Chap. 1.] 



GENERAL HISTORY. 25 



and the enemy, many of them, threw clown their arm.s, and run to their party, 

 where was their stand of pikes, and a great body of colours. We drew up toward 

 them and on our ri^ht hand was a partv of foot drawing off, that Laid an ambus- 

 cade to hinder our horse, commanded by Major Smithson, for^ p issing up the lane. 

 He (.\Iajor-General Lambert) ordered me to fetch up the 

 Lancashire r'-giment, and God brought me off, both horse and myself. The bullets 



flew freely ; then was the heat of the battle that day The 



Lancashire toot were as stout men as were in the world, and as brave firemen. 1 

 have often told them they were as good fighters, and as great plunderers as ever 

 went to a field. It was to admiration to see what a spirit of courage and resolution 

 there was amongst us, and how God hid us from the fears and dangers we were 

 exposed to ; what posture the enemy were in ; their numbers (46,000, as reported) ; 

 their threatenings what they would do ; how they were accoutred and encouraged 

 through the nation. They had cast lots for the spoil of us. ■ 



In this battle tho Lancashire regiment bore the brunt of the 

 struggle, and soon defeated the Soots with great slaughtei, chasing 

 them over Eibbleton Moor and the Kibble as far as Wigan. The 

 number of the Scots slain Cromwell estimated at 1,000, and 4,000 

 prisoners. His own loss was very little. The Protector's army 

 numbered 10,000 at the most, while Hamilton had under his command 

 not less than 30,000 men. " Truly it was," as Cromwell exclaimed, 

 " a glorious day," for it was one of the most brilliant victories achieved 



in the war. 



A good many relics of this Battle of Preston, as it is often called, 

 have been found— amongst others, a hidden treasure, consisting of 

 about 300 silver coins, was discovered, in 1853, in the roof of a 

 thatched cottage at Tenter Hill, Whittingham.' Nearer Preston, at 

 Fulwood and Eibbleton, clear traces of the site of the battle are 

 mentioned by Hardwick as being visible in 1854. 



I am not aware of any traditions relating to Cromwell and the 

 Battle of Preston which began at Longridge, except the one already 

 mentioned about the long ridge he found so tiresome to cross. True, 

 it is said that Cromwell slept on the table at Stonyhurst, which he 



iProm ""i 'oiatY-mue of these coins were pre_ 



^Fl-w Ithink, will a-ree with Carlyk scuted by the Rev Mr. Mossup, of 



in considering' Captain Hodgson' a, Woodplu.npton to the Avenh on Insti- 



■■pudding-hearted " man. He was a tntion. They had been minted in the 



brave and conscientious Republican, and reigns of Mary, Elizabeth, James I. and 



lossessed of consideral)le military skill. Charles i. 



