there were two distinct races of Ross in the county, which should not
be confounded. The Celtic family of Ross, of whom the ancient head
was the Earl of Ross, was originally known as the clan Ghille-andrais
(servants of St. Andrew). The earldom passed by marriage of heiresses
in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, first to the Leslies and
afterwards to the Macdonalds, Lords of the Isles. The chiefship of the
clan, however, went to the heir male, Ross of Balnagowan. In the year
1711, David Ross, the last of the Celtic family of Balnagowan, died.
The natural heir was Ross of Pitcalnie, his next of kin. Pitcalnie was
a Roman Catholic or Episcopalian, anyhow he was not a Presbyterian,
and Balnagowan was influenced by his wife, Lady Anne (daughter of the
4th Earl of Moray), a bigoted Presbyterian, to disinherit the natural
heir and bequeath the property to General the Hon. Charles Ross,
a younger son of George, 11th Lord Ross of Halkhead, in Ayrshire.
(Fraser-Mackintosh, _Antiq. Notes_, p. 66.) The family which thus
became Ross of Balnagowan had no connection with the Celtic clan of the
same name, but was descended from a Norman family named de Ros. In 1745
Balnagowan with its great territorial influence had come to George,
13th Lord Ross, and the Master of Ross his eldest son (afterwards 14th
and last Lord Ross) received the command of one of the independent
companies raised in 1745. He was garrisoning Inverness Castle (then
called Fort George) when it was captured by the Jacobites, 20th Feb.
’46; he remained a prisoner on parole until the end of the campaign.
He was one of the very few officers who did not break his parole. (Cf.
_post_, pp. 207, 364.)
The Rosses of Inverchasley and Pitcalnie, who belonged to the ancient
Celtic clan Ghille-andrais, sided with the Government, but ‘young
Pitcalnie,’ Malcolm Ross, who was a grand-nephew of President Duncan
Forbes, went over to the Jacobites. He had served as ensign in
Loudoun’s regiment at Prestonpans, where he was taken prisoner by
the Jacobites and released on parole. He seems to have been the only
Government officer who deserted to the Jacobites. His name was included
in the list of attainders.
[316] Macleod of Geanies was representative of the Macleods of Assynt
(see _ante_, p. 74). John, a brother of Neil Macleod (tried for the
betrayal of Montrose), left Assynt and settled in Easter Ross where his
son Donald, an officer in the Scots Brigade in Holland, purchased the
estate of Geanies. Donald’s son Hugh was laird in 1745; his wife was a
niece of President Duncan Forbes of Culloden.
[317] See _post_, p. 143 _et seq._
[318] This refers to the fiasco known as the ‘Rout of Moy’ (16th Feb.
’46), when by a stratagem, a blacksmith and a few other retainers of
Lady Mackintosh, made Loudoun believe that the whole Jacobite army was
upon him; he fled back to Inverness, whence he retreated across the
Kessock Ferry to Ross-shire. The principal, perhaps the only, victim of
the expedition, was Donald Ban MacCrimmon, Macleod’s famous piper, who
was shot by the blacksmith. Cf. _post_, p. 145. (For details, see Home,
_Hist. Reb._, ch. ix.; _L. in M._, 149, etc.)
[319] George Grant of Culbin, brother of Sir James Grant of Grant,
major in the Highland Regiment (Black Watch). He surrendered Inverness
Castle (then called Fort George) to Prince Charles, 20th February, for
which he was subsequently tried by court-martial, and dismissed the
service.
[320] See _ante_, p. 75.
[321] Now called Strathavon (pronounced Stratha’an), Banffshire. It
is generally called Strathdawn or Strathdown in documents of this
date; perhaps from the local pronunciation, plus the archaic ‘d’ which
occasionally appears in place-names, _e.g._ Strathdearn for the valley
of the Earn or Findhorn. There was an ancient church of Dounan in the
valley perhaps from the same root.
[322] George Forbes of Skeleter; m. Glenbucket’s daughter Christiana
Gordon. He escaped to France after Culloden, joined Lord Ogilvie’s
Scots regiment in the French service: he never returned.
[323] William (Duff) of Braco and Dipple; b. 1697; d. 1763; M.P.
Banffshire 1727-34; created Baron Braco of Kilbride 1735; and in 1759
Viscount Macduff and Earl Fife--all these titles being in the peerage
of Ireland; m. (1) Janet, d. of 4th Earl of Findlater; and (2) Jean,
d. of Sir James Grant of Grant. He, his father, and his grandfather
made enormous purchases of land in Aberdeen, Banff, and Moray shires,
particularly on the forfeitures after Mar’s rising in 1715. He joined
Cumberland in 1746.
