Battle of Alton
[3] 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.
[β] 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.
[10] On 13 September 1643, the English Parliament ordered Major General William Waller to muster forces for the "protection" of Hampshire County.
While not of great strategic importance, Basing's proximity to the main road between London, Salisbury, and Winchester made it worthy of attention.
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.
[5] 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.
[13] Waller did make another raid on the evening of 9 December, where a small party of his forces struck at Crawford's lodging but fell back after the minor attack.
During the morning hours of 12 December, Crawford sent a missive to Farnham, requesting of Waller that he be sent a "runlet of sack", promising an ox in exchange.
[3][14]During this exchange, Waller, eager to repair his reputation after Roundway Down,[12] promptly decided to attack Alton, the nearest Royalist outpost to Farnham and only ten miles away.
Unlike heavier artillery, a leather gun could be led by a single horse, transported efficiently over difficult terrain, and still be an effective tool for bombardment.
One Royalist sentry, however, managed to raise the alarm just before dawn, leading Crawford and his horse to quit Alton and head for Winchester at a gallop, as Waller approached the town.
Initially, Crawford and his cavalry attempted to flee from the eastern border of Alton, but were routed back into town and to the south (heading directly for Winchester) by Parliamentary horse.
The fleeing Royalists were chased for a half-mile by Waller's heavy cavalry (these under Sir Arthur Haslerig and nicknamed the "Lobsters"), losing a few men and some number of horses.
This house, however, was soon abandoned as Waller's artillery, positioned at the foot of the hill to the west, fired upon it, forcing these defenders to retreat to the church.
The Green Regiment flanked the Royalists which were behind these fortifications, forcing them out, while marching through town under the cover of smoke from a thatch house which they had set on fire.
[17] Inscribed in Boles's honour was this epitaph: Alton will tell you of that famous Fight Which ys man made, and bade this world good-night.
[5][8] Waller put his prisoners to work dragging the horse carcasses from the church, dismantling the scaffoldings inside, and burying their fallen comrades near the northern wall of the building.
[19] Waller ordered his men to demolish the town's fortifications, and had survivors that did not re-enlist paraded through the streets of London to mark his victory.
[20] King Charles, upon hearing of Boles's death, called for a mourning scarf, lamenting at the loss of what he considered to be one of "the best Commanders in this Kingdome".
God give a sudden stop to this issue of English Blood, which is the desire, Sir, of you faithful friend to serve you.Hopton was severely depressed by his defeat at Alton, more than seemed appropriate given its military import.
[21] The Parliamentary victory at the Battle of Alton allowed Waller to advance south-east, and upon Arundel where he began a successful siege on the Royalists garrisoned there.
