The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth

by William Harrison Ainsworth

  The duke came up with the rear-guard at Clifton, near Penrith, and immediately attacked it, but was most vigorously and successfully repulsed by Lord George; and little doubt can be entertained that if Charles, who was at Penrith, had sent reinforcements, the duke would have been defeated, and perhaps might have been taken prisoner.

  Be this as it may, the pursuit was checked, and Charles reached Carlisle without further interruption.

  End of the Third Book.

  BOOK IV. CARLISLE.

  CHAPTER I.

  COLONEL TOWNLEY APPOINTED COMMANDANT OF THE CARLISLE GARRISON.

  On the prince’s march south, three companies of Highlanders had been left at Carlisle under the command of Colonel Hamilton, but it was now proposed to strengthen the garrison by the addition of the Manchester Regiment, in case the town should be besieged by the Duke of Cumberland.

  To this plan Colonel Townley raised no objection, as his men were disinclined to proceed further, and he doubted whether they could be induced to cross the Border. He was therefore appointed commander of the town garrison, while Colonel Hamilton retained the governorship of the citadel.

  The Scottish army did not remain more than a day in Carlisle, and none of the men wished to be left behind.

  On the contrary, it was sorely against their inclination that the three companies of the Duke of Perth’s regiment remained with Colonel Hamilton.

  On the morning of the prince’s departure from Carlisle, the Manchester Regiment, now reduced to a hundred and twenty men, was drawn up on the esplanade of the old castle. With it was Colonel Townley, now commandant of the garrison. On the glacis, also, were ranged the three companies of Highlanders who were to be left with Colonel Hamilton.

  Already the greater portion of the Scottish army had quitted the town, but Charles remained behind to bid adieu to his devoted adherents. Apparently he was much moved as he thus addressed the officers and men of the Manchester Regiment:

  “I am loth to leave you here, but since it is your wish not to cross the Border, I do not urge you to accompany me to Scotland.” Then addressing the Highland companies, he added: “Scotsmen, you must remain here for a short time longer. Should the town be besieged, you need have no fear. The castle can hold out for a month, and long before that time I will come to your assistance with a strong force.”

  This address was received with loud cheers, both by Englishmen and Scots.

  Colonel Townley then stepped forward and said:

  “Your royal highness may rely upon it that we will hold the place till your return. We will never surrender.”

  “I will answer for my men,” added Colonel Hamilton. “The Duke of Cumberland and Marshal Wade shall batter the castle about our ears before we will give it up.”

  “I am quite satisfied with this assurance,” rejoined the prince. Then turning to Captain Legh, he said to him: “Will you remain, or accompany me to Scotland?”

  “Since your royal highness allows me the choice, I will remain with the regiment,” replied Atherton. “I think I can best serve you here.”

  Charles looked hard at him, but did not attempt to dissuade him from his purpose.

  “I leave you in a perilous post,” he said; “but I am well aware of your bravery. I hope we shall soon meet again. Adieu!”

  He then mounted his steed, and waving his hand to the two colonels, rode off.

  CHAPTER II.

  ATHERTON TAKEN PRISONER.

  Surrounded by walls built in the time of Henry the Eighth, Carlisle, at the period of our history, boasted a fortress that had successfully resisted many an attack made upon it by the Scots.

  Situated on an eminence, and partly surrounded by a broad, deep moat, fed by the river Eden, the citadel, strongly garrisoned and well provided with guns and ammunition, would seem to be almost impregnable. At the foot of the western walls flowed the river Caldew, while the castle overlooked the beautiful river Eden.

  On the summit of the keep floated the prince’s standard, and from this lofty station remarkably fine views could be obtained. On one side could be noted the junction of the Caldew and the Eden that takes place below the castle, and adds to the strength of its position. The course of the Eden could likewise be traced as it flowed through fertile meadows, to pour its waters, augmented by those of the Caldew, into the Solway Firth.

