[367] See f. 156.
[Sidenote: 17 Feb.]
[Sidenote: Feb.]
The Prince coming before the place, summoned the castle to surrender,
and on being refused a battery was raised; but the canon being but
small, had little effect upon it, which obliged [Sidenote: _fol._
650.] the besiegers to have recourse to a sap, which being brought
near the angle of one of the bastions, the castle was surrendered and
the garrison made prisoners. This being done, Brigadier Stapleton,
with Lochiel's and Keppoch's regiments, Lord John Drummond's (which
was not compleat, a great many of them being made prisoners in their
passage to Scotland), and the French piquets, were sent to besiege
Fort Augustus, which surrendered likewise, and the garrison were made
prisoners. After which it was thought proper to leave part of Lord
John Drummond's regiment there, and to send Lochiel's and Keppoch's
regiments, the French piquets and some of Lord John Drummond's
regiment (in all not 300 men) with Brigadier Stapleton to invest Fort
William, where we shall leave them and return to the Earl of Cromarty
in pursuit of the Earl of Loudon towards Tain, where the said Earl
crossed the ferry with his [Sidenote: _fol._ 651.] men and went over
to the shire of Sutherland; where we shall again leave him for a
while and return to Inverness, from which the most of the Prince's
troops that were not employed as above were sent to Speyside, under
the command of Lord John Drummond, to guard that river against any
surprize from the Duke of Cumberland, who by that time was come with
his troop to Aberdeen, and had sent some of Kingston's horse and
some of the Argyleshire men to Keith[368] (a small village about six
miles from the river Spey), where they were all surprized and made
prisoners.
[368] See f. 1138.
As it had been assured that the Duke of Cumberland was to stay at
Aberdeen (where he had thrown up some works to prevent a surprize)
till all the forces he expected should join him, the Prince on his
part took his measures, and in order to secure a retreat in case he
had no mind to fight till he should get all his men together, or to
march into Perthshire if needful [Sidenote: _fol._ 652.] for the
better support of his army, was advised to endeavour the recovery of
Blair Castle (which he would not allow to be burnt when he passed
that way), which was then possessed by Sir Andrew Agnew with some
regular troops under his command, as were most of the principal
posts in Athol by the Campbells; whilst the 6000 Hessians and St.
George's dragoons lay at Crief and places adjacent. Lord George
Murray was ordered to march with the Athol men to Badenoch to join
the MacPhersons that lay about Ruthven of Badenoch (from the time the
Prince had passed that way) to guard the passes leading to and from
Athol and to get intelligence on that side.
[Sidenote: March]
As soon as Lord George had joined the MacPhersons they marched with
such expedition into Athol that they surprized a great many of the
Campbells at Blairfetty, Keinochin, and other posts possessed by
them, and made most of them prisoners.[369] [Sidenote: _fol._ 653.]
Sir Andrew Agnew,[370] being alarmed by his out-sentinels, retired
into the castle, in which he was shut up for seventeen days, some
part of which time it was battered with two pieces of canon,[371] one
of three, the other of four pounds, which made but little impression
upon the walls, though they ruined the roof.
[369] See ff. 567, 902.
[370] Who pillaged the house of Lude (the widow lady living in it),
breaking to pieces all the doors and windows, and the finishing of
the rooms and some of the floors.--ROBERT FORBES, A.M.
[371] See f. 907.
