Shortly before the second Siege of Carlisle, Charles was met by a selection of his highest officers to debate a retreat from the castle. Charles protested the move, but after hours of debate, Charles accepted the retreat of two generals and 100 men back to Scotland. Soon after the remaining men approx 900 met with the Duke of Cumberland as he began his siege. The Dukes men numbered around and up to 1000. The Jacobites then held out for one week, and on the 18th of December, the retreating men arrived after hearing the call.