HOW THE BATTLE OF WORCESTER WAS LOST BY THE KING.
Cromwell was somewhat disconcerted by the unlooked-for advantage gained
by Charles, but he quickly brought his disordered troops to their
ranks, and prepared to bring forward his reserves. Like Charles, he
looked down to the Blockhouse fields to see what Lesley would do, but
was speedily reassured by finding the Scottish horse remain motionless.
"The men of Sechem have dealt treacherously with Abimelech," he said,
with a stern smile. "Had Lesley come to his master's aid in time, he
might have given me some trouble."
Detaching troops on either side to prevent a junction between the three
parties of Royalists, he himself made a determined attack on the king.
The onset was terrible, but Charles and his Cavaliers bore it firmly,
and maintained their ground, giving abundant proofs of valour, and
showing of what stout stuff they were made, since they could thus
resist the attack of Cromwell's veteran troops.
The conflict lasted for a considerable time--much longer, indeed,
than Cromwell expected--but when Lambert arrived with his troops it
became too unequal, and the Cavaliers were forced to give way. Besides,
their ammunition was completely exhausted, and they were obliged to
fight with the butt-ends of their muskets. After a most obstinate but
ineffectual resistance, they retreated in disorder towards the city.
No junction had taken place between the battalions under the Duke of
Hamilton and the Earl of Derby, but neither of these leaders were more
successful than the king, though both fought valiantly. The Duke of
Hamilton routed a troop of horse, but in a subsequent encounter his
horse was shot under him, and he himself was so severely wounded, that
he had to be taken from the field, and was conveyed to the Commandery.
Sir John Douglas was likewise mortally wounded, and Sir Alexander
Forbes, disabled by a shot through both legs, was left in this
lamentable condition in Perry Wood during the whole night. Next day he
was discovered by the enemy and taken prisoner. Both the Earl of Derby
and Roscarrock escaped unhurt, but the battalion commanded by the earl
was routed after a gallant fight.
Overpowered on all sides, the Royalists, after sustaining fearful loss,
were compelled to retreat into the city. Lesley, who had taken no part
whatever in the fight, finding that the day had gone against the king,
moved his regiment towards Barbourne Bridge, about a mile on the north
of the city, and close to Pitchcroft.
No sooner did Cromwell's engineers regain possession of the great guns
than they began to cannonade Fort Royal with redoubled fury. Under this
tremendous fire a strong storming party was detached to take the fort,
with orders from the Lord General to put all the troops within it to
the sword unless they surrendered. The barbarous order was executed.
The fort being carried by storm after an obstinate resistance, no
quarter was given to its brave defenders. The guns of the fort were
then turned upon the city, and being so close to it, caused terrible
havoc, and drove all the artillerymen from the walls.
But we must now return to the king. So long as a chance was left him,
Charles fought valiantly, and during the retreat, though he failed to
rally his disordered troops, he turned several times to face the enemy.
While thus braving the foe for the last time he was left alone, none
of his attendants being aware that he had stopped. From the richness
of his accoutrements he was at once recognised, and fierce cries were
raised:
"'Tis Charles Stuart!--'tis Jeroboam! The Lord has delivered him into
our hands! Slay him--slay him!"
Several pistols were discharged at him, but though the bullets struck
his armour, no injury was done him. Most luckily his horse was not
hurt, but bore him swiftly and safely to the Sidbury-gate. He was hotly
pursued by the Roundhead troopers, who would assuredly have cut him
down, according to Cromwell's order, if they had come up with him.
On reaching the Sidbury-gate he found, to his dismay, that it was
blocked up by an ammunition waggon, which had been overturned there
either by accident or design. One of the oxen that had drawn the waggon
was killed on the spot.
Without a moment's hesitation, the king threw himself from his horse,
and contrived to creep past the waggon. As he entered Sidbury-street,
Mr. William Bagnal, a staunch loyalist, who dwelt in that quarter,
rode towards him, and, instantly dismounting, offered him his horse.
The steed, thus opportunely provided for his majesty, was of infinite
service to him in the day, as will be shown.
Once more on horseback, Charles rode up to the High-street, and found
it full of soldiers, most of them belonging to the Scottish infantry.
They had all a most dejected look, and on seeing him, many of them
threw down their arms, to intimate their refusal to fight any longer.
In vain he rode up and down their ranks, with his feathered hat in his
hand, addressing them with a passionate eloquence that ought to have
roused them.
"Stand to your arms!" he cried. "Fight like men, and we shall yet
conquer. Follow me, and I will lead you to victory. Ours is the right
cause, and truth and justice must prevail in the end. Follow your king!"
Finding, however, that they would not stir, he called out in accents of
bitter reproach, "Recreants that you are to desert me thus. If you will
not fight, turn your arms against me. I had rather you would shoot me
than let me live to see the consequences of this fatal day."
He then rode slowly off towards the College Green, still hoping some
might follow him, but none stirred.