It has been said that the most difficult tactics for a cavalry commander are to attack an enemy already drawn up for an encounter and to withdraw in the face of a fresh and superior foe. At Gainsborough Colonel Cromwell succeeded in doing both, proving the value of well disciplined troops.

Until the end of June 1643, Cromwell had been at Nottingham, defeating the Newark garrison in skirmishes. The various commanders with him separated, the Fairfaxes going on to be defeated at Adwalton Moor. At this time the Royalist army was pressing the borders of the Eastern Association. One group threatened Peterborough and garrisoned Burleigh House, Stamford. A second body besieged Lord Willoughby, the commander of the Lincolnshire Parliamentarians, in Gainsborough.

On July 24th, 1643, Cromwell recaptured Burleigh House with little loss of life, even though the garrison initially refused to surrender. He then marched to the relief of Gainsborough, 55 miles to the north.

We now take up the account of the Battle of Gainsborough with three letters signed by Cromwell. The first is obviously not written by Cromwell, although he has signed it. The latter two are accounts of the battle as written by Colonel Cromwell a couple of days after the battle.

For the Honourable William Lenthall, Esquire, Speaker of the Commons House of Parliament: These

Noble Sir, - We, having solicited a conjunction of Forces towards the raising of the Siege of Gainsborough, did appoint a general rendezvous at North Searle to be upon Thursday the 27th of July. To the which place, Sir John Meldrum with about Three-hundred Horse and Dragoons, and Colonel Cromwell with about Six or Seven Troops of Horse and about One-hundred Dragoons, came. With these they marched towards Gainsborough; and meeting with a good party of the Enemy about a mile from the Town, beat them back, - but not with any commendations to our Dragoons. We advanced still towards the Enemy, all along under the Cony-Warren, which is upon a high Hill above Gainsborough. The Lincoln Troops had the van, two Northampton, and three small Troops of Nottingham the battle, and Colonel Cromwell the rear; the Enemy in the mean time with his body of keeping the top of the hill.

Some of the Lincoln Troops began to advance up the Hill; which were opposed by a force of the Enemy; but our men repelled them, until our whole body was got up the Hill. The Enemy kept his ground; which he chose for his best advantage, with a body of Horse of about Three Regiments of Horse, and a reserve behind them consisting of General Cavandish his Regiment, which was a very full regiment. We presently put our Horse in order; which we could hardly do by reason of the cony-holes and the difficult ascent up the Hill; the Enemy being within musket-shot of us, and advancing towards us before we could get ourselves into any good order. But with those Troops we could get up, we charged the greater body of the Enemy; came-up to the sword's point; and disputed it so a little with them, that our men pressing heavily upon them, they could not bear it, but all their Body ran away, some on the one side of their Reserve, others on the other. Divers of our Troops pursuing had the chase about six miles.

General Cavandish with his Regiment standing firm all the while, and facing some of our Troops that did not follow the chase, - Colonel Cromwell, with his Major Whalley and one or two Troops more, were following the chase, and were in the rear of that Regiment. When they saw the body stand unbroken, "they" endeavoured, with much ado, to get into a body those three or four Troops which were divided. Which when they had done, - perceiving the Enemy to charge two or three of the Lincoln scattered Troops, and to make them retire by reason of their being many more than they in number; and the rest being elsewhere engaged and following the chase, - Colonel Cromwell with his three Troops followed them in the rear; brake this Regiment; and forced their General, with divers of their men, into a quagmire in the bottom of the Hill. Where one of Colonel Cromwell his men cut Colonel Cavandish on the head, by reason thereof he fell off his horse; and the Colonel's Captain-Lieutenant thrust him into the side, whereof within two hours he died; - the rest chasing his Regiment quite out of the field, having execution of them, so that the Field was left wholly unto us, not a man appearing. Upon this, divers of our men went into the Town, carrying-in to my Lord Willoughby some of the Ammunition we brought for him; - believing that our work was at an end; saving to take care how to bring farther provisions into the Town, to enable it to stand a siege in case my Lord Newcastle should draw-up with his Army to attempt it.

