Cawdor and Loft mobilize Pembrokeshire's scattered defenders

Knox was away from Fishguard when a mounted messenger brought news of the landing, and he lost roughly two hours before issuing orders. Cawdor already had his yeomanry assembled for a funeral and promptly gathered every man he could mount. On the way to Haverfordwest he collected volunteers and militia traveling to exercises, while Colby summoned about 250 men. Loft brought sailors and nine guns from Milford Haven, leaving six at Haverfordwest as a fallback position and taking three onward. Haverfordwest was roughly thirteen miles from Fishguard, giving a well-organized French force an opportunity to take the town or block reinforcements before they arrived.