CHAPTER XXVIII.
HOW THE BATTERY ON PERRY WOOD WAS TAKEN BY THE KING.
The king was not present during any part of the disastrous conflictjust described. On arriving at Powick Bridge with his attendants,he found Montgomery and Keith at their post, and confident of theirability to maintain it. No reinforcements had been sent, as yet, byDalyell, but doubtless they would soon arrive, and Montgomery declaredhe did not require them.
Continuous firing having been for some time heard in the direction ofthe Severn, Montgomery, in obedience to his majesty's command, wasabout to detach a party of men to support Pitscottie, when a Highlandsoldier arrived in breathless haste bringing intelligence that hisleader had been routed by the enemy. Charles could scarcely credit thenews, but on ascertaining the full extent of the disaster, he felt thenecessity of immediately returning to the city, and preparing againstan attack on the south, which might now be expected.
He therefore rode back with his attendants, crossed the river at thepalace-ferry, and at once proceeded to the Sidbury-gate, where hefound the Duke of Hamilton. From the watch posted on the summit of thecathedral tower, the duke had already heard of Pitscottie's defeatand the construction of the flying bridge across the Teme. He did notfor a moment attempt to disguise the perilous position in which hismajesty would be placed if Montgomery should be worsted at Powick, andcoincided with the king in opinion that the general attack should notbe delayed, but advised that a visit should first be paid to Lesley,whom he had not as yet seen that morning.
Acting upon this counsel, Charles, attended by the Earl of Derby, LordWilmot, Careless, and a small escort, rode to the Blockhouse fields,where Lesley was stationed with his Scottish horse. He found him withthe whole of his large force under arms, and apparently ready foraction. But he could not help noticing that Lesley looked exceedinglygrave, and not altogether free from uneasiness.
"Is this man really the traitor he is generally thought?" mentallyejaculated Charles. "I will try him. Colonel Lesley," he cried, as herode up, "I am resolved to take yon battery on Perry Wood. Bid your menprepare for the attack. I shall lead them in person."
On receiving this command, Lesley immediately drew near the king, andsaid, in a low voice:
"I beseech you not to call upon them to make the attack, sire. Theywill not follow you."
"Not follow me!" exclaimed Charles, fiercely. "Lesley, you are atraitor!"
"I have already told you, sire," replied Lesley, in the same low voice,"that the men are not to be relied on. They will not fight with yourCavaliers."
"What will they do, then?" demanded Charles, sternly. "Will theyutterly desert me in my hour of need? Will they deliver me to theenemy?"
"No, sire; but if, in obedience to your commands, I order them toattack yon battery, not one of them will stir."
Just then the roar of artillery was heard. The battery had openedfire on Fort Royal, and was immediately answered--as we have alreadydescribed--by the Royalist engineers. The din was heightened by thesmaller ordnance of the Blockhouse, which now began to operate--thoughwith little effect--against Cromwell's intrenchments.
"Can you hear this, and stand tamely by?" observed Charles,reproachfully, to Lesley.
"I cannot help it, my liege," was the Scottish leader's answer. "My menare mutinous and will not obey me. Look at them now, and you will beconvinced that I speak the truth. But do not, I entreat you, compel meto put their disloyalty to the proof."
Charles cast his eye along the line nearest him, and the sullen anddiscontented aspect of the men fully confirmed Lesley's assertion.
The Earl of Derby had likewise taken a rapid survey of the regiment,and came to a like conclusion.
"A mutinous spirit evidently prevails among the men," he said to theking, "and may break out at once, if an attempt is made to force theminto action. Leave Lesley to manage them. He can do it, if he will."
"'Tis the confounded Kirk committee that has been at work with them,"cried Charles. "Lesley," he added, in a low significant tone to theScottish leader, "you will gain nothing by deserting me; but much--verymuch--by standing firmly by me at this critical juncture."
"My liege," said Lesley, earnestly, "if you are in jeopardy, I willbring you aid. I cannot promise more."
Obliged to be content with this, Charles rode off with his attendantsand escort, and regardless of the enemy's fire, which was now extendingalong the heights and increasing in fury, proceeded to visit hisvarious outposts.
Very little impression was produced upon Fort Royal by the heavycannonade directed against it from Perry Wood, nor was any immediateattempt made by the enemy to storm it.
Lilburn and Lord Grey of Groby gradually drew closer to the Royalistoutposts, but seemed to be awaiting the Lord General's signal for thegrand attack. And such, in reality, was the case. From the apparentinertness of the enemy it was erroneously supposed by the Royaliststhat most of the Parliamentary troops had been drawn to the other sideof the Severn. Cromwell, however, had a motive for all he did, and ifhe delayed the attack, it was because he deemed the right moment formaking it had not arrived.
Never was he more cheerful than he appeared to be throughout thistrying day. Confident of victory, he yet kept a watchful look-out uponthe enemy, and seemed surprised that the attack, which he expected theking to make upon him, should be so long delayed. For this attack, comewhen it might, he was fully prepared; but as evening began to draw on,and no movement was made by the royal forces, he grew impatient.
