Weary of civil
strife, depressed with fear of Cromwell's severities, and
distrustful of the Presbyterians, who chiefly composed the young
king's army, the Royalists had not gathered to his standard in
such numbers as he had anticipated. His troops, since leaving
Scotland, had been reinforced merely by two thousand men; but
Charles had hopes that fresh recruits would join him when news of
the rising got noised abroad.
The Republicans were filled with dismay at the king's determined
action, but were prompt to make a counter-move, Accordingly,
additional troops were levied, London was left to be defended by
volunteers, and Cromwell, heading an army of thirty-four thousand
men, marched against the Royalists. On the 28th of August, they
drew near Worcester, and on the 3rd of September the battle was
fought which will remain for ever famous in the annals of civil
war. On the morning of that day, the king, ascending the
cathedral tower, saw the enemy's forces advancing towards
Worcester: before reaching the city, it was necessary they
should cross the Severn, and, in order to prevent this if
possible, Charles hurried down and directed that some of his
troops, under the command of Montgomery, should defend Powick
Bridge; whilst he stationed others under Colonel Pitscottie lower
down, at a point of the river towards which the Republicans were
marching with pontoons, by means of which they intended to cross.
The young king, hopeful of victory and full of enthusiasm, rode
speedily out at the head of his troops and placed them at their
various stations.
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