Had Harry's men been armed with muskets it would have been next to impossible for the enemy to succeed in doing this in the face of their fire.

But the fire of their short weapons was wild and uncertain, except at short distances.
Very many of the Roundheads fell, but others pressed forward bravely, and succeeded in throwing their beams across the stream.

By this time Harry had led out all his force from the mill, and a desperate fight took place at the bridge.

The enemy lined the opposite bank in such force that none of the defenders could show their heads above the barricade of sacks, and Harry came to the conclusion that further resistance was vain.

He ordered Jacob to take all the men with the exception of ten and to retire at once across the ford.