This night we march in the rain through the muddy lanes of Somerset from Keynsham towards Warminster, crossing the Downs near Bath. Which is why, I can see the sun rising over the City of Bath, from the top of Odd Down. Whilst behind me the Army has become a struggling line of men, horses and wagons, deep in mud and soaked through to their skin. From this vantage point, we post out-guards and let the men take provisions, then we rest awhile. It takes another hour for his Majesty to come up to this place with his Life Guard and another for the rest of the Foot Guards to arrive.
By this time, I can spy a good crowd of people looking at us from Bath itself, which is only a mile away. Therefore, to cover our movement to Warminster, it is agreed that a strong party of Horse under Major Manley and Lord Grey will advance towards the City. Then, as an act of bravado, they will summons the City’s to surrender, for no other reason than to confuse our enemy a little more. With this agreed and Lord Grey dispatched, I set off once more with the van, now made up from the Foot Guards, the White Regiment and two squadrons of Horse. The White are to secure the crossing at Midford, whilst we continue as far as possible towards Warminster this day.
On reaching the ford at Midford, a scout returns from Freshford with a report that at least 3 enemy Regiments of Foot and two squadrons of Horse are approaching our location from Trowbridge. We therefore station the White and Yellow, who have now come up to us, to cover the enemy advance. This force under Col. Ffoulkes move onto the Down over looking the ford, who deploys his men along the hedge facing the enemy’s line of advance. They now seeing our men so well placed, halt a double musket shot from our position but quickly retired when Col. Ffoulkes throws forward his out-guards. So, with this enemy being no threat at all, it is agreed that the Foot Guards, the Horse and I continued as far as Philips Norton, where we shall setup camp for the evening.
To test the enemy’s dispositions, I sent out scouts toward Radstock, Warminster and Farleigh to bring back news of any enemy, and it is here that poor Capt. Kidd finds me. As he brings news of the events in Warminster, I ask that he gives his report, before resting, which he does by telling me “that his Majesties forces had gathered in Warminster, with men from Westbury, Trowbridge and all around banding together. Then yesterday, they advanced from Warminster to Frome, where the Town sheriff had declared the place for his Majesty and yet more men joined. It was only now that they started to gather whatever arms they could find but lacking any officers, for I didn’t wish to announce myself and Major Adlam had departed, the 2 or 3000 men were in some confusion. Then a troop of enemy Horse appeared to the east of the town and proceeded to charged this mob, who quick broke and ran, leaving the poor sheriff alone to be arrested. With this I too left but first travelled to Keynesham, only to find you already departed”, and so went our 3000 Wiltshire men back to their homes.
It took a long while of the rest of the Army to come into our camp, for the path from Midford was more like a river than road and the baggage needed assistance all the way. Only once the town was secured, his men provisioned, fires set and shelters started, did his Majesty called a Council in the George Inn, which was now his headquarters. I shared the news from Capt. Kidd and this made his Majesty melancholy, something I have not seen in him for some time, however, next I reported that my scouts had not seen any Militia or other enemy forces close to the Warminster road to London. With this the mood lightened in the Council and it was agreed that we should continue early in the morning for Warminster.
To ensure the safety of our camp, we now placed strong out-guards and put barricades across the entrances into the town. Likewise, the cannon are stationed outside the George Inn and the Horse have billets in the town itself. Whilst, our Foot sleep on their arms in the two fields near the Church. So, after dispatching Capt. Kidd towards Bath to spy on the enemy’s numbers, I now take up residence in the Manor House with the other officers from the Foot Guards. Here I dry my cloths and rest a little, although there two alarms in the night, including an attempt on his Majesties own life!
Today we sailed in the Heldevenberg for England together with the Duke of Monmouth and 81 other gentlemen of honour
Today we sailed in the Heldevenberg for England together with the Duke of Monmouth and 81 other gentlemen of honour
Today we sailed in the Heldevenberg for England together with the Duke of Monmouth and 81 other gentlemen of honour
This evening the Duke of Monmouth issues his commissions and gives instruction on the forming of his Army
This evening the Duke of Monmouth issues his commissions and gives instruction on the forming of his Army
This evening the Duke of Monmouth issues his commissions and gives instruction on the forming of his Army
This evening a small party is landed at Seatown to send word of Monmouth’s landing at Lyme tomorrow.
This evening a small party is landed at Seatown to send word of Monmouth’s landing at Lyme tomorrow.
This evening a small party is landed at Seatown to send word of Monmouth’s landing at Lyme tomorrow.
Monmouth’s Army now numbers over 1500 men, yet news arrives that Royal Militia is close at hand.
Monmouth’s Army now numbers over 1500 men, yet news arrives that Royal Militia is close at hand.
Monmouth’s Army now numbers over 1500 men, yet news arrives that Royal Militia is close at hand.
Today we drew first blood after a skirmish with the Militia Horse, leaving two of them dead on the field.
Today we drew first blood after a skirmish with the Militia Horse, leaving two of them dead on the field.
Today we drew first blood after a skirmish with the Militia Horse, leaving two of them dead on the field.
Today Monmouth’s Army reaches Chard, whilst it continues to grow, now over 3000 men have joined his Grace.
Today Monmouth’s Army reaches Chard, whilst it continues to grow, now over 3000 men have joined his Grace.
Today Monmouth’s Army reaches Chard, whilst it continues to grow, now over 3000 men have joined his Grace.
The Duke of Monmouth and his Army reaches Ilminster
The Duke of Monmouth and his Army reaches Ilminster
The Duke of Monmouth and his Army reaches Ilminster
Monmouth and his Army reach Taunton this evening.
Monmouth and his Army reach Taunton this evening.
