Protesting, these ladies enter Bacon's camp, who sends one as envoy into the town with the message that, if Berkeley attacks, the whole number of women shall be placed as shield to Bacon's men who build earthworks.
He was as good--or as bad--as his word.

At the first show of action against his workmen these royalist women were placed in the front and were kept there until Bacon had made his counter-line of defense.
Sir William Berkeley had great faults, but at times--not always--he displayed chivalry.

For that day "the ladies' white aprons" guarded General Bacon and all his works.

The next day, the defenses completed, this "white garde" was withdrawn.
Berkeley waited no longer but, though now at a disadvantage, opened fire and charged with his men through gate and over earthworks.

The battle that followed was short and decisive.