Joshua Sprigg was chaplain to Fairfax, Independent theologian and Preacher
This account is included as it shed light on to some later misconceptions of Bridgwater Castle. It should be noted that the castle is dismissed militarily and plays almost no role during the storm. Antiquarians, such as Collinson, took Sprigg’s description of the town ditches as thirty foot wide and filled every tide with water as representative of the Moat of the Castle. This is mistaken, for a start the moat on the west side of the river was too high to be filled by the river and is more likely to refer to the ditch dug on the east side of the river which required special bridges to be made.
Also note confusion that has been caused by Sprigg’s vague description of the castle followed by a mention of forty cannon on the batteries. These batteries are likely to have been part of the town defences, not the castle as has been assumed, as after the storm forty cannon are recorded to have been captured for the town as a whole, not just the castle.
Anglia Rediviva; Englands Recovery
Being the History of the Motions, Actions and Successes of the Army under the Immediate Conduct of His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, Knight, Captain-General Of all the Parliaments Forces in England. 1647
Chapter II The Particulars of that gallant service, The storming of Bridgewater.
After this battail the army marched five miles to Middlesay in the way to Bridgewater; the bold carriage of Hollis the Club-man, was very notorious, who the morning (an houre) before the fight began, came with a Petition to the General, from his fellowes and followers: withal telling the General in plain terms, that if he did not give them better satisfaction then what he had yet given them, they must take another course. His Petition, upon reading, was found of that nature, and his impudent carriage so insufferable withal, that the General committed him to the Marshal; but he made a shift to get away, so soon as he saw the day was lost. The next day the whole Army, being horse and foot, with the Train, were drawn up in Westonmoor, otherwise called Pensy Pound, two miles from Bridgewater. The Country men thereabouts, that had been vexed with the Cavaliers, hearing of the defeat given unto them, and fearing to taste of their former cruelties, rose in great numbers, and with their colours, clubs and arms, appeared upon Knol-hill; which being made known to the General, he with the Lieutenant gen. And other officers, marched up to them, who seemingly received him with joy, and in token thereof gave a volley of shot: whence after some conference with them, and their Leader, who made a Neutral speech, the general returned, and the Army that night went to quarter, the head-quarter that night being appointed at Chedzoy, within two miles of Bridgewater.
Friday, July 11. Colonel Weldens Brigade was commanded on the North side of the Town towards Devonshire, and the rest of the Army on this side towards Chedsay; the guards being set, the General, with the Lieutenant gen. Went to view the Town, which they found to be very strong, standing in a valley, yet glorying in the equality of its level with the ground about it, there being not a clod that could afford any advantage against that place; the Fortifications very regular and strong, the Ditch about it very deep, and about thirty foot wide, which for a great part about the town, was every Tyde filled up to the brim with water, the compasse of ground within the line and works not great, very well manned, having in it about 1800 Souldiers to defend it; within the town was a castle of indifferent strength, there was planted on the severall Batteries about 40 peece of Ordinance; well stored with ammunition and victuals, being a magazine for all the petty garrisons thereabout.
Saturday, July 12. The army continued in quarters, and new places for guards were appointed.
Lords day, July 13. We rested at Chedsay; and Colonel Okey having, from that day the battle was at Langport, besieged at Burrough garrison with his Dragoons, had the same surrendered unto him upon quarter, wherein were 140 prisoners, the Officers being promised fair usage.
Monday, July 14. A councel of war was called, great debate whether to storm the town, or not: some inclination to it, but no positive resolution; Notwithstanding preperations were made in order to a storm, the souldiers cheerfully made their faggots, and were drawn in readiness for a storm, but upon further consideration were for that time drawn back to their quarters; and more time being taken, there were 8 long Bridges, betwixt 30 and 40 foot length, devised to be made by Lieutenant-general Hamond, the Lieutenant general of the Ordinance (a gentleman of approved fidelity, and of most dexterous and ripe invention for all such things) which were approved of by the Commanders and Officers, and accordingly ordered to be made, and were of very great use to the Souldier in the storm.
This day, the General going over the river to view the posts on the other side, was graciously delivered from a great danger he was near unto by a sudden surprisal of the Tide called the Eager, where he very narrowly escaped drowning.
Tuesday, July 15. The General went to Glastenbury, and returned that night to the head quarter.
Wednesday, July 16. A Counsel of war was again called, and several propositions were made for the framing of our Army, and reduction of the town, both being of great consequence, and vehemently desired by us. To rise with our whole Army and leave the town unattempted, was conceived to be very prejudiciall to our future progress; to site down before it (being a place of that strength, and we not sure to carry it) leaving the Enemy at liberty to rally his broken forces, seemed very hazardous.
