THE SIEGE OF PLYMOUTH. 293 
made more formidable, whilst others were added. The ground held 
now extended from Mount Batten on one side to Mount Wise on the 
other. There is no evidence that at Mount Wise there was more 
than a guard ; but at Mount Batten a fort of formidable character 
was reared. Mount Stamford remained as left when slighted by 
the garrison after the advance of Essex. 
Grenville at length resolved to do something to justify his proud 
title of King’s General in the West. In January he collected a 
force of 6,000, and made a desperate assault upon the outworks. 
He attacked them at four different points; that is, I take it, 
Lipson, Holiwell, Maudlyn, and Pennycomequick Works. For a 
time the fate of the town appeared to tremble in the balance. He 
is said to have taken three of the outworks, and to have turned 
their guns against the town.* Robartes, however, credits him 
with only capturing one ;f and probably the solution of the con- 
tradiction is that he gained at first a footing all along the line, but 
was able to make it good at one point only. This would be either 
Pennycomequick or Maudlyn. ut even that modicum of success 
was evanescent. 
With the loss of 300 men slain, 75 of whom were left dead around 
the batteries, and many hundreds wounded, Grenville was beaten 
off at every point save one. ‘The captured work was then stormed 
on all sides by the Plymouth men, who behaved with extraordinary 
gallantry, and speedily carried, all who were within being either 
killed or taken prisoners; those who did not fall eventually sur- 
rendering upon quarter. The intelligence of this success was very 
welcome to the House of Commons, and care was at once taken 
for the supply of the garrison. The city of London petitioned 
that due regard should be had to the necessities of the town. 
Moreover, news came that Grenville, under discontent, had 
pistolled Col. Champernowne and his brother. { 
After this bout the town wall and outworks stood greatly in 
need of repairs, which were at once executed. Grenville’s next 
movement was upon the other side of Cattewater. In the night 
of the 17th February his troops cleverly effected a lodgment among 
the ruins of Mount Stamford, and raised a breastwork of faggots 
twelve feet thick, which they intended to complete on the following 
night. The garrison had not expected this. But their measures were 
soon matured. The little force at Mount Batten was strengthened 
* WHITELOCK, p. 119. + Ibid. { Ibid, p. 121. 
U 
