|
The Battle of Alton (also Storm of Alton),〔Young & Holmes (1974), pg. 161–163〕 of the First English Civil War, took place on 13 December 1643 in the town of Alton, Hampshire, England. There, Parliamentary forces serving under Sir William Waller led a successful surprise attack on a winter garrison of Royalist infantry and cavalry serving under the Earl of Crawford.〔 In the context of the First English Civil War, the Battle of Alton was the first decisive defeat of Sir Ralph Hopton, leader of Royalist forces in the south, and the event had a significant psychological effect on him as commander.〔 More important to Hopton was the loss of men, however, as he was already short-handed in much-needed infantry. The successful Parliamentarians were able, after their victory, to attack and successfully besiege Arundel, a larger and more formidable Royalist outpost in the south of England.〔 〔 At dawn on the 13th, as Waller's army approached Alton, Crawford fled with the cavalry to Winchester, leaving Colonel Richardus Boles to defend Alton with only the infantry. Outnumbered and overpowered, Boles's men were soon forced to seek refuge in the Church of St Lawrence, where they made a desperate last stand. Boles was killed, along with most of his remaining men. The Parliamentarians won a clear victory, losing only a few men and taking many prisoners.〔Curtis (1896), pg. 48〕 Boles's fight is also notable for its demonstrated drama and heroism.〔 Stories boast of Boles, who is said to have killed a number of his enemies before falling himself. The battle of Alton is known as one of the "most savage encounters" of the English Civil War.〔 Indeed, musket holes from this fierce fight can still be seen in the south door to the church and inside, where so many cornered men were killed and captured.〔MacLachlan (1997), pg. 182〕 The Battle of Alton was notably the first battle in the English Civil War to use leather guns, employed effectively by Waller before and during the battle proper.〔Adair (1997), pg. 143〕 ==Background== On 13 September 1643, English Parliament ordered Major General William Waller to muster forces for the "protection" of Hampshire County.〔Curtis (1896), pg. 41〕 In November, he was given control of forces stationed in Farnham, a major Parliamentary staging ground, in order to take control of Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire. These forces were supplemented by the Red Regiment (from Westminster) and the Green and Yellow regiments (from London). Also at Waller's disposal were a personal regiment of foot soldiers and surviving cavalry from the Battle of Roundway Down.〔〔Royle (2004), pg. 275–276〕 Waller marched from Farnam for Odiham and Alton, intending to occupy these towns while gradually approaching his objective, Basing. While not of great strategic importance, Basing's proximity to the main road between London, Salisbury, and Winchester made it worthy of attention. Marching toward Alton, Waller halted at Bentley Green on 3 November, where he determined his capabilities. He marched further that day, but later retreated to Farnham.〔Curtis (1896), pg. 42〕〔 On 2 November, Waller attacked one hundred men of Bennett's at Alton. From 7–9 November, Waller laid siege to Basing House, but withdrew to Basingstoke in failure, with his soldiers near mutiny from poor weather conditions. He tried again on the night of 11 November, but retreated to Farnham to await Hopton's army.〔 Hopton arrived on 27 November, given by King Charles 1,580 horse, but only around 2,000 conscripted infantry and 500 troops recently returned from fighting in Munster, Ireland. Hopton had been ordered in late September to make secure Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire, and to push as far as possible toward London.〔〔 Toward this end, Hopton spread his men across Hampshire County, quartering them for the winter at Winchester, Alresford, Petersfield and Alton. He did so to alleviate the burden on any one town, and because winter was approaching quickly. However, this left his army vulnerable. Hopton placed Crawford in charge of Alton, and on 1 December Crawford began to fortify the small town as quickly as he could. Crawford had at his disposal one cavalry regiment and one infantry regiment, though his exact number of men is unknown; it was likely around 1,000.〔〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Battle of Alton」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|