[324] Among the Jacobite prisoners who pled guilty is ‘Robert
Forbes, printer, son to New.’ (_Scots Mag._, viii. p. 438.) At his
trial it is stated that he was a farmer. His home was at Corse in
the parish of Coull, Deeside. He was captain in one of Lord Lewis
Gordon’s battalions, and was one of the officers left at Carlisle and
captured there. He was sentenced to death but was not executed; of his
subsequent career I have no knowledge.
[325] Cope reached Aberdeen 11th Sept., and left it by sea 15th Sept.
1745.
[326] Johnshaven, a fishing port on the Kincardine coast, about
twenty-five miles south of Aberdeen; Torry and Foothy (Footdee),
fishing villages near the mouth of the Dee, Aberdeen.
[327] James Moir of Stonywood, an estate on Donside three miles above
Aberdeen. He was very active in the Jacobite cause, and while the
Prince was in England raised a battalion, of which Lord Lewis Gordon
was titular colonel. After Culloden he escaped to Sweden, where he
resided until 1762, when he was permitted to return to Stonywood. He
died in 1782. His correspondence in 1745-46 is printed in the _Spalding
Club Misc._, vol. i.
[328] York Street cadys = messenger-porters of a low street in Aberdeen.
[329] Francis Farquharson of Monaltrie, near Ballater on the Dee, the
‘Baron ban’ of the ’45, raised a regiment from Deeside and Braemar.
He was made prisoner at Culloden, tried at London, and condemned to
death, but reprieved. He was kept prisoner in England, latterly with
considerable liberty at Berkhampstead, Herts. He was liberated in
1766, and returned to Monaltrie, where he devoted the rest of his
life to improving the social and material condition of his country.
He introduced into Aberdeenshire improved methods of farming, which
he had carefully studied while in exile in England. His name is still
cherished in the county as the man who did much to make Aberdeen the
great farming county it became. He died in 1791.
[330] The Duke of Perth had twice to flee from Drummond Castle; first
in March 1744, immediately after the failure of the projected French
invasion. A party of 36 dragoons and 150 foot was sent from Stirling
under Lieut.-Col. Whitney (afterwards killed at Falkirk) to surround
the castle, but the Duke escaped (_Chron. Atholl and Tullib._, ii.
473). The second time was in July 1745, referred to _post_, p. 271,
_n._ 2. This occasion was a treacherous attempt of his neighbour, Sir
Patrick Murray of Ochtertyre, and Campbell of Inverawe, both officers
of the Highland regiment (Black Watch), to capture him while dining at
Drummond Castle. The story is detailed in _The Lyon_, i. 290.
[331] Now spelt Balmoral, the King’s home on Deeside. The laird was
badly wounded at Falkirk and took no further part in the campaign.
[332] Hamilton’s home was Sanstoun, now called Huntly Lodge, beside
old Huntly Castle. He was left governor of Carlisle when the Jacobite
army left it on their way south (21st Nov.), and on their return in
December Hamilton was made governor of the Castle, while Towneley, an
Englishman, was left governor of the town. Carlisle surrendered to
Cumberland 30th December. Both Towneley and Hamilton were hanged on
Kennington Common. (See also _post_, p. 173.)
[333] His home was Dunbennan, close to Huntly; the whole ‘toun’ was
burnt down in 1746.
[334] James Petrie, advocate in Aberdeen; joined the local bar 1743;
appointed sheriff-depute 8th May 1744. The last deed ascertained to
have been lodged before him is dated 23rd September 1745. Petrie went
into hiding after the ’45. As he was not specially excluded from
the Act of Indemnity of 1747, he was able to resume practice at the
Aberdeen bar by taking the oath of allegiance, which he did in April
1748. (Littlejohn, _Rec. Sheriff-Court of Aberdeen_, iii. 116.)
[335] Alexander, 4th Lord Forbes of Pitsligo; b. 1678; suc. 1691;
attainted 1746; hid in his own country of Buchan, and was never
captured; d. 1762.
[336] Boyne, a district in the north of Banffshire. The Enzie,
north-western Banffshire, with part of Morayshire between the Spey and
the Buckie Burn.
[337] William Moir of Lonmay, Lady Erroll’s factor, was Stonywood’s
brother. He acted as deputy-governor of Aberdeen during the Jacobite
occupation.
[338] Mary (Hay), Countess of Erroll in her own right, the last of the
Hays of Erroll. She married Alexander Falconer, but left no issue.
On her death in 1758, she was succeeded in the Errol title by James
(Boyd), Lord Boyd (son of the Earl of Kilmarnock, executed in 1746),
whose mother was the daughter and sole heiress of Lady Erroll’s sister
Margaret, wife of the attainted Earl of Linlithgow and Callander. He
assumed the name of Hay.
