Here his Majesty gave an incomparable example of valor to the rest, by charging in person, which the Highlanders, especially imitated in a great measure, fighting with the but-ends of their muskets, when their ammunition was spent; but new supplies of rebels being continually poured upon them, and the Scotch horse not coming up in due time from the town to his Majesties relief, his army was forced to retreat in at Sudbury gate in much disorder.
In this action Duke Hamilton (who fought valiantly) was mortally wounded, of which he dyed within few days; Sir John Douglas also received his deaths wound, and Sir Alexander Forbus was shot through both the calves of his legs, lay in the wood all night, and was brought a prisoner to Worcester the next day.
The rebels in this encounter had great advantage as well in their numbers, as by fighting both with horse and foot, against his Majesties foot only, the greatest part of his horse being wedg'd up in the town; and when the foot were defeated, a part of his Majesties horse afterwards fought against both the enemies horse and foot, upon great disadvantage.
At Sudbury gate a cart loaden with ammunition was overthrown, and lay cross the passage of the gate, so that his Majesty could not ride into the town, but was forc'd to dismount and come in on foot.
In the Friers street, his Majesty put off his armor, (which was heavy and troublesome to him,) and took a fresh horse, and then perceiving many of his foot-soldiers begin to throw down their arms and decline fighting; his Majesty rode up and down among them, sometimes with his hat in his hand, entreating them to stand to their arm's and fight like men, other whiles encouraging them; but seeing himself not able to prevail, said, I had rather you would shoot me, then keep me alive to see the sad consequences of this fatal day: Such was the magnaminity of this prophetique King.
During this hot engagement at Perry-wood and Red-hil, the rebels on the other side the water possess'd themselves of S. Johns, and those of his Majesties army that were there, without any great resistance laid down their arms and submitted to mercy.
When some of the enemy were entred, and entring the town both at the Key, Castle hill, and Sudbury gate, without any conditions; Th' Earl of Cleveland, Sir James Hamilton, Col. William Carlis (then Major to the Lord Talbot) Capt. Tho. Hornyold, Capt. Tho. Giffard, and Capt. Richard Kemble, (Captain Lieutenant to the Lord Talbot) rallied what force they could (though inconsiderable to the Rebels numbers,) and charg'd the enemy very gallantly at Sudbury gate and in the street of that name: Here Sir James and Capt. Kemble were desperately wounded, and others slain; yet this action did much secure his Majesties march out at S. Martins gate, who had otherwise been in danger of being taken in the town.
About the same time Colonel Drummond with a party of Scots maintain'd the Castle hill with much resolution, till such time as conditions were agreed on for quarter; So that the rebels, having at last subdued all their opponents, fell to plundering the city unmercifully, few or none of the citizens escaping, but such as were sectaries and of their party.
When his Majesty saw no hope of rallying his thus discomfited foot, he march'd out of Worcester at S. Martins gate, about six of the clock in the evening with his main body of horse, as then commanded by General David Lesley, but were now in some confusion.
The foot consisting most of Scots were almost all either slain or taken, and such of them (who in the battle escap'd death,) liv'd longer to dye for the most part more miserably; many of them being afterwards knock'd o'the head by country people, some bought and sold like slaves for a small price, others went begging up and down, till charity failing them, their necessities brought upon them diseases, and diseases death.