J. BENJAMIN BOLBECK, AND HOW I FARED AT THE SIEGE OF PLYMOUTH. TRANSLATED INTO VICTORIAN ENGLISH BY M. A. PAULL, CHAPTER XXIII. "The scarlet livery of unfortunate war BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER. HRISTMAS and went in the blockaded town, and then there was little peace for us for many long days. Grenville, with his force of six thousand men, made a desperate assault upon our outworks-Lipson, Holiwell, Maudlyn, and Pennycomequick. He drove our men from all these, and threatened to point our own guns at us, but only succeeded in maintaining his position at Maudlyn. For the garrison rallied from their surprise, and drove the malignants back again with terrible force; three hundred of them were slain, seventy-five of whom were left dead around the batteries, and many more hundreds were wounded. The captured work was then stormed on all sides by our men, who behaved with extraordinary gallantry. All the forces within it were either killed or taken prisoners; those who did not fall eventually surrendered upon quarter. This was good news to send to the Parliament, and their thanks were sent back to us, with a promise of supplies for the garrison. The city of London itself petitioned that due regard should be had to the necessities of the town. But Richard Grenville now, as always, took a mean revenge on those who were unfortunately in his power, and pistolled Colonel Champernowne and his brother, the news whereof did not, as may well be imagined, improve our feelings with regard to this bloodthirsty general. The town wall and outworks were greatly damaged in this fight, and were as quickly as possible repaired. But we had little breathing time. On the 17th of February, Sir Richard ordered his troops across to Mount Stamford, where they cleverly effected a lodgment among the ruins of the slighted work, and raised a breastwork of faggots twelve feet thick, which they intended to complete next night. We were not prepared for this. But measures were speedily resolved upon. Our force at Mount Batten was strengthened at noon by a party of horse and foot, amongst whom were my dear friend Dick Tonkin and myself. Part of this force of foot were seamen, No. 23.--AUGUST, 1883. under the command of Captain Swanley, who had but just come to our relief, and landed a body of soldiers. To keep the malignant force occupied, a feint sally was made from Pennycomequick, which engaged the main body of the besiegers. We, under cover of the fire of sixty guns from our ships and ports, which our men pleasantly told each other "beat up the dust about the Cavies' ears," marched up the hill and attacked their new Fort Stamford, and after a hard struggle carried it. We drove the Cavaliers from the field in various directions, and pursued them at least two miles. Our prisoners were numerous; we took twelve of their officers, which included a lieutenant-colonel, a major, and four captains, and ninety-two soldiers, with a good store of mattocks, shovels, and faggots. On our side only one was slain, and that by an unfortunate accident; but our favourite Tom was badly wounded, and because his mother lived at Oreston, a little village not far off, to which he could be easily sent in a boat, I was commissioned to take him there when the fight was ended. Tom, though he flushed and grew pale by turns in the paroxysms of his pain, never quite lost heart, and joked with me if he got a moment's ease. 66 "Lord love you, Lieutenant," he said once, when I had expressed some pity for him, there's many a better man wounded to-day than I am, even amongst the Cavies!" Then a twinge of pain brought the bright flush to his face and a groan to his lips. "I'm actually better for that groan, sir," he said, smiling again directly it was past, "if only I could keep it all from poor old mother. She'll think I'm hurt every time I groan, and it really makes me better. Then think of the honour, sir, the honour of being wounded in the Lord's cause!" I sympathised with him heartily. Tom was as sincere as he was playful. "And not a prisoner, sir, not in Skellum Grenville's hands. Isn't that something to be thankful for? If I've prayed for anything I've prayed for that. I should have been tempted to kill myself, sir, if I'd been in his hands." When we reached the shore I despatched another soldier who had come with us in the boat, to tell Tom's old mther what had happened, and Tom raised himself a little and bit his lips to keep back the expression of the agony he suffered from his mother's ears. The old woman ca ne down to the shore hurriedly, in her bedgown an spotless white apron and mob cap, a dear meek old face, full of tender anxiety, and her person as spotlessly clean as it was possible to imagine. "Here I am, mother, cone back to 'ee, my dear, once more," said Tom, bravely, with a smile, like the young hero he was. "Do'ee get him out! do'ee get him out!" said the poor old woman, tears rolling over her face as she caught sight of the bandaged leg. Any amount of help was forthcoming, and we took him as easily as we knew how into the little cottage, where we laid him on the snowy bed, and gave the old woman the doctor's directions for her son, whom he had promised he would come to see on the morrow. All expenses would be paid by his officers, and Tom was to want for nothing. Even in her trouble the good old soul could enjoy the few words of praise for Tom's bravery which I uttered, and mother and son looked at each other, as if there were comfort to each in the other's nearness. But my heart ached, for I feared Tom's leg would never be of use to him again. The cottage at Oreston was regularly visited from this time by both officers and men; but Tom's bright sunny face never again gladdened the garrison during the siege. For the next few months we were less actively engaged. No general attack was made, and we used our leisure, as before, to improve the