《tour through the eastern counties of england》

下载本书

添加书签

tour through the eastern counties of england- 第6部分


按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!

London。



This day the Parliament sent a messenger to their prisoners to know

how they fared; and how they were used; who returned word; that

they fared indifferent well; and were very civilly used; but that

provisions were scarce; and therefore dear。



This day a party of horse; with 300 foot; sallied out; and marched

as far as the fort on the Isle of Mersey; which they made a show of

attacking; to keep in the garrison。  Meanwhile the rest took a good

number of cattle from the country; which they brought safe into the

town; with five waggons laden with corn。  This was the last they

could bring in that way; the lines being soon finished on that

side。



This day the Lord Fairfax sent in a trumpet to the Earl of Norwich

and the Lord Goring; offering honourable conditions to them all;

allowing all the gentlemen their lives and arms; exemption from

plunder; and passes; if they desired to go beyond sea; and all the

private men pardon; and leave to go peaceably to their own

dwellings。  But the Lord Goring and the rest of the gentlemen

rejected it; and laughed at them; upon which the Lord Fairfax made

proclamation; that his men should give the private soldiers in

Colchester free leave to pass through their camp; and go where they

pleased without molestation; only leaving their arms; but that the

gentlemen should have no quarter。  This was a great loss to the

Royalists; for now the men foreseeing the great hardships they were

like to suffer; began to slip away; and the Lord Goring was obliged

to forbid any to desert on pain of present death; and to keep

parties of horse continually patrolling to prevent them;

notwithstanding which many got away。



21st。  The town desired the Lord Goring to give them leave to send

a message to Lord Fairfax; to desire they might have liberty to

carry on their trade and sell their bays and says; which Lord

Goring granted; but the enemy's general returned; that they should

have considered that before they let the Royalists into the town;

that to desire a free trade from a town besieged was never heard

of; or at least; was such a motion; as was never yet granted; that;

however; he would give the bay…makers leave to bring their bays and

says; and other goods; once a week; or oftener; if they desire it;

to Lexden Heath; where they should have a free market; and might

sell them or carry them back again; if not sold; as they found

occasion。



22nd。  The besieged sallied out in the night with a strong party;

and disturbed the enemy in their works; and partly ruined one of

their forts; called Ewer's Fort; where the besiegers were laying a

bridge over the River Colne。  Also they sallied again at east

bridge; and faced the Suffolk troops; who were now declared

enemies。  These brought in six…and…fifty good bullocks; and some

cows; and they took and killed several of the enemy。



23rd。  The besiegers began to fire with their cannon from Essex

Fort; and from Barkstead's Fort; which was built upon the Malden

road; and finding that the besieged had a party in Sir Harbottle

Grimston's house; called; 〃The Fryery;〃 they fired at it with their

cannon; and battered it almost down; and then the soldiers set it

on fire。



This day upon the townsmen's treaty for the freedom of the bay

trade; the Lord Fairfax sent a second offer of conditions to the

besieged; being the same as before; only excepting Lord Goring;

Lord Capel; Sir George Lisle; and Sir Charles Lucas。



This day we had news in the town that the Suffolk forces were

advanced to assist the besiegers; and that they began a fort called

Fort Suffolk; on the north side of the town; to shut up the Suffolk

road towards Stratford。  This day the besieged sallied out at north

bridge; attacked the out…guards of the Suffolk men on Mile End

Heath; and drove them into their fort in the woods。



This day the Lord Fairfax sent a trumpet; complaining of chewed and

poisoned bullets being shot from the town; and threatening to give

no quarter if that practice was allowed; but Lord Goring returned

answer; with a protestation; that no such thing was done by his

order or consent。



24th。  They fired hard from their cannon against St。 Mary's

steeple; on which was planted a large culverin; which annoyed them

even in the general's headquarters at Lexden。  One of the best

gunners the garrison had was killed with a cannon bullet。  This

night the besieged sallied towards Audly; on the Suffolk road; and

brought in some cattle。



25th。  Lord Capel sent a trumpet to the Parliament…General; but the

rogue ran away; and came not back; nor sent any answer; whether

they received his message or not; was not known。



26th。  This day having finished their new bridge; a party of their

troops passed that bridge; and took post on the hill over against

Mile End Church; where they built a fort; called Fothergall's Fort;

