Ordered two days ago with part of the regt of Col Holles, toward Bridgnorth, on reports Charles plans advance along Severn; today we withdraw back to Worcester. Essex believes Bridgnorth too exposed to potential attack by Prince Rupert "and of course the merest stench of the princeling enough to reduce an army of Davids to merest stubble," said Capt Cromwell with great disgust. So to Worcester with its sink of alehouses, whores, &c; some soldierly sacked the cathedral, it would seem; Capt Cromwell hath made it clear again any crimes against Property to be punished by Hanging.

To spare us, he said, from ungodly Distraction, Capt Cromwell Instituted a program of Drill, constant Drill, like unto what was done in the Fen, but and treble the frequency, and four times the Pace: riding the ring, pistols and swords, and rides across the Countryside, all as one body of troop, . He has taken we officers to the field near Wyck, and Powick Bridge, to study the Land, and the Conditions that led to the shameful defeat of our Horse. The Fault resides, Capt Cromwell says, in poor Scouting by our Horse; the attempt to execute a Turn in a narrow hedge-lined lane; and the Failure to regroup at the Bridge, and as one Body hold it as a place where the Horse of Rupert could be funneled then cut to pieces in tangle and confusion.

I promise you this, Cromwell said: should any trooper under my Command run, if Rupert does not Kill him, then I will. Se said it with a small smile but he did not intent to jest.

I have had two letters from Anne and must resolve what