Monmouth and his Army reach Taunton this evening.
Today we entered Taunton and a new Foot Regiment, the Blue, is raised from Taunton-men.
Today we entered Taunton and a new Foot Regiment, the Blue, is raised from Taunton-men.
Today we entered Taunton and a new Foot Regiment, the Blue, is raised from Taunton-men.
The Duke of Monmouth is proclaimed King at the market cross.
The Duke of Monmouth is proclaimed King at the market cross.
The Duke of Monmouth is proclaimed King at the market cross.
We can now field an Army of 5 Horse Squadrons, 5 Foot Battalions & 4 field cannon.
We can now field an Army of 5 Horse Squadrons, 5 Foot Battalions & 4 field cannon.
We can now field an Army of 5 Horse Squadrons, 5 Foot Battalions & 4 field cannon.
There is a skirmish between our Horse and those of the enemy at Langport whilst the clubmen look to join with us.
There is a skirmish between our Horse and those of the enemy at Langport whilst the clubmen look to join with us.
There is a skirmish between our Horse and those of the enemy at Langport whilst the clubmen look to join with us.
This day we have progressed to Shepton Mallet but the heavy rain is slowing our advance.
This day we have progressed to Shepton Mallet but the heavy rain is slowing our advance.
This day we have progressed to Shepton Mallet but the heavy rain is slowing our advance.
This day we reach Pensford but have word the enemy has damaged the Keynsham Bridge
This day we reach Pensford but have word the enemy has damaged the Keynsham Bridge
This day we reach Pensford but have word the enemy has damaged the Keynsham Bridge
Monmouth and his Army reach Philips Norton after a long march in heavy rain.
Monmouth and his Army reach Philips Norton after a long march in heavy rain.
Monmouth and his Army reach Philips Norton after a long march in heavy rain.
Today there is a Battle between Monmouth’s Army and the enemy at Philips Norton.
Today there is a Battle between Monmouth’s Army and the enemy at Philips Norton.
Today there is a Battle between Monmouth’s Army and the enemy at Philips Norton.
This day Monmouth and his arrive exhausted at Frome after a night march in the rain
This day Monmouth and his arrive exhausted at Frome after a night march in the rain
This day Monmouth and his arrive exhausted at Frome after a night march in the rain
The council of War debate the General Pardon issued by the enemy and elect to fight on.
The council of War debate the General Pardon issued by the enemy and elect to fight on.
The council of War debate the General Pardon issued by the enemy and elect to fight on.
Monmouth and his Army finding the path to London closed retires West to Shepton Mallet.
Monmouth and his Army finding the path to London closed retires West to Shepton Mallet.
Monmouth and his Army finding the path to London closed retires West to Shepton Mallet.
This day we captured enemy baggage as Wells and rest here for the night.
This day we captured enemy baggage as Wells and rest here for the night.
This day we captured enemy baggage as Wells and rest here for the night.
This day as we marched to Pedwell to meet the grand Clubmen Army of Somerset, yet upon our arrival, they only number some 200 men.
This day as we marched to Pedwell to meet the grand Clubmen Army of Somerset, yet upon our arrival, they only number some 200 men.
This day as we marched to Pedwell to meet the grand Clubmen Army of Somerset, yet upon our arrival, they only number some 200 men.
Monmouth and his Army return to Bridgwater and start to fortify the town
Monmouth and his Army return to Bridgwater and start to fortify the town
Monmouth and his Army return to Bridgwater and start to fortify the town
The Army remains at Bridgwater and this evening the local men are allowed to return to their homes as the enemy doesn’t press us.
The Army remains at Bridgwater and this evening the local men are allowed to return to their homes as the enemy doesn’t press us.
The Army remains at Bridgwater and this evening the local men are allowed to return to their homes as the enemy doesn’t press us.
This afternoon we prepare to march overnight to Axbridge meanwhile the enemy has advanced to Westonzoyland
This afternoon we prepare to march overnight to Axbridge meanwhile the enemy has advanced to Westonzoyland
This afternoon we prepare to march overnight to Axbridge meanwhile the enemy has advanced to Westonzoyland
By late afternoon it is clear our enemy camps at Weston but leaves their right flank in the air.
By late afternoon it is clear our enemy camps at Weston but leaves their right flank in the air.
By late afternoon it is clear our enemy camps at Weston but leaves their right flank in the air.
This night we march to Longmoor to surprise the enemy but a troopers pistol goes off at half-cock.
This night we march to Longmoor to surprise the enemy but a troopers pistol goes off at half-cock.
This night we march to Longmoor to surprise the enemy but a troopers pistol goes off at half-cock.
We advance with haste to the Ditch guided by the match of our enemy
We advance with haste to the Ditch guided by the match of our enemy
We advance with haste to the Ditch guided by the match of our enemy
With the Rebellion lost, it is every man for himself, Wade, Goodenough, Ferguson and a party make their Escape from Ilfracombe.
With the Rebellion lost, it is every man for himself, Wade, Goodenough, Ferguson and a party make their Escape from Ilfracombe.
With the Rebellion lost, it is every man for himself, Wade, Goodenough, Ferguson and a party make their Escape from Ilfracombe.
This is an account of the bloody and botched execution of James, Duke of Monmouth on Tower Hill.
This is an account of the bloody and botched execution of James, Duke of Monmouth on Tower Hill.
This is an account of the bloody and botched execution of James, Duke of Monmouth on Tower Hill.
With the Rebellion over the Tyrant paid bloody retribution on those that fought for your Liberty
With the Rebellion over the Tyrant paid bloody retribution on those that fought for your Liberty
With the Rebellion over the Tyrant paid bloody retribution on those that fought for your Liberty
Please pass comment