[339] George (Gordon), 3rd earl; b. 1722; suc. his father 30th March
1745; d. 1801. His mother was Lady Anna Murray (d. 1725), a sister of
Lord George Murray; his stepmother, Lady Anne Gordon, sister of Lord
Lewis Gordon. The Duchess of Gordon was his sister.
[340] James (Ogilvy), 5th earl; b. 1689; suc. 1730; d. 1764. He had
been imprisoned in 1715, on the outbreak of Mar’s rising.
[341] John (Keith), 3rd earl; b. 1699; suc. 1718; d. 1772. His wife was
a d. of Erskine of Grange, Lord Mar’s brother. His father, 2nd earl,
was out in ’15.
[342] James (Forbes), 16th lord; b. 1689; suc. 1734; d. 1761. His first
wife was sister of Lord Pitsligo; his second wife, a sister of Sir Wm.
Gordon of Park, both ardent Jacobite leaders.
[343] Alexander (Fraser), 12th lord; b. c. 1684; suc. 1715; d. 1748.
‘He was a supporter of the Hanoverian Government, but took no active
part in public affairs.’ (_Scots Peerage_, vii. 446.)
[344] See _ante_, p. 113, _n._ 3.
[345] Buchan, northern Aberdeenshire and part of eastern Banffshire;
Formartine, the district south of Buchan, between the sea and the Don.
[346] The laird of Leys was then Sir Alexander Burnett, 4th bart.; d.
1758.
[347] Rev. George Law, of Aberdeen; acted as chaplain to Stonywood’s
regiment; made prisoner at Culloden; tried at Southwark in December,
and acquitted. I am not aware of any active part taken by Seaton. It
is mentioned that the French officers were made burghers of Aberdeen
in December, and that Seaton received a similar honour; also that in
February his lodging was ransacked and ‘some papers, mistically written
for five or six years back, found.’ (_Spald. Club. Misc._, i. 360 and
385.)
[348] Fourth son of Alexander, 2nd Duke of Gordon; b. _c._ 1724;
lieutenant in the Navy, but joined Prince Charles at Edinburgh. Was
appointed by him Lord-Lieut. of Banff and Aberdeen shires. Escaped
after Culloden, and died at Montreuil, 1754.
[349] At Fountainhall, East Lothian, twelve miles from Edinburgh.
The Duchess was Henrietta Mordaunt, daughter of the celebrated Earl
of Peterborough. On her husband’s death in 1728, she brought up her
numerous children as Protestants, though her husband’s family was
hereditarily Catholic. For this she received, in 1735, a pension of
£1000 a year, which it is said she forfeited for entertaining Prince
Charles to breakfast on the roadside as he passed her gates. Her son,
the 3rd duke, took no active part in the ’45, but his influence was
against his brother and the Jacobites. He seems to have remained in
Gordon Castle down to March, but he left it on the 8th, ‘in the most
secret manner he could,’ probably to avoid meeting Prince Charles, who
visited the castle a few days later. The Duke then joined Cumberland in
Aberdeen. (_S.M._, viii. 138.)
[350] William Baird (b. 1701; d. 1777) of Auchmeddan, in the
Aberdeenshire parish of Aberdour, on the borders of Banff, the last
of an ancient family, of which the baroneted families of New Byth and
Saughton are cadets. His wife was a sister of the 1st Earl Fife, then
Lord Braco. He was author of a genealogical history of the Bairds
(reprinted, London, 1870) and another of the Duffs, which was privately
printed in 1869.
[351] Charles Gordon of Blelack, near Aboyne, Deeside.
[352] A district of Aberdeenshire, south of Strathbogie and south-west
of Formartine, comprising the valleys of the Urie and the Gadie.
[353] Lord John Drummond landed a force of about 800 men, composed of
his own French regiments of Royal Scots and a piquet of fifty men from
each of the six Irish regiments in the French service. They landed on
22nd November at Montrose, Stonehaven, and Peterhead. Two of Drummond’s
transports were captured by English men-of-war; among the prisoners so
taken was Alexander Macdonell, ‘Young Glengarry,’ Mr. Lang’s Pickle the
Spy.
[354] These were Lord John Drummond, brother of the titular Duke
of Perth, and Lord Lewis Drummond. The latter (1709-92), the
lieut.-colonel of Lord John Drummond’s French Royal Scots, was the
second son of John (Drummond), 2nd (but attainted) Earl of Melfort,
whose father had been created Duke of Melfort by James VII. while in
exile in 1692, and Duke of Melfort in the French peerage by Louis XIV.
in 1701. Lord Lewis lost a leg at Culloden. He died in Paris, 1792.
[355] These manifestoes are printed _post_, pp. 292, 293.
John Haliburton was an officer in the French service; he arrived at
Inverness with despatches two days before the battle of Culloden.