"Time will scarcely be allowed us for the work," he said to theofficers with him, "yet will I not move till I have full assurance thatFleetwood and Ingoldsby are masters of St. John's, and ready to enterthe city."
At this moment a messenger rode up bringing the intelligence he soeagerly desired.
Montgomery was utterly routed--Keith a prisoner--Dalyell hadsurrendered. Fleetwood and Ingoldsby were preparing to cross thebridge, and enter the city. Lambert was marching towards the bridge ofboats, and would soon bring his regiment to Perry Wood. Such was thesum of the despatch. The messenger had to take a circuitous route, orit would have been delivered sooner.
Cromwell could not conceal his satisfaction.
"The Lord of Hosts is with us," he exclaimed. "His holy arm hath gottenus the victory. Nothing remains but to finish the work so well begun.On this day twelvemonth, at Dunbar, the word was, 'The Lord of Hosts.'So let it be to-day. The signal then was, 'We have no white aboutus.' The same signal shall serve now. Make this known throughout theregiments, and then prepare for action."
While issuing these orders, Cromwell had noticed a movement at theSidbury-gate, and now fixing his field-glass upon the spot he perceivedthat the main body of the royal army, horse and foot, was coming forthfrom the gate, evidently for the purpose of attacking him. He was atno loss to discover that the host was commanded by the king in person,and that Charles was attended by several of his most distinguishednobles. Indeed, from a closer survey, he felt certain that the Dukes ofHamilton and Buckingham were with him.
It was a splendid sight to see that gallant host issue forth from thegate, and familiar as he was with such spectacles, Cromwell watchedit for some minutes with great interest--noting the strength of eachregiment, and making many shrewd observations to his own officers.
"Charles Stuart hath come forth in all his bravery," he said. "But heand all his host shall be utterly discomfited. Up, and smite them.Spare none of the malignants. As to their prince, take him not captive,but slay him without pity."
Many circumstances had conspired to prevent Charles from making theattack he had meditated upon the enemy until so late in the day. Butwhen he learnt that Dalyell had surrendered he no longer hesitated,but marched forth as we have just described. He was accompanied by theDukes of Buckingham and Hamilton, the Earl of Derby, Lord Wilmot, SirAlexander Forbes, and several other distinguished personages, and hadwith him his best infantry and cavalry, and his bravest Cavaliers.
The command of the right wing was given
to the Duke of Hamilton, thatof the left to the Earl of Derby, with whom was Colonel Roscarrock,while he himself commanded the centre. Perry Wood was to be attacked oneither side, while a charge was made on the battery.
The plan was executed with remarkable quickness and precision. Nosooner were the men formed than a general charge was made on PerryWood, each division taking its appointed course. Such was theimpetuosity of the Cavaliers who formed the central body led by theking, that they drove back Cromwell's body-guard who rode down the hillto meet them, and rushing on with irresistible fury broke through thepickets, forced the intrenchments, and putting the artillerymen to thesword, actually obtained possession of the enemy's largest guns.
For a brief space Charles, who had led this wonderful charge--the mostbrilliant feat performed at the fight of Worcester--seemed masterof the position. He was on the very spot just occupied by Cromwellhimself, and had taken his guns. The valiant Cavaliers who attendedtheir sovereign raised a shout of triumph, and struck the cannon withtheir swords.
With the king were Colonel Legge, Colonel Lane, Captain Giffard,Colonel Blague, Marmaduke Darcy, Wogan, and Careless. They had riddenclose behind him, and had shared every danger he incurred. ColonelLegge, indeed, had saved the king's life. It was a singular sightto see the royal party on the top of the hill in the midst of theParliamentarian forces. But their position seemed scarcely tenable,though Hamilton and Derby were pressing on, on either side, to theiraid.
Nevertheless, Charles exulted in his brief triumph, and his exultationwas shared by his companions. The hitherto invincible Ironclads hadretreated before him, and were still in confusion and disorder, whileboth Hamilton and Derby, animated by the king's success, were drivingall before them. Moreover, a most important result had been obtained bythe capture of the guns. Fort Royal, which had suffered considerablyfrom the ceaseless cannonade of the battery, was now left unmolested.
At this critical juncture, when his fate hung in the balance, and whenthe Scottish horse might have helped him to victory, Charles lookedanxiously down to the spot where Lesley was posted. He was still therewith his troops. But they remained motionless, although their leadermust have been aware of the king's success, and must have felt howimportant aid would be at that moment.
"Does he move?--is he coming?" cried Charles.
"No, sire," rejoined Legge, straining his eyes in the direction of theScottish cavalry. "He does not stir. Curses on him for a traitor."
"Oh, that Montrose were alive and in his place!" ejaculated Charles,bitterly. "He would not have served me thus!"
"No, sire," observed Careless. "Montrose would have secured you thevictory."
It may be that the battle of Worcester was lost by Charles, owing toLesley's inaction or treachery. If the king's extraordinary successcould have been at once followed up, victory might have ensued. Whoshall say?
Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651 Page 31