“I cannot listen to the appeal,” remarked Wills, sternly. “By the rules of war the men are entitled to the plunder of a captured town, and I shall not restrain them. You profess fidelity to the king, but you have afforded every assistance to the rebels, and if you have not actually taken part with them, you have furnished them with provisions and supplies.” “We were forced to do so, general,” said the others. “And we earnestly beseech you to spare our property.” Wills, however, refused to listen to them, and they departed. Thus was the ill-fated town delivered over to pillage. Fortunately no excesses were committed by the soldiers all license being forbidden on pain of death. The plunderers commenced with the shops of the goldsmiths, silversmiths, and jewellers, where they expected to find the greatest quantity of valuables. These shops were all shut up, but were quickly broken open, and stripped of their contents--plate, watches, rings, and chains being carried off. From this booty alone the soldiers obtained several hundred pounds. They next entered all the best private houses in Church Street and Fishergate, breaking open closets and chests, and abstracting all the plate and valuables they could find. While one set of plunderers were thus engaged, others were similarly employed in different parts of the town. Everywhere the houses were ransacked, and no portable article was left behind. Not till a late hour in the day, when they had carried off all they could, did the soldiers desist from the work. Great was the indignation of the inhabitants at this treatment, but they did not dare to resist. However, there were no cases of intoxication, for the men were prevented by the sergeants and corporals from breaking open the cellars. But it was a woeful day for Preston, and such as its inhabitants never thought to experience. Wills's severity caused him to be held in universal detestation. General Carpenter did not remain long in the town. Finding it inconveniently crowded, he set out for Wigan, immediately after the surrender, with the regiments under his command. None of his men therefore shared in the plunder--nor would he have allowed them to share in it. XVI.--CAPTAIN SHAFTOE IS SHOT. |Preston might well be full. Without counting the Government troops, fifteen hundred and fifty prisoners of all ranks were detained within the town. Some few escapes took place, and amongst those who got off was Tom Syddall. Unfortunately, he was afterwards captured. After a few days' detention, General Forster, Lord Derwentwater, Lord Widdrington, Brigadier Mackintosh, the Scottish lords and chiefs, with the leading Northumbrian officers, were sent under a strong guard to Wigan on the way to London. Other less important prisoners were sent to Lancaster, Chester, and Liverpool, and confined in the jails of those towns.