The blocking of it up by Forts on both sides with a part of our army was proposed; but the difficulty of laying a bridge over the River through the violence of the current, (which yet was necessary for the maintaining a communication between our quarters on both sides) hindered that design.
It was proposed to attempt it by approaches; but it was considered, that if we should have gone that way, it would have proved very tedious; and if during our stay about it any great glut of rain should have fallen, it would have laid us wet in our trenches, and disabled us from effecting the business.
At last a resolution to storm it was agreed upon, though it carried the greatest danger with it: yet the desire which the Army had to be speedily free from the further service of the Kingdom, surmounted all difficulties: the storming being thus happily resolved on, to the great and generall satisfaction of all the Army, both officers and souldiers; Lots were drawn for every one to take their posts, some to storm, some to be reserves, others to alarm, but the time of falling on not yet determined.
Friday July 19. It was resolved at the Counsel of War, that the time of the storm should be on Monday morning towards dawning of the day. The Brigade appointed to storm on that side towards Devon was commanded by Major General Massey, being the regiments of Col. Welden, Col. Inglesby, Col. Fortescue, Col. Herbert, Col. Birch, and Major General Massies own regiment: the regiments designed on this side, were the Generals, Major generals, Col. Pickerings, Col. Montagues, Sir Hardresse Wallers, the Regiment commanded by Lieut. Colonel Pride, Colonel Rainsboroughs, and Colonel Hamonds. The general rode round about the town this day, to see if all things were in readiness for the storm, that both sides might fall on together. On the Lords day, July 20. Mr. Peters in the forenoon preached a Preparation Sermon, to encourage the Souldiers to go on: Mr. Bowles likewise did his part in the afternoon. After the Sermons, the drums beat, the army was drawn out into the field: The Commanders of the forlorn hope who were to begin the storm, and the souldiers, being drawn together in the field, were there also afresh exhorted to do their duties (with undaunted courage and resolution) by Mr. Peters, who did it (as one says of him) tam Marte, quam Mercurio. As soon as it grew dark, the souldiers drew every one to their severall posts allotted them to storm; the signe when the storm was to begin, was the shooting off three peeces of ordinance on this side, which Forces on the other side were to take notice of, and to fall on at the instant: and on Monday, July 22. About two of the clock in the morning, the storm began accordingly on this side of the town, (the Forces on the other side only alarming the Enemy, which kept them upon the Line expecting a storm) Our forlorn hope was manfully led on by Lieut.colonel Hewson; and as valiantly seconded by the Generals Regiment, commanded by Lieut.colonel Ashfield. The bridges prepared to pass over the Moat, were quickly brought to the ditch, and thrown in, on which the Souldiers with little losse got over the deep ditch, and with undaunted courage mounted the Enemies works (notwithstanding the great and small shot which showred about them) beat them from their Ordinance, turn’d them upon the enemy and let down their drawbridge; which made many of their Foot instantly cry, Quarter, Quarter. The bridge being let down, Captain Rainolds, who commanded the forlorn hope of horse, immediately entred, and scoured the street of that part of the Town so gained, called Eastover, with much gallantry and resolution, even up to the Draw-bridge over the main Ditch, leading to the second town: whereupon the rest of the Officers and Souldiers that were in a body, and yet annoyed us in that part of the town which we had won, threw down their arms, and had fair quater given them: (there were about 600. Taken prisoners, Officers and Souldiers) The enemy instantly made barracadoes at the gate upon the bridge, and drew up the bridge that divided one part of the town from the other. Our forces had not two hours in the first town, but the enemy shot granadoes, and slugs of hot iron, and fired it on both sides, which by the next morning burnt that part of the town (of goodly buildings) down to the ground, except three or four houses, Major Cowel, who had a good share in that service, standing all that while in the midst of the street, which was both sides on fire, keeping guards to prevent the Enemies sallying ipon them: Captain Sampson, in that remarkable action, received a shot.
