get to them so that the good success we had at the first was eclipsed by this bad conclusion. Our other wing and most of the foot went on prosperously, till they had cleared the field. I must ever remember with thankfulness the goodness of God to me this day. For having charged through the enemy, and my men going after the pursuit, and myself returning back to go to my other troops, I was got-in among the enemy, who stood, up and down the field, in several bodies of horse. So, taking the signal out of my hat, I past through them for one of their own commanders, and got to my Lord of Manchester's horse, in the other wing; only with a cut in my cheek, which was given me in the first charge, and a shot which my horse received. In this charge many of my officers and soldiers were hurt and slain: the Captain of my own troop was shot in the arm, my Cornet had both his hands cut, so as rendered him ever after unserviceable. Captain Micklethwait, an honest, stout gentleman, was slain : and there was scarce any officer who was in this charge but received a hurt. Colonel Lambert, (who should have seconded me, but could not get-up to me,) charged in another place Major Fairfax, who was Major to his regiment, had at least thirty wounds, of which he died at York, after he had been abroad again, and in good hopes of recovery. But that which nearest of all concerned me, was the loss of my brother, who (being deserted of his men,) was sorely wounded, of which, in three or four days after, he died. He was buried at Marston. Etat. 23. In this charge as many were hurt and killed as in the whole Army besides. On the enemy's part there were above 4,000 slain, and many taken prisoners. Prince Rupert returned into the south, the Earl of Newcastle went beyond sea, with many of his officers. York was presently surrendered, and the North now was wholly reduced by the Parliament's forces, except some garrisons. Soon after this I went to Helmesley, to take-in the castle there, where I received a dangerous shot in my 2 F. 4 shoulder, Charles Fairfax. The Royalists are de feated with great loss. The city of York Sir Thomas Fairfax, shoulder, and was brought back to York, all being doubtlaying siege to Helmsley Castle, is ful of my recovery for some time. dangerously wounded in the shoulder. At the same time the Parliament voted me to command the Army in the South. But my intentions being only to keep in mind what I had been present in during this Northern War, I shall put an end to this discourse, where it pleased God to determine my service there. Yet thus, with some smart from his rod, to let me see I was not mindful enough of returning my humble thanks and acknowledgments for the deliverances and mercies I received; for which, alas! I am not yet capable enough to praise him as I ought, that may say by experience, Who is a God like unto our God. Therefore, not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give we the praise. But as for my-self, and what I have done, I may say with Solomon, 1 looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do, and behold! all was vanity and vexation of spirit. For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever, seeing that which now is, in the days to come shall be forgotten. T. FAIRFAX. SHORT SHORT MEMORIALS OF Some Things to be cleared during my Command in the Army. By the grace and assistance of God, I shall truly setdown the grounds of my actions during tais unhappy War, and especially of those actions which seemed to the world most questionable. My first engaging in the sad calamities of the War, was about the year 1641, when the general distemper of the three kingdoms, I mean the difference betwixt the King and Parliament, had kindled such a flame, even in the heart of the State, that, before a remedy could be found, the whole body was almost consumed to ashes. I must needs say, my judgement was for the Parliament, as the King and Kingdom's great and safest Council: as others were averse to Parliaments, because they did not go high enough for Prerogative. Upon this division, different powers were set-up: the Commission of Array for the King, and the Militia for the Parliament. But those of the Array exceeded their Commission in oppressing many honest people, whom, by way of reproach, they called Round-heads, who, for their Religion, Estates, and Interest, were a very considerable part of the country; which occasioned them to take-up arms in their own defence, and it was afterward confirmed by authority of Parliament, My father, being yet at his house at Denton, where I then waited on him, had notice from his friends, that it was intended he should be sent-for as a prisoner to to York: he resolved not to stir from his own house, not being conscious to himself of any thing to deserve impri sonment. The country suffering daily more and more, many came and intreated him to join with them in defence of themselves and country, which was extremely oppressed by those of the Array (who after had the name of Cavaliers) and he (being also much importuned by those about him,) seeing his neighbours in this distress, resolved to run the same hazard with them. Then did the Parliament grant a commission to him to be General of the Forces in the North; myself also having a commission under him to be General of the Horse. It is not my intention in this place to relate the services done in this cause of the Parliament. For I am rather desirous to clear my actions, than to declare them ; and therefore I shall say no more of this three years war in the North, there being nothing (I thank God) in all that time to be objected against me in particular: but I shall say something how I came to be engaged in the South. Some years had been spent in those parts, in a linger ing war betwixt the King and Parliament, and several battles so equally fought, that it could scarce be known on which side the business in dispute would be deter mined. Though it must be confest that the Parliament's Army was under the command of a very noble and gallant person, the Earl of Essex, yet they found that time and delay gained more advantage against them and their affairs, than force had done. They therefore resolved to make a change in the constitution of their armies, hoping by it to find a change also in their business, which was then something in a declining condition. In this distemper of things, the Army was new-modelled, and a new General proposed to command it: and by votes of the two Houses of Parliament I was nominated, though most unfit; and was so far from desiring it, that, had not so great an authority (which was then unseparated from the Royal Interest) commanded my obedience; and had I not been urged by the persuasion of my nearest friends, I should have refused so great a charge. But, whether it was from a natural a natural facility in me, that betrayed my modesty, or from the powerful hand of God, which all things must obey, I was induced to receive the command. Then was I immediately voted by the Parliament to come to London, and take my charge, though not fully recovered of a dangerous wound which I had received a lile before at Helmesley, and which I believe, without the miraculous hand of God, would have proved mortal. But here, (alas!) when I bring to mind the sad consequences that crafty and designing men have brought to pass since those first innocent undertakings, I am ready to go that confidence I once had with God, when I could say with Job, Till I die I will not remove my integrity from me, nor shall my heart reproach me so long as I live: but I am now more fit to take-up his complaint, and say, Why did I not die? why did I not give-up the ghost when my life was on the confines of the grave? let God having been pleased thus to give me my life for a prey, I took my journey southward, hoping it might be some ways serviceable to the publick. But, when I came thither, had it not been in the simplicity of my heart, I could not have supported myself under the frowns and displeasures of those who were disgusted with these alterations, in which many of them were much concerned: and therefore they sought by all means to obstruct my proceedings in this new charge; though they could not prevent what the necessity of affairs prest most to do, which was to march speedily out with the Army; yet were we by them made so inconsiderabie, for want of fit and necessary accommodations, that it rather seemned that we were sent to be destroyed, than to do any service to the kingdom, Surely, then, if we had had no other end but selfinterest, this might have discouraged us: but it wrought no such effect on me, but rather gave the more hopes of future success, as happened to the Parliament's great advantage. But, if any ill use hath been made of such mercies, let the mercies be acknowledged from God, but the abusers of them receive their due reward of shame and punishment. Being thus led-on by good success, and clear intention of |