Whilst we were considering of these things, word was brought to us that there was a small remainder of the Enemy's force not yet meddled with, about a mile beyond Gainsborough, with some Foot, and two pieces of Ordnance. We having no Foot, desired to have some out of the Town; which my Lord Willoughby granted, and sent us about Six-hundred Foot: with these we advanced towards the Enemy. When we came thither to the top of the Hill, we beat divers Troops of the Enemy's Horse back: but at the bottom we saw a Regiment of Foot; after that another (my Lord Newcastle's own Regiment, consisting of nineteen colours) appearing also, and many Horse; - which indeed was his Army. Seeing these there so unexpectedly we advised what to do.

Colonel Cromwell was sent to command the Foot to retire, and to draw-off the Horse. By the time he came to them, the Enemy was marching up the hill. The Foot did retire disorderly into Town, which was not much above a quarter of a mile from them; upon whom the Enemy's Horse also did retire in some disorder about half a mile, - until they came to the end of a held where a passage was; where, by the endeavour of Colonel Cromwell, "of" Alajor Whalley and Captain Ayscoghe, a body drawn up. With these we faced the Enemy; stayed their pursuit; and opposed them with about four Troops of Colonel Cromwell's and four Lincoln Troops; the Enemy's body in the mean time increasing very much from the Army. But such was the goodness of God, giving courage and valour to our men and officers, that whilst Major Whalley and Captain Ayscoghe, sometimes the one with four Troops faced the Enemy, sometimes the other, to the exceeding glory of God be it spoken, and the great honour of those two Gentlemen, they with this handful forced the Enemy so, and dared them to their teeth in at least eight or nine several removes, - the Enemy following at their heels; and they, though their horses were exceedingly tired, retreating in order, near carbine-shot ot the Enemy, who thus followed them, firing upon them; Colonel Cromwell gathering up the main body and facing them behind those two lesser bodies, - that, in despite of the Enemy, we brought-off our Horse in this order, without the loss of two men.

Thus have you a true relation of this notable service: wherein God is to have all the glory. And care must be taken speedily to relieve this noble Lord from his and the States Enemies, by a speedy force sent unto us, - and that without delay; or else he will be lost, and that important Town, and all those parts; and way made for this Army instantly to advance into the South. Thus resting upon your care in speeding present Succours hither, we humbly take our leaves, and remain your humble servants,

Edw. Ayscoghe. 'Jo. Broxolme. 'Oliver Cromwell.' To my noble Friend Sir John "Wraye". Knight and Baronet: Present these

Sir, - The particular respects I have received at your hands do much oblige me, but the great affection you bear to the public much more: for that cause I am bold to acquaint you with some late Passages wherein it hath pleased God to favour us; - which, I am assured, will be welcome to you.

After Burleigh House was taken, we went towards Gainsborough to a general rendezvous, where met us Lincolnshire Troops; so that we were Nineteen or Twenty Troops, when we were together, of Horse and Foot, and about Three or Four Troops of Dragooners. We marched with this force to Gainsborough. Upon Friday morning, being the 28th July, we met with a forlorn-hope of the Enemy, and with our men brake it in. We marched on to the Town's end. The Enemy being upon the top of a very steep Hill over our heads, some of our men attempted to march up that Hill; the Enemy opposed; our men drove them up, and forced their passage. By the time we came up, we saw the Enemy well set in two bodies: the foremost a large fair body, the other a reserve consisting of six or seven brave Troops. Before we could get our force into order, the great body of the Enemy advanced; they were within musket-shot of us when we came to the pitch of the Hill: we advanced likewise towards them; and both charged, each upon the other: Thus advancing, we came to pistol and sword's point, both in that close order that it was disputed very strongly who should break the other. But our men pressing a little heavily upon them they began to give back; which our men perceiving, instantly forced them, -brake that whole body; some of them flying on this side, some on the other side, of the reserve. Our men, pursuing them in great disorder, had the execution about four, or some say six miles. With much ado, this done, and all their force being gone, not one man standing, but all beaten out of the field, - we drew-up our body together, and kept the field, - the half of our men being well worn in the chase of the Enemy.

Large Picture (122K)

Upon this we endeavoured the Business we came for; which was the relief of the Town with Ammunition. We sent-in some Powder, which was the great want of that Town. Which done, word was brought us that the Enemy had about Six Troops of Horse, and Three-hundred Foot, a little on the side of the Town. Upon this we drew some musketeers out of the Town, and with our body of Horse marched towards them. We saw two Troops towards the Mill; which my men drove down into a little village at the bottom of the Hill: when we (we emphatic) came with our Horse to the top of that Hill, we saw in the bottom a whole regiment of Foot, after that another and another, - and, as some counted, about Fifty Colours of Foot. Which indeed was my Lord Newcastle's Army; - with which he now besieges Gainsborough.

