Now! Then! Reinforced, Ferdinando Fairfax’s Parliamentary forces break the will of the Royalist besiegers of Hull

11 October 1643: Reinforced, Ferdinando Fairfax’s Parliamentary forces break the will of the Royalist besiegers of Hull

Ferdinando Fairfax. 1643/10/18. A Letter from the Right Honourable Ferdinando Lord Fairfax, to His Excellency Robert Earle of Essex. London: John Wright. Get it:

Excerpt

On the fifth Sir John Meldrum, that gallant gentleman, is happily arrived here, with 400 men from the Earl of Manchester, and 250 men are since come from Sir William Constable, but Sir William himself is not yet here. Some little service, I thank God, we did on Monday morning last, what time the enemy assaulted one of our outworks, but was beaten back with the loss of 11 or 12 men, and some officers, without the loss of any of mine. Yesterday, being the eleventh of this instant, I thought fit to draw forth what strength I could well make, in a sally, to drive the enemy from a new work that in the night he had encroached very near us, on the west side of the town, and it pleased God to give a blessing to the attempt. My men I divided into two bodies, under the command of Colonel Lambert, and Colonel Rainborow, Captain of the Lion, who brought some seamen for our assistants, and all under the command in chief for that service of Sir John Meldrum, whose valour and discretion with the other two colonels throughout the whole action, I cannot mention without high commendation. About nine of the clock by an assault two several ways, the service begun; for, the truth is, we could not take that early advantage that I desired for such an enterprise: in a short time we gained one of their works, and assaulted them in another; and it was not long ere we were unhappily forced to retreat, and the enemy recovered all again. But through the goodness of God my men were soon rallied, their spirits recovered, and they suddenly repossessed of the last work, beat them out of all the rest in that part, and got possession of one of their great brass demi-cannon. The enemy thus fled, and the ground ours, we drew that great gun out of danger of their reprisal. About two hours after our possession of those works, the enemy had drawn down a full body of reserves of horse, and foot, from all their quarters, their numbers we know not, but about 36 colours some of our men could tell; with these they opposed our tired men, and that in truth with excellent resolution, but it pleased God after two hours sharp encounter, or thereabouts, they left the field; since that we have drawn into the town their great demi-cannon, one demi-culverin, one saker, three drakes, and one case of small pieces, some arms, and a carriage of great bullet, besides some powder, which was made use of against them. This last night I find they have drawn off the rest of their ordnance from their other works, and so are like to be at some farther distance from us, though I am informed, they intend to keep a garrison at Beverley, and to raise some works somewhat more remote from us, to keep us from being so active as they believe we would be, when they cannot make us so passive as they would have us.

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To facilitate reading, the spelling and punctuation of elderly excerpts have generally been modernised, and distracting excision scars concealed. My selections, translations, and editions are copyright.

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Original

A LETTER FROM The Right Honourable FERDINANDO Lord FAIRFAX, TO HIS EXCELLENCY ROBERT Earle of ESSEX.

Relating his late prosperous successe against the popish Army in the North, his expelling them from their Workes, and forcing them to raise their siege from before the Towne of Hull.

Also certifying, how the Enemy have fled to Beverley, and were forced to leave divers pieces of Ordnance, much Powder and Ammunition behind them.

Being upon the same day wherein the Earle of Manchester obtained the victory neere Horn-castle in Lincolnshire.

Printed by his Excellencies speciall direction.

LONDON, Printed for Iohn Wright, in the Old-baily, Octob. 18. 1643.

A LETTER FROM THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, FERDINANDO LORD FAIRFAX, TO HIS EXCELLENCY, ROBERT EARLE OF ESSEX.
May it please your Excellency,

Since the last Account, I gave your Excellency a few daies since, of our condition at Hull, on the fifth of this instant Sir John Meldram, that gallant Gentleman is happily arrived here, with foure hundred men from the Earle of Manchester, and two hundred and fifty men are since come come from Sir William Constable, but Sir William himselfe is not yet here. Some little service, I thanke God, we did on Monday morning last, what time the Enemy assaulted one of our outworkes, but was beaten backe with the losse of eleven or twelve men, and some Officers, without the losse of any of mine. Yesterday, being the eleventh of this instant, I thought fit to draw forth what strength I could well make, in a salley, to drive the Enemy from a new Worke that in the night hee had encroacht very neere us, on the West side of the Towne, and it pleased God to give a blessing to the attempt. My men I devided into two bodies, under the command of Colonell Lambart, and Colonell Rainborow, Captaine of the Lyon, who brought some Sea-men for our assistants, and all under the command in chiefe for that service of Sir John Meldram, whose valour and discretion with the other two Colonels throughout the whole action, I cannot mention without high commendation. About nine of the clocke by an assault two severall waies, the service begun; for, the truth is, we could not take that early advantage that I desired for such an interprise: in a short time we gained one of their workes, and assaulted them in another; and it was not long ere we were unhappily forc’t to retreat, and the enemy recovered all againe. But through the goodnesse of God my men were soone rallyed, their spirits recovered, and they suddenly reposses of the last worke, beate them out of all the rest in that part, and got possession of one of their great Brasse demy Cannon. The Enemy thus fled, and the ground ours, we drew that great Gunne out of danger of their reprisall: About two houres after our possession of those workes, the enemy had drawne downe a full body of reserves of Horse, and Foot, from all their Quarters, their numbers we know not, but about 36 Colours some of our men could tell; with these they opposed our tired men, and that in truth with excellent resolution, but it pleased God after two houres sharpe encounter, or thereabouts, they left the Field; since that we have drawne into the Town their great Demi-Cannon, one Demi-Culverin, one Sacre, three Drakes, and one case of small Pieces, some Armes, and a Carriage of great Bullet, besides some Powder, which was made use of against them. This last night I finde they have drawne of the rest of their Ordnance from their other Workes, and so are like to be at some farther distance from us, though I am informed, they intend to keepe a Garrison at Beverley, and to raise some Works somewhat more remote from us, to keepe us from being so active as they believe we would be, when they cannot make us so passive as they would have us. However, my Lord, we heartily and thankfully acknowledge the powerfull & wise hand of our God in all this, desire he should have the glory of all, and to send his providence still, as occasion shall be further offered; the event whereof your Excellency shall assuredly have an account of, with the first opportunity, by

My Lord,

Your Excellencies most humble servant. FER. FAIRFAX

Kingston super Hull, •• O•t••. 1643.

Octob. 17. 1643.

IT is his Excellencies pleasure this Letter be forthwith printed.

John Baldwin, Secretary to his Excellence.

779 words.