(_Murray’s Mem._, p. 433.) After Culloden he assisted in the
distribution of the money (of which Cluny’s treasure was a part) landed
by the French ships at Lochnanuagh in May 1746. (_Albemarle Papers_, p.
338.)
[356] This highland dress for lowland men is detailed by Lord Lewis
Gordon to Stonywood as ‘plaid, short cloaths, hose, and shoes.’
(_Spald. Club Misc._, 408.)
[357] John (Campbell), 4th Earl of Loudoun; b. 1705; suc. 1731; d.
1782. Raised a regiment of Highlanders in 1745 (disbanded 1748).
Adjutant-general to Sir John Cope at Prestonpans; sent to Inverness
to command the troops in the North, October 1745; commander-in-chief
in America 1756, but recalled the same year; general, and colonel 3rd
(Scots) Guards 1770.
[358] ‘_Order of the Rt. Hon. the Ld. Lewis Gordon, lord-lieutenant
of the counties, and governor of the towns of Aberdeen and
Bamff._--Whereas I desired and ordered J. Moir of Stonywood, to
intimate to all the gentlemen and their doers, within the said
counties of Aberdeen and Bamff, to send into the town of Aberdeen, a
well-bodied man for each 100l. Scots, their valued rent, sufficiently
cloathed, and in consequence of my order he wrote circular letters to
all the heritors in the above counties, desiring them to send in a man
sufficiently cloathed, &c. for each 100l. Scots of their valued rent;
which desire they have not complied with: Therefore I order and command
you, to take a sufficient party of my men, and go to all the lands
within the above counties, and require from the heritors, factors, or
tenants, as you shall think most proper, an able-bodied man for his
m---- K---- J----’s service, with sufficient Highland cloaths, plaid
and arms, for each 100l. of their valued rent, or the sum of 5l. sterl.
money for each of the above men, to be paid to J. M. of Stonywood, or
his order of Aberdeen: and in case of refusal of the men or money,
you are forthwith to burn all the houses, corn and planting upon the
foresaid estates; and to begin with the heritor or factor residing on
the lands; and not to leave the said lands until the above execution
be done, unless they produce Stonywood’s lines, shewing they have
delivered him the men or the money. Given at Aberdeen this 12th day of
December, 1745.
Subscrib’d LEWIS GORDON.’
[359] See _ante_, p. 103.
[360] Of Monymusk, 2nd bart.; b. 1696; d. 1778; M.P. for Aberdeen.
[361] A brother of the laird of Castlehill, Inverness, in whose house
Prince Charles stayed in February 1746. He was a captain in Lord
John Drummond’s French regiment of Royal Scots. After Culloden he
was treated as a prisoner of war. By 1749 he had become lieut.-col.
of the regiment. (_L. in M._, ii. 286.) The laird of Castlehill was
Sheriff-depute of Inverness-shire, and was not a Jacobite.
[362] Highland squatters. ‘Humly’ is the ordinary north-country term
for hornless cattle. Robert Jamieson in a note to Letter XXII. in the
5th edition of Burt’s _Letters from the North of Scotland_, published
in 1818, says: ‘In the days of our grandfathers the lower class of
highlanders were, by their lowland neighbours (in the north-east
lowlands at least), denominated _humblies_, from their wearing no
covering on their head but their hair, which at a more early period
they probably matted and felted.’
[363] Donald Ban MacCrimmon, of the celebrated race of hereditary
pipers to the chiefs of Macleod. This is the only mention I can recall
of this pleasant story of his relations with his brother musicians.
There is an exceedingly picturesque account (perhaps more picturesque
than authentic) of MacCrimmon’s descent from a musician of Cremona,
given in the _Celtic Review_, ii. 76, 1906. Though MacCrimmon escaped
death at Inverurie, he was killed in the fiasco at Moy on 16th
February. (See _ante_, p. 108.)
When leaving Dunvegan for the anti-Jacobite campaign of ’45-’46, he had
a presentiment that he would never return, and composed the words and
music of a celebrated lament, which was translated or paraphrased by
Sir Walter Scott:--
Farewell to each cliff on which breakers are foaming,
Farewell each dark glen in which red-deer are roaming,
Farewell, lonely Skye, to lake, mountain, and river,
Macleod may return, but MacCrimmon shall never.
The Banshee’s wild voice sings the death dirge before me,
And the pall of the dead for a mantle hangs o’er me;
But my heart shall not fly, and my nerve shall not quiver,
Though devoted I go--to return again, never!
[364] Sir Alexander Bannerman, 3rd bart., of Elsick, Kincardineshire
(the Mearns). His mother was a Macdonald of Sleat. He escaped to
France; died in Paris 1747.
[365] This seems to be a mistake. Lord Ogilvie’s regiment marched
to the north through Ogilvie’s country from Perth, by Cupar Angus,
Cortachy, Clova, Glenmuick, Logie Colston, and Tarland, to Keith.
