On reaching the Ribble Bridge, he found a party of Highlanders placed there, and was informed by Colonel Farquharson, who commanded them, that the king's army was certainly approaching.
Still doubting, the general rode on for a few miles further, when he descried the vanguard of the enemy, and quickly turned back.
In the interval the Highlanders had left the bridge, their place being taken by three hundred of Lord Derwentwater's men, under the command of Captain Shaftoe. Angry that this change should have been made without his sanction, Forster ordered Shaftoe to abandon the bridge and return to the town.
The order was very reluctantly obeyed. Captain Shaftoe would fain have proceeded to Penwortham to dislodge Parson Woods, but was not allowed.
Immediately on his return to the town, General Forster summoned a council of war, which was attended by all the English and Scottish leaders. They were quite alive to the danger of their position, and evidently had very little reliance either on the judgment or skill of their commander.
Under these circumstances the advice of Brigadier Mackintosh was urgently requested by Lord Derwent-water and others.
“You have greater military experience than any of us, brigadier,” said the earl. “What plan do you suggest?”
“Will you follow out my plan, if I offer it?” said the brigadier.
“We will,” replied the earl. “If we waste time in discussion, the enemy will be upon us.”
“Aweel, then,” said Mackintosh. “It will be useless to defend the bridge, since the river is fordable in many places, nor do I think it would be safe to risk a battle outside the town, because the Highlanders have not yet learned to face cavalry. Nothing frightens them so much as a charge of horse. For this reason I would have the battle take place within the town, where the cavalry, of which the enemy's force chiefly consists, will be least serviceable, and where the Highlanders will fight well. Barricades and intrenchments can be thrown up in different parts of the streets, so as to impede the advance of the enemy, and a destructive fire can be poured upon them from the roofs and windows of the houses.”
All approved of the plan, except Forster, and he was overruled.
“How many barricades shall we require?--and where do you propose to erect them?” said Lord Widdring-ton.