|Next morning, at a very early hour, the whole of the insurgent troops
assembled in the market-place of the ancient town of Hexham, preparatory
to marching to Roth bury.
Here Lord Widdrington took leave of his friends for a time, having,
at General Forster's earnest request, undertaken another journey into
Lancashire to confer with the Jacobites and High Church Tories in that
county, and endeavour to induce them to rise without delay.
The chief command of his troop was therefore temporarily given to Lord
Derwentwater.
Precisely as the abbey church clock struck six, the insurgents rode out
of Hexham. The weather was fine, and the men in good spirits. They met
with no misadventure on the road, nor did they hear any tidings of the
enemy, but after a long halt at Kirkharle, they reached Rothbury in the
evening.
Lord Kenmure, the commander of the South Country Scots, accompanied by
the Earl of Nithsdale, the Earl of Wintoun, the Earl of Carnwath, and
Lord Nairn rode out to meet them, and the greatest satisfaction was
evinced on both sides that a junction of their forces had, at length,
been effected. Still, it was the opinion of Lord Kenmure and the other
Scottish nobles that they must not venture upon an encounter with the
Government troops till they were further strengthened by a junction with
Mackintosh and the Highlanders, and they therefore proposed to set out
to Wooler next day. This proposition being agreed to by General Forster
and his officers, the horses were stabled, and the men quartered as
well as circumstances would admit, while their leaders sat down to an
excellent supper provided for them by the Scottish nobles at the Blue
Star. Capital claret, it appeared, could be had at Rothbury, and a good
deal of it was drunk that night. Before they separated, the English and
Scottish commanders became boon companions.
Next morning the combined forces proceeded to Wooler, and being greatly
fatigued by their march remained there during the whole of the next day,
though their quarters were far from satisfactory. At Wooler they were
joined by the Reverend Robert Patten of Allendale, whom General Forster
appointed his chaplain, and by Mr. Lancelot Errington, the gallant
young gentleman who had succeeded in capturing a fort on Holy Island, as
already related. Mr. Errington, however, not receiving any supplies, was
attacked, and taken prisoner by the Governor of Berwick, but speedily
effected his escape, and procuring a horse, joined his friends at
Wooler. His brother, Captain Thomas Errington now commanded Lord
Widdrington's troops, so that he was at once appointed one of the
officers.
Intelligence was brought by this gentleman that Brigadier Mackintosh and
the Highlanders had reached Dunse, and meant to attack Kelso, which was
occupied by Sir William Bennet of Grubet, with a strong party of militia
and some volunteers. Sir William, it was said, had barricaded the town,
and made other preparations for its defence.
On hearing this, Lord Kenmure and General Forster decided upon marching
to Kelso to aid Mackintosh in storming the town. Accordingly, they set
out next morning, passing by Humbledon Heugh, Akeld, and over the hill
ridges near Kirk Newton. As they proceeded, Captain Douglas, who was
well acquainted with the country, and accustomed to Border forays, as
we have already stated, managed to seize several horses, and likewise
captured Mr. Selby of Kilham, a volunteer, who was repairing to Kelso,
to Sir William Bennet's assistance.
About mid-day the insurgents came in sight of the beautiful town of
Kelso, with its ancient abbey so charmingly situated on the banks of the
Tweed, and before proceeding further, halted on a moor to call over the
rolls of the men. While the leaders of each troop were thus employed,
word was brought by a scout, that Sir William Bennet, alarmed by the
report of the advance of the Highlanders, had abandoned the town,
whereupon they at once resumed their march, and fording the Tweed,
entered the town without opposition--the barricades being already pulled
down. But though the inhabitants offered no resistance, they received
them with great coldness, and eyed them with sullen looks. No shouts
were heard, as the insurgents rode along one of the main streets to the
market-place where they drew up.
Brigadier Mackintosh had not yet arrived, but he was known to be close
at hand, and Lord Kenmure feeling that the compliment was due to the
valiant Highland commander, went to meet him, leaving General Forster
and the English division in the town.
Lord Kenmure and the Lowlanders had not ridden further than Ednam Bridge
when the shrill notes of the bagpipes announced the approach of the
Highlanders, and in another minute Mackintosh and his detachment came in
sight.
As soon as the Highlanders understood that the troops in front of them
were friends, they set up a great shout, and quickened their pace.
The Lowlanders responded with equal vigour, and the greatest enthusiasm
was displayed on both sides.
Nothing could be more cordial than the meeting between the two
commanders. Lord Kenmure was loud in his praises of the brigadier's
skill and bravery, and told him that he looked upon the crossing of the
Firth, under the circumstances, as one of the most remarkable exploits
ever performed. His lordship then turned to Lord Charles Murray, Lord
Nairn, Major Forbes, Logie Drummond, and others who were standing by,
and expressed his admiration of their gallantry.
By this time the Earl of Wintoun, the Earl of Carnwath, Captain
Hume, and the other Lowland officers had come up, and salutations were
exchanged on all hands.
When these greetings were over, the two detachments, which had now, to
a certain extent, become mixed together, marched to Kelso--the pipers
taking the lead, and playing lustily.