Cromwell was besieging Perth when the first rumours reached him that Charles and his forces had begun their march towards England. On 2nd August, 1651, Perth surrendered and Cromwell proceeded at once to divide his troops, leaving one section under Monck to complete the subjugation of Scotland, and leading in person the more numerous body in pursuit of the Scottish army. Monck had no organised enemies to face him in the field and his task was to subdue the towns which still resisted.