and another on the east side of the road; called Rainsbro's Fort;

so that the town was entirely shut in; on that side; and the

Royalists had no place free but over east bridge; which was

afterwards cut off by the enemy's bringing their line from the

Hythe within the river to the stone causeway leading to the east

bridge。



July 1st。  From the 26th to the 1st; the besiegers continued

finishing their works; and by the 2nd the whole town was shut in;

at which the besiegers gave a general salvo from their cannon at

all their forts; but the besieged gave them a return; for they

sallied out in the night; attacked Barkstead's fort; scarce

finished; with such fury; that they twice entered the work sword in

hand; killed most part of the defendants; and spoiled part of the

forts cast up; but fresh forces coming up; they retired with little

loss; bringing eight prisoners; and having slain; as they reported;

above 100。



On the second; Lord Fairfax offered exchange for Sir William Masham

in particular; and afterwards for other prisoners; but the Lord

Goring refused。



5th。  The besieged sallied with two regiments; supported by some

horse; at midnight; they were commanded by Sir George Lisle。  They

fell on with such fury; that the enemy were put into confusion;

their works at east bridge ruined; and two pieces of cannon taken;

Lieutenant Colonel Sambrook; and several other officers; were

killed; and our men retired into the town; bringing the captain;

two lieutenants; and about fifty men with them prisoners into the

town; but having no horse; we could not bring off the cannon; but

they spiked them; and made them unfit for service。



From this time to the 11th; the besieged sallied almost every

night; being encouraged by their successes; and they constantly cut

off some of the enemy; but not without loss also on their own side。



About this time we received by a spy the bad news of defeating the

king's friends almost in all parts of England; and particularly

several parties which had good wishes to our gentlemen; and

intended to relieve them。



Our batteries from St。 Mary's Fort and steeple; and from the north

bridge; greatly annoyed them; and killed most of their gunners and

firemen。  One of the messengers who brought news to Lord Fairfax of

the defeat of one of the parties; in Kent; and the taking of Weymer

Castle; slipped into the town; and brought a letter to the Lord

Goring; and listed in the regiment of the Lord Capel's horse。



14th。  The besiegers attacked and took the Hythe Church; with a

small work the besieged had there; but the defenders retired in

time; some were taken prisoners in the church; but not in the fort;

Sir Charles Lucas's horse was attacked by a great body of the

besiegers; the besieged defended themselves with good resolution

for some time; but a hand…grenade thrown in by the assailants;

having fired the magazine; the house was blown up; and most of the

gallant defenders buried in the ruins。  This was a great blow to

the Royalists; for it was a very strong pass; and always well

guarded。



15th。  The Lord Fairfax sent offers of honourable conditions to the

soldiers of the garrison if they would surrender; or quit the

service; upon which the Lords Goring and Capel; and Sir Charles

Lucas; returned an answer signed by their hands; that it was not

honourable or agreeable to the usage of war to offer conditions

separately to the soldiers; exclusive of their officers; and

therefore civilly desired his lordship to send no more such

messages or proposals; or if he did; that he would not take it ill

if they hanged up the messenger。



This evening all the gentlemen volunteers; with all the horse of

the garrison; with Sir Charles Lucas; Sir George Lisle; and Sir

Bernard Gascoigne at the head of them; resolved to break through

the enemy; and forcing a pass to advance into Suffolk by Nayland

Bridge。  To this purpose they passed the river near Middle Mill;

but their guides having misled them the enemy took the alarm; upon

which their gu
小提示:按 回车 [Enter] 键 返回书目,按 ← 键 返回上一页, 按 → 键 进入下一页。 赞一下 添加书签加入书架