The Virginia Gazette

The following is a general Account of the Conduct and Proceedings of the Rebels, during their Stay at Derby, which may be depended upon for Fact.

On Wednesday, Dec. 4. about 11 o'Clock, two of the Rebels Van Guard enter'd this Town, and at their Entrance gave a Specimen of what we are to expect from such Villains, by seizing a very good Horse, belonging to young Mr. Stamford; after which they rode up to the George, and there enquiring for the Magistrates, demanded Billers for 600 Men, or more.
In a short Time after, the Van Guard rode into Town, consisting of about 30 Men, cloathed in blue, fac'd with red; most of them had on Scarlet Waitcoats with Gold Lace, and being likely Men made a good Appearance.
They were drawn up in the Market Place, and sat on Horseback 2 or 3 Hours; at the same Time the Bells were rung, and several Bonfires made, to prevent any Resentment from them, that might ensue on our shewing a Dislike of their coming among us.
About 3 in the Afternoon Lord Elcho, with the Life Guards, and many of the Chiefs also arrived, on Horseback, to the Number of about 150, most of them cloathed as above; these made a fine Show, being the Flower of their Army:
Soon after, their main Body also march'd into Town, in tolerable Order, six or eight abreast, with about 8 Standards, most of them white Flags and a red Cross.
They had several Bag pipers, who played as they march'd along; they appeared in general to answer the Description we have all along had of them, viz. most of their main Body a Parcel of Shabby, lousy, pitiful look'd Fellows, mix'd up with old Men and Boys; dress'd in dirty Plaids, and as dirty Shirts, without Breeches, and wore their Stockings made of Plaid, not much above half way up their Legs, and some without Shoes, or next to none, and Numbers of them so fatigued with their long March, that they really commanded our Pity more than Fear.
Whilst the Market Place was filled with them, they ordered their pretended Prince, before he arrived, to be publickly proclaimed, which was accordingly done by the common Cryer; they then insisted upon the Magistrates appearing in their Gowns, but being told they had sent them out of Town, were content to have that Ceremony excus'd.
Their Prince (as they call him) did not arrive all the Dusk of the Evening; he walk'd on Foot, being attended by a great Body of his Men, who conducted him to his Lodgings (the Lord Exeter's) where he had Guards plac'd all round the House.
Every House almost by this Time was pretty well fill'd, (tho' they kept driving in till 10 or 11 at Night) and we thought we should never have seen the last of them.
The Duke of Athol had his Lodgings at Tho. Gisborne's, Esq; the Duke of Perth at Mrs. Rivett's, Ld. Elcho at Mr. Storer's, Ld George Murray at Mr. Heathcote's, Ld Pitligo at Mr. Meynell's, old Gordon of Glenbucket at Mr. Alderman Smith's, Ld. Nairn at Mr. John Bingham's, Lady Ogilvie, Mrs. Murray, and some other Persons of Distinction, at Mr. Frances's; and their other Chiefs and great Officers were lodg'd at the best Gentlemen's Houses.
Many common ordinary Houses, both publick and private, had 40 or 50 Men each, and some Gentlemen near 100.
At their coming in, they were generally treated with Bread, Cheese, Beer, and Ale, whilst all Hands were aloft getting their Suppers ready; after Supper, being weary with their long March, they went to Rest, most upon Straw, and others in Beds.
Being refresh'd with a Night's Rest, they were very alert the next Day, running about from one Shop to another, to buy, or rather steal, Tradesmen's Goods, viz. Gloves, Buckles, Powder-Flasks, Buttons, Handkerchiefs, &c. if they liked a Person's Shoes better than their own, demanding them off their Feet without Pay.
The longer they stay'd the more insolent and outragious they grew, demanding every Thing by Threats, drawn Swords, and Pistols clapp'd to the Breasts of many Persons, not only by the common Men but by the Officers; so that several Persons were obliged to abscond to preserve their Lives.
They appointed Prayers to be read about six this Evening at the Great Church, which was performed by one of their Priests (young Cappock of Manchester) since taken at Carlisle.
They ordered the Cryer to make publick Proclamation about the Town for all Persons that paid any Excise, to pay what was due, by five o'Clock the same Evening, on Pain of military Execution; by which means they collected a considerable Sum of Money.
They also demanded what Money the Gentlemen had lately subscribed and paid, towards raising Men in this Town and County, which many Gentlemen were obliged to pay.
They also made a Demand of 100 l. upon the Post Office, and afterwards insisted upon 50l. which not being comply'd with, they took the Post Chaise along with them.
They broke open Cloets. Chests, Boxes, &c. at several Gentlemen's Houses, took away all the Guns, Pistols, Swords, and all other Arms they could find, in every House; pilfer'd and stole Linnen, Stockings, Shoes, and any Thing they laid their Hands on.
We esteem'd them very civil Fellows, who did not threaten us, but went away quietly without paying.
They beat up for Volunteers, offering five Shillings advance, and five Guineas when they came to London, but met with very little Success; only two or three loose Fellows entered, who served their Master but a short Time, two being taken the next Day, viz. one Cooke a Blacksmith, who, we hear, is in Nottingham Gaol; the other is one Sparks, of this Town, who was taken plundering at 'Squire Meynell's, at Bradley, and brought here last Saturday Night, and being examined before our Justices, was the same Night committed to Gaol.
The other is one Hewit, a Butcher, who, we hear, is still with them.
These, and such Fellows, it is thought, were our greatest Enemies, by informing the Rebels of many Particulars concerning the Gentlemen in this Town and Neighbourhood.
Early on Friday Morning their Drums beat to Arms, and their Bag Pipers play'd about the Town; no one then knowing their Route, but most People imagined they would march to Loughborough, for London, their advance Guard having secured the Pass at Swarkston Bridge, (though several had asserted the contrary) However, we were soon undeceived, by their precipitate Retreat the same Road they came, marching off about 7 o'Clock in the Morning.
The Reason for their Return back was not known, but thought to proceed from their Fear of being surprized by the Duke of Cumberland's Army; their Chiefs seeming much confused, and all in a great Hurry; some of their Men left their Horses, Swords, Pistols, Targets, Shot, Powder, Bullets; and other odd Things behind them, where they quarter'd; a plain Proof of their Confusion.
Their pretended Prince, mounted upon a black Horse, (said to be the brave Col. Gardener's,) left his Lodgings about 8 o'Clock.
We were rid of all of them (except a few Stragglers) by 11 o'Clock.
Their Huars were a Parcel of fierce, and desperate Ruffians, and were the last Body that left the Town; they ransack'd the neighbouring Village, for Arms, and Horses, of which they got a great Number.
P. S. Their Artillery was at Nun's Green, not in our Market-Place, nor did the Officers who came back raise any Money, as asserted in the Nottingham Letters in the Gazette.
An exact Account of the Rebels quarter'd in the several Parishes of this Town.

Parishes.	1st Night.	2nd Night.
St. Warburghs	1590.	1641
All Saints	2979.	3027
St. Peters	1091.	1001
St. Michaels	724.	724
St. Alemunds	714.	755
	7098.	7148