  From the same point of observation could likewise be descried the borders of Dumfries, with the Cheviot Hills on the right, while on the other side the view extended to the stern grey hills of Northumberland. Looking south, the eye ranged over a sweeping tract in the direction of Penrith. Of course the keep looked down upon the ancient cathedral which closely adjoined the castle, and upon the town with its old gates and bulwarks.

  Though the walls had become dilapidated, and were of no great strength, yet, from its position and from its castle, it would seem that Carlisle was able to stand a lengthened siege; and such was the opinion of Colonel Townley, who considered it tenable against any force that could be brought against it by the Duke of Cumberland.

  One important matter, however, could not be overlooked. The inhabitants were hostile, and were only controlled by the garrison. In Carlisle, as in all Border towns, there was an hereditary dislike of the Scots, and this feeling had been heightened by the recent events.

  Immediately after the prince’s departure, Colonel Townley examined the walls, and caused certain repairs to be made. Guns were mounted by his direction, and chevaux de frise fixed at all the gates and entrances.

  A house from which the prince’s army had been fired upon was likewise burnt, to intimidate the inhabitants; and notice was given that any violation of the commandant’s orders would be severely punished. A sallying party was sent out under the command of Captain Legh to procure forage and provisions, and returned well supplied.

  Amongst the most active and efficient of the officers was Tom Syddall, who had now been raised to the post of adjutant, and rendered the colonel great service. As the number of men ran short, Parson Coppock, whose military ardour equalled his religious zeal, abandoned his gown and cassock, and putting on military accoutrements, acted as quarter-master to the regiment.

  The greatest zeal and activity were displayed both by the officers and men of the corps, and Colonel Townley seemed almost ubiquitous.

  Colonel Hamilton lacked the spirit and energy displayed by the commandant of the town, and was content to remain quietly shut up within the walls of the castle, leaving the more arduous duties to Colonel Townley, who discharged them, as we have shown, most efficiently. Moreover, though he kept the opinion to himself, Colonel Hamilton felt that the garrison would be compelled to capitulate, unless it should be reinforced.

  By the end of the third day all possible preparations for the siege had been made by Colonel Townley, and he now deemed himself secure.

  On the following day Captain Legh was sent with a message to the governor, and found the castle in a good state of defence. The court-yard was full of Highland soldiers; a few cannon were planted on the battlements, and sentinels were pacing to and fro on the walls.

  Colonel Hamilton was on the esplanade at the time, conversing with Captain Abernethy and some other Scottish officers, and Atherton waited till he was disengaged to deliver his message to him; but before the governor could send a reply, a small party of horse, with an officer at their head, could be seen approaching the city from the Penrith Road.

  Evidently they were English dragoons. After reconnoitring for a few moments, Colonel Hamilton gave his glass to Atherton, who thought they must be coming to summon the city to surrender.

  “No doubt of it,” replied the governor. “I wonder what Colonel Townley’s answer will be?”

  “A scornful refusal,” rejoined Captain Legh, surprised.

  “That is all very well now,” remarked the governor, shrugging his shoulders; “but we shall have to capitulate in the end.”

  “Does your excellency really think so?”

  “I do,�
� replied Hamilton.

  The answer returned by Colonel Townley was such as Atherton had anticipated. He positively refused to surrender the city, and declared he would hold it to the last extremity.

  On the following day the Duke of Cumberland appeared before the town with his whole army, and immediately began to invest it on all sides. He continued his siege operations for nearly a week, during which a constant fire was kept up from the walls and from the larger guns of the castle, and frequent sallies were made by the garrison. One of these, headed by Captain Legh, was attended with some little success. He drove the enemy from their trenches, and nearly captured the Duke of Richmond.

  Hitherto, the besieged party had sustained very little damage, and had only lost a few men. The duke had not indeed opened fire upon them, because he had not received some artillery which he expected from Whitehaven.

