148 
the first to wear, Sir Wm. Waller’s force became fairly strong in 
horse ; but after every addition, he still remained badly provided 
with foot, having only some three to four thousand, but few of 
whom had seen much former service and the majority being the 
untrained country people of the district. 
The royalists on the contrary well armed and flushed with 
continual victories, and full of contempt for their opponents, chose 
to diverge from their direct route to Oxford to invite an encounter 
about Bath. The result of the meeting was anxiously looked 
for in London as it was well known the victor would for some 
time be master of the west. 
Both parties had their scouts and outposts well in advance. 
On the 30th June there was a skirmish between some of these 
in the Ham meadow by the river at Claverton; and three of the 
Parliament soldiers, with one royalist slain there, were buried on 
that day under the west wall of Claverton churchyard.* 
On Sunday, the 2nd July, the royalists left Frome, and coming 
upon a party of their opponents near Farleigh, after a fight lasting 
for three hours, defeated them, the losers however retreating in 
good order towards Bath.t On learning this, with the further 
information that his enemy was making for Bradford bridge where 
two ways meet,—one going to Oxford, the other to Bath,—Sir 
William Waller sent out Major Dowet by night with three hundred 
horse and foot to secure the bridge, but not knowing his way, and 
the night being dark, the major was discovered and in the morning 
successfully attacked and defeated with the loss of ten men killed 
and two “hammer pieces” taken.{ 
The same night Waller moved a part of his army, horse, foot, 
and dragoons, overthe river under Claverton House; where, besides 
the “ford,” he had made a bridge with a redoubt on the “hither” 
side to defend both. With this force during the night he took 
* Collinson. + Parliament Scout, No. 3. 
+ Mercurius Aulicus, 
