Letter, read in the House of Commons, 9th April 1645; which D’Ewes happily had given his Clerk to copy, The Expedition itself, which proved successful, is now coming towards an end. Fairfax the new General is at Windsor all April; full of business, regimenting, discharging, enlisting, new-modelling.
FOR THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR THOMAS FAIRFAX, GENERAL OF THE ARMY: HASTE, HASTE: THESE: AT WINDSOR
Sir,—Upon Sunday last we marched towards Bruton in Somersetshire, which was General Goring’s headquarter: but he would not stand us; but marched away, wpon our appearance, to Wells and Glastonbury. Whither we held it unsafe to follow him; lest we should engage our Body of Horse too far into that enclosed country, not having foot enough to stand by them; and partly because we doubted the advance of Prince Rupert with his force to join with Goring; having some notice from Colonel Massey of the Prince his coming this way.
General Goring hath “Sir Richard” Greenvil in a near posture to join with him. He hath all their Garrisons in Devon, Dorset and Somersetshire, to make an addition to him. Whereupon, Sir William Waller having a very poor Infantry of about 1,600 men,—lest they, being so inconsiderable, should engage[1] our Horse,—we came from Shaftesbury to Salisbury to secure our Foot; to prevent our being necessitated to a too unequal engagement, and to be nearer a communication with our friends.
Since our coming hither, we hear Prince Rupert is come to Marshfield, a market-town not far from Trowbridge. If the enemy advance all together, how far we may be endangered,—that I humbly offer to you; entreating you to take care of us, and to send us with all speed such an assistance, to Salisbury,
- ↑ entangle or encumber.
