Page:Works of Thomas Carlyle - Volume 06.djvu/375

 out a visible mischief to ourselves, being so near it. It was ordered it should be done, three hours after our departure, by a train: but that being neglected, Cromwell got it all.

‘Next morning we appeared at Wigan Moor; half our number less than we were;—most of the faint and weary soldiers having lagged behind; whom we never saw again. Lieutenant-General Middleton had missed us,’ such excellent order was in this Army; ‘for he came by another way to Ribble Bridge. It was to be wished he had still stayed with us! He, not finding us there, followed our track: but was himself hotly pursued by Cromwell’s horse; with whom he skirmished the whole way till he came within a mile of us. He lost some men and several were hurt, among others Colonel Urrey got a dangerous shot on the left side of his head; whereof, though he was afterwards taken prisoner, he recovered. In this retreat of Middleton’s, which he managed well, Cromwell lost one of the gallantest officers he had, Major Thornhaugh; who was run into the breast with a lance, whereof he died.

‘After Lieutenant-General Middleton’s coming, we began to think of fighting in that Moor: but that was found impossible,—in regard it was nothing large, and was environed with enclosures which commanded it, and these we could not maintain long, for want of that ammunition we had left behind us. And therefore we marched forward with intention to gain Warrington, ten miles from the Moor we were in; and there we conceived we might face about, having the command of a Town, a River, and a Bridge. Yet I conceive there were but few of us could have foreseen we might be beaten before we were masters of any of them.

‘It was towards evening and in the latter end of August,’ Friday 18th of the month, ‘when our horse began to march. Some regiments of them were left with the rear of the foot: Middleton stayed with these; my Lord Duke and Calendar were before—As I marched with the last brigade of foot