Friday 20 August 2021

Colonele Danby writes a letter ...

 


I was lucky enough to see some of Col. Danby's original correspondence when I visited The University of Felpersham and am indebted to Miss Goodbody in helping me decipher the text , his writing is at times almost illegible and  strangely spelt with very little punctuation... . 

'I have the honore of reporting to my Lordes of the recent engagement on ye --------- we were marching to tare down ye Papist fortiphcations at Loxly Barret when our rightious waye was bloked by a suppirior force of the enemie We bravely engaged them our Dragoones causing their Horse to quit the field on the righte the enemie horse got amongs our shote on the righte but were bravely driven off the enemies pike rushed our lines but our shote played heavely upon them and casting downe there pike they flede the field abandonde thuse the rest of ther force lefte leaving the fielde of Honore to myselfe . One prisonere wetooke says the army was ccommanded by the malcontente ---- Pargetter Sire B---- Alderige being absente - whecence this devil is I now note - but up to GREATE mischefe I feare - I will continue my marche to tare downe the ediphices of popery ..

I have the Honore to serve youe furter 

Colonele Danbie'

It is interesting to get a first hand account of the action although some what misleading as both forces were similar in size . It is assumed this letter (this being a copy) was sent to Parliament in London , I hope to find out what Sir Brianne Alderidge has been up to soon .....

(My thanks once again to the staff of  TUF records department)

10 comments:

  1. Very interesting post Tony! It was the winners that wrote the history and here is a good example! Thanks for another enlightening report!

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    1. Nice to have a first hand account however biased .

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  2. Methinks he boasteth not a littel and was but blest by the Lord who governes even the chances and hazards of even Little warres.

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  3. Best episode of the Archers ever!

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    1. Using the Archers Wiki page for names and inspiration.

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  4. What a find to dig up a first-hand report!

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    1. Sadly most of the records have not been fully catalogue and it's a bit pot luck at times .

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  5. He had the gift of laughter and a sense that all the rest of the world was mad.

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