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possession of the high ground at Monckton Combe, and laid an 
ambuscade in a woodland walled ground at the foot of the hill. 
In the morning he advanced strong parties of horse upon his 
enemy’s outposts, but these being held in check did but little 
service, and after an hour or two the Cornish foot had beaten 
them back and also the ambuscade. The whole force then marched 
for the hill, the Parliament party retiring in good order before 
them, and then the royalist commanders discovered they were 
fighting only an advanced guard, and that Waller had drawn up 
his main body on Claverton down, having behind him the bridge 
and redoubt before mentioned. Prince Maurice (a nephew of the 
king) quickly determined to secure this pass also, and using for 
the service the greater part of his horse and foot he succeeded just 
as it was night ; his enemy, in the darkness, continuing his retreat 
to Bath and Batheaston, and then up the hill to the top of 
Lansdown. 
Sir William Waller, who was considered to have the greatest 
ability and judgment in choosing his ground, and was known as 
the best of generals for shifting it when not master of the field, 
occupied the south side of the down, opposite his opponents, who 
remained in the fields below, and showed them his whole force, the 
valley between the two being steep and difficult for either to cross.* 
At a council of war, held about midnight, the royalist officers 
‘debated whether they should attempt the hill or not that night ; 
and it was decided not to do so on considering the craggy narrow 
passage up, that only a part of the army was then present, and 
that the remainder, if surprised in the night after so hard a day’s 
labour, might not be found in a good position for defence. It was 
resolved rather to move back to within Batheaston bridge, to 
quarter the troops thereabouts as best they could, and early the 
next day to try and drive their enemy from his high and advan- 
‘tageous position.t 
Accordingly in the morning, but with a a “little more haste than 
* Parliament Scout, No. 3. + Clar. MSS. 1738-4, Hopton’s account, 