The General, hoping that the storm might have wrought upon the Souldiers and the fire upon the townsmen, so far, that they would have hearkened to a treaty; renewed his summons, which the Governour peremptorily refused, according to his allegiance (as he said) where upon, Tuesday, July 22. It was resolved to alarm the town by our forces on this side, and to storm it by the other forces on the other side, at two of the clock the next morning; for which purpose the General was therein person to see it done, though it was held fit on after considerations, only to alarm on both sides, which much amazed the Enemy, and kept him waking that night: Also about two of the clock in the afternoon, the General sent to the Governour a Trumpet with a message to this purpose, that his denial of fair tearms had wrought in him no other thoughts, but of compassion towards those that were innocent, who otherwise might suffer through the Governours obstinacy: Wherefore he signified his noble pleasure, that all women and children that would accept of this liberty, should come forth of the town by four of the clock in the afternoon, which being made known to them, the Governours Lady and divers others came out. They were no sooner come forth, but our cannon plaid fiercely into the town, Granadoes were shot, and slugs of hot iron in abundance, whereby several houses in the town were fired, and the wind being high increast the flame, the townsmen within were in great distraction, every man imployed how to save his house and goods, the enemy in great amazement, and the governour so far melted, as to send forth Tom Elliot in haste, to desire to know the Generals terms; the General refused to admit of any treaty at all, resolved that the governour and they within had destroyed so fine a town, should have no conditions, but should submit to mercy; which being signified to the Enemy, they yet would try the General with these three particulars.
First, that the Governour with all the Officers and Gentlemen that were in the town, with their servants, horses, swords, pistols and cloak bags, might march with a safe convoy to Exeter.
Secondly, that all the souldiers might likewise march to Exeter leaving their armes.
Thirdely, that all clergymen in the town, and townsmen might have liberty to march with them, or abide at home. Edmund Windham.
Whereto the General returned these.
1. To all their lives.
2. To the inhabitants, their liberty and freedome from plunder.
3. Neither Officers nor souldiers to be plundered of the clothes they had upon them.
4. The gentlemen to be disposed of as the Parliament should appoint and in the mean time to have civil usage.
Six hostages to be sent, and an answer in a quarter of an hour. Thomas Fairfax.
The Governour returned answer, that he found those proposition so ill resented, both by the Gentlemen and souldiers, that he could not accept them. The General thereupon gave order to the souldiers to stand upon their guard, and go to their duties; Tom Elliot desired nothing might be done till he returned, leaving Sir John Heale as caution, which was agreed to; and he presently returned with an answer of submission to the Generals Articles, only slipt in a motion for himself, that he might have liberty to carry the news to the King upon his Parol. May he have more such imployment till peace be settled!
Thereupon the hostages were sent, Sir John Heale, Sir Hugh Windham, Mr. Waldron, Mr. Warr, Mr. Siddingham, Mr. Speake. And we sent some into the town to them.
They were to deliver the Town and yield themselves prisoners the next morning by eight of the clock, and all that night they imployed themselves to quench the fire in the town. The losse of men in this stoem was not many, Mr. Martin an officer in the train had his leg shot, and afterwards cut off, whereof he died, he behaved himself valiantly.
Wednesday July 23 the town was surrendered, about 1000 officers and souldiers, besides Gentlemen and malignant clergy marched out as prisoners. There were taken in the town about 44 barrels of powder, 1500 armes, 44 piece of ordance, 400 weight of match, Enemies goods of great value, that had been carried for security in to that place, and were seized by the commissioners of the Parliament, and sould; and 5s a man raised upon the sale, to be bestowed as a reward upon the common souldiers for their good service in the storming of the place.
That which may seem to allay the happiness of the success was, that the town was fired; but truely though in strictness of souldiery this might be very well justified, yet God in his providence concurred to the justice of it, and our acquaintance: They refused treaty after part taken, they fired the part we had taken, and rang the bels for joy when they saw it blaze: and as we are credibly informed, they fired the town themselves in many places where fireworks could do no hurt, the soudiers saying, the town did it to be rid of them; the town said, the souldiers did it, when they were in little hopes to hold it. But God be thanked, we found much more of it standing then we expected. Some things there are which made the business considerable. As first, that by it a line of garrisons was drawn over the ihstmus of ground between the south sea and severn, by Bridgewater, Taunton, Lime, and Langport, it being from Bridgewater to Lime little above twenty miles, by which the counties of Devon and Cornwall then wholly in the Enemies possession, except Plymouth, were in a manner blockt up from all entercourse with the Eastern parts, a business of no small consequence, if we had proceeded no further. Likewise this being taken, our Army was at liberty for further work, which was a great mercy at that time of year. It was a great gain with little losse: and that which addes as much to the commendation of the action, as any thing, we kept out Articles exactly, which is not only honourable in the eyes of men, but acceptable in the fight of God, and that which this war hath scarce formerly attained; and it was not done without some difficulty now, in regard our souldiers had suffered so much, and Cornwall was so near.
Thursdau July 24. All the day was spent in ordering the manner of sending away prisoners and securing Malignants goods in the town. And thus you have that gallant fight at Langport crowned with as easie recovery of that considerable strength of Bridgewater, whose natural fortification by water, they that knew, must needs conclude, God was the Bridge by which our army got over.
See also other extracts on the storm of Bridgwater here. These compliment Joshua Sprigg’s account.