  Colonel Townley, therefore, continued in high spirits, and even Colonel Hamilton acquired greater confidence. One morning, however, they were startled by perceiving a six-gun battery, which had been erected during the night. Colonel Townley did not lose courage even at this sight; but the governor was seriously alarmed.

  “We shall be compelled to submit,” he said; “and must make the best terms we can.”

  “Submit! never!” cried Colonel Townley. “We had better die by the sword than fall into the hands of those cursed Hanoverians. The duke will show us no mercy. Oh that we could but get possession of those guns!”

  “Give me twenty well-mounted men and a dozen led horses, and I will bring off a couple of the guns,” cried Atherton.

  “The attempt were madness,” cried Colonel Townley.

  “Madness or not, I am ready to make it,” rejoined Captain Legh.

  Half-an-hour afterwards the north gate, which was nearest the battery, was suddenly thrown open, and Captain Legh, mounted on a strong horse, and followed by twenty well-mounted men, half of whom had spare horses furnished with stout pieces of rope, dashed at a headlong pace towards the battery. The attack was so sudden and unexpected that the enemy was quite taken by surprise. Only an officer of artillery and half-a-dozen artillerymen were near the battery at the time, and before they could fly to their guns, Captain Legh and his party were upon them, and drove them off. A desperate effort was made to carry off two of the guns, but it was found impossible to move the heavy carriages.

  The Duke of Cumberland, who was at a short distance with his aide-de-camp, Colonel Conway, planning and directing the operations, witnessed the attack, and instantly ordered Conway with a troop of horse to seize the daring assailants.

  But the latter dashed off as hard as they could to the gate, and gained it just in time. All got in safely with the exception of their leader, who was captured by Colonel Conway and led back to the duke.

  CHAPTER III.

  THE DUKE OF CUMBERLAND.

  William, Duke of Cumberland, second surviving son of the reigning sovereign, was at this time a handsome young man of twenty-four.

  Strongly built, but well proportioned, he had bluff and rather coarse but striking features. Young as he was, the duke had gained considerable military experience. He had fought with his father, George the Second, at the battle of Dettingen, in 1743, and in May, 1745, he engaged Marshal Saxe at Fontenoy, and sustained a most crushing defeat — highly prejudicial to English renown.

  Though thus defeated by the superior military skill of Marshal Saxe, the duke displayed so much gallantry and personal courage during the action, that he did not lose his popularity in England, but was very well received on his return; and on the outbreak of the rebellion in the same year, followed by the defeat of General Cope at Preston Pans, the attack on Edinburgh, and the march of the young Chevalier at the head of the Highland army into England, he assumed the command of the royal forces, and prepared to drive the rebels out of the kingdom. But instead of doing this, to the general surprise, he allowed the Scots to continue their advance as far as Derby, and it will always remain doubtful whether, if the prince had marched on to London, his daring attempt would not have been crowned by success. A contemporary historian unquestionably thought so, and emphatically declares: “Had the adventurer proceeded in his career with the expedition which he had hitherto used, he might have made himself master of the metropolis, where he would have been certainly joined by a considerable number of his well-wishers, who waited impatiently for his approach.”2 But when the prince commenced his retreat the duke immediately started in pursuit, though he made no real efforts to overtake him; and, as we have seen, he was repulsed by Lord George Gordon at Clifton, near Penrith. Again, instead of pursuing the rebels into Scotland, he sat down to besiege Carlisle. The duke was surrounded by his staff when Captain Legh was brought before him by Colonel Conway.

  “Who is this rash fellow, who seems anxious to throw away his life?” demanded the duke.

  “I thought I knew him, for his features seem strangely familiar to me,” replied Colonel Conway. “But I must be mistaken. He gives his name as Atherton Legh, captain of the Manchester Regiment.”

  “Atherton Legh! ha!” cried the duke. Then fixing a stern look upon the young man, he said:

  “You had better have remained faithful to the Government, sir. Now you will die as a traitor and a rebel.”

