Town, many of the Enemy’s horse fled towards Lancaster; in the chase of whom went divers of our horse, who pursued them near ten miles, and had execution of them, and took about five-hundred horse and many prisoners. We possessed in this Fight very much of the Enemy’s ammunition; I believe they lost four or five thousand arms. The number of slain we judge to be about a thousand; the prisoners we took were about four-thousand.
In the night the Duke was drawing-off his Army towards Wigan; we were so wearied with the dispute that we did not so well attend the Enemy’s going off as might have been; by means whereof the Enemy was gotten at least three miles with his rear before ours got to them. I ordered Colonel Thornhaugh to command two or three regiments of horse to follow the Enemy, if it were possible to make him stand till we could bring up the Army. The Enemy marched away seven or eight thousand foot and about four-thousand horse; we followed him with about three-thousand foot and two-thousand five-hundred horse and dragoons; and, in this prosecution, that worthy gentleman, Colonel Thornhaugh, pressing too boldly, was slain, being run into the body and thigh and head by the Enemy’s lancers.[1] And give me leave to say, he was a man as faithful and gallant in your service as any; and one who often heretofore lost blood in your quarrel, and now his last. He hath left some behind him to inherit a Father’s honour; and a sad Widow;—both now the interest of the Commonwealth.
Our horse still prosecuted the Enemy; killing and taking divers all the way. At last the Enemy drew-up within three miles of Wigan; and by that time our Army was come up, they drew-off again, and recovered Wigan before we could attempt anything upon them. We lay that night in the field close by the Enemy ; being very dirty and weary, and having marched twelve miles of such ground as I never rode in all my
- ↑ ‘Run through with a lancier in Chorley, he wanting his arms,’ says Hodgson. For ‘arms’ read ‘armour,’ corslet, etc. This is the Colonel Thornhaugh so often mentioned, praised and mourned for, by Mrs. Hutchinson.
