CHAPTER XXVII.
THE FIGHT OF POWICK BRIDGE.
Meanwhile, a desperate conflict took place between the contendingforces at Powick Bridge--hundreds of lives being sacrificed for thepossession of this all-important pass.
The grey old bridge still stands, and if the stones could speak, theywould have a terrible tale to relate. The situation of the old bridgeis singularly peaceful and quiet. At the time of which we treat,there were no habitations near it except a water-mill, and two orthree cottages, the village of Powick being about three parts of amile distant. The bridge is strongly built, and narrow, with angularopenings like those of Upton Bridge.
OLD BRIDGE AT POWICK.]
Peaceful as is the spot, it had already been the scene of a bloodyconflict between the Parliamentarians and Royalists, in 1642, whenPrince Rupert posted himself near a hawthorn-bush on the brow of a bankadjoining Wykefield, and dashed upon the Earl of Essex. But thingswere now destined to be changed. In front of the bridge, on the roadto Powick village, Montgomery's infantry was posted, in ranks, fivedeep--the men being armed with pikes and carabines.
Attacked by Fleetwood's dragoons, they sustained the onset firmly,killing numbers of men and horses, but on the second charge theirranks were broken, and they were driven across the narrow bridgewith great slaughter--many of them jumping into the river to avoid themerciless dragoons who were hewing them down. Deeply dyed with blood,the Teme was almost choked with the bodies of the slain. But it was onthe further side of the bridge, at Wykefield, just mentioned as thescene of Rupert's victory nine years before, that the severest part ofthe contest took place.
On Wykefield, as three or four meadows hereabouts are designated,Montgomery's main body was drawn up, and when the confusion caused bythe retreat of the advanced guard could be set right, a fierce attackwas made on the Parliamentarians, and so energetic was it that thelatter were driven back, and it seemed as if possession of the bridgewould be regained by the Royalists. But the success was fleeting.
Another troop of horse came on--the bridge was cleared--Ingoldsby'sregiment passed over--and the fight became general on the meadows, andsoon extended as far as Rupert's hawthorn-bush.
Just below the bridge, on the left bank of the river, as we havepreviously mentioned, was a water-mill, and near it were two orthree small cottages. The mill, which with its large wheel formeda picturesque object from the bridge, was occupied by a party ofrecruits, placed there by Montgomery. The party was commanded byCaptain Woolfe, and amongst those with him, as we have alreadyintimated, were Lieutenant Vosper and Corporal Trubshaw. These recruitswere excellent marksmen, and being thus advantageously posted, didgreat execution upon the dragoons during the conflict on the bridge.Orders were given to dislodge them, but this was found impossible,owing to the continuous fire kept up by Captain Woolfe and his men. Norwould they have been driven out if the enemy had not set the mill onfire. The old structure was speedily in flames, and for a short timeformed a striking object in the terrible picture. The blazing mill andsome wooden outbuildings connected with it, which had likewise caughtfire, were reflected on the river already dyed of a sanguinary hue, andfilled with dying and dead.
While still burning, the mill was surrounded by dragoons, between whom,and the Royalist recruits, a desperate fight took place. With the fireat the back, and the enemy in front, no wonder the Royalists foughtfiercely. Some few escaped--but the greater number were killed, orthrown back into the flames. Captain Woolfe and Vosper fought their wayout, but poor Trubshaw was not so fortunate. His skull was split, andhe staggered back into the fire.
Wykefield was now a complete field of battle, in which many marvellousacts of heroism were performed by the Royalists. Small parties ofCavaliers might be seen scattered over the field engaged againstfearful odds--but still fighting furiously, and in some casesovercoming their antagonists. With the remnant of his brave regimentof Highlanders, Pitscottie had joined the fight, and lent what aid hecould. But despite their gallant efforts to maintain their ground, theCavaliers were driven back almost as far as Rupert's hawthorn-bush.Still, the fight went on, though the ranks of the Royalists were muchthinned, and their ammunition began to fail. On the other hand, theParliamentarians were being constantly reinforced.
Considering the inequality of the contending forces--theParliamentarians being now three to one--the duration of the fight atPowick was remarkable. The contest lasted for nearly two hours, andduring this time the Royalists held their ground stoutly against theiradversaries.
Montgomery was severely wounded, and could with difficulty sit hishorse.
Keith, who had thrown himself into the thick of the fray, in the vainhope of turning the tide, had been taken prisoner. Finding all againsthim, Montgomery, at last, was compelled to order a retreat, and stroveto prevent it from being converted into a total rout.
The advance of the victors was somewhat checked by the soldiers, wholined the hedges, and fired at the enemy from every sheltered spot.
A stand was made at Pitmarston, but it was brief and ineffectual.The rout of the Royalists was then complete, and all who couldescape the enemy's sword fled to St. John's, where General Dalyell'sbrigade was quartered, and where it was thought that the victoriousParliamentarians would be stopped. But such was not the case.
Earlier in the day, alleging that he could not spare them, Dalyellrefused to send a detachment of his men with Massey to Powick, and nowafter a short resistance, which only reflected disgrace upon him, heordered his brigade to lay down their arms to Fleetwood.
Having thus carried everything before them on the western side of theriver, Fleetwood and Ingoldsby prepared to cross the bridge, and enterthe doomed city.
Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651 Page 30