as the only expedient to secure the government; but Cromwell would never consent to it; it may be, out of too much contempt of his enemies. In a word, as he had all the wickednesses against which damnation is denounced, and for which hell fire is prepared, so he had some virtues which have caused the memory of some men in all ages to be celebrated; and he will be looked upon by posterity as a brave bad man.

CHAPTER XXVI

OLIVER CROMWELL 1

IN 1845 the famous English writer, Thomas Carlyle, gave to the world the first collection ever made of Cromwell's letters and speeches. The work had an immediate success and within a few years totally changed the current estimate of Cromwell. Until it appeared, even historians favorable to the Puritan Revolution had been accustomed to represent Cromwell as a patriot in the first part of his career and a tyrant in the last part. But now no one could study the life of the great Protector, as given in his own words, without being convinced of his honesty and sincerity of purpose. By thus redeeming Cromwell's memory, by proving that he was “not a man of falsehoods but a man of truths," Carlyle restored him to his proper place among English worthies.

cess.

127. Battle of Marston Moor 2

The Civil War between Charles I and parliament broke out in 1642. Fortune at first favored the Royalists, and it was not till Cromwell appeared as a military leader that the Puritans had any conspicuous sucAt a critical moment in the battle of Marston Moor (1644) Cromwell hurled his "Ironsides" against the Royalists under Prince Rupert and gained a decisive victory. All the north of England now fell into the hands of parliament and the Scots. Cromwell refers to the battle in a letter of condolence which he wrote to Colonel Walton, whose son had been killed.

Truly England and the Church of God hath had a great favor from the Lord, in this great victory given unto us, such

1 The Letters and Speeches of Oliver Cromwell, edited by Thomas Carlyle, revised by S. C. Lomas. 3 vols. London, 1904. Methuen and Co.

2 Cromwell, Letters and Speeches, vol. i, pp. 176–177.

as the like never was since this war began. It had all the evidences of an absolute victory obtained by the Lord's blessing upon the godly party principally. We never charged but we routed the enemy. The left wing, which I commanded, being our own cavalry, except a few Scots in our rear, beat all the prince's cavalry. God made them as stubble to our swords. . . . The particulars I cannot relate now, but I believe, of twenty thousand the prince hath not four thousand left. Give glory, all the glory, to God.

...

Sir, God hath taken away your eldest son by a cannon shot. It broke his leg. We were obliged to have it cut off, whereof he died. . . . He was a gallant young man, exceeding gracious. God give you His comfort. Before his death he was so full of comfort that to Frank Russel and myself he could not express it, it was so great above his pain. This he said to us. Indeed it was admirable. A little after, he said one thing lay upon his spirit. I asked him what that was. He told me that it was that God had not suffered him to be no more the executioner of His enemies. At his fall, his horse being killed with the bullet, and as I am informed three horses more, I am told he bid them open to the right and left, that he might see the rogues run. Truly he was exceedingly beloved in the army, of all that knew him. But few knew him, for he was a precious young man, fit for God. You have cause to bless the Lord. He is a glorious saint in Heaven, wherein you ought exceedingly to rejoice. Let this drink up your sorrow; seeing these are not feigned words to comfort you, but the thing is so real and undoubted a truth. You may do all things by the strength of Christ. Seek that, and you shall easily bear your trial. Let this public mercy to the Church of God make you to forget your private The Lord be your strength.

sorrow.

128. Battle of Naseby 1

At Naseby in 1645 a dashing charge by Cromwell's cavalry again turned threatened defeat into victory. The Royalists never recovered

1 Cromwell, Letters and Speeches, vol. i, pp. 204-205.

from the reverse which they experienced here, and within less than a year Charles I was a prisoner in the hands of the Scots. After the battle Cromwell wrote about it to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Being commanded by you to this service, I think myself bound to acquaint you with the good hand of God toward you and us.

...

We marched yesterday after the king . . . and encamped about six miles from him. This day we marched toward him. He drew out to meet us; both armies engaged. We, after three hours' fight very doubtful, at last routed his army; killed and took about five thousand, very many officers, but of what quality we yet know not. We took also about two hundred carriages, all he had; and all his guns.... We pursued the enemy from three miles short of Harborough to nine beyond, even to the sight of Leicester, whither the king fled.

Sir, this is none other but the hand of God; and to Him alone belongs the glory, wherein none are to share with Him. The general served you with all faithfulness and honor; and the best commendation I can give him is that I dare say he attributes all to God, and would rather perish than assume to himself. . . . Honest men served you faithfully in this action. Sir, they are trusty; I beseech you in the name of God not to discourage them. I wish this action may beget thankfulness and humility in all that are concerned in it. He that ventures his life for the liberty of his country, I wish he may trust God for the liberty of his conscience, and you for the liberty he fights for.

129. Storming of Drogheda 1

After the execution of Charles I in 1649 Roman Catholics in Ireland combined with Protestant Royalists in an attempt to overthrow the Commonwealth. Cromwell promptly invaded Ireland and spread fire and sword throughout the island. His treatment of the garrison of Drogheda has left a stain on his memory.

Upon Tuesday the 10th of September, about five o'clock in the evening, we began the storm, and after some hot dis1 Cromwell, Letters and Speeches, vol. i, pp. 467–470.

pute we entered with about seven or eight hundred men, the enemy disputing it very stiffly with us. And indeed, through the advantages of the place, and the courage God was pleased to give the defenders, our men were forced to retreat quite out of the breach, not without some considerable loss. . . .

Although our men that stormed the breaches were forced to recoil, as before is expressed, yet, being encouraged to recover their loss, they made a second attempt, wherein God was pleased so to animate them that they got ground of the enemy and forced him to quit his entrenchments. And after a very hot dispute, the enemy having both horse and foot, and we only foot, within the wall, they gave ground, and our men became masters both of their entrenchments and the church.

...

The enemy retreated, many of them, into the Mill-Mount: a place very strong and of difficult access, being exceedingly high and strongly palisaded. The governor, Sir Arthur Ashton, and other important officers being there, our men getting up to them, were ordered by me to put them all to the sword. And indeed, being in the heat of action, I forbade them to spare any that were in arms in the town. That night, I think, they put to the sword about two thousand men. Many officers and soldiers fled over the bridge into the other part of the town, where about one hundred of them possessed St. Peter's churchsteeple, some the west gate, and others a strong round tower next the gate called St. Sunday's. These being summoned to yield to mercy, refused, whereupon I ordered the steeple of St. Peter's Church to be fired, where one of them was heard to say in the midst of the flames: "God condemn me, God confound me; I burn, I burn.”

The next day, the other two towers were summoned, in one of which were about six or seven score; but they refused to yield themselves, and we, knowing that hunger must compel them, set only good guards to secure them from running away until their stomachs were come down. From one of the said towers, notwithstanding their condition, they killed and wounded some of our men. When they submitted, their officers were