Page 34 - Hampdens Monument Unveiled

walls of Oxford, to any point that was menaced. The
Parliamentarians, meeting with a larger force than they had
expected, had retreated without coming to action. On Saturday,
the 17th of June, about four o'clock in the afternoon, Rupert's
trumpets sounded through the streets of Oxford, and the cavalry
were called to general muster and parade. In less than half an
hour the column had passed Magdalen Bridge, and were in march
for the Parliament's country, joined as they went by the
infantry, who had been sent on the day before from the
rendezvous at Islip to different stations from which they might
fall in upon the line of the cavalry's advance.

Prince Rupert’s March and attack on Chinnor

Forming a body of about two thousand, they proceeded
cautiously towards the Chilterns, crossing the Cherwell at
Chiselhampton Bridge, and leaving Thame, where Essex lay, but
two or three miles on their left. Then, burying themselves in
the woodlands, somewhere about Stokenchurch, they proceeded to
the left, nearly opposite to the hamlets of Postcombe and
Lewknor. It was now too late to reach Wycombe. Some delays with
the infantry had made that night's expedition longer than they
had intended. They began their attack, at about three in the
morning, upon Postcombe. Here was only a troop of horse, who,
mounting as the dragoons appeared at the street's end, after a
slight skirmish retired in good order, leaving only a few
prisoners behind. But Rupert pursued the work of havoc rapidly.
At Chinnor, about two miles off, there lay according to Urrie's
information, a stronger party. Thither Rupert hastened with his
whole force of cavalry, and sweeping off the picket as he
galloped in, instantly dismounted his head most regiment of
four squadrons. He entered the quarters, slaughtering and
capturing all within; while the mounted carabineers who lined
the village street and the backs of the houses and barns where
the Parliament's soldiers lay, shot down those who attempted
escape. They then set fire to Chinnor, and left it. In this
place, according to the account published at Oxford, above
fifty were killed, and about six score prisoners were dragged
away half naked at the horses' sides to the infantry who were
in full march, under the ledge of hills to the left, to secure
the main road back to Oxford. Here they narrowly missed taking
a rich prize of money on its way to the Earl of Essex ; but
those who were with it drove the carts into a wood and escaped.
The sun had now risen, the alarm had spread, and a party of the
Parliament's horse appeared on the side of Beacon-hill.

Prince Rupert’s retreat to Chalgrove

Hampden had very lately and strongly remonstrated upon the
loose and defenceless condition in which the pickets were
spread out over a wide and difficult country. He had, the day
before, visited Major Gunter's cavalry in and about Tetsworth.