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Powick Bridge

The Battle of Powick Bridge was fought on 23 September 1642 south of Worcester, England, during the First English Civil War, between elements of the principal field armies of the Royalists and the Parliamentarians. A Royalist convoy carrying valuables took refuge in Worcester and reinforcements were sent under Prince Rupert. The Parliamentarians sent a detachment, commanded by Colonel John Brown, to capture the convoy. Each force consisted of around 1,000 mounted troops, a mix of cavalry and dragoons. The Parliamentarians approached from the south, up narrow lanes, and straight into Rupert's force, which was resting in a field. The Royalist dragoons fired at point-blank range as the Parliamentarians emerged. Rupert's cavalry then charged and broke most of the Parliamentarian cavalry. Brown covered his cavalry's escape with his dragoons at Powick Bridge (pictured), but his cavalry fled 15 miles (24 km) further, causing panic among part of the main Parliamentarian army. (Full article...)

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Today's featured picture

Henry Highland Garnet (1815–1882) was an American abolitionist, minister, educator and orator. Having escaped as a child from slavery in Maryland with his family, he grew up in New York City. He was educated at the African Free School and other institutions, and went on to join the American Anti-Slavery Society, delivering abolitionist speeches such as the 1843 "Call to Rebellion". On February 12, 1865, Garnet delivered a sermon in the U.S. House of Representatives while it was not in session, becoming the first African American to speak in that chamber. This photograph is an albumen silver print of Garnet, taken in around 1881.

Photograph credit: James U. Stead; restored by Adam Cuerden

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