battle of Preston

Preston, battle of, 1648. In the spring of 1648 a series of uncoordinated risings heralded the second civil war. In July a sizeable Scottish army under Hamilton crossed the border near Carlisle, shadowed by Lambert. Hamilton had substantially more men, but they were badly strung out and were caught still disorganized outside Preston on 17 August. When the royalists withdrew south during the night, a running fight developed. Hamilton's infantry surrendered at Warrington: he and his cavalry were eventually rounded up at Uttoxeter.