Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, III, 153, 1803, II, 166, 1833;
“preserved by tradition in Selkirkshire.”
After six brilliant victories, at Tipper-muir, Aberdeen, Inverlochy,
Auldearn, Alford, Kilsyth, gained in less than a year, September 1,
1644–August 15, 1645, Montrose was surprised by David Leslie at
Philiphaugh, September 13 following, and his army cut to pieces or
dispersed. This army, consisting of only five hundred Irish foot and
twelve hundred Scottish horse, the last all gentry, was lying at
Philiphaugh, a meadow on the west side of the Ettrick, and at Selkirk,
on and above the opposite bank. Leslie came down from the north with
four thousand cavalry and some infantry, was less than four miles from
Selkirk the night of the twelfth, and on the morrow, favored by a heavy
mist, had advanced to about half a mile’s distance before his approach
was reported. A hundred and fifty of Montrose’s horse received and
repulsed two charges of greatly superior numbers; the rest stood off and
presently took to flight. The foot remained firm. Two thousand of
Leslie’s horse crossed the river and got into Montrose’s rear, and made
resistance vain. Montrose and a few friends hewed their way through the
enemy.[58]