(_Spalding Club Misc._, i. 332.)
[366] ‘Kelly’s’ probably means John Roy Stewart’s regiment, which was
originally intended for the Earl of Kellie.
[367] Now spelt Clatt. Rev. Patrick Reid; ord. 1723; d. 1759.
[368] John Baggot, a Franco-Irishman, commanded the Prince’s Hussars
(raised at Edinburgh), of which John Murray of Broughton was titular
colonel. By the French Ambassador he is returned after Culloden as
‘_blessé assez considérablement mais sans danger de la vie_.’ (Cottin,
_Un Protégé de Bachaumont_, p. 62.)
[369] Rev. William Taylor; ord. 1737; d. 1797, aged eighty-nine.
[370] On 22nd Feb., three troops (about 130 men) of Fitzjames’s
regiment of horse landed at Aberdeen from France but without horses.
There was great difficulty in mounting the men. Kilmarnock’s horse
(sometimes called Strathallan’s, or the Perthshire Squadron) were
dismounted and the horses given to the French cavalry, while the
men were formed into foot-guards. By this time, says Maxwell of
Kirkconnell, Pitsligo’s horse was dwindled away to nothing, and many of
its members had joined infantry corps. Two of Fitzjames’s transports,
the _Bourbon_ and the _Charité_, with 359 of all ranks, including the
Comte de Fitzjames, were captured by English cruisers.
[371] On 21st Feb. a picquet of 42 men of Berwick’s (French) regiment
landed at Peterhead.
[372] I can trace no record of this landing. It may refer to Berwick’s
picquets (see p. 151), or it may be a mistake.
[373] William Henry (Ker) (1710-75), afterwards 4th Marquess of
Lothian; captain 1st Guards (Grenadiers) 1741; aide-de-camp to
Cumberland at Fontenoy; lieut.-colonel in Lord Mark Ker’s Dragoons
(11th Hussars) 1745; commanded the cavalry of the left wing at
Culloden. His brother, Lord Robert Ker, a captain in Barrel’s regiment,
was killed in the battle.
[374] Humphrey Bland (1686-1763), author of _A Treatise on Discipline_.
At this time he was a major-general and colonel of the dragoon regiment
now the 3rd Hussars. He was governor of Edinburgh Castle from 1752 till
his death. He became Commander-in-Chief in Scotland in 1753.
[375] Probably a mistake for lieut.-colonel (the command is too great
for a subaltern’s), and evidently means Robert Rich (1714-85), son of
Field-Marshal Sir Robert Rich, whom he succeeded as 5th bart. in 1768.
Rich was at this time lieut.-colonel of Barrel’s regiment the 4th (now
the K. O. Royal Lancaster regiment). At Culloden Rich was badly wounded
and lost his hand.
[376] See _post_, p. 307.
[377] Probably means ‘light-footed laddies.’ Cf. _Oxford Dict._, s.v.
‘leger.’
[378] Robert Hunter of Burnside, Monifieth, was captain in the Prince’s
Life-Guards, and was very active throughout the campaign. He escaped
to Bergen in Norway after Culloden, and for a time was held prisoner
there, but apparently soon released, for in October he is on French
King’s pension list for 1800 livres as a ‘_gentilhomme eccossois arrivé
depuis peu en France_.’
[379] This took place on 17th March. The officer commanding the
Jacobite party was Major Nicolas Glascoe, a lieutenant in Dillon’s
Irish-French regiment. He acted as major and military instructor to
the 2nd battalion of Lord Ogilvie’s regiment. He was made prisoner
after Culloden, and tried at London in November, but pleading that he
was born in France and held a French commission, he was released as a
rebel, the irons were knocked off his legs, and he was treated as a
prisoner of war.
[380] The husbands of these ladies were all in the Jacobite army.
[381] Cullen House was the home of Lord Findlater.
[382] William Thornton, of Thornville, near Knaresborough, raised
and equipped a company, known as the ‘Yorkshire Blues,’ at his own
expense in October 1745. He joined Wade’s army at Newcastle, and
his company was attached to Pulteney’s regiment (13th, now Prince
Albert’s Own Somersetshire Light Infantry), which was below strength.
