Knox abandons Fishguard after overestimating the enemy

Knox interpreted reports as evidence that he faced about 3,000 attackers, despite Tate's effective strength having fallen to roughly 600 organized troops. Instead of holding Fishguard's defensible position while reinforcements approached, he withdrew toward Haverfordwest with fewer than 200 men. He ordered Fishguard Fort's guns spiked, but the Woolwich gunners refused both because they did not answer to him and because the cannon still lacked shot. When Knox met Cawdor, he tried to assert command and continue the retreat. By abandoning the position before Cawdor arrived, however, Knox had weakened the authority he might otherwise have exercised as the senior officer on the scene.