|We must now repair to the Windmill barricade, situated at the end of
the Lancaster Road, and commanded by Colonel Mackintosh, kinsman of the
brigadier.
Brigadier Dormer with three hundred dismounted dragoons attempted to
approach this barricade by a narrow street or lane called the Back Wynd,
but they were thwarted in their design by the vigilant Highlanders, who,
screened by garden walls, hedges, and ditches, killed nearly half their
number, and forced the rest to retreat.
A direct attack was then made on the barricade, but with no better
success. The Mackintoshes proved themselves splendid marksmen.
After a third ineffectual attack by a back road, during which he again
sustained considerable loss, Brigadier Dormer ordered Sergeant Johnstone
and Corporal Marlow, with a score of Stanhope's dragoons, to set on
fife all the houses and out-buildings. While seeing the order executed
Brigadier Dormer was shot in the leg, the sergeant and corporal were
killed, and some of the men wounded, but the work of destruction
proceeded--and the houses and cottages were burnt close up to the
barricade.
But nothing was gained. The valiant Highland chief and his clansmen
laughed at the futile attempts to drive them from their post.
Having thus taken a survey of the defences of the town, it will be seen
that they were all intact, and able to hold out But the besiegers were
under the impression that the insurgents would attempt to cut their
way out during the night. Accordingly, the Lancaster Avenue was very
strongly guarded.
An express had been sent by Sir Henry Hoghton to General Carpenter, who
had reached Clitheroe, to inform him that hostilities had commenced,
and it was therefore certain he would arrive next day. Should this
news reach the rebels, it would quicken their desire to escape, and it
behoved the besiegers to be doubly vigilant--especially on the north
side of the town, where the exit was most likely to be made.
Several hundreds of the king's troops, as we have stated, had been shot
down in the ineffectual attacks on the barriers. Among the wounded were
Major Bland and Major Lawson, and, as we have just mentioned, Brigadier
Dormer was slightly hurt.
Captain Preston expired as he was being conveyed to the White Bull,
where all the wounded insurgents were taken. At this place died Colonel
Brereton, Mr. Clifton, and two or three others whose names are not
recorded.
When Captain Peter Farquharson, of Rochaley, whose leg had been badly
shattered by a bullet, was brought in by half a dozen Highlanders, and
laid down on a bench, he called for brandy for the men, and taking a
glass himself, said:
“Come, lads, here's to our master's health! I can fight no longer, but I
wish you success.”
With mingled feelings was the health drunk.
Alas! this gallant officer died under the operation, which was
unskilfully performed.