The resolution for fighting being published in the army, gave an universal joy to the soldiers, who expressed an extraordinary ardour for fighting.  I remember my father talking with me about it, asked me what I thought of the approaching battle.  I told him I thought the king had done very well; for at that time I did not consult the extent of the design, and had a mighty mind, like other rash people, to see it brought to a day, which made me answer my father as I did.  “But,” said I, “sir, I doubt there will be but indifferent doings on both sides, between two armies both made up of fresh men, that have never seen any service.”  My father minded little what I spoke of that; but when I seemed pleased that the king had resolved to fight, he looked angrily at me, and told me he was sorry I could see no farther into things.  “I tell you,” says he hastily, “if the king should kill and take prisoners this whole army, general and all, the Parliament will have the victory; for we have lost more by slipping this opportunity of getting into London, than we shall ever get by ten battles.”  I saw enough of this afterwards to convince me of the weight of what my father said, and so did the king too; but it was then too late.  Advantages slipped in war are never recovered.

We were now in a full march to fight the Earl of Essex.  It was on Sunday morning the 24th of October 1642, fair weather overhead, but the ground very heavy and dirty.  As soon as we came to the top of Edgehill, we discovered their whole army.  They were not drawn up, having had two miles to march that morning, but they were very busy forming their lines, and posting the regiments as they came up.  Some of their horse were exceedingly fatigued, having marched forty-eight hours together; and had they been suffered to follow us three or four days’ march farther, several of their regiments of horse would have been quite ruined, and their foot would have been rendered unserviceable for the present.  But we had no patience.

As soon as our whole army was come to the top of the hill, we were drawn up in order of battle.  The king’s army made a very fine appearance; and indeed they were a body of gallant men as ever appeared in the field, and as well furnished at all points; the horse exceedingly well accoutred, being most of them gentlemen and volunteers, some whole regiments serving without pay; their horses very good and fit for service as could be desired.  The whole army were not above 18,000 men, and the enemy not 1000 over or under, though we had been told they were not above 12,000; but they had been reinforced with 4000 men from Northampton.  The king was with the general, the Earl of Lindsey, in the main battle; Prince Rupert commanded the right wing, and the Marquis of Hertford, the Lord Willoughby, and several other very good officers the left.