My Lord Willoughby commanded me to bring-off the Foot and Horse: which I endeavoured; but the Foot (the Enemy pressing on with the Army) retreated in some disorder into the Town, being of that Garrison, our Horse also, being wearied, and unexpectedly pressed by this new force, so great, - gave-off, not being able to brave the charge. But, with some difficulty, we got our Horse into a body, and with them faced the Enemy; and retreated in such order that though the Enemy followed hard, they were not able to disorder us, but we got them off safe, to Lincoln, from this fresh force, and lost not one man. The honour of this retreat, equal to any of late times, is due to Major Whalley and Captain Ayscough, next under God.

This Relation I offer you for the honour of God (to whom be all the praise); as also to let you know you have some servants faithful to you, to incite to action. I beseech you let this good success quicken your country men to this engagement! It's great evidence of God's favour. Let not your business be starved. I know, if all be of your mind, we shall have an honourable return. It's your own business: - a reasonable strength now raised speedily may do that which much more will not do after some time. Undoubtedly, if they succeed here, you will see them in the bowels of your Association! "As" for the time, you will hear it from your noble Kinsman and Colonel Palgrave: if we be not able in ten days to relieve Gainsborough, a noble Lord will be lost, many good Foot, and a considerable Pass over Trent in these parts, - The Lord prosper your endeavours and ours. I beseech you present my humble service to the High Honourable Lady. Sir, I am your faithful servant.

P.S. - I stayed, "from the chase after our first encounter," two of my own Troops, and my Major stayed his; in all three. There were in front of the Enemy's reserve three or four of the Lincoln Troops as yet unbroken: the Enemy charged these troops; utterly broke and chased them; so that none of the Troops on our part stood, but three. Whilst the Enemy was following our flying Troops, I charged him on the rear with my three Troops; drove him down the Hill, brake him all to pieces; forced Lieutenant-General Cavendish into a Bog, who fought in this reserve: one Officer cut him on the head; and, as he lay, my Captain-Lieutenant Berry thrust him into the short ribs, of which he died, about two hours after, in Gainsborough. TO MY NOBLE FRIENDS, SIR EDMUND BACON, KNIGHT AND BARONET, SIR WILLIAM SPRING, KNIGHT AND BARONET, SIR THOMAS BARNARDISTON, KNIGHT, AND MAURICE BARROW ESQUIRE: PRESENT THESE

Huntingdon, 31st July 1643

Gentlemen, - No man desires more to present you with encouragement than myself, because of the forwardness I find in you, - to your honour be it spoken, - to promote this great Cause. And truly God follows us with encouragements, who is the God of Blessings: -and I beseech you let Him not lose His blessings upon us! They come in season, and with all the advantages of heartening: as if God should say, 'Up and be doing, and I will stand by you, and help you!' There is nothing to be feared but our own sin and sloth. It hath pleased the Lord to give your servant and soldiers a notable victory now at Gainsborough. I marched after the taking of Burleigh House upon Wednesday to Grantham, where I met about 300 horse and dragooners of Nottingham. With these, by agreement, we met the Lincolners at North Searle, which is about ten miles from Gainsborough, upon Thursday in the evening; where we tarried until two of the clock in the morning; and then with our whole body advanced toward Gainsborough.

About a mile and a half from the Town, we met a forlorn hope of the enemy of near 1 00 horse. Our dragooners laboured to beat them back; but not alighting off their horses, the enemy charged them, and beat some four or five of them off their horses: our horse charged them; and made them retire unto their main body. We advanced, and came to the bottom of a steep hill: we could not well get up but by some tracks; which our men essaying to do, a body of the enemy endeavoured to hinder; wherein we prevailed, and got the top of the hill. This was done by the Lincolners who had the vanguard.

When we all recovered the top of the hill, we say a great Body of the enemy's horse facing us, at about a musket-shot or less distance; and a good Reserve of a lull regiment of horse behind it. We endeavoured to put our men into as good order as we could. The enemy in the mean time advancing towards us, to take us at disadvantage; but in such order as we were, we charged their great body, I having the right wing; we came up horse to horse; where we disputed it with our swords and pistols a pretty time; all keeping close order, so that one could not break the other. At last, they a little shrinking, our men perceiving it, pressed in upon them, and immediately routed this whole body; some flying on one side and others on the other of the enemy's Reserve; and our men, pursuing them, had chase and execution about five or six miles.

