Preston Fight Part 32

The Terms of the Treaty are accepted

A DISMAL day dawned on Preston.

The inhabitants had heard of the capitulation; but did not feel sure it would be carried out-many of the more timid being apprehensive that the town would still be the scene of a most sanguinary conflict.

In the opinion of these persons the Highlanders would not submit, but would make a most desperate attempt to sally forth, which would end in their extermination.

The English insurgents had made up their minds to surrender, and seemed hardly able to realise the position in which they were placed, for most of them displayed unaccountable indifference.

Perhaps, they persuaded themselves that clemency would be shown them. If so, they were mistaken. The town-hall was crowded with ladies who had pa.s.sed the night there, and did not mean to quit the asylum till all was settled.

Once more, and for the last time, Captain Gordon ascended the church-tower at break of day, and looked around.

The besiegers had drawn so much nearer to the town, that they seemed now quite close at hand.

The militia had likewise quitted their position on the south bank of the Ribble, and stationed themselves near the upper end of the Wigan road.

In fact, the town was completely invested, and Captain Gordon saw at a glance that it would be impossible to break through such a cordon.

In the Churchgate and Fishergate the barricades were undisturbed, but no preparations were made for the renewal of the fight.

Brigadier Mackintosh was no longer at his post, and most of the Highlanders had retired to the houses, anxious to s.n.a.t.c.h a few hours' rest, and certain they would be summoned when required.

No sound of bagpipes was heard.

The neglected batteries, deserted streets, and dejected air of such troopers as could be seen, offered a marked contrast to the formidable appearance of the besiegers. Captain Gordon felt that the contest was over, and desired to see no more.

Later on, all the English and Scottish leaders, with the exception of the two who had surrendered themselves as hostages, a.s.sembled at the Mitre, when it was finally agreed that the terms of the treaty should be accepted.

"My men are willing to submit," said Mackintosh. "But they look upon themselves as sacrificed. Bitterly do I now reproach myself that I ever brought them to England against their will, and that I did not turn back at Lancaster. They might have helped the Earl of Mar to win a battle. Poor fellows! they will now be transported and sold as slaves. My heart bleeds for them."

"We Scots have all cause to regret that we ever crossed the Border," said Lord Kenmure. "But we have done our best for King James, and if we had been supported, we might have succeeded. We have had a High Tory general, yet not one of the party has joined us."

"No one can have been more disappointed than myself," said Forster. "If we had only reached Manchester-"

"Why did we not reach that town? tell us that," cried Brigadier Mackintosh.

"I admit we ought not to have stayed so long in Preston," said Forster. "But you all seemed unwilling to quit your quarters, and I apprehended no danger."

"'Tis idle to regret the past," said Lord Widdrington; "you have complained of the absence of the High Church Tories, my lord," he added, to Lord Kenmure. "But you cannot say that the Roman Catholics have failed you."

"No, they have proved our staunchest friends," replied Lord Kenmure. "And a braver and a better commander cannot be found than Lord Derwent.w.a.ter."

"In that we all agree," said Lord Nithsdale and the other Scottish n.o.bles.

"The hour at which the armistice expires is close at hand," said Forster, "and we must therefore prepare to conclude this painful business properly. We will remain here, but all the officers-English and Scotch-must forthwith a.s.semble within the churchyard to deliver up their arms. Let immediate orders be given to that effect," he added to Charles Radclyffe and Captain Dalziel, who at once departed on the errand.

XII.

The Insurgent Officers deliver up their Swords

SHORTLY afterwards, in obedience to Forster's orders, all the officers of the insurgent force a.s.sembled in the churchyard, and though they endeavoured to a.s.sume a careless air many of them looked very downcast. Among them were all those who had recently joined at Lancaster and Preston, and received the rank of captain-Mr. Townley, of Townley, Sir Francis Anderton, Ralph Standish, Gabriel Hesketh, John Tyldesley, John Dalton, and several others.

They had had but a short campaign, and might now have to pay for their devotion with their lives. However, they bore themselves bravely under the distressing circ.u.mstances. The annoyance of the ceremonial was heightened by its publicity.

A large concourse was collected in the churchyard, and among the spectators were a great number of the fair s.e.x who flocked thither to manifest their sympathy with their lovers. They expressed their grief in the liveliest manner. Dryope was there, and Captain Shaftoe had some difficulty in inducing her to stand back. But she remained at a short distance gazing at him through her tears. The appearance of these fair damsels, who formed the foremost rank of the spectators, gave a curious character to the scene.

Precisely at the appointed hour, Lord Forrester, preceded by a trumpet and a drum, and attended by a guard, entered the town, and rode to the churchyard.

