Preston Fight by W. Harrison Ainsworth

Thoroughly recruited, and in very good spirits, the warlike pastor commenced his march to Whittle-in-the-Woods.

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BOOK THE EIGHTH

THE DEFENCE

I

The Barricades

RUDELY awakened from his slumbers at a far earlier hour than he usually allowed himself to be disturbed, by the intelligence that Wills was marching to attack him with his whole force, and scarcely able, even then, to credit the unwelcome news, and with an aching head, General Forster attired himself in haste, and, ordering a small troop of horse to attend him, rode forth to reconnoitre.

On reaching the Ribble Bridge, he found a party of Highlanders placed there, and was informed by Colonel Farquharson, who commanded them, that the king’s army was certainly approaching.

Still doubting, the general rode on for a few miles further, when he descried the vanguard of the enemy, and quickly turned back.

In the interval the Highlanders had left the bridge, their place being taken by three hundred of Lord Derwentwater’s men, under the command of Captain Shaftoe. Angry that this change should have been made without his sanction, Forster ordered Shaftoe to abandon the bridge and return to the town.

The order was very reluctantly obeyed. Captain Shaftoe would fain have proceeded to Penwortham to dislodge Parson Woods, but was not allowed.

Immediately on his return to the town, General Forster summoned a council of war, which was attended by all the English and Scottish leaders. They were quite alive to the danger of their position, and evidently had very little reliance either on the judgment or skill of their commander.

Under these circumstances the advice of Brigadier Mackintosh was urgently requested by Lord Derwentwater and others.

“You have greater military experience than any of us, brigadier,” said the earl. “What plan do you suggest?”

“Will you follow out my plan, if I offer it?” said the brigadier.

“We will,” replied the earl. “If we waste time in discussion, the enemy will be upon us.”

“Aweel, then,” said Mackintosh. “It will be useless to defend the bridge, since the river is fordable in many places, nor do I think it would be safe to risk a battle outside the town, because the Highlanders have not yet learned to face cavalry. Nothing frightens them so much as a charge of horse. For this reason I would have the battle take place within the town, where the cavalry, of which the enemy’s force chiefly consists, will be least serviceable, and where the Highlanders will fight well. Barricades and intrenchments can be thrown up in different parts of the streets so as to impede the advance of the enemy, and a destructive fire can be poured upon them from the roofs and windows of the houses.”

All approved of the plan, except Forster, and he was overruled.

“How many barricades shall we require?-and where do you propose to erect them?” said Lord Widdrington.

“Four will suffice,” replied the brigadier. “In fact, we haven’t time to form more. The first shall be placed a little below the church, and as it is likely to be the chief object of attack, I will take the command of it myself.”

“Why not make it at the extreme end of the street, so as to prevent the entrance of the enemy?” said Forster.

“There are so many lanes and avenues thereabouts that I should require more men than I possess to defend the post,” replied the brigadier. “The second barrier will be best placed, in my opinion, at the back of the house now occupied by Lord Derwentwater, and I would have it commanded by Lord Charles Murray.”

“I accept the post,” replied the gallant young nobleman.

“The third barrier should be in the Fishergate,” pursued the brigadier; “and it would be well served by Lord Strathmore’s men, under the command of Captain Douglas.”

“I am glad you have named me to a post of danger, brigadier,” said Captain Douglas. “I’ll do my best to maintain it.”

“The last battery must be near the windmill in the Lancaster avenue,” said the brigadier; “and I will confide it to my kinsman, Colonel Mackintosh, and his men.”

“I’ll take it,” replied the colonel; “and keep it-as long as I can.”