|Having achieved a great point, as they thought, the insurgents were now
in very good spirits.
Even the Highlanders had quite recovered from their superstitious dread
of crossing the Border, and gazed with curiosity at the country as they
marched along--thinking it very like Scotland. But they abstained from
any acts of pillage. The inhabitants regarded them with terror, and
fancied they were the first part of a large invading army.
Brampton offered them very poor quarters and a scanty supply of
provisions, and they thought of seizing Naworth Castle, which was only
a mile and a half distant, but some prudential considerations deterred
them.
James the Third having been proclaimed, Mr. Forster opened his
commission to act as General of the Confederate Forces in England, and
Lord Kenmure resigned the post in his favour.
Next day, the insurgents quitted Brampton betimes, and continued
their march along the banks of the Eden. At Kirkoswald they halted in
expectation of being joined by Mr. Dacre, a Roman Catholic gentleman,
with forty men.
While at Kirkoswald, they received information from Captain Gordon, who
had gone on to reconnoitre, that Lord Lonsdale commander of the militia
of Westmoreland, Cumberland, and Northumberland, with five or six
hundred horse militia, and accompanied by the Bishop of Carlisle, and
Sir Christopher Musgrave, high sheriff of the county, with an immense
posse-comitatus, consisting probably of eight or ten thousand men, armed
with bills and pitchforks and such implements as they could procure were
assembled on Penrith Fell, to dispute their further advance.
Little danger was to be apprehended from this vast but disorderly host,
in Captain Gordon's opinion, as, except the militia, which formed only
a small proportion of it, the men were entirely undisciplined, and
scarcely under control.
Since it was clear from this statement that the hostile force would be
as easily dispersed as a mob, strict orders were given that no injury
should be done to the common men, except in Case of resistance.
All eagerness for the fight--if fight there was to be--the insurgents
set forward, Lord Denventwater commanding the advanced guard, and
having with him--besides his brother--Colonel Oxburgh and Captain
Gordon.
General Forster commanded the main force, and rode with Lord Widdrington
and Lord Kenmure. Neither commanders nor officers had the slightest
anxiety as to the result of the engagement, and felt as if they were
going to a race, while the Highlanders were in very good spirits,
fancying they should obtain some booty.
After passing through a woody district, they came to a common, when they
perceived the immense host described by Captain Gordon, drawn up on the
side of Penrith Fell--the horse militia being stationed in front.
As soon as the rebels came in sight, the Royalists set up a great shout,
and a charge being ordered by Lord Lonsdale, the militia dashed forward,
sword in hand, as if meaning to cut down the invaders.
But when they beheld Lord Derwentwater at the head of his troop,
galloping to meet them, they suddenly stopped, and despite Lord
Lonsdale's remonstrances, fairly turned round, and fled.
Their cowardice saved the rebels the trouble of dispersing the multitude
behind them, for no sooner did the militia fly, than the others took
to their heels, and throwing down their weapons, hurried off in every
direction.
Ere many minutes the whole common was covered with fugitives, crying out
piteously for quarter if a Highlander pursued them and offering all they
had--which was not much--if their lives were spared. A great number of
prisoners were taken.
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 have 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.