They were, in general, supplied with provisions, her ladyship seeing the
men's rations duly served. Yet were they not seldom pushed to a sally
for their dinner; their friends outside, by lights and other appointed
signals, directing the foragers in their operations.
The enemy shot 107 cannon-balls, 32 stones, and but four grenadoes. By
their own confession near 100 barrels of gunpowder were spent, part of
which was in supplies to the garrison, who often replenished their stock
at the expense of the besiegers. They lost about 500 men, besides
wounded and prisoners, according to their own returns.
The next day Rigby, with about 3000 men, drew up at Eccleston Green, six
miles only from Lathom, in great uncertainty which way to march, fearful
of meeting with Prince Rupert. In the end, imagining that his Highness
would go through Blackburn or Lancaster to the relief of York, Rigby
marched off in great haste to Bolton, then a garrison town, and well
fortified.
The Prince, hearing of their escape, together with Lord Derby,
immediately turned their forces in this direction, determined to carry
the place by assault, and revenge the insults and barbarity her ladyship
had endured.
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