  “I am prepared to meet my fate, whatever it may be,” replied Atherton, firmly.

  “I might order you for instant execution,” pursued the duke. “But you shall have a fair trial with the rest of the garrison. It must surrender to-morrow.”

  “Your royal highness is mistaken — the garrison can hold out for a week.”

  “’Tis you who are mistaken, Captain Legh,” rejoined the duke, haughtily. “I have just received a letter from Colonel Hamilton, offering me terms of submission.”

  “I am indeed surprised to hear it,” said Atherton. “Your royal highness may credit me when I affirm that the citadel is in a very good state of defence, has plenty of arms and ammunition, and ought to hold out for a month.”

  “That may be,” rejoined the duke. “But I tell you I have received a letter from the governor, asking for terms. However, I will only accept an unconditional surrender.”

  “Colonel Townley, the commander of the city garrison, will hold out to the last,” said Atherton.

  “Colonel Townley is a brave man, and may die sword in hand; but hold the town he cannot. His regiment does not number a hundred men. You see I am well informed, Captain Legh. To-morrow you will see your colonel again.”

  “I shall be glad to see him again — but not here,” replied Atherton.

  “Take the prisoner hence,” said the duke to Colonel Conway. “Let him be well treated — but carefully watched.”

  Colonel Conway bowed, and Atherton was removed by the guard.

  * * *

  2

  Smollett’s History of England. Reign of George the Second.

  CHAPTER IV.

  SURRENDER OF CARLISLE TO THE DUKE OF CUMBERLAND.

  Shortly after the incident just related, fire was opened from the battery, but not much damage was done; it being the duke’s intention to alarm the garrison, rather than injure the town. A few shots were directed against the castle, and struck the massive walls of the keep. The fire was answered by the besieged — but without any effect.

  At this juncture it was with great difficulty that the inhabitants could be kept in check, and, with the small force at his command, it became evident to Colonel Townley that he must surrender.

  Calling his officers together, he thus addressed them:

  “Our position is most critical. Outside the walls we are completely blockaded, and inside the inhabitants are against us. One means of escape has occurred to me; but it is so hazardous, that it ought scarcely to be adopted. A sortie might be made by a small party of horse, and these might succeed in cutting their way through the enemy. If a couple of barges could be found, the rest might manage to float down the Eden.”

  “That plan has occurred t
o me, colonel,” said Captain Dawson. “But it is impracticable, since all the barges and boats have been destroyed. Possibly a few men might escape by swimming down the river — but in no other way.”

  “No,” said Colonel Townley; “we are so completely environed that escape is impossible, unless we could cut our way through the enemy, and this cannot be done, since there are no horses for the men. I will never abandon my gallant regiment. Since Colonel Hamilton has resolved to surrender, it is impossible for me to hold out longer — though I would a thousand times rather die with arms in my hand than submit to the mercy of the Duke of Cumberland.”

  Several plans were then proposed, but were rejected, as none seemed feasible; and at last a muster was made of the regiment, and Colonel Townley’s resolution being communicated to the men, was received by them with the greatest sorrow.

  Later on in the day, Colonel Townley repaired to the citadel, where he had a conference with the governor, and endeavoured to induce him to change his purpose, but in vain.

  On the following morning the besieged town of Carlisle presented a singular spectacle. The inhabitants, who had hitherto been kept in awe by the garrison, assembled in the streets, and did not attempt to hide their exultation; while the Highlanders in the castle, and the officers and men of the Manchester Regiment, looked deeply dejected, and stood listlessly at their posts. The cause of all these mingled feelings of ill-concealed satisfaction on one side, and deep dejection on the other, was, that the garrison had declared its intention to surrender by hanging out the white flag. The men still stood to their arms — the engineers and artillerymen remained upon the walls — the gates of the city were still guarded — but not a gun had been fired. All was terrible expectation.