February 1645: An Ordinance Commanding all Officers and Souldiers, upon pain of Death, to repaire to their Colours within Eight and forty houres after notice of this Ordinance.

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.