Horse being not farre behind them, and acquainted them Col. Reynolds had made
good new-bridge against the Libertines, and engaged to me to make it good with
his life: Upon which his Excellency and Lieut. Gen. Crumwell, Commanded a Party
of Horse speedily to march towards them, and coming within 3. miles of the
Bridge, met Col. Reynolds, who made the Lieut. Gen. acquainted he had made good
the Bridge, but the Levellers marched down towards Farrington, and forded the
River, and that his men were marched on Barkshire side the River, and gone to
quarters to refresh themselves and horses, and so soon as his Excellency and the Lievt.
Gen. Heard the Leverllers were got over the River, they were much troubled, and
commanded Col. Reynolds to get his men speedily out of their quarters to persue
them. And the Lievt Gen. riding down to new bridge to take a view which way they
were gone, comanded me to ride forth to discover them, upon which I told the Lieut.
Gen. in obedience to his command I would doe it, and bring him intelligence where
they lay, if I lived, and after hard riding, and much enquiring about 12. of the Clock
on Munday night last, I hapned into the Libertines quarters at Burford in
oxfordshire, and observing how they wer quartered, returned, and met the
Lieut. Gen. With abody of horse upon the Downes about three miles from
Burford, and acquainted him where the Levellers were quartered whereupon
the Lieut. Gen. Commanded his body of horse to march with all possible speed, and
the Lieutenant Generalls Forlorne hope coming neer Burford met the Levellers
Scouts, and fell into the Town with them, and charged through the Town to a Village
called Fulbrooke where some of them quartered, and a whole Troop quartered
in one house, who made good the house against us above an houre, and at last yeilded
upon quarter. The Levellers whold party were 12. Troops of horse, besides others
that came in to them, which were all taken except only 30. who were quartered with
their Cullors at Shipton, two miles from Burford. But col. Reynolds is in persuit of
them. Then the Speaker asked Cap. Bridger how many was killed, he answered but
on of the Levellers Killed, and 4.or 5. of our men woundnd, and as many of the levellers
as he saw, but there might be more for ought he knew. The speaker asked him
what prisoners of note were taken, he told him Col, Eyres, and Cornet Denn, and that
he could not take a lift of the number of Prisoners being commanded away so speedily
by his Excellency and Lieut. Gen. And the Speaker asked him what the Soulders said,
he answered, some of them cryed out against the Jesuits and ill Principall'd men, that
had misled them, and in that little time that he was amongst them, some having an
opinion that he was really for them he did gather by them, that they did not so much
aime at any particular man, but generally all that was in authority.
The House took the faithfull servive of the said Capt. Samuel Bridger into consideration,
and ordered him as followeth viz.
Die Mercurii 16 May 1649.
Ordered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, that the Committee of the Army be
required to give warrant to the Treasurers at Warre, to pay unto Capt. Samuel Bridger
the sum of one hundred pounds, for are ward for his faithfull service to the publique, and
fifty pounds more to buy him a horse, and the said Treasurers are required to make present
payment there of to him accordingly, and the acquittance of the said Capt. Bridger shall be
a sufficient discharge to the Treasurers for the same.
Hen. Scobel Cler. Parl. Ordered