Page:The histories of Launceston and Dunheved, in the county of Cornwall.djvu/306

 274 THE CASTLE. remained two or three days, thence to Launceston, and thence to Bodmin. The Prince Charles had gone to Truro on the 12th February. On the 21st the Mayor of Launceston paid 2s. to Richard Vaudon for taking a letter to His Highness at Boconnock. On the same day the Mayor gave ios. to Major Crosse " for a shrowde & the buringe of a soulger that was kyld," and paid " for one quarte of sake bestowed on Lord Wentworth's men." We have examined the several histories of Rushworth, Sprigge, and Clarendon, with reference to the important events which were occurring in Devon and Cornwall at this particular time. The combined testimony of these writers establishes the following facts : That Cromwell joined Fairfax on the 24th October, 1645, at Crediton, and that they were thenceforth together through all the campaign in the West ; that after they had taken Torrington, on the 1 6th February, 1645-6, a part of the Parliamentary army marched on the 23rd from Torrington to Holsworthy, and subsequently to North Tamerton, where, on the 25th, they were joined by regiments from Bideford and Tavistock ; that a report having there reached them of a victory achieved near Stratton by Colonel Butler, of the Parlia- mentarians, over the Royalist Major-General Web, the Parliamentary forces were immediately concentrated at Stratton, and marched thence to Launceston. Evidently Fairfax had announced his approach to the Mayor of Launceston ; for under date 24th February we find that the Mayor paid i8d. to a messenger "to goe to the buchers of Northhill with a warrent from S r Tho: Fayrfax ;" and on the same day he despatched a letter to Lord Hopton, for the writing of which letter his worship paid Jonathan Barons 5s. Mr. Sprigge, who was a chaplain in the army of Fairfax, and personally witnessed the occurrences which he describes,