defences. Little Maudlyn and Little Pennycomequick works were erected. At Lower Lipson we raised additional fortifications, and a new redoubt was thrown up, which was called after our late revered commandant, Colonel William Gould. Palisading work was also engaged in diligently. When Sir Richard Grenville marched away from us to the siege of Taunton, he only left two thousand foot and four hundred horse before Plymouth. When the news from Taunton came that he was dangerously wounded in the thigh, there was little regret felt for him and but small commiseration. Danger was slight for us after the Mount Stamford fight, wherein poor Tom got his leg shattered, although we were continually harassed. And from my own experience, I should deem it far preferable to be more actively engaged than to be continually in expectation of that which may or may not happen, as we were now, with little chance of distinguishing ourselves in any way. The Kentish regiment, which had come to our aid the preceding October, were now dismissed, with proper respect for their services, and thus many pleasant acquaintances ended, perhaps never to be renewed, they marching for Lyme. In June, Sir John Berkeley succeeded Sir Richard Grenville, but he took no more active steps than his predecessor, and the blockade continued. Indeed, we began to understand that we were as strong as the party outside. Men were coming over to us from the King's forces, and were received willingly, though cautiously. Grenville had taken his pay for very little work, and had thus impoverished the King he professed to serve. In May of this year the town petitioned to have Lord Robartes continued in office as its Governor; but the self-denying ordinance had prevented this, and a committee of five were appointed for the government of the town. The self-denying ordinance was passed to prevent those who served in the army from serving in either House of Parliament as well, and those who held appointments in Parliament were incapacitated from serving in the army; only a very few exceptions have been made to this. The autumn of this year we were greatly cheered by news from other parts, as well as by our own greater sense of security. For the tidings of the great victory at Naseby came to us, the bearer of which was presented with a silver tankard which weighed twelve ounces. It may easily be imagined that a man with such news as this of so great a victory was eagerly surrounded by all the officers of our garrison, and, after the official communications with which he was entrusted had been duly made, he was invited and permitted to tell us somewhat of the memorable engagement, in which he had himself borne an honourable part, albeit only accidentally. For he was not a soldier by profession, but a messenger between great ones of the army and the Parliament; nevertheless he held his own when set upon at Naseby, and aided another of our side to escape from being surrounded and cut off. A dashing, high-spirited, brave little fellow was this messenger, and he stood amongst us, his young pleasant face much animated and his manner excited, as he told us the story of the important engagement. "You see, sirs," he said, after telling us of General Fairfax's engagements, "during this time his Majesty, always a little too confident of his divine_right_to rule us all, amused himself hunting. The King discovered at last that he was surrounded by our troops, and was actually called up out of his sleep at eleven at night, to know, in a council of war, what was best to be done. It was concluded that retreat was impossible, the King's men having learned that General Fairfax was at Harborough, General Ireton hanging upon their flank within two miles of Naseby, and that they must therefore fight. "Their superior horse and experienced commanders made them determine to give battle, and very confident of victory. His Majesty believed," said our new friend, with a grim smile and a merry twinkle of his grey eyes, "that it was as easy to hunt down my Lord Fairfax's army as to chase deer and rabbits. The King's forces took up their position on some heights opposite Naseby, which is a mere hamlet, yet it will be a name henceforth dear to the hearts of Englishmen, methinks. The King commanded his centre, in person; Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice, of whom you know somewhat here at Plymouth, with Sir Marmaduke Langdale, took his right and left, with strong reserves of horse and life guards behind them. Below, on the low moorland hills, the Parliament's army was marshalled under my Lord Fairfax, sustained at the extremities by Generals Ireton and Cromwell, with his artillery train enclosed in a ring of firelocks in the rear. The preparations on both sides were solemn and minute, ominous of the frightful slaughter about to ensue. On the wide sweep of plain, between these higher and lower hills was the scene of the battle. Our battle cry you know well, 'God our strength!' theirs was Queen Mary!' a wholly idolatrous cry for all the Protestants in their ranks. The right wings of each army began the affray-Prince Rupert and General Cromwell, the one impetuous for the King, the other eager to achieve a victory for the Lord. The Prince charged up the heights of Naseby, General Cromwell plunged down into the broad plain with such fierce resolution that he fell upon Langdale's horse at the sword-point, threw them into a panic, and pursued them anywhere, everywhere, a full quarter of a mile beyond the field of action. A desperate encounter took place between Prince Rupert and General Ireton's forces, whose movements were embarrassed by dykes and pits of water. The General himself had his horse shot under him and was wounded in the thigh with a pike and in the face with a halbert, and in the rush of the contention he was taken prisoner, though he soon managed, by dint of the confusion, to recover