The Works of Thomas Carlyle/Volume 6/Letter 6
The main brunt of the War, during this year 1643, is in the extreme Southwest, between Sir Ralph Hopton and the Earl of Stamford; and in the North, chiefly in Yorkshire, between the Earl of Newcastle and Lord Fairfax. The Southwest, Cornwall or Devonshire transactions do not much concern us in this place; but with the Yorkshire we shall by and by have some concern. A considerable flame of War burns conspicuous in those two regions: the rest of England, all in a hot but very dim state, may be rather said to smoke, everywhere ready for burning, and incidentally catch fire here and there.
Essex, the Lord General, lies at Windsor, all spring, with the finest Parliamentary Army we have yet had; but unluckily can undertake almost nothing, till he see. For his Majesty in Oxford is also quiescent mostly; engaged in a negotiation with his Parliament; in a Treaty,—of which Colonel Hampden and other knowing men, though my Lord of Essex cannot, already predict the issue. And the Country is all writhing in dim conflict, suffering manifold distress. And from his Majesty’s head-quarters ever and anon there darts out, now hither now thither, across the dim smoke-element, a swift fierce Prince Rupert, plundering and blazing; and then suddenly darts in again;—too like a streak of sudden fire, for he plunders, and even burns, a good deal! Which state of things Colonel Hampden and others witness with much impatience; but cannot get the Lord General to undertake anything, till he see.
An obscure entangled scene of things; all manner of War-movements and swift-shooting electric influences crossing one another, with complex action and reaction;—as happens in a scene of War; much more of Civil War, where a whole People and its affairs have become electric.—Here are Three poor Letters, reunited at last from their long exile, resuscitated after long interment: not in a very luminous condition! Vestiges of Oliver in the Eastern Association; which, however faint, are welcome to us.
The Essex people, at least the Town of Colchester and Langley their Captain have, in some measure, sent their contingent to Cambridge; but money is short. Cromwell, home rapidly again from Norfolk, must take charge of it; has an order from the Lord General;—nay it seems a Great Design is in view; and Cromwell too, like Richard Baxter and the rest of us, imagines one grand effort might perhaps end these bleeding miseries.
“To the Mayor etc. of Colchester; by Captain Dodsworth: these”
Gentlemen,—Upon the coming down of your Townsmen to Cambridge, Captain Langley not knowing how to dispose of them, desired me to nominate a fit Captain: which I did,—an honest, religious, valiant Gentleman, Captain Dodsworth, the Bearer hereof.
He hath diligently attended the service, and much improved his men in their exercise; but hath been unhappy beyond others in not receiving any pay for himself, and what he had for his soldiers is out long ago. He hath, by his prudence, what with fair and winning carriage, what with money borrowed, kept them together. He is able to do so no longer: they will presently disband, if a course be not taken.
It’s pity it should be so! For I believe they are brought into as good order as most Companies in the Army. Besides, at this instant there is great need to use them; I have received a special command from my Lord General, To advance with what force we can, to put an end, if it may be, to this Work,—God so assisting, from whom all help cometh.
I beseech you, therefore, consider this Gentleman, and the soldiers; and if it be possible, make up his Company a Hundred-and-twenty; and send them away with what expedition is possible. It may, through God’s blessing, prove very happy. One month’s pay may prove all your trouble. I speak to wise men:——God direct you. I rest, yours to serve you, OLIVER CROMWELL.[1]
The present Great Design, though it came to nothing, is not without interest for us. Some three days before the date of this Letter, as certain Entries in the Commons Journals still testify,[2] there had risen hot alarm in Parliament; my Lord General writing from Windsor, ‘at three in the morning’: Prince Rupert out in one of his forays; in terrible force before the Town of Aylesbury: ought not one to go and fight him?—Without question! eagerly answer Colonel Hampden and others; Fight him, beat him; beat more than him! Why not rise heartily from Windsor with this fine Army; calling the Eastern Association and all friends to aid us; and stormin upon Oxford itself? It may perhaps quicken the negotiations there!—
This Design came to nothing, and soon sank into total obscurity again. But it seems Colonel Hampden did entertain such a Design, and even take some steps in it. And this Letter of Oliver’s, coupled with the Entries in the Commons Journals, is perhaps the most authentic proof we yet have of that fact; an interesting fact, which has rested hitherto on the vague testimony of Clarendon,[3] who seems to think the Design might have succeeded. But it came to nothing; Colonel Hampden could not rouse the Lord General to do more than ‘write at three in the morning,’ and send ‘special commands,’ for the present.