Dear Brother, -- Colonel Heane's regiment with 6 companies of Sir Hardress Waller's regiment of foot, two of horse (vizt) Capt. Wests and Capt Margerums, being shipt at Weymouth, on Friday the 17th instant at 4 in the afternoon we hoisted sail, and bended our course towards (Guernsey there to take in 200 men more, who were to join with us in the reducing of Jersey Island; but we had not sailed above 5 leagues before the wind rose so high that our open boats could not live upon the seas, that we were forct to return again; the Igth in the morning we again set sail, and though the wind was yet high by 12 at night we cast anchor under Sarke Island near Guernsey; the 20th in the morning we launcht forth and steered directly for Jersey, and about 12 at Noon came to an anchor in St Wons Bay, where we lay all that day, not being able to hoist our small boats out of the ships to order our busi ness, the wind being so very high; the 21st we steered round the shore and came before St Brelade's Bay, where we dropt anchor; the day before the Eagle Frigate running near the shore to fire upon the enemy received a shot which pierced through her side, and dropped in her hold, but did no further harm.

After we had anchored before St Brelades Bay we descried several bodies upon the shore, and received from them divers shot from a line on which they had planted several elms from one end of the Bay to the other. All this while the wind continued so high, and could not tell what to do, we seeing apparent ruin to us all if the wind ceased not. About six at night we considered that though the weather was not seasonable, and 16 sail of our fleet left at Guernsey, our horse provisions was quite spent, so that they must be lost if we either lay still or returned; and we being willing to do the work we were sent about resolved to throw ourselves upon the Lord, and to-morrow to endeavour to do it; and it so pleased the Lord that within an hour after we had a calm sea and quiet weather, which gave us opportunity to fit ourselves with such necessaries as our business required.

The 22nd about three in the morning we held a Council on board the Admiral where we resolved to improve the Lord's goodness to us in that seasonable weather which yet continued, and that morning to go on; to which purpose there we craved a blessing on our undertaking. About 5 that morning we began to boat our men, and came round the shore in them to St Wons Bay; before our boats could get ashore the tide was spent, and we forct in much danger, without bread or beer, to lie there till the next tide, and about 11 at night for expedition sake we cut our cables and run ashore, our boats after they were on ground drawing 3, 4, 5, 6, and some 7 feet water, but these that were in those that drew most got over (to) the rest and run ashore, most middle and some neck high, so willing were they either to live or die together. This day while we lay in our open boats the Elizabeth frigate came, and rid as near the shore as she could, and let fly at their colours upon the shore, and killed one horse and 2 men of theirs.

We were no sooner landed but the enemy entertained us with a desperate charge, they being a body of horse, which our foot withstood as stoutly (our horse not being yet landed), and after half an hours dispute (their horse being up to the muzzles of our musquets) the Lord was pleased to give us the victory, and made the enemy fly-before us; after which we drew ourselves in to a posture fit to receive them upon the sands, where we continued about an hour, and finding no enemy to assault us (only some great shot from the hills) we then marcht a mile in to the Island, in which time we seized 7 or 8 guns they had planted upon that shore. After we had marcht about a mile there we continued till about 5 the next morning (being the 23rd October, the same day on which the battle of Edgehill was), when we marcht round the shore towards St Brelade's Bay, and drew upon a hill before we came to it, whither our parties aboard brought divers prisoners and colours.

Here we endeavoured to get in provision for our hungry and tired soldiers, but before we could get any (still keeping ourselves in a fighting posture) we marcht down to Brelade Bay, where we found about 12 guns but their men fled; after which we drew up upon a hill on the other side this Bay in sight of Elizabeth Castle, under which hill was a fort which had in it a demi culverin, which they forsook. Upon this hill we received several great shot from a strong fort of theirs called St Albans Tower. Here we understood that the enemy were all fled into their 2 strong Castles (vizt) Mount Orguille Castle which they call the Old Gastle, and Elizabeth Castle which they call the New Castle; and my Colonel being unwilling to loose time (notwithstanding his soldiers former hardships) marcht that night to their chief town called St Hilary's, with his own regiment and Capt West's troop of horse only, to keep the enemy into the New Castle, which is within musket and half shot of this town upon an Island in the sea.

While we were on our march hither the Colonel sent in a summons to St Albans Tower (which likewise stands upon an Island on the other side of the Harbour), and gave them two hours time to send him an answer, in which time they surrendered it, upon terms to remove from thence to Elizabeth's Castle, which that night they did by water. In it we had I4 guns and a convenient place under which our shipping may lie in despite of their Castle. Our quarters being this night taken up in St Hilary's town, whereby the New Castle was blockt up. The 24th the Colonel sent Sir George Cartaret a summons, to which he returned but a scurrilous answer. This day the Colonel ordered his own regiment with Capt West's troop of horse to march to their old Castle, and Major Ebzery with his 6 companies and the 3 companies from Guernsey with Capt Margerum's troop to possess our quarters; and that night about 9 o'clock we drew up on a coney warren before Mount Orguille Castle, after which we were disposed to keep guards within musket shot of the Castle, and the 25th the Colonel sent the Governor thereof (Sir George Cartaret's brother) a summons.

His answer was that he had no power to surrender that place. It is of it self very strong, were it not for a hill close by which commands it, from whence our mortar pieces (when we have them hither) will I hope force him to deliver it. Thus hath the Lord given into your hands this brave Island with the loss of not above 3 or 4 men, and about 24 wounded, of which one is since dead. The enemy carried a cart load of dead in their New Castle, of which one was Colonel Bovill as I am in formed. The enemy at our landing are reported to be about 3000, but their numbers 2 days before were reported to be twice as many. Since which the Old Castle called Mount Orguille Castle is surrendered. The conditions were to march away with their swords, which they did, only the Governor had with him two horses and the liberty of carrying away some of his goods.

The Islanders are to live peaceably at home, and have protection, and not to be troubled for anything done during the late war; the strangers have passes to go into their own countries. Truly I cannot but wonder to see how the Lord doth strike these people with fear and terror that they should so suddenly deliver up such a strong hold. It is seated very high upon a round rock, and many vaults in it cut out of the firm rock, that in my judgment 'tis neither stormable or to be injured by mortar pieces.

This is the Castle in which Mr Prynne was prisoner. We had in it near 50 guns great and small, 5 or 6 whereof are brass, one of which is demicannon. The New Castle is indeed a most invincible place, but the Lord Almighty is able to overcome them. This day we hear from St Malo's in France, that upon notice given them of our fleet coming this way, they turned all the English out of the town, and planted 50 guns more about the town than there was before, hearing we would attempt them. This day I received one from you, I am glad you are well, my true love to you and my dear sister. I am well blessed be the Lord, only a litt]e lousy. I am thine while

KYMPTON HILLIARD
Jersey Island
this 30th October, 1651.

For my dear brother Mr William Clarke at the Head Quarters in Scotland there.

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