his liberty. It was this valiant soldier, sirs, to whom I had the happiness to be of use." 66 66 "Let us have the history of the matter," said I; "it must needs be of interest and of moment to us.' "All in good time, sir," answered the young Londoner, courteously; let me first finish the story of Naseby, and then tell of my own small part therein to you, who have proved yourselves such courteous listeners. Prince Rupert, with one of those tremendous dashes for which he is famous, broke through General Ireton's cavalry, and forced them to retreat towards Naseby. On his return he reached the artillery train, and was by them mistaken for Lord Fairfax." A groan from some of us attested our anxiety as we listened to this point of the story. moned him to partake of refreshment with our commander, and before nightfall he was again on his way to the Parliament, accompanied by our good wishes. So we were destined to be altogether disappointed of our story. Meanwhile, to return to our own Plymouth matters. Sir John Berkeley did not hold his position more than about three months, and was succeeded by Sir John Digby. And forasmuch as he had little success here almost two years ago, I am surprised he cares to come into these parts again. It was just at this juncture that I received a command from Lieutenant-General Cromwell to come to him at Tiverton, and, with this command, permission from Colonel Kerr to obey it. This, as may well be understood, put me into many difficulties. Great as I felt the honour, I was at first sorely tried, lest I should not return to my sweet Lucy again, from whom I had not thought to be separated, at least until the siege was at an end. For although I had been careful not to go very often to the house, my weekly visit to her was as an oasis in the desert to both of us. And there were accidental times when we met, to our mutual joy. Very often in church we had at least the satisfaction of seeing each other, and feeling ourselves under the same roof, and of worshipping God together; and now and then, though "One of our officers advanced," resumed the mes-rarely, for she seldom left her father, I came upon senger, "hat in hand to him, to ask how the day sped. her hurrying to the market or gliding along the The dreadful mistake was soon discovered. When the streets. Prince offered them quarter, they replied by a shower of bullets. There was no time for Rupert to argue the matter. The King himself was in peril, and the Prince flew back with his victorious horse to succour him. But it was too late, for the fate of the day by that time was decided. In another part of the field Lord Fairfax's troops, though beaten back at first, were rallied by his officers. Old General Skippon, of whom you all must have heard, was shot in the side, yet he still staggered on in his saddle and refused to stir from the ground while there was a man left; and others acted almost as bravely; they clutched at their colours, and brought up the reserves to supply the breaks in the centre. The Cavaliers were broken and dispersed all along the line. The King bravely rallied his forces with desperate courage (for he is no coward, sirs, before the enemy), to charge once more. Lord Fairfax had recovered his position, and made a last descent upon the King. Charles Rex could no longer rally his discomfited troops, they broke away in disorder, the King himself flying towards Leicester, pursued by Cromwell's cavalry for a distance of twelve or fourteen miles. Such, sirs, was the victory of the 14th of June." "And your spoils, sir?" asked one. "Four thousand private soldiers, one thousand officers, the train of artillery, a quantity of rich pillage which the Cavaliers had gained at Leicester, several coaches, and his Majesty's private cabinet, containing letters and papers of an important nature." And now I repeated my request that he would tell us of that particular action of his in relation to General Ireton, of which we had heard some tidings. For though I much like such a general view of a battle as he had given us, personal accounts interest me still more. But I had scarcely signified my wish and received his affirmative smile, when an orderly sum- | The events that were so quickly following each other, the signal disasters to the King's party, had precisely the same effect on Mr. Woollcombe that the trouble of those he loves must always have for a generous soul: he thought of them the more; he clung to the falling cause with the faithfulness of his nature. And Lucy shared his feelings largely, though she was not so blind as he was to the defects of the King and his generals; yet she could also admire, with me, the nobleness of the nature of Oliver Cromwell, whom the Royalists and even the Presbyterians soon condemned bitterly, as a selfseeker and a betrayer of the liberties he professed to love. By her advice, as well as because I hardly knew how to refuse so great an honour and kindness, I went to Tiverton. I can never forget that interview. I sat awaiting the coming of the LieutenantGeneral in a small, plainly-furnished chamber of the house he occupied as his quarters, and, when the door opened, I looked up and started to my feet, curious to behold what sort of gentleman this was. And I saw, in simple costume, a noble commanding presence, of rather above middle height, in whom, to me, at least, dignity and kindliness were blended. His body was well compact and strong, preparing you for the understanding of his great exertions; his head so shaped as you might see it a storehouse and shop both, and a vast treasury of natural parts. Someone has said, "He is naturally compassionate towards objects in distress, even to an effeminate measure, though God had made him a heart, wherein was left little room for any fear but what was due to Himself, of which there was a large proportion; yet did he exceed in tenderness towards sufferers. A larger