During this time the Hessians marched to relieve the castle, and
some of the Athol men being advanced as far down as Dunkeld to get
intelligence and to guard that with other passes on the river, where
were frequent skirmishes between them and the Hessian hussars, and
some of St. George's dragoons who had come to reconnoitre some days
before the foot came up. But when they were come up, the Athol men
were obliged to retire (as they could not be supported at such a
distance) to Pitlochrie, near the famous pass of Killicrankie, where,
with some others that were sent from Blair, they continued about
eight [Sidenote: _fol._ 654.] days (the MacPhersons with some of
the Athol men keeping Sir Andrew and his men still shut up in the
Castle), always skirmishing with the hussars and dragoons till their
foot came up, which obliged the Athol men to retire into the above
pass, where they continued that day. But as they were few in number,
Lord George called a council of the officers, who were of opinion
that the pass was not tenable, since it might be surrounded on all
sides by such a vastly superiour number. It was therefore resolved
to abandon both it and the Castle, which was accordingly done that
night. And having sent the canon away, they marched to Ruthven
of Badenoch without the least interruption from the enemy.[372]
Here the MacPhersons were left as formerly, and the Athol men were
ordered to the Speyside. Lord George went on to Inverness, and upon
his arrival there, intelligence being brought that Lord Loudon had
repass'd with his troops from Sutherland to Tain, he was ordered to
march with some [Sidenote: _fol._ 655.] troops to join the Earl of
Cromarty and to give Lord Loudon battle if he would stay for it. But
he, hearing of Lord George's march, returned to Sutherland again.
Lord George, having given the necessary orders to Lord Cromarty (who
continued to command in that country), returned to Inverness, where
it was resolved the Duke of Perth should be sent to take upon him
the command,[373] and if possible to get as many boats together as
would ferry over his men, and to drive Lord Loudon out of Sutherland
if he would not stay to fight. The boats were got together, and the
Duke of Perth with his men passed over without being perceived and
surprized Lord Loudon's people,[374] obliged them to capitulate, and
made them prisoners. Lord Loudon and the President of the Session of
Scotland made their escape. After which the Duke of Perth seized some
ships that lay in the Firth of Tain, on board of which were all the
valuable effects that were shipt on board at Inverness before Lord
Loudon left it, the military chest excepted, which had [Sidenote:
_fol._ 656.] been conveyed on board a frigate which lay in the bay.
This done, the Duke of Perth returned to Inverness, leaving the
command to the Earl of Cromarty.
[372] See ff. 907, 1267.
[373] These particulars represent the Earl of Cromarty in a very
indifferent light. See f. 1259.--F.
[374] It should be _some_ of Lord Loudon's.--ROBERT FORBES, A.M.
[Sidenote: April]
About this time, the _Hazard_ sloop returning from France with money,
arms, and ammunition, and several French and Spanish officers on
board, was chased on shore by an English man of war in Lord Rae's
country,[375] where they landed their cargo, and, apprehending no
danger from the country people, they provided themselves with a
guide to conduct them and their cargo to the Earl of Cromarty. But
as they were on their march they were set upon by Lord Rae's people,
who, after a good resistance, made them prisoners and carried off
the cargo, which was thought could not have been done without the
treachery of the guide, who disappeared before the action began.
The news being brought to Inverness, orders were sent to the Earl
of Cromarty to send a party into Lord Rae's country to demand
satisfaction. But his Lordship, being somewhat [Sidenote: _fol._
657.] dilatory in executing his orders, Lord Rae's people gathered
together with some of Lord Loudon's officers at their head.
[375] See f. 1261.
About this time advice was brought to Inverness that the Duke of
Cumberland (being joined by all the forces he expected) had begun
his march from Aberdeen northwards, and had ordered the ships that
attended him with provisions for his army to coast along in sight
of him to Inverness. Upon which, orders were dispatched to the Earl
of Cromarty to call in all his detachments, and to march with all
expedition to join the Prince.[376] He gave his orders accordingly,
and went himself with some of his officers to Dunrobin Castle to
bid adieu to the Countess of Sutherland, and to thank her for the
civilities they had received from her. Whilst they were there amusing
themselves, the castle was surrounded by Lord Sutherland's and Lord
Rae's people, who, having had intelligence of their being there,
[Sidenote: _fol._ 658.] made them all prisoners. Orders were likewise
sent at this time to the MacPhersons, and to those that were at Fort
Augustus and Fort William, to join the Prince as soon as possible.
