THE SIEGE OF PLYMOUTH. 265 
and routed Digby’s guard at Hooe, taking 54 prisoners, some 
powder, and a pair of colours, with the loss of only two men. 
Dartmouth soon fell, and the garrison learnt that Maurice, with 
his whole strength, was on the march against them. Willing 
while they had the chance to strike another blow, they made a 
sally against a guard at Knackersknowle, and captured 20 or 30 of 
the men. The enemy rallied, and were reinforced from Roborough 
Down, and fifteen of the garrison, who had pushed too far in 
advance, were captured, the only one who escaped being Major 
Searle, who gallantly charged through his opponents. 
The town was soon hemmed in. Maurice had five regiments 
of horse, and nine of foot, stationed at Plymstock, Plympton, 
Tamerton, Buckland Monachorum, Mount Edgcumbe, Cawsand, 
and elsewhere, his head-quarters being conveniently placed at 
Widey. The garrison were deceived by the Cavaliers bringing 
thirteen fishing boats overland from the Yealm into Pomphlett 
Creek. This was interpreted to indicate a design upon Cattedown, 
and the little redoubts and breastworks there were strengthened. 
But the besiegers knew their business better. In the night of the 
2ist October they raised a square work within pistol-shot of Mount 
Stamford, and commenced regular approaches to cut it off from all 
relief. It cost the Stamford garrison three hours’ hard fighting 
before the work was taken, and in it fifty prisoners, under one 
Captain White. The capture was garrisoned by thirty musketecrs, 
under the command of an ensign; but in the night the enemy fell 
on again, and ensign and men decamped without warning the fort.* 
Next morning there was a yet more desperate struggle. The 
Royalists brought up reinforcements, and it was not until the 
leader of the Roundheads, Capt. Corbett, had béen shot in the 
forehead as he was encouraging his men to fall on, that the coveted 
spot was regained. This day cost the garrison 20 men killed, and 
over 100 wounded beside officers, Col. Gould among the latter. 
The besiegers certainly an equal number, including six commanders 
of rank. 
This time the work was destroyed, and Mount Stamford strength- 
ened by slight outworks—a breastwork on each side, terminated by 
a half moon, along the ridge—which were manned as well as the 
smallness of the force at hand permitted, The Cavaliers gave no 
* This was regarded as either treachery or cowardice, and on the 8th 
November—a few days afterwards—the ensign was shot. 
