f Monmouth's
cavalry, and cutting his way through them, came off safe. Though the
two armies were now face to face, neither was anxious to engage in a
general action. Feversham was waiting for his artillery, and Monmouth
knew that his followers, in spite of their courage and zeal, were no
match for regular soldiers. He had hoped that those regiments which he
had formerly commanded would pass over to his standard, but that hope he
was now compelled to relinquish; his heart filled, and he almost gave
way to despair. Even at this time a proclamation was circulated, issued
by James the Second, offering an amnesty to all who would lay down their
arms and abandon Monmouth, excepting certain leaders who were expressly
named. A meeting was accordingly held by some of Monmouth's chief
supporters, who proposed that those who were excluded from the amnesty
should retreat to the coast and embark for Holland, leaving their
followers to make such terms as they could with the Government.
Monmouth in the present desponding mood was much disposed to adopt this
measure. He did not look upon it as a disgraceful proceeding. Many
lives would be saved, and he and his officers would preserve theirs.
The step, however, was strongly opposed by Lord Grey, who implored the
Duke to face any danger rather than requite with ingratitude and
treachery the devoted attachment of the western peasantry. Abandoning
this project, Monmouth, hearing that there was a rising of the
inhabitants of the districts in the neighbourhood of Bridgewater,
determined to return thither, and re-entered that town on the 2nd of
July, having passed through Wells on his way. He now thought of
fortifying that place, and had commenced the undertaking when the king's
forces appeared in sight. They consisted of two thousand five hundred
troops, and one thousand five hundred of the Wiltshire militia. Instead
of at once attacking the Duke, they encamped on the plain of Sedgemoor,
about three miles from Bridgewater. Stephen Battiscombe, by his courage
and judgment, had risen high in Monmouth's favour, and now, with several
other officers, accompanied the Duke to the top of the parish church
steeple, the loftiest in the county. From it a wide view could be
obtained, and with their glasses they could distinguish across the moor
the villages where the royal army was posted. In one of them, Weston
Zoyland, lay the royal cavalry, and here Feversham had fixed his
head-quarters