Amongst the foremost to save themselves were Lord Lonsdale and the Bishop of Carlisle. Both were greatly afraid of being captured. Sir Christopher Musgrave made a vigorous effort to check the flight of the posse-comitatûs, but being utterly unable to do so, he rode off himself.
In less than half an hour the plain was completely cleared of all but the confederate forces and their prisoners. Several horses belonging to the militia were taken, a few swords and pistols, and a vast number of pitchforks.
When the prisoners, who amounted to three or four hundred, were brought before General Forster, he upbraided them-though in a good-humoured manner-with their folly in opposing their friends, saying they-the so-called rebels-were come to deliver them from a tyrannical usurper, and restore their lawful king to the throne.
“To prove that we mean you no harm,” he said, “not one of you has been injured-not a single man has been killed in the conflict. Had we caught Lord Lonsdale, or the Bishop of Carlisle, who ought not to have appeared on a field of battle, or Sir Christopher Musgrave, we might have made each of them pay a heavy ransom; but we shall deal differently with you. You are free. Return quietly to your homes. Take back your implements of husbandry, and employ them to a better purpose in future.”
This speech produced a very good effect on the countrymen to whom it was addressed. They huzzaed loudly, and shouted:
“God save King James the Third, and prosper his merciful army!”
Their pitchforks were then given back to them, and they departed, rejoicing.
Three parties of horse were next sent off in different directions.
The first was commanded by Colonel Oxburgh, whose orders were to proceed to Lowther Castle, which was not more than three or four miles distant, and search for his lordship, and take him prisoner.
The second party, commanded by Captain Wogan, attended by the Reverend Mr. Patten, who was acquainted with the country, had orders to proceed to Rose Castle, the residence of the Bishop of Carlisle, and arrest him.
The third party was commanded by Captain Gordon, who had displayed extraordinary zeal of late, and had risen greatly in favour with General Forster and Lord Derwentwater. Captain Gordon’s orders were to proceed to Edenhall, and make Sir Christopher Musgrave prisoner. He was also to bring away any arms he might find at the hall.
Charged with these orders the three officers in question immediately rode off.
Elated by their success, the insurgents marched on to Penrith, and entered the town with colours flying, drums beating, bagpipes playing.
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II
Madam Bellingham
THE news of their victory had preceded them, and disposed the inhabitants-many of whom were Jacobites-to receive them cordially. Even by the leading men of the opposite party the greatest civility was shown them.
In anticipation of the defeat of the rebels, a plentiful supper had been provided at the principal inn for the Bishop of Carlisle, Lord Lonsdale, Sir Christopher Musgrave, and their chief followers.
To this supper General Forster and the whole of the insurgent leaders-except those absent on duty-sat down; and as circumstances gave peculiar zest to the entertainment, they passed the merriest evening they had done for some time.
The party sat late, and had not broken up when Colonel Oxburgh and the two other officers returned. Some arms were brought from Lowther Castle and Edenhall-but no prisoners. Lord Lowther, it appeared, had fled to Yorkshire. What had become of the Bishop of Carlisle and Sir Christopher Musgrave could not be ascertained.
General Forster was greatly disappointed, as he felt that the capture of three such important personages-or even one of them-would have given him great credit. However, he was fain to be content with the success he had achieved.
Next day, the general performed an act that raised him considerably in the estimation of the inhabitants. Having found out that some High Church Tories belonging to his own division intended to pull down, or burn a Presbyterian meeting-house in the town, he peremptorily forbade them, declaring he would punish any who disobeyed his orders.
“I will never sanction religious outrages,” he said. “We must show the country that all sects can live tranquilly together. My maxim is toleration. Though I differ with the Presbyterians, I will, on no account, allow them to be molested.”