“Forasmuch as more than ordinary obstrucc’ons have from the beginning of this p’sent service ag^t Lathom House interposed our proceedings, and yet still remaine, which cannot otherwise be removed, nor our successe furthered, but onely by devine assistance:  it is, therefore, our desires to the ministers and other well-affected persons of this county of Lancaster, in publike manner, as they shall please, to com’end our case to God, that as wee are appoynted to the s^d employment, soe much tending to the settleing of our p’sent peace in theise parts, soe the Almighty would crowne our weake endeavours with speedy success in the said designe.

     (Signed)

     “RALPH ASHTON.

     “JOHN MOORE.

     “ORMSKIRK, 5 Ap. 1644.”

The four following days were, on their part, consumed in these unholy exercises; but the garrison, tired with inaction, resolved to awaken them, and turn their thoughts into a more profitable channel.

On Wednesday, the 10th of April, says the MS. journal, “about eleven o’clock, Capt^n Farmer and Capt^n Mullineux Rattcliffe, Lieu^t Penckett, Lieu^t Woorrale, w^th 140 souldiers, sallyed out at a postern gate, beate the enemy from all theire worke and batteries, w^ch were now cast up round the house, nailed all theire canon, killed about 50 men, took 60 armes, one collours, and three drumes, in which acc’on, Capt^n Rattcliffe deserves this remembrance, that w^th 3 souldiers, the rest of his squadron being scattered w^th execuc’on of the enemy, he cleared two sconces, and slew 7 men w^th his owne hand, Lieu^t Woorrall, ingageing himself in another worke among 50 of the enemy, bare the fury of all, till Capt^n Farmer relieved him, who, to the wonder of us all, came off without any dangerous wound.[46]—­The sally-port was that day warded by Capt^n Chisnall, who with fresh men stood ready for succour of ours, had they been putt to the extremity; but they bravely marched round the works, and came in att the great gates, where Capt^n Ogle w^th a p’ty of musketeers kept open the passage.  Capt^n Rawstorne hadd the charge of the musketeers upon the walls, which hee plac’d to the best advantage to vex the enemy in their flight.  Capt^n Foxe, by a collours from the Eagle Tower, gave signall when to march and when to retreate, according to the motions of the enemy, which hee observed at a distance.—­In all this service wee had but one man mortally wounded, and wee tooke onely one prisoner, an officer, for intelligence.  In former sallyes some prisoners were taken, and by exchange releast, Colonel Ashton and Rigby promising to sett at liberty as many of the king’s freinds, then prisoners in Lancaster, Manchester, Preston, and other places proposed by her ladishipp.  But most unworthily they broke condic’ons, it suiting well with their religion neither to observe faith with God nor men; and this occasioned a greater slaughter than either her la^pp or the captaynes desired, because wee were in no condic’on to keepe prisoners, and knew the co’manders wold never release ’em but upon base or dishonorable terms.”