His henchman and servant was John Metcalf, better known as ‘Blind
Jack of Knaresborough,’ afterwards celebrated as a civil engineer
and maker of roads, but at this time a horse-coper and itinerant
musician. At Falkirk the company served as escort to the artillery
which covered itself with disgrace. Blind Jack fought at the battle
in which his master and Lieutenant Crofts were taken prisoners. After
the battle Blind Jack retreated to Edinburgh along with the remains
of the company, now reduced to forty-eight from an original strength
of sixty-four. In a quaint little book, _The Life of John Metcalf_
(3rd edition, Leeds, 1802), there is a long and graphic account of
how this blind man succeeded in rescuing his master. Donning a ‘plaid
waist-coat,’ the Jacobite uniform, he made his way from Edinburgh to
the battle field, where among the marauders hunting for plunder he
found the wife of Lord George Murray’s cook, who gave him ‘a token’ for
her husband. Giving out that he wished to be employed as a musician
to Prince Charles, he made his way to Lord George Murray’s quarters
at Falkirk, where that General gave him a glass of wine, and he had
a conversation with several of the Jacobite leaders. Confined on
suspicion for some days, he was acquitted by a court-martial. Finding
his captain, he had him disguised as a Highlander and managed to escape
with him. How Crofts and Simson escaped I do not know. The rev. ensign
was Patrick Simson, minister of Fala, near Dalkeith (b. 1713; ord.
1743; transferred to Clunie, Dunkeld, 1759; d. 1771). How he joined
Thornton’s ‘Blues’ I do not know; one would rather have expected to
find him in the Glasgow regiment (see _post_, p. 198). The original
ensign of the company had died at Newcastle, and Thornton may have
appointed Simson when in Edinburgh. Simson had the reputation of being
a sportsman, particularly an angler. (Scott, _Fasti_.) The _Dict. of
Nat. Biog._ says that Blind Jack fought at Culloden, but it is not so
stated in the life quoted above, and if this passage is correct it
precludes the possibility. There is no mention in the _Life_ of this
incident at Ellon, nor any account of the company leaving the army.
[383] Cumberland left Aberdeen on April 8th.
[384] Meaning ‘a verminous swarm of red-coats.’
[385] A very considerable list of houses burnt in Aberdeen and Banff
shires is given in the _Lyon in Mourning_, ii. 334, 335.
[386] ‘_By the Earl of Ancrum, Aid de Camp to His Majesty, and
commanding the forces on the Eastern coast of North-Britain._ Whereas
arms have been found in several houses, contrary to his Royal Highness
the Duke’s proclamation, this is therefore to give notice, That
where-ever arms of any kind are found, that the house, and all houses
belonging to the proprietor or his tenants, shall be immediately burnt
to ashes; and that as some arms have been found under ground, that if
any shall be discovered for the future, the adjacent houses and fields
shall be immediately laid waste and destroyed.’
[_Lord Loudoun’s orders_]:--‘Whereas great part of the King’s arms
belonging to the regiment commanded by the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Loudon,
were taken away by the rebels in Sutherland, and by them distributed to
people of different parts of the country; who, notwithstanding the many
orders published by his Royal Highness the Duke, still detain them in
their possession: These are to advertise such as do not deliver them
in to the storehouse at Inverness, or to the commanding officer of any
part of his Majesty’s forces who happens to be in their neighbourhood,
by the first day of August, that the possessors where-ever they are
found, whether civil or military, and of what rank soever, shall be
prosecuted with the utmost rigour, as the law in that case directs.’
[387] This was an incident that occasioned fierce indignation in
Aberdeen. August 1st was the date of the accession of the Hanoverian
dynasty. Lord Ancram ordered the bells to be rung and the houses
to be illuminated. It had not been the custom to illuminate, and
the magistrates only ordered the bells to be rung. The soldiers
of Fleming’s regiment (36th, now the Worcestershire), egged on by
their officers, broke the windows, stoned the inhabitants, and did
damage to the extent of £130, a large sum in those days to a town of
the size of Aberdeen. In spite of the pretensions of the military
authorities, who maintained that they were not liable to the civil
government, the magistrates arrested a Captain Morgan and other
officers, who were ringleaders in the riot. Morgan had been very
active in hunting fugitive Jacobites, and his commanding officer, who
calls Aberdeen ‘this infamous town,’ attributes his arrest to this
cause. Representations were made to the Lord Justice-Clerk and to
Lord Albemarle, the Commander-in-chief in Scotland, who both took a
serious view of the case, the former writing to the latter that ‘the
officers in the army were trampling on those very laws that they so
lately defended at the expence of their blood.’ Ancram was rebuked
by Albemarle, and removed from Aberdeen; though the trouble still
smouldered it was temporarily patched up. (_Alb. Pap._, p. 27 _seq._;
_Scots Mag._, viii. 393.) Six months later the regiment left Aberdeen,
marching out (it is said) to the tune ‘We’ll gang nae mair to yon
toun.’ Cf. _post_, p. 189.
[388] Hugh (Abercromby-Sempill), fifth son of Anne, Baroness Sempill,
and Francis Abercromby of Fetterneir. Succeeded his brother as 11th
Lord Sempill 1727; served at Malplaquet, 1709, as an ensign; succeeded
Lord Crawford as colonel of the Highland Regiment (Black Watch), 1741;
colonel of the 25th (K. O. Scottish Borderers) 1745; brigadier-general
1745; commanded the left wing at Culloden; superseded Lord Ancram at
Aberdeen 12th August, 1746; and died there 25th November following.