Those from Fort Augustus and the French piquets joined on Saturday,
and Lochiel from Fort William on Sunday.[377] Advice was brought
on Monday that the Duke of Cumberland was coming to the Spey, and
that Lord John Drummond, with the troops under his command, was
retiring. Upon which the Prince ordered the drums to beat and the
pipes to play to arms. The men in the town assembled as fast as they
could, the canon was ordered to march, and the Prince mounted on
horseback and went out at their head to Culloden House, the place of
rendezvous; and Lord George Murray was left in the town to bring up
those that were quartered in the neighbourhood of Inverness, which
made it pretty late before he joined the Prince at Culloden. Orders
were likewise sent to Lord John Drummond [Sidenote: _fol._ 659.] to
assemble there likewise, which he did the next day, being Tuesday.
[376] See ff. 156, 1261.
[377] On Monday, says Mr. John Cameron [see f. 157].
[Sidenote: 15 April]
Tuesday,[378] being April 15th, the whole army marched up to the
muir, about a mile to the eastward of Culloden House, where they were
all drawn up in order of battle to wait the Duke of Cumberland's
coming. Keppoch's men joined in the field from Fort William, and the
whole was reviewed by the Prince, who was very well pleased to see
them in such good spirits, tho' they had eaten nothing that day but
one single bisket a man, provisions being very scarce, and money too.
[378] The copy from which I transcribed had here the words, viz.:
'Wednesday, being the 16th of April,' which certainly behoved to be
an error, as it is well known that the battle of Culloden was fought
upon Wednesday, April 16th. See ff. 126, 157, 181, 430, 439.--ROBERT
FORBES, A.M.
[Sidenote: 16 April]
The Prince (being informed that the Duke of Cumberland had halted
that day at Nairn to refresh his men, and that the ships with his
provisions were coming into the bay of Inverness that evening)
called a council of war, and, after great debates [Sidenote: _fol._
660.] (although neither the Earl of Cromarty--who by that time was
prisoner, tho' not known--nor the MacPhersons, nor a great many of
the Frasers, were come up) it was resolved to march and endeavour to
surprize the Duke in his camp at Nairn, about twelve miles distant.
Accordingly, the march was begun between seven and eight o'clock at
night, the first column commanded by Lord George Murray, the second
by the Prince. The night being dark occasioned several halts to be
made for bringing up the rear. When about half way, Lord George
ordered Colonel Ker, one of the Prince's aid-de-camps, to go from
front to rear and give orders to the respective officers to order the
men to make the attack sword in hand,[379] which was thought better,
as it would not alarm the enemy soon, and that their fire-arms
would be of use to them afterwards. When he [Sidenote: _fol._ 661.]
returned to the front to acquaint Lord George Murray of his having
executed his orders, he found they were halted a little to the
eastward of Kilravock House, deliberating whether or not they should
proceed (having then but four miles to march to Nairn, where the
enemy was encamped) or return to Culloden, as they had not an hour
at most, or thereabout, to daylight; and if they could not be there
before that time the surprize would be rendered impracticable, and
the more so as it was not to be doubted that the enemy would be under
arms before daylight, as they were to march that morning to give
the Prince battle. The Duke of Perth and his brother, Lord John, who
had been sent to advise the Prince, returned to Lord George.[380]
Lochiel and others, who were in the front, hearing that there was a
great interval between the two lines, which would take up most of
the time to daylight to join, it was resolved to return to Culloden,
which was accordingly done; [Sidenote: _fol._ 662.] which, some say,
was contrary to the Prince's inclinations. They marched the shortest
way back by the church of Croy, which, though but scarce two miles
from the place where the halt was made, yet it was clear daylight
before the front arrived there, which makes it clear there was no
possibility of surprizing the enemy before daylight, as was designed.
[379] Mr. John Cameron says sword and pistol [f. 157]. But certainly
Colonel Ker, who carried the orders from Lord George Murray, must
know that point best.--ROBERT FORBES, A.M.
[380] See ff. 158, 441, 1270.
The march was continued to Culloden, from whence a great many, both
officers and soldiers, went to Inverness and other places in quest
of provisions, which were very much wanted. The Prince, with great
difficulty having got some bread and whiskie at Culloden, where,
reposing himself a little after having marched all that night on
foot, had intelligence brought that the enemy was in sight, whereupon
those about Culloden were ordered to arms, and several officers sent
to Inverness and places adjacent to bring up what men they could meet
with.
