I Found the West country indeed craggy, and the people and entertainment for the most part crabbed, yet I thank God, what is to be had, we have the best in our quarters, being content with the Enemies leavings, who hath left very little provision for man or horse in these parts: For Intelligence at present what we have is, That we have setled our Quarters about Exeter; Col: Harlo [...]s Regiment is about Exminster, three companies of Col: Herberts Regiment are at Peymouth, and in the lanes between that and Exminster are Horse Sentinels: Another Quarter is at Shellingford house, maintained by three companies more of Col: Herberts Regiment: A fourth at Bouvy in Mrs. Peters house; the other Forces, amongst which Col: Hamonds Regiment are, about Affington and other places a mile from Exeter, and some at the Majors house at Barley within Musquet shot. The Generall hath sent to all the Hundreds hereabouts for Ladders, and we hope to be in Exeter yet before the first of March. Col: Lamberts Regiment is yet at Dartmouth, Col: Fortescues at Totnes, and Col: Ingolsbies at Chidley; yesterday we had a rumour here, that the greatest part of the Enemies horse were come to Chimleigh, twelve miles from Tiverton (where the Generall then was) and intended to go thence to relieve Dunster castle, and so (if possible) to joyn with those Horse about Blandford; but this morning we have certain Advertisement, That they plundred in Chimleigh yesterday the [Page 4]worth of Five hundred pounds, and returned to their quarters, there were not above three or four hundred of them, and they were gone by morning. Barstaple horse have contracted their Quarters into Newport neer the Town, having left Tanton their former Quarters; for, Gorings horse have advanced their Quarters East, as far as Branton and Bray; they returned yesterday morning into North-Tavestock, Alschot, and keep a Guard at Newbridge over the River Tau, three miles on this side Barstaple, they have also placed a Guard at Winckley Beacon; they were (as this day) to receive at Sunbridge and the parishes adjoyning, six weeks pay, and afterwards the proportion of a weeks pay every day. Tuesday last divers ploughs and horses, all laden, some with provisions, have been sent out of Launceston Westward; there was also great store of Bread baked, the Bread was brought in flaskets from a Bakehouse in that town, where it was baked by the Princes Baker, and was immediately sent away Westward; six or seven ploughs more were drawn out of Launceston on Wednesday night Westwards, also further into Cornwall, much of their Lading was Musquets, Pikes, and other Ammunition; the rest of the Lading was Victuals, as poudred Beef and Cheese, with them were about forty horse, laden with Powder, Match, and Bullets, and Lead which they had taken off from the Castle, so that it is all unleaded; much of the Ammunition was loaded out of Guild-hall, which is their main Guard; on Thursday night neer fifty more horse laden with provisions, as Bacon, Pork, and such like, were sent the same way, all reported to be for the Princes Court, who it seems, perceiving his assuming Title of Prince of Great Britain to fail him, is now resolved to content himself with the furthest part of his Dukedom of Cornwall: [Page 5]Thursday also the prisoners in Launceston were turned over from Greenviles Marshal to the Lord Hoptons Marshal; fifty Souldiers ran the same day out of one Regiment; those that they gather out of the country run away daily: Friday, six ploughs more were drawn into the castle green to be loaded, with them were forty horse, with pack Saddles, Crooks and Paniards; these were all reported to be sent after the rest: That day thirty Hogsheads of Syder were brought into Launceston from Merrington, which were likewise to be sent Westward for the Prince; and the Marshal gave order this day, that the prisoners in Launceston should be carried to Truro, which is about thirty miles farther into Cornwal: The Enemy endeavoured to raise the Posse Comitatus, some they got together, but they staid not, but ran to their own homes; the Trained-Bands of the town of Launceston get others for money to serve in their rooms; the Trained-Bands further West will not rise at all. There is now but one Iron Gun in Launceston, which is an Iron piece planted between the Princes Quarters and Guild hal; the poor people pull down the Works about the town to get away the Wood, none hindring them; the Prince and Hopton were Saturday, Jan. 31. both in Launceston: Upon Intelligence of a party of the Enemies advancing from Oxford, Farrington and those parts, towards Corf-castle, the General sent Col: Cook from Tiverton with three Regiments of horse to attend their motion, but we now hear they are gone back: The Enemy come daily in unto our Quarters from Cornwal; this day there came a Lieutenant and nine of Gorings Life-guard wel mounted, and armed with Pistols & Carbines, came to Sir Hardres Waller who quarters at Crediton; our men have this day finished the bridge by Apsom neer Exeter; so that now we may have a free [Page 6]intercrouse; The Ladders come in this afternoon apace. I pray commend me to all our Friends; tell them I am (thanks be to God) in health, and want only two things respecting my inward and outward condition; the one, a Preacher like Mr. Stirry, the other, a cup of London Beer. There is a scarcity of the former here, and the latter not to be had, only a little sowre Syder. If ever I return to London again, I shall (through the Grace of God) indeavour to have an higher esteem of those precious opportunities which are there. Thus committing you to the Protection of the Almighty, I rest.
Chidly, Feb. 2. 1645.
IUst now the General is returned hither from Tiverton. This Afternoon Lieut: General Cromwel went to view our Quarters before Exeter. We have four Companies of Foot in the Majors house, called Barley, which is within lesse then Musket shot of the Enemies Works; they daily shoot into the house, and we against them; they can also talk one to another, they call our men Round-headed Rogues, our men return them answer. We make it a Garrison for the present: Our Souldiers are very cheerful, and desire nothing so much as to storm the City. The Enemy come in to us daily from the City, [Page 7]but their spirits are so daunted that they dare not come out against us. To morrow the General goes to settle Posts at Barley house. The Plymouth Regiment last night took a Major and twenty Horse from the Enemy near Barstaple. The Regiment late Col: Pickerings, now Col: Overtons, is marching toward this Army from Corfe Castle. Clothes are come. A Councel of War sate this last night. The General, Lieut: General, Officers and Souldiers, have great inclinations to storm, though the city be very strong, a Line about it, with Barracadoes and a strong Wall.
Published according to Order.