February, 1644/5
[22 February, 1644/5.]
Officers and Soldiers to repair to Colours in 48 hours on pain of death.; This Ord. to be published in every Market Town and Parish Church.; Committees to send to Commander in Chief all Soldiers not repairing to Colours.; Penalty for harbouring deserters.
It is this day Ordained by the Lords and Commons in this
present Parliament assembled, That all Officers and Souldiers
(other then such as shall have leave or Licence, from the Lord
Generall, or other Commander in chief) shall and do within Eight
and forty houres after notice of this Ordinance upon pain of
Death repair to their severall Colours: And all Officers are
hereby enjoyned to take speciall care to keep their Souldiers
together, as they will answer the contrary at their extreamest
perill, And for the more speedy and effectuall execution of this
Ordinance, It is further Ordained, That the severall Committees
of the severall and respective Counties, Cities and places, shall
immediatly upon receipt thereof, cause the same to be published in every Market-Towne and Parish-Church within their
respective Limits. And it is further Ordained by the Authority
aforesaid, That the Committees and Deputy-Lieutenants of the
severall Counties aforesaid, or any one of them shall apprehend
every Souldier, who after publication hereof shall not repaire
to their Colours, according to this Ordinance, and commit them
to prison, and with all convenient speed take order, that every
person so committed, may be sent to his Commander in chief.
To the intent they may be proceeded against according to the
course of Warre: And every person, that after publication of this
Ordinance, shall willingly harbour or entertain any Officer or
Souldier, that hath or shall depart from his Colours (without the
passe of his superior-Officer) shall for every Day that he shall so
harbour or entertaine, forfeit the Sum of Ten Shillings, to be
leavyed by the Warrant of the said Committees, or any two of
them, by Distresse and Sale of the Offenders Goods; And the
Committees are hereby required and injoyned to leavy the said
Fines accordingly.