Captain Unton Crook's Letter to the Lo: Protector.
YEsterday mornings, being Tuesday, I marched
with my Troop to Huninton, being 15 miles
Eastward from Exon, with intention to stop the
Enemy from coming farther Westward; but gaining
Intelligence that they were come that way,
and that they would be too strong for me, I made
my retreat to Exon; the next morning I understood
that they were in their march to Cornwall,
and in order thereunto they were come to Collumpton,
within ten miles of Exon, I heard they
were much tyred, and their number 200. & therefore
imagined that if they should gain Cornwall,
it might be much prejudiciall; I was resolved to
hazard all that was dear to me, rather then let
them have their end, and therefore marched toward
Collumpton with onely my own Troop, I
had no more for this service; but when I came
near that place, I understood they were marched
to Tiverton, whither I pursued them with speed,
but there mist them also; but received information
that from thence they were gon to Southmolton,
12 miles further, still in order for Cornwall,
thither I resolved to follow them.
They took up their quarters about seven of the
Clock this night, and by the good providence of
God, directing and assisting me, I beat up their
Quarters about ten of the Clock; they disputed
it very much with me in the Houses for more
than two hours, firing very hot out of the windows;
they shot 7 or eight of my men, but none
I hope mortally wounded, they shot many of my
Horses also; but, My Lord, we broke open many