Battle of Winchester 28 Feb

Waller’s Roundhead army marched out of Farnham on 22 feb and marched through Alton to New Alresford. The outskirts of Winchester were reached on the evening of 27 Feb. The town was already in a state of readiness as Hopton's Royalist army was almost ready to march out of the town anyway. Lack of scouting though meant Hopton was taken by suprise. Dawn on the 28 feb saw Waller attempt a surprise attack on Winchester. Hopton's men were completely thrown off guard and the surprise assault saw Waller’s troops gain entry to the town. However victory was within his grasp when one final sortie by the Royalists pushed his troops back out of the town and outside the town walls. The attack came within a miniscule of succeeding but in the event Hopton held out and the town remained in Royalist hands. Much powder was used in the fight. Waller’s losses amounted to almost half his army, 3000, in injury death and desertions following his assualt. Royalist casualties were less severe with around 400 dead and injured. Both sides spent the 29 feb licking their wounds.