[389] Should be 25th; Sunday 24th was spent at Kendal, and Lancaster
was reached the following day. (_L. in M._, ii. 120, 193.)
[390] I have little doubt that this name is a mistake for Geohagan, an
Irishman, captain in Lally’s regiment, to whom, Lord Elcho states, the
Prince gave a commission to raise an English regiment. The officers
of the army remonstrated, and the commission was withdrawn. (Elcho,
_Affairs of Scotland_, p. 327.) Geohagan was one of the French officers
taken prisoner at Carlisle.
[391] Not identified.
[392] David Morgan was a Welshman from Monmouthshire, a
barrister-at-law. He joined the Prince at Preston on 27th November,
along with William Vaughan and Francis Towneley, all being from
Wales. When at Derby it was determined to return to Scotland Morgan
refused to go, saying, ‘it were better to be hanged in England than
starved in Scotland’ (_Tales of a Grandfather_). He left the army at
Ashbourne, on 6th December, to go to London to procure intelligence,
with the knowledge and consent of the Prince and of Sheridan (_Murray’s
Memorials_, 434). At his trial he pled that he had escaped as soon as
it was in his power, but this plea was repelled. He was executed at
Kennington Common on 30th July, along with Towneley, and seven other
English officers. Morgan is thus described in the _Compleat History of
the Trials of the Rebels_ (p. 170): ‘David Morgan was about 51 Years
of Age, born in Wales, and bred to the Law, and had frequently (as a
Barrister) attended the Courts at Westminster-Hall, and elsewhere. He
was a Person of a very mean Look, and seldom kept Company with any
Gentlemen of his Neighbourhood; and if it had not been for his Estate,
he might have starv’d, for he was so very lofty, and of so bad a
Temper, that no body but such as were beholden to him cared to employ
him. This Morgan was possessed of a very good Estate in St. Leonard’s,
Shoreditch, but he let it all run to Ruin, because he would not pay
the Ground-Rent. The Rebels call’d Morgan the Pretender’s Counsellor,
and his Advice was consulted on every Occasion. Even after he was
condemn’d, he was haughty and insolent beyond expression; and the
very Afternoon before his Execution, he grumbled to pay the Cook who
dress’d his Dinner, and said she was very extravagant in her Demands.
The Morning (about Six o’Clock) before he went to Execution, he order’d
Coffee to be made, and bid them take Care to make it very good and
strong, for he had never drank any since he had been in that Prison
fit to come near a Gentleman; and because it was ready before he was
unlock’d, he seem’d angry, and in a great Passion.’
Morgan was the author of a rather dull satirical political poem of 630
verses, entitled _The Country Bard or the Modern Courtiers, inscribed
to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales_, a quarto originally printed in 1741,
and republished in 1746 after his execution. It is prefaced by a
dedicatory letter to Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, the Welsh Jacobite
baronet. In his dying declaration, handed to the sheriff on the
scaffold, Morgan writes that he is a member of the Church of England,
and that he has fully set forth his faith in a poem of two books
entitled _The Christian Test or the Coalition of Faith and Reason_, the
first of which he had already published, and the latter he bequeathed
to his daughter to be published by her. Morgan seems to have had a
certain notoriety as member of a Jacobite club at Westminster, judging
by a very coarse _jeu d’esprit_ bearing the title _A Faithful Narrative
of the wonderful and surprising Appearance of Counsellor Morgan’s ghost
at the meeting ... giving a full and true Account of the Behaviour of
the Club on that occasion_.... This folio, for it has that dignity, is
followed by another entitled _An Appeal from the late David Morgan,
Esq., Barrister-at-Law ... against a late Scurrilous Paper_.... My
copy of the second pamphlet bears the note in contemporary handwriting
‘By one Fielding a concealer of the Law,’ and it is possible it may be
by Henry Fielding, who at this time gave himself to ironical writing
of this kind in the _True Patriot_ and the _Jacobite’s Journal_. Both
pamphlets are full of topical allusions and scarcely concealed names.
Morgan was also the subject of a brutally coarse print entitled ‘An
Exact Description of the Solemn Procession of Councellor Morgan’s ghost
to the Rump of the Westminster Independents.’
[393] The only elucidation of this I can suggest is from a passage in
the _Appeal_ above mentioned in which Morgan’s ghost is made to visit
his friends, but ‘with neither a greyhound upon his breast nor a writ
in his hand,’ perhaps suggesting that in life he was in the habit of
carrying writs and being accompanied by a greyhound.
