My Lord

All the force of Taunton both of horse & Foote drew out from thence on Tuesday last, leaving not above 300 men att the most in the Castle, with intention, as it is probable, to ioyne with those horse which Cromwell is marched with that way, as also with those 1500 foote which they expected from Portsmouth, which I have certaine intelligence since my cominge home from Sir Richard Greenvile were landed at Weymouth Yesterday, & I beleeve will very suddenly be ioyned with the rest of their body. Soe as unlesse Sir Richard Greenvile receive some assistance from ypur Lordship or Sir John Berkely, & that speedily, he is likely to run much hazard, The enimy havinge Treble the number of horse that he hath, and exceedinge him likewise in foote with this addition that is come to them from Portsmouth. This is all that I know for the present worthy to be offered to your Lordship’s consideration by

My Lord

Sherbourne the Your most humble servant

27 March 1645

att 12 o Clocke

Your most humble servant

Lewis Dyve

My Lord

I came this morning from Chard from Sir Richard Grenvile, who hath all this night been in Armes & is drawne away this morning towards Exceter upon this occasion. The Enimie upon Tuisday last drewe out all their Horse & Foote to the nomber of neere 2000 men out of Taunton, leaving behind them not above 200 or three hundred men at the most in the Castle, and marched in the night to Axminster neere Lime where Cromwell is joyned with them with 14 or 1500 horse more, stealing downe by great marches by the sea-side. And to these forces a new recruite is added of 1500 Foote which landed yesterday at Weymouth, whereof I have very certaine intelligence, so that Sir Richard Grenvile is likely to be in a very hard condition and the West much endangered unlesse some speedie assistance be given him by my Lord Goring.