Whilst those about Culloden were marching up to the muir [Sidenote:
_fol._ 663.] above the house, where they were join'd by about three
hundred of the Frasers just then come up, Colonel Ker went out to
reconnoitre the enemy. When he returned, he told the Prince and Lord
George that their foot were marching up in three columns with their
cavalry on their left, so that they could form their line of battle
in an instant. The Prince ordered his men to be drawn up in two
lines, and the few horse he had in the rear towards the wings, and
the canon to be disperst in the front, which were brought up with
great difficulty for want of horses.
As there was not time to march to the ground they were on the day
before, they were drawn up a mile farther westward, with a stone
inclosure on the right of the first line, and the second at a proper
distance behind; after having reconnoitred the inclosure, which ran
down to the Water of Nairn[381] on the right, so that no body of men
could pass without throwing [Sidenote: _fol._ 664.] down the wall.
And to guard further against any attempts that might be made on that
side, there were two battalions placed facing outwards, which covered
the right of the two lines, and to observe the motion of the enemy,
if they should make any attempt that way.
[381] In the copy which I made, my transcript from the word here
was Ern, which behoved to be a mistake, the water of Ern being
in Perthshire. The same mistake was in the said copy a second
time--viz., in the fourth line of page 667 in the volume.--ROBERT
FORBES, A.M.
The Duke of Cumberland formed his line at a great distance, and
marched in battle-order till he came within canon shot, where he
halted and placed his canon in different places, at some distance in
his front, which outwinged the Prince's both to the right and left
without his cavalry, which were mostly on the left, some few excepted
that were sent to cover the right. As soon as the Duke's canon were
placed, he began canonading, which was answered by the Prince's, who
rode along the lines to encourage his men, and posted himself in the
most convenient place (here one of his servants was killed by his
side) to see [Sidenote: _fol._ 665.] what pass'd, not doubting but
the Duke would begin the attack, as he had both the wind and weather
on his back, snow and hail falling very thick at the same time.
Here it is to be observed that neither those that had been with
the Earl of Cromarty (he, with his son and some of his officers
being only made prisoners, his men having marched on before), nor
the MacPhersons, nor between two and three thousand men that had
been on the field the day before, were come up. Notwithstanding
all these disadvantages, and the Duke's canon playing with great
execution,[382] Lord George Murray, who commanded the right,[383]
sent Colonel Ker to the Prince to know if he should begin the attack,
which the Prince accordingly ordered. As the right was farther
advanced than the left, Colonel Ker went to the left and ordered the
Duke of Perth, who commanded there, to begin the attack, and rode
[Sidenote: _fol._ 666.] along the line till he came to the right,
where Lord George was, who attacked at the head of the Athol men (who
had the right of the army that day) with all the bravery imaginable,
as did indeed the whole line, breaking the Duke's line in several
places, and making themselves masters of two pieces of the enemy's
canon. Though they were both fronted and flanked by them, they,
notwithstanding, marched up under a close firing from right to left
to the very points of their bayonets, which they could not see for
the smoak till they were upon them.
[382] See ff. 129, 445.
[383] As this proceeds from Colonel Ker himself, who behoved to
know this matter best, so it is more to be depended upon than other
accounts, which differ from this, and some of which tell it in such a
way as to leave an insinuation of some blame upon Lord George Murray,
whose bravery can never be called in question. See ff. 129, 160, 182,
328, 446, 675.
At the beginning of the attack the Campbells[384] threw down a great
deal of the wall of the inclosure for the dragoons on the Duke's
left to pass to the rear of the Prince's army, which they were
suffered to do without receiving one shot from the two battalions
that were placed to observe their motions. This being observed, and
the constant fire kept up by the Duke's foot in the front, put the
Prince's people in disorder and [Sidenote: _fol._ 667.] rendered the
defeat of his army compleat.
[384] This says very ill for the corps posted to guard the park walls
in order to prevent the Prince's army being flanked by the enemy from
that quarter.