreed to be surrendred to the Parliament, and that it was expected that Pendennis intended to capitulate.

The Messenger came Aprill 20. 1646. about one a clocke.

Since these Papers were sent to the Presse there came another Messenger from the Army, who is the same that came from Michaels Mount to the Generall, who brought newes thus.

That the Governour of Michaels Mount hath surren­dred the Garrisons, Forts, and Armes, with all therein to Col. Hammond, upon verie good terms, the Officers to march away with Arms, the souldiers with swords, and that Marquesse Hamilton was there, whom he saw, having his haire growne long upon him, and much changed, ha­ving conformed himselfe to a condition sutable to his im­prisonment: that it was a place of verie great strength, those who were there, are some to go to Sea, some to go home, &c. Pendennis castle was then upon capitulation.

• An hundred Barrels of Gun-powder.
• Match, Bullet, and other Ammunition pro­portionable.
• Thirtie Peeces of Ordnance, great and small.
• Three murdring Peeces.
• Five hundred Armes, broken and whole, of se­verall sorts, as Fire-armes, Pikes, Halberds, and others.
• A great quantitie of Bisket, and other provi­sions.
• One hundred and fortie marched out of the Garrison.