soul, I think, hath seldom dwelt in a house of clay than his was." I and my family have good reason to know this, and the thought of his friendship for my father was in my heart in presence of this kingly man. For, notwithstanding that King Charles had a dignified and elegant bearing, the man now before me had precisely what the other lacked of great manliness and firmness, that made you feel you could trust such an one, whoever else failed you in the hour of need. The mouth of Oliver Cromwell was a firm mouth; that of the King a weak mouth. He met me most kindly, and was pleased to say that had he not been informed as to who I was, he must needs have known me from my likeness to my father" one of my most dauntless, and faithful, and godly Ironsides," he said, with a smile so frank and genial, that it lit up the somewhat massive features of his countenance, as sunshine lights up and improves the great tors of this Devonshire Dartmoor, and drew me close to him in heart, as I had long been in mind. Much conversation followed between us. The siege of Plymouth interested him greatly, and in the answers to a very few particular questions which he asked me, he seemed to obtain a wonderful knowledge of all events, of every important sally, and to learn how our forts were situated in regard to each other and to the enemy, in a way quite surprising to my small experience. And when I said as much, he smiled again, and answered: "None need wonder at me, for I, too, am yet but an ignorant man, ever needing to learn. Yet I have had such sore and constant training of late in all things pertaining to military matters, that I must needs learn somewhat. But believe me, Benjamin Holbeck, you or anyone else who accuses me of love of fighting will do me wrong. Did I not see this great nation of the Lord's people in such great straits, through lack of suitable leaders, and men who are truly in earnest for this cause of the Almighty, I could gladly go back to my more simple duties as an honest citizen and a chosen member of Parliament." Then returning to the matter of the siege again, he added: "I should well enough like to see this same town whence you come, for it has a history of its own; and were it but for the Mayflower that sailed away from its Barbican, it would have an interest for me." Then he talked to me of my father and my widowed mother, and desired to know whether I was anxious to get back into Yorkshire and to see them all at Brier Grange. "I shall be, General, when there is no more to do at Plymouth. But I would fain stay and see how matters there are ended, before I go north again." "I like your answer, young man," said General Cromwell, and again the firm face relaxed its grave look. "But I sent you that I might know you, and to offer you a place amongst my Ironsides; this, for your father's sake, if I should find you a godly young man, following in his steps. Our men are all chosen by me, and, above all, as I verily believe, by the Lord Himself. They be no swearers, no alehouse fellows, and many of them" (here he looked playful) "I will affirm are better preachers than were my late Lords of Canterbury and York." I answered him with deep respect and thanks that nothing would please me better, if I might have the offer still after Plymouth was out of leaguer. But that being so long in her, and with so much interest and so many friends inside of her, I had certainly both curiosity and affection enough to her fortunes to wait for the end." He was by no means displeased. 6 You Very well, then. If I and my Ironsides last longer than Plymouth and her leaguer, you will come to me; good, my son, I hold you to that bargain. Seek the Lord and His face continually,' he added, looking at me earnestly; "let this be the business of your life and strength; and let all things be subservient, and in order to this. cannot find nor behold the face of God but in Christ, therefore labour to know God in Christ, which the Scripture makes to be the sum of all, even life eternal, My weak prayers shall be for you, Benjamin Holbeck. Take heed of an inactive, vain spirit. This advice I give you as to my own son. Now, farewell, and if we never meet in the flesh again-for life is uncertain, and never more uncertain to soldiers than in this terrible war, where a man's foes are too often they of his own household-take heed, young sir, that we meet above, and that your father finds you not wanting from his side, by and by." CHAPTER XXIV.-" Turris fortissima est nomen Jehova." UCY rejoiced at my return; she had believed, she said, that General Cromwell would insist on keeping me, and that none was strong enough to resist his iron will. But her cheeks blanched, and her eyes filled, to hear of the promise I had given to be enrolled amongst his Ironsides when once the siege was over. The blockade continued until December. Then Sir John Digby made an attempt to take the town. But gold, not steel, was to do the storming, and bribery and treachery were to open the gates. Here is the letter he sent to Colonel Kerr: "SIR,-I am troubled to understand that, through the ingratitude of those you serve, you are likely to be rewarded with the dishonour of having a person of much inferior merit put over your head-an injury insupportable to any man of spirit, and which may offer you a justifiable occasion of doing a very eminent service to your native king and country; and which, if you will embrace and deliver up the town with the works of Plymouth, I shall engage myself, on my honour and the faith of a gentleman, you shall be rewarded with ten thousand pounds, and have the command, if you please, of a regiment of 500 horse, with what honour yourself can desire. Sir, be not scrupulous in taking the advice of an enemy that desires heartily, on these terms, to become your true friend and faithful servant. "For Col. Kerr, JOHN DIGBY. "Governor of Plymouth. Dec. 30, 1645." |