That night, by riding late, they reached it.
They found that Essex had, in his retreat, surprised Cirencester and had passed Farringdon.
The prince, with five thousand horse, started, and marching with great rapidity, got between Reading and the enemy, and, near Newbury, fell upon the Parliament horse.

For several hours sharp skirmishing went on, and Essex was forced to halt his army at Hungerford.

This gave time for the king, who was marching at the head of his infantry, to come up.

The royal army occupied Newbury, and by the position they had taken up, were now between the Roundheads and London.
On the morning of the 20th of September the outpost of each force became engaged, and the battle soon raged along the whole line.

It was to some extent a repetition of the battle of Edgehill.