太子爷小说网 > 英语电子书 > tour through the eastern counties of england >

第7节

tour through the eastern counties of england-第7节

小说: tour through the eastern counties of england 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!




but their guides having misled them the enemy took the alarm; upon

which their guides; and some pioneers which they had with them to

open the hedges and level the banks; for their passing to Boxted;

all ran away; so the horse were obliged to retreat; the enemy

pretending to pursue; but thinking they had retreated by the north

bridge; they missed them; upon which being enraged; they fired the

suburbs without the bridge; and burned them quite down。



18th。  Some of the horse attempted to escape the same way; and had

the whole body been there as before; they had effected it; but

there being but two troops; they were obliged to retire。  Now the

town began to be greatly distressed; provisions failing; and the

townspeople; which were numerous; being very uneasy; and no way of

breaking through being found practicable; the gentlemen would have

joined in any attempt wherein they might die gallantly with their

swords in their hands; but nothing presented; they often sallied

and cut off many of the enemy; but their numbers were continually

supplied; and the besieged diminished; their horse also sunk and

became unfit for service; having very little hay; and no corn; and

at length they were forced to kill them for food; so that they

began to be in a very miserable condition; and the soldiers

deserted every day in great numbers; not being able to bear the

want of food; as being almost starved with hunger。



22nd。  The Lord Fairfax offered again an exchange of prisoners; but

the Lord Goring rejected it; because they refused conditions to the

chief gentlemen of the garrison。



During this time; two troops of the Royal Horse sallied out in the

night; resolving to break out or die: the first rode up full gallop

to the enemy's horse guards on the side of Malden road; and

exchanged their pistols with the advanced troops; and wheeling made

as if they would retire to the town; but finding they were not

immediately pursued; they wheeled about to the right; and passing

another guard at a distance; without being perfectly discovered;

they went clean off; and passing towards Tiptree Heath; and having

good guides; they made their escape towards Cambridgeshire; in

which length of way they found means to disperse without being

attacked; and went every man his own way as fate directed; nor did

we hear that many of them were taken: they were led; as we are

informed; by Sir Bernard Gascoigne。



Upon these attempts of the horse to break out; the enemy built a

small fort in the meadow right against the ford in the river at the

Middle Mill; and once set that mill on fire; but it was

extinguished without much damage; however; the fort prevented any

more attempts that way。



22nd。  The Parliament…General sent in a trumpet; to propose again

the exchange of prisoners; offering the Lord Capel's son for one;

and Mr。 Ashburnham for Sir William Masham; but the Lord Capel; Lord

Goring; and the rest of the loyal gentlemen rejected it; and Lord

Capel; in particular; sent the Lord Fairfax word it was inhuman to

surprise his son; who was not in arms; and offer him to insult a

father's affection; but that he might murder his son if he pleased;

he would leave his blood to be revenged as Heaven should give

opportunity; and the Lord Goring sent word; that as they had

reduced the king's servants to eat horseflesh; the prisoners should

feed as they fed。



The enemy sent again to complain of the Royalists shooting poisoned

bullets; and sent two affidavits of it made by two deserters;

swearing it was done by the Lord Norwich's direction; the generals

in the town returned under all their hands that they never gave any

such command or direction; that they disowned the practice; and

that the fellows who swore it were perjured before in running from

their colours and the service of their king; and ought not to be

credited again; but they added; that for shooting rough…cast slugs

they must excuse them; as things stood with them at that time。



About this time; a porter in a soldier's habit got through the

enemy's leaguer; and passing their out…guards in the dark; got into

the town; and brought letters from London; assuring the Royalists

that there were so many strong parties up in arms for the king; and

in so many places; that they would be very suddenly relieved。  This

they caused to be read to the soldiers to encourage them; and

particularly it related to the rising of the Earl of Holland; and

the Duke of Buckingham; who with 500 horse were gotten together in

arms about Kingston in Surrey; but we had notice in a few days

after that they were defeated; and the Earl of Holland taken; who

was afterwards beheaded。



26th。  The enemy now began to batter the walls; and especially on

the west side; from St。 Mary's towards the north gate; and we were

assured they intended a storm; on which the engineers were directed

to make trenches behind the walls where the breaches should be

made; that in case of a storm they might meet with a warm

reception。  Upon this; they gave over the design of storming。  The

Lord Goring finding that the enemy had set the suburbs on fire

right against the Hythe; ordered the remaining houses; which were

empty of inhabitants; from whence their musketeer fired against the

town; to be burned also。



31st。  A body of foot sallied out at midnight; to discover what the

enemy were doing at a place where they thought a new fort raising;

they fell in among the workmen; and put them to flight; cut in

pieces several of the guard; and brought in the officer who

commanded them prisoner。



August 2nd。  The town was now in a miserable condition: the

soldiers searched and rifled the houses of the inhabitants for

victuals; they had lived on horseflesh several weeks; and most of

that also was as lean as carrion; which not being well salted bred

wens; and this want of diet made the soldiers sickly; and many died

of fluxes; yet they boldly rejected all offers of surrender; unless

with safety to their offices。  However; several hundreds got out;

and either passed the enemy's guards; or surrendered to them and

took passes。



7th。  The townspeople became very uneasy to the soldiers; and the

mayor of the town; with the aldermen; waited upon the general;

desiring leave to send to the Lord Fairfax for leave to all the

inhabitants to come out of the town; that they might not perish; to

which the Lord Goring consented; but the Lord Fairfax refused them。



12th。  The rabble got together in a vast crowd about the Lord

Goring's quarters; clamouring for a surrender; and they did this

every evening; bringing women and children; who lay howling and

crying on the ground for bread; the soldiers beat off the men; but

the women and children would not stir; bidding the soldiers kill

them; saying they had rather be shot than be starved。



16th。  The general; moved by the cries and distress of the poor

inhabitants; sent out a trumpet to the Parliament…General;

demanding leave to send to the Prince; who was with a fleet of

nineteen men of war in the mouth of the Thames; offering to

surrender; if they were not relieved in twenty days。  The Lord

Fairfax refused it; and sent them word he would be in the town in

person; and visit them in less than twenty days; intimating that

they were preparing for a storm。  Some tart messages and answers

were exchanged on this occasion。  The Lord Goring sent word they

were willing; in compassion to the poor townspeople; and to save

that effusion of blood; to surrender upon honourable terms; but

that as for the storming them; which was threatened; they might

come on when they thought fit; for that they (the Royalists) were

ready for them。  This held to the 19th。



20th。  The Lord Fairfax returned what he said was his last answer;

and should be the last offer of mercy。  The conditions offered

were; that upon a peaceable surrender; all soldiers and officers

under the degree of a captain in commission should have their

lives; be exempted from plunder; and have passes to go to their

respective dwellings。  All the captains and superior officers; with

all the lords and gentlemen; as well in commission as volunteers;

to surrender prisoners at discretion; only that they should not be

plundered by the soldiers。



21st。  The generals rejected those offers; and when the people came

about them again for bread; set open one of the gates; and bid them

go out to the enemy; which a great many did willingly; upon which

the Lord Goring ordered all the rest that came about his door to be

turned out after them。  But when the people came to the Lord

Fairfax's camp the out…guards were ordered to fire at them and

drive them all back again to the gate; which the Lord Goring

seeing; he ordered them to be received in again。  And now; although

the generals and soldiers also were resolute to die with their

swords in their hands rather than yield; and had maturely resolved

返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的