Lord Colchester, son of the earl of Rivers, was the first officer that deserted to the prince; and he was attended by a few of his troops.

Lord Lovelace made a like effort: but was intercepted by the militia under the duke of Beaufort, and taken prisoner; Lord Cornbury, son of the earl of Clarendon, was more successful.

He attempted to carry over three regiments of cavalry; and he actually brought a considerable part of them to the prince's quarters.

Several officers of distinction informed Feversham, the general, that they could not in conscience fight against the prince of Orange.
Lord Churchill had been raised from the rank of a page had been invested with a high command in the army, had been created a peer, and had owed his whole fortune to the king's favor: yet even he could resolve, during the present extremity, to desert his unhappy master, who had ever reposed entire confidence in him.

He carried with him the duke of Grafton, natural son of the late king, Colonel Berkeley, and some troops of dragoons.