Ormonde's first care when he had rallied after Rathmines was to garrison Drogheda with about 2000 foot and 300 horse, the flower of his remaining force, and to victual it for a long siege. Ludlow and Bate say the majority of the garrison were English, but this has been denied by modern critics, and there is really no satisfactory evidence on the point. The choice of a Roman Catholic governor may be thought to indicate that the defenders were mainly Irish, but Sir Arthur Aston had been governor of Oxford under the late King's immediate eye, and no Royalist would be likely to take offence at his appointment. Wood says he brought 'the flower of the English veterans' to Ireland. Aston was a brave soldier, and had made a good defence of Reading against Essex, but he was an unpopular man, and Clarendon, who was at Oxford during his command there, has little good to say of him. He lost a leg from the effects of a fall 'when curvetting on horseback in Bullingdon Green before certain ladies.' At Drogheda he had much trouble with ladies who insisted on corresponding with Jones. A boy was employed to carry letters, 'whom, I fear, is of too small a size to be hanged.' Ormonde did not think there was any serious plot, expressing an opinion that 'woman is given much to make little factions.' On September 2, Aston sent out men to seize the neighbouring castles, but Cromwell's advanced parties were beforehand with him, and no outlying obstacle could be raised against his main body. Next day the infantry made its appearance with some small field-pieces, and the Boyne was forded at Oldbridge, but the garrison sallied forth and drove them back. In announcing this small success to Ormonde the governor hoped 'shortly to understand of his Excellency's march with a gallant army.'[148] [Sidenote: Siege of Drogheda, Sept. 3-11.] [Sidenote: The town carried by storm.] [Sidenote: No quarter.] [Sidenote: An avenger of blood.]