[394] The colonel appointed was Francis Towneley, an English Roman
Catholic; b. 1709; fifth son of Charles Towneley of Towneley Hall,
Lancashire; went to France 1728, and entered the French army; served
at the siege of Philipsbourg under the Duke of Berwick, but after the
peace following the War of the Polish Succession, returned to England,
and lived privately in Wales until 1745. The French king sent him a
colonel’s commission about the time of the intended invasion of 1744.
(See _Towneley MSS._, privately printed.) He was given command of the
Manchester regiment, as told here; was left governor of the town of
Carlisle when the army retreated to Scotland in December; entirely
opposed to surrendering to Cumberland, flying into a passion with
Hamilton, the governor of the castle (see pp. 118, 193), and declaring
‘that it was better to die by the sword than to fall into the hands
of those damned Hanovarians.’ (_Evidence at Trial._) At Hamilton’s
trial evidence was given that he too desired to hold out to the last,
but was overruled by his officers. Towneley was tried at Southwark in
July 1746; pled that his French commission entitled him to be treated
as a prisoner of war, not a rebel; but this was repelled as, being an
Englishman born, it was illegal to serve a sovereign at war with the
British king; executed on Kennington Common, July 30th, and Hamilton on
Nov. 15th.
[395] The Prince’s Life Guards: there were two troops, one commanded by
Lord Elcho, the other by Colonel Elphinstone, afterwards Lord Balmerino.
[396] The army left Manchester on 1st December. The quarrel which
caused Lord George Murray’s resignation of his commission as
lieut.-gen. took place at Carlisle on 15th November, when the command
was given to the Duke of Perth. Daniel cannot be correct in stating
that Lord George was not reinstated until the army was at Manchester;
the quarrel was made up before leaving Carlisle on November 20th, when
Lord George led the van. Daniel, who did not join the army until the
24th or 25th, is probably writing from hazy recollection of what he had
been told.
[397] Weir or Vere was the principal witness at the trials of the
officers taken prisoner at Carlisle.
[398] Jean Louis Ligonnier, generally termed Sir John Ligonier, K.B., a
naturalised French Protestant; b. at Castres, France, 1680; emigrated
to Dublin; fought under Marlborough through most of his campaigns;
major-general 1739; lieut.-general 1743; commanded the infantry at
Fontenoy; commanded the army sent to Staffordshire to oppose the
Jacobites, until relieved by the Duke of Cumberland, 27th November;
commander-in-chief 1757; created Viscount Ligonier 1757; Earl Ligonier
1766; field-marshal 1760; d. 1770. He had a brother Francis, who
succeeded Colonel Gardiner in command of the Dragoon regiment, now 13th
Hussars. Francis Ligonier, though suffering from pleurisy, fought at
Falkirk, caught more cold, and died a few days later.
[399] 6th December 1745 (Black Friday).
[400] The journals of the day and most authorities estimate the number
at about 800. They consisted of Lord John Drummond’s own French
regiment, ‘the Royal Scots,’ and the Irish picquets, or 50 men picked
from each of the six Irish regiments in the French service. Two of the
transports were taken on the voyage and 260 of all ranks made prisoner.
On the eve of Culloden, the French envoy reported to his government
that the numbers of French troops then were: Irish Picquets reduced
to a half but recruited by 148 prisoners and deserters up to 260 men;
Royal Scots about 350; detachment of Berwick’s regiment (p. 151) 42;
Fitzjames’s horse 131; making a total of about 780. (Cottin, _op. cit._
p. 36.)
[401] See _ante_, p. 143.
[402] ‘Tuesday, 10th December.--They have ordered a contribution of
£5000 for the insolence of the mob, but with much ado they have got it
to one-half, to raise it by one o’clock.’ (_Journal of Elizabeth Byrom,
Manchester, in 1745._)
[403] Hon. Arthur Elphinstone; b. 1688; held captain’s commission in
Shannon’s foot (25th, now King’s Own Scottish Borderers), which he
resigned in 1716 to join Mar’s Jacobite army; served in the French
army; on a pardon being offered to him he declined to accept it until
he had received the Chevalier’s consent, which was given; joined Prince
Charles at Edinburgh; received the command of the second troop of Life
Guards; on the death of his brother, 5th January 1746, he succeeded as
6th Lord Balmerino and 5th Lord Coupar; the army was then at Stirling.
The day after Culloden he surrendered to the Grants. Tried by the House
of Lords and condemned to death; beheaded, 18th August 1746.
[404] Col. James Alex. Grant or Grante, a member of the staff of the
French Royal Observatory. He landed at Montrose in October along with
the French envoy. He served as master of ordnance to Prince Charles.
He planned the siege of Carlisle, which succeeded. He communicated
a plan for the siege of Stirling Castle, which was abandoned, as it
exposed the town to destruction, and the charge was given to another
French engineer, Mirabel de Gordon, who utterly failed. Grant