Alighting at the gate, and followed by a couple of men, he marched up to the rebel officers.

Lord Forrester was a tall, fine-looking man, well suited to the office, which he performed with courtesy.

"Gentlemen," he said, addressing them, "I have a very painful duty to discharge. I have to receive the arms of brave and honourable men, which ought to have been used for their king."

To this Colonel Oxburgh, who stood next him, replied as he delivered up his sword: "Our arms have been used, my lord, for our rightful sovereign and against a usurper."

Lord Forrester made no remark but consigned the sword to the custody of one of his men, and pa.s.sed on.

He had received more than twenty swords, when he came to Captain Shaftoe, and as there seemed to be some hesitation on Shaftoe's part, he said: "Your sword, Sir?"

"Take it," cried Shaftoe.

And plucking the blade from the sheath, he broke it, and flung the pieces at Lord Forrester's feet.

On this there were shouts of applause from the female spectators.

"I suppose it was to win that applause that this foolish act was done, Captain Shaftoe," observed Lord Forrester. "You have broken the treaty, and have rendered yourself liable to the punishment of death."

As these words were uttered, Dryope and three or four of the fair spectators rushed forward, and threw themselves at Lord Forrester's feet exclaiming: "Spare him! spare him!"

"Rise, ladies!" said Lord Forrester. "I am not about to order Captain Shaftoe's immediate execution. I am sorry so great a favourite of your s.e.x should refuse to submit-but no doubt you can bring him to reason. I leave him in your hands."

With this, he pa.s.sed on to Sir Francis Anderton and Mr. Townley, who were next, and received their swords.

"Ah! gentlemen," he said, "I am sorry to find you here. Had you remained quiet for a few days you would have escaped this disaster. You should have followed the example of the cautious High Church Tories!"

"We have done what seems right to us, my lord," said Mr. Townley, haughtily, "and are prepared for the consequences."

The last sword received by Lord Forrester was that of Captain Wogan, who said to him: "Your looks reproach me, my lord, but I do not reproach myself. If I had had fifty swords, they should all have been devoted to King James."

With a military salute to the unfortunate officers, Lord Forrester then quitted the churchyard, followed by his men, bearing two large bundles of swords, and proceeded to the Mitre, there to go through a like ceremony with General Forster and the lords.

XIII.

How Brigadier Mackintosh parted with his Claymore

By this time, Lord Derwent.w.a.ter and Colonel Mackintosh had returned, but were merely spectators of the scene-their swords having been delivered up at the time of their surrender.

The Scottish n.o.bles behaved with great dignity, and were treated with the utmost respect by Lord Forrester, who made no remark calculated to give them pain.

For the first time in his life Brigadier Mackintosh's courage forsook him.

Kissing the hilt of his claymore, as he gave up the weapon, he said in broken accents: "Farewell, old friend! I never thought to part with you, save with life!"

The ceremony was soon over, for Lord Forrester did not needlessly prolong it. Before departing, he said, addressing the a.s.semblage: "An hour hence, General Carpenter will enter the town to receive his prisoners. By that time, the entire rebel force must be drawn up in the market-place to surrender arms. None must be absent, on any pretence whatever, and on pain of severe punishment. For the execution of this order, I look to you, General Forster, to you, my Lord Derwent.w.a.ter, to you, my Lord Widdrington, to you my lords," turning to the Scottish n.o.bles, "to you, brigadier, and to you, Colonel Mackintosh."

"My lord," remonstrated the brigadier, "an hour is but a short time to bring together a number of unruly Highlanders-"

"It must suffice," interrupted Lord Forrester. "You could get them ready for action in that time."

"True, my lord," replied the brigadier. "But a surrender is different. They will have to be driven to the place."

"Colonel Mackintosh, I trust you see no difficulty?" said Lord Forrester, turning to the chief.

"None, my lord," was the reply. "My clansmen will die with me, if I bid them."

"In an hour, then," said Forrester as he quitted the room.

Mounting his horse, and attended by the guard, bearing the arms, he galloped off to General Carpenter's quarters.

"What has been done?" asked Carpenter.

"The business is settled," replied Lord Forrester. "An hour hence the entire rebel force will surrender in the market-place."

XIV.

The Two Generals enter the Town

AMID the sound of trumpets and drums, General Carpenter entered the conquered town at the head of two regiments of dragoons. He was accompanied by the Earl of Carlisle and Lord Lumley, and had with him Colonels Churchill and Molesworth, and a brilliant staff of officers.

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 n.o.blemen 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 succ.u.mbed 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 Fane, 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.w.a.ter'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 moss-troopers and Borderers, commanded by Captains 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.