|On the third day after their arrival at Kelso, one of the scouts sent
by Lord Kenmure to watch the movements of the Government troops, brought
word that General Carpenter had reached Wooler with a force of nine
hundred men, consisting of Hotham's regiment of foot, and three
regiments of dragoons, and intended next day to attack Kelso.
On receipt of this important intelligence, a council of war was
immediately summoned, which was attended by all the commanders and
officers.
The main point to be considered was whether they should await the
English general's attack at Kelso, and barricade the town, or cross the
Tweed, and meet him.
Lord Derwentwater was decidedly of opinion that the latter course
should be adopted, and maintained that their force being double that of
Carpenter, the result of an engagement could not be doubtful--although
the Government general possessed three regiments of experienced
dragoons.
But his advice, though approved by General Forster and the English
officers, was opposed by the Earl of Wintoun.
“As Scotsmen,” said his lordship, “we are best able to serve the king's
cause in our own country, and are therefore most reluctant to cross the
Border. Is it not so?” he added, appealing to his compatriots--all of
whom assented except Mackintosh.
“But you have the Earl of Mar's orders to advance,” remarked General
Forster. “How can you disobey them?”
“The Earl of Mar is not aware of our exact position,” replied Lord
Wintoun, “or his orders would be countermanded. At present, all
communication with him is difficult, and if we enter England it will
be entirely cut off. But it may be opened--and this is the plan of
operation I would recommend. Falling back to the north-west, attacking
Dumfries and Glasgow on our way, we shall be able to join the Western
Clans, and, combining with them, can either cross the Firth above
Stirling, or proceed as the Earl of Mar may direct.”
This proposition was manifestly to the taste of the Scottish leaders,
most of whom signified their approval of it.
“But why throw away our present chance?” cried the Earl of Derwentwater.
“Why not attack Carpenter when we can do so with every advantage? From
the report just received he is greatly our inferior in numbers, and
his troops are exhausted. The prestige of a victory would be of immense
service to the cause.”
“We do not care to cross the Tweed,” again objected Lord Wintoun.
“If you won't cross the Tweed, my lord, General Carpenter will,”
rejoined Lord Derwentwater, contemptuously.
“He will gain little by the movement,” retorted Lord Wintoun. “He will
find Kelso evacuated, and will not dare follow us.”
“Is this the sort of fighting we are to expect?” cried Lord
Derwentwater. “Are we always to retreat on the appearance of the foe? We
Northumbrians did not come to Scotland to join the Western Clans, but to
meet our brave ally Brigadier Mackintosh, who is pledged to march with
us to London, and we claim fulfilment of his promise. As to General
Carpenter, if our allies won't help us, we will attack him alone. Do I
not express your sentiments, general?” he added to Forster.
“My opinion decidedly is, that Carpenter ought to be met by the whole
confederate force,” said Forster. “My own division is not strong enough
to encounter him, and would incur certain defeat.”
“Again, I say, the Scots will not cross the Tweed,” remarked Lord
Wintoun. “If our English allies choose to sacrifice themselves, we may
grieve, but we cannot help it.”
Restraining himself with difficulty, the Earl of Derwentwater turned to
Mackintosh, who had not hitherto spoken, and said:
“Do you mean to desert us, brigadier?”
“No, my lord,” was the reply.
“Then let the Lowlanders join the Western Clans if they will,” said the
earl. “We can do without them.”
Lord Wintoun placed his hand upon his sword, and the other Lowland
leaders would have fiercely resented the remark, if Lord Kenmure had not
interposed.
“We must have no quarrels among ourselves,” he said. “When Lord
Derwentwater becomes calmer, he will regret having spoken thus hastily.
As yet, I am chief in command of the whole insurgent force, and my
orders must be obeyed.”
“They shall be obeyed by me, my lord,” said General Forster. “But I
pray you not to take us further into Scotland. My troops will assuredly
revolt.”
“We will come to a decision at Jedburgh,” said Lord Kenmure, somewhat
evasively. “Meantime, precise information must be obtained as to the
movements of the enemy. You shall go on the errand, Captain Gordon,” he
added, addressing a tall, exceedingly handsome young man in the Lowland
garb.
Captain Gordon, an officer in the Merse troop, commanded by the
Honourable Captain Hume, and distinguished for his courage and activity,
seemed well pleased at being chosen for the dangerous expedition.
“I will rejoin your lordship at Jedburgh,” he said. “But if I find
General Carpenter and his force on the move, you will see me sooner.”
With this he bowed and quitted the room, and almost before the council
had broken up he was on the other side of the Tweed.
“Brigadier,” said General Forster, addressing Mackintosh, after some
further discussion had taken place; “before we separate I must ask you
plainly if you mean to march with us to London?”
“I will answer frankly, general,” replied Mackintosh. “My men will never
enter England unless they are certain of their pay.”
“Is that the only difficulty?” said Lord Derwentwater. “I feared from
what has been said, that they might be averse to a campaign in England.”
“So they are, my lord,” replied the brigadier. “But possibly their
aversion may be overcome by the certainty of good pay.”
“Make them quite easy on that score,” said Lord Derwentwater. “I will
provide the money.”
“When my men learn your lordship's generous promise,” said Mackintosh,
“I doubt not they will be very grateful.”
“'Tis but a small subsidy to the king,” said Lord Derwentwater. “I would
give my whole property to set him on the throne.”
“Truly, your lordship sets us all a good example, which we ought to
follow,” said Lord Kenmure. “And now for Jedburgh!”
About an hour later, much to the relief of the inhabitants, who began
to fear that a battle would be fought under their walls, the whole
insurgent force quitted Kelso, having stayed there three days.