Preston Fight; or, The Insurrection of 1715Ainsworth, William Harrison
General
Preston Fight; or, The Insurrection of 1715
Ainsworth, William Harrison
Jacobite Rebellion, 1715 -- Fiction
As he rode slowly along Church Street, by which avenue he made his
entrance, he looked with some curiosity at the blackened remains of the
houses, and other evidences of the fight. For a few minutes he halted
on the spot where the barricade had been reared, and explained what had
been done to the noblemen with him, giving Brigadier Mackintosh full
credit for his plan of defence.
“The barriers could not have been better placed,” he said; “and though
the town must have succumbed to Wills, it might have held out for
another day--perhaps till now.”
With these remarks, with which Churchill and Molesworth entirely
concurred, he proceeded towards the market-place, noticing everything as
he rode on.
Meanwhile, martial strains resounding at the north side of the town,
announced the entrance of General Wills and four regiments of dragoons
by the Lancaster avenue.
Wills was attended by Brigadiers Pitt and Dormer, and, like General
Carpenter, had a staff of officers with him. He had not the curiosity
to look around, and scarcely troubled himself to consider where the
Windmill barricade had been situated.
In addition to the dragoons, just mentioned, three regiments of foot,
commanded by Lord Forrester, Captain Sabine, and Captain Fain, entered
by the Fishergate avenue and proceeded towards the market-place.
Notwithstanding this imposing military display, very few persons were to
be seen in the streets, and but few shouts welcomed the victors.
In the market-place, a very striking, but very sad spectacle was to
be seen, and this attracted all the townsfolk who could find access
thither.
Here, as enjoined by the conquerors, all the insurgent troops were drawn
up preparatory to a general surrender.
Yes! they were all there--with the exception of General Forster. Lord
Derwent water's troop, commanded by Charles Radclyffe and Captain
Shaftoe, and comprising all the handsome young gentlemen, of whom so
much has been said--Lord Widdrington's troop, commanded by Captain
Errington and Captain Gascoigne--the mosstroopers and Borderers,
commanded by Captain Douglas and Hunter, and the troop commanded by the
brave Wogan.
Here also were the five troops of South Country Scots, respectively
commanded by Lord Kenmure, the Honourable James Hume, Lord Wintoun, Lord
Carnwath, and Captain Lockhart.
Here, also, were the whole of the Highlanders, with Brigadier
Mackintosh, and his kinsman, Colonel Mackintosh, at their head.
We have said that General Forster was absent. He excused himself on the
plea that his life was in danger from the Highlanders.
On this very spot, only a few days ago, all these troops had been
assembled to proclaim King James. At that time they were confident
of success. They felt certain of receiving large reinforcements, and
believed they should be able to reach London without interruption. And,
perhaps, they might But the delay at Preston proved fatal. Caught in a
snare, they had allowed their enemies to check them--to overtake them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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