I have come across the following accounts of what appear to be the same action but on different dates! They come from THE LETTER BOOKS OF SIR SAMUEL LUKE. (HMSO 1963) and were written by Major John Bridges. I am assuming that the second was written in response to a request for details but they are two months apart and in the second Bridges says "yesterday morning" Can anyone clarify the situation and give more details of this skirmish and its particpants - or even name it??

17.9.44

"Warwick castle. Thanks for your leter by Little Dick of Gloucester which would have added much to my contentment if it could have given me assurance of your welfare. I am newly returned from the internment of Major Pont who was villainously killed after quarter given, the major excepted. A greater loss befell my troop than Col. Purefoy's whole regiment, it being their fortune to receive the first part of the charge. wherein my cornet was mortally wounded, my quartermaster killed, 2 corporals sorely wounded and taken and about 9 troopers. One of those that came off, brought 8 wounds with him. The enemy lost between 50 and 60 men, 1 lieutenant, 3 cornets, 2 quartermaster, so that he has not cause to brag, 20 being the utmost of our loss. Our horse are marched again into that country to try their fortune a second time."

12.11.44

"Since the defeat at Banbury our Warwick horse, being willing to regain their honour, marched about a week ago towards the enemy. Yestorday morning, accidently, they met with a party near thrice as many in number as themselves, marching from Shrewsbury and Worcester towards the King.

We having first met with their 4 troops routed them and not knowing of their main body, having divided ours into 3 parts, chased them with 2 parties commanded by Capt. Hawkesworth and Lt. Hannaway who pursued them near 10 miles and within 2 miles of Worcester.

In the meantime Major Pont with the reserve, which consisted of 50 men with the colours, marched leisurely after till they came to Pershore where they discovered the main body of the enemy divided into three parts consisting in all of 300 horse.

The other, thinking to face them whilst the other 2 parties might be called back, was mistaken, for the enemy came up the charge in a free career. Our men behaved themselves very gallantly and charged home, killed divers of the enemy, but being so extremely overpowered the major, turning his horse in a mire, fell together with him and his taken. My cornet and quartermaster both are lost; my lieutenant, after he broke his own sword on an enemy'a head got another, had that shot to pieces in a hand by a blunderbus, then got a third and a gallant horse, having killed his rider, made his retreat. By this our other 2 parties were near Worcester, the enemy between them and us. One Mr. White of my troop seen their danger, undertook to give them notice, who came sefe home having taken about 40 prisoners whereof one lieutenant, 2 cornets, and a quartermaster, which I believe is far more in number than we lost. Besides we suppose there is 6 to one killed of the enemy's party. Our parties loss is 3 colours. I have given you a confused relation of a confused business.

Reply (ECWT #53)

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