270 JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
turned the scale. The Roundheads were outnumbered ten to one, 
and driven back in absolute rout for the space of three fields. So 
hasty was the retreat, and so hot the pursuit, that some of the 
Cavalier horse pushed on past the outworks to within pistolshot of 
the walls, and were there either killed or taken. The bulk of the 
Roundheads, however, rallied on the highest point of Freedom 
Fields, their left flank protected by Lipson Work. Here they were 
reinforced from the different outworks, though the aid was small. 
There was great danger of assault elsewhere; Pennycomequick 
Work indeed was attempted, though without success; and few could 
be spared. Weak as they were, they held their ground for hours of 
anxious expectancy, during which the Cavaliers were either unable 
or afraid to follow up their advantage. At length they summoned 
Lipson Work, probably the obstacle. Their trumpet was answered 
by a cannon, and this shot heralded the re-commencement of the 
battle. A drake was brought up, planted in a position of vantage, — 
and discharged several! times on the enemy’s horse with good effect. 
The field party were reinforced by a couple of hundred of the train- 
bands. Sixty musketeers were sent round under Mount Gould to 
take the enemy in the rear. And at a signal given by sound of 
drum, a general assault was made along the whole line (for so I 
interpret the order that the several commanded places should fall 
on). The enemy gave way. ‘Their retreat, followed up, became a 
rout. Down the hill they rushed pell-mell, in far too much of a 
hurry to choose a path; and while making their hasty way over 
the creek, some were killed, and still more captured. heir rear 
guard of cavalry, cut off, was forced into the mud in utter confusion. 
Many of the horses were drowned; some of the horsemen made 
their escape by crawling on shore; not a few were killed by the 
cross-fire of the pursuing horse and foot, and’of some vessels 
stationed at Laira Point, which had parleyed with the enemy while 
the issue of the day was doubtful, but when the retreat commenced, 
became honest again. These vessels in all likelihood were some 
just sent by Parliament to the town’s relief. The repulse was 
complete, and the town was saved. Both sides suffered heavily. 
The garrison, when they were driven back, lost forty-three officers 
_ and men prisoners, Captain Wansey and twelve men killed, and a 
hundred wounded, some mortally. The loss of the assailants was 
much greater. The boasting shouts of the Cavaliers, ‘‘The town 
is ours,” had been answered by the hopeful cries of the garrison, 
