The progress of the conflict and the fierce nature of the fighting are clearly shown in these two plans. Wills and his men approached Preston across an unguarded bridge. Marching around the town, they launched attacks from the east and north.

The drawn map on the left may be by an amateur, and is not to scale or topographically accurate. It shows an earlier stage in the battle than the printed map, with Carpenter’s men approaching the town from some distance. The printed map, showing the cavalry ranged around the town, was issued as a celebration of the government victory. Although Wills was widely feted for his victory, Carpenter felt ignored and the two men came close to duelling over their ill-feeling.