|Sorrowful was the ride of the Earl of Derwentwater from Preston to
Wigan; and his favourite dapple-grey steed that had borne him throughout
the campaign, seemed to share his despondency.
Moreover, the weather was gloomy, and in accordance with the earl's
sombre thoughts.
And, truly, there was enough to make him sad. All was lost. All
his great estates would be confiscated, and the journey he had just
commenced would inevitably end in the scaffold.
To add poignancy to his affliction, he could not help reflecting how
different the result might have been, but for Forster's deplorable
ignorance and obstinacy, and though he acquitted the general of absolute
treachery, he could not help feeling that the insurgent army was
entirely sacrificed by him.
These thoughts forced themselves upon the earl as he crossed the Ribble
Bridge, and did not leave him till he reached Wigan.
Here Lord Derwentwater learnt that Forster had been allowed a carriage,
and a seat was offered to him in the same conveyance, but he declined
it--preferring to ride.
None of the Scottish lords would travel with Forster, but he found
companions in his chaplain, Mr. Patten, Lord Widdrington, and Colonel
Oxburgh.
The Earl of Derwentwater performed the whole journey on horseback.
From Wigan the rebel prisoners were conducted to Warrington, where a
division took place, and upwards of a hundred were sent on to London,
guarded by several detachments of horse. Amongst these prisoners were
Sir Francis Anderton, Mr. Townley, Mr. Standish, Mr. Tyldesley, and
other Lancashire gentlemen who had joined at Preston.
After a short halt at Warrington, they proceeded by slow stages to
Coventry, and Lord Derwentwater in some degree recovered his spirits,
being cheered by the society of Sir Francis Anderton and Mr. Townley.
At Coventry, the escort was relieved by another detachment of a hundred
troopers commanded by Brigadier Ponton, by whom General Forster was
deprived of his carriage.
As an excuse for the indignity thus offered to the late general, it was
said that on his arrival at London an attempt would be made to rescue
him by a High Church Tory mob.
But Forster fell ill and could not sit his horse, and the carriage
became indispensable.
At Highgate, Major General Tatton was waiting with two battalions of
foot-guards to take charge of the prisoners who were consigned to him,
and without consideration to rank, pinioned.
Each prisoner's horse had a halter placed round his neck, and was led by
a grenadier.
In this ignominious manner the prisoners were conducted in four separate
divisions to the Tower, Newgate, the Fleet, and the Marshalsea. Lord
Derwentwater, Lord Widdrington, and the Scottish nobles were taken to
the state prison, while Forster, to his great mortification, was lodged
with the others in Newgate.
Drums were beaten loudly as the unfortunate captives were taken through
the streets, exposed to the insults and derision of the populace, and in
some cases seriously injured by the numerous missiles hurled at them.
Incessant cries resounded on all sides of “No Popish Pretender!”
“Down with the rebels!”
“Long live King George!” But not a single voice shouted “Long live King
James!”
The composure and dignity of the Earl of Derwentwater, combined with his
remarkable good looks, could not fail to produce a favourable impression
upon the spectators; but quite a sensation was caused by Brigadier
Mackintosh, whose gigantic figure and stern looks completely bore out
all the descriptions that had been given of him.
The old warrior had been allowed to walk, so that his muscular frame
could be fully seen, and though his arms were pinioned, his aspect was
so terrible that none dared insult him.