This defect, which they concealed from the soldiers, they resolved to supply by their valor.
They agreed to advance without firing till they should reach the top of the hill, and could be on equal ground with the enemy.

The courage of the officers was so well seconded by the soldiers, that the royalists began on all sides to gain ground.

Major-General Chidley, who commanded the parliamentary army, (for Stamford kept at a distance,) failed not in his duty; and when he saw his men recoil, he himself advanced with a good stand of pikes, and piercing into the thickest of the enemy, was at last overpowered by numbers, and taken prisoner.

His army, upon this disaster, gave ground apace; insomuch that the four parties of the royalists, growing nearer and nearer as they ascended, at length met together upon the plain at the top; where they embraced with great joy, and signalized their victory with loud shouts and mutual congratulations.[*] After this success, the attention both of king and parliament was turned towards the west, as to a very important scene of action.

The king sent thither the marquis of Hertford and Prince Maurice, with a reenforcement of cavalry; who, having joined the Cornish army, soon overran the county of Devon; and advancing into that of Somerset, began to reduce it to obedience.