I perceiving this body which was the Reserve standing still unbroken, kept back my Major, Whalley, from the chase; and with my own troop and the other of my regiment, in all being three troops, we got into a body. In this Reserve stood General Cavendish; who one while faced me, another while faced four of the Lincoln troops, which was all of ours that stood upon the place, the rest being engaged in the chase. At last General charge the Lincolners, and routed them. Immediately I fell on his rear with my three troops; which did so astonish him that he gave over the chase, and would fain have delivered himself from me. But I pressing on forced them down a hill, having good execution of them; and below the Hill, drove the General with some of his soldiers into a quagmire; where my Captain-Lieutenant slew him with a thrust under his short ribs. The rest of the body was wholly routed, not one man staying upon the place.

We then, after this defeat which was so total, relieved the Town with such powder and provision as we brought. Which done, we had notice that there were six troops of horse and 300 foot on the other side of the Town, about a mile off us: we desired some foot of my Lord Willoughby's, about 400; and with our horse and these foot, marched towards them: when we came towards the place where their horse stood, we beat back with my troops about two or three troops of the enemy's, who retired into a small village at the bottom of the hill. When we recovered the hill, we saw in the bottom, about a quarter of a mile from us, a regiment of foot; after that another; after that the Marquis of Newcastle's own regiment; consisting in all of about 50 foot colours, and a great body of horse; - which indeed was Newcastle's Armv. Which, coming so unexpectedly, put us to new consultations. My Lord Willoughby and I, being in the Town, agreed to call-off our foot. I went to bring them off: but before I returned, divers of the foot were engaged; the enemy advancing with his whole body. Our foot retreated in disorder; and with some loss got the Town; where now they are. Our horse also came off with some trouble; being wearied with the long fight, and their horses tired; yet faced the enemy's fresh horse, and by several removes got off without the loss of one man; the enemy following the rear with a great body. The honour of this retreat is due to God, as also all the rest: Major Whalley did in this carry himself with all gallantry becoming a gentleman and a Christian.

Thus you have this true relation, as short as I could. What you are to do upon it, is next to be considered. If I could speak words to pearce your hearts with the sense of our and your condition, I would! If you will raise 2,000 Foot at present to encounter this Army of Newcastle's, to raise the siege, and to enable us to fight him, -- we doubt not, by the grace of God, but that we shall be able to relieve the Town, and beat the Enemy on the other side of Trent. Whereas if somewhat be not done in this, you will see Newcastle's Army march up into your bowels; being now, as it is, on this side of Trent. I know it will be difficult to raise this many in so short time: but let me assure you, it's necessary, and therefore to be done. At least do what you may, with all possible expedition! I would I had the happiness to speak with one of you: -truly I cannot come over but must attend my charge; the line my is vigilant. The Lord direct you what to do. Gentlemen, I am your faithful servant.

P.S. Give this Gentleman credence: he is worthy to be trusted, he knows the urgency of our affairs better than myself. If he give you intelligence, in point of time, of haste to be made, - believe him he will advise for your good.

The hill about 1Å miles from Gainsborough, where the enemy was first encountered, is probably the village of Lea. This hill is about 100ft higher than the banks of the Trent and would have provided a difficult ascent for the cavalry. A little north of this hill, near the River Trent, is an area which used to be known as "Cavendish's Bog", which locates the area of General Cavendish's death.

After the battle the Parliamentarian Army made a classic withdrawal, but all was annulled by the loss of Gainsborough and subsequently Lincoln, to the pursuing army under the Earl of Newcastle. Cromwell's letters now became more urgent in their requests for troops, money and reinforcements. Parliament however, had realised the danger and reorganised the Eastern Association. The infantry were increased to 10,000 men, the Earl of Manchester was appointed Major-General in command of the Association and Colonel Cromwell, as one of four Colonels of Horse, was effectively Second-in-Command.

It was not until October that the tide turned in Parliament's favour. After 35 colours and 1000 prisoners were captured at Winceby on October 11th 1643, the Eastern Association was secure. Lincoln was recaptured on 19th October, Gainsborough followed a few weeks later, ensuring that the Parliamentarian hold on Lincolnshire was complete.