May 1644: Ordinance for the Auxiliary Forces of London to march out.

May 1644

[9 May, 1644.]

It is Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament That the Committee of the Militia of the City of London shall be and hereby are, authorized to command the Regiment of the Trained Band, raised in the Hamlets belonging to the Tower of London, the Regiment of Auxiliaries raised in and about Westm. and the Regiment of Auxiliaries raised in the Borough of Southwarke, consisting of Four Thousand Two Hundred Men, or any less Number, to march, according to the Discipline and Order of War, under the Conduct and Command of Such Major General, Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels, Captains, and other Officers, as the same Committee shall nominate and appoint, with all necessary Provisions of Arms, Ordnance, Ammunition, and other Carriages, from the Cities of London and Westm. and all other Places within the Forts or Lines of Communication, and the Parishes mentioned in the Weekly Bill of Mortality, unto Sir William Waller, wheresoever he shall be, and according to his Direction to proceed for the recovering of the Town of Reading, and Preservation thereof, now possessed by the Enemy, by Diversion or otherwise, and upon such other Service as shall be commanded by Sir William Waller, with the Consent of the said Committee: And it is further Ordained, That the said Committee shall be, and hereby are, authorized to command Three Regiments of Auxiliaries, raised within London and the Liberties, consisting of Four Thousand Two Hundred Men, or any less Number, to march according to the Discipline and Order of War, under the Conduct and Command of such Major General, Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels, Captains, and other Officers, as the same Committee shall nominate and appoint, with all necessary Provisions of Arms, Ordnance, Ammunition, and other Carriages, from the City of London, unto the Lord General the Earl of Essex, wheresoever he shall be and, according to his Excellency's Direction, to proceed for the Recovering of the City of Oxford, and Preservation thereof, now possessed, by the Enemies to the King and Parliament, by Diversion or otherwise, and upon such other Service as shall be commanded by his Excellency, with the Consent of the said Committee; and those Services being performed, the said Major General, Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels, and other Officers, shall be, and are hereby, authorized to command and conduct all the said Forces in their Return to the Places aforementioned where they were raised, or otherwise upon any other Service, according to such Order as they shall receive from the said Committee: And it is further Ordained, That the said Committee shall have Power, and is hereby authorized, to call back such Forces as they shall command to march forth by virtue of this Ordinance, when they shall think fit: And it is further Ordained, by the said Lords and Commons, That all Major Generals, Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels, Captains, and other Officers and Soldiers whatsoever, under the Command of the said Committee of the Militia, whether Masters or Servants, shall obey the Commands and Directions of the said Committee of the Militia from Time to Time, and likewise to march, with their Colours, to any Place whatsoever, for the Defence of the said City and the Public Safety, according to the Direction of the said Committee, upon Pain of Imprisonment or Expulsion out of the Limits aforesaid, and such other Punishment as the said Committee shall think fit to impose upon them by reasonable Fines, or according to the Course of War; and all Constables, Headboroughs, Provost Marshals, and other Officers, are hereby required to be aiding and assisting, from Time to Time, for the better furthering and effecting of all such Services as are contained or intended by this Ordinance, according as they shall be directed by the said Committee for the Militia, or their Sub-committees within the Limits aforesaid, as they will answer the contrary under the Penalties herein mentioned: And it is further Ordained, That such Forces as are or shall be sent forth by the said Committee, for the Expeditions aforesaid, shall be paid by the Parliament for the Time they shall continue abroad, according to the new Establishment of the Army under the immediate Command of His Excellency the Earl of Essex; and as well the said Committee, as also their Sub-committees, and all other Persons acting in the Premises according to the Intent of this Ordinance, shall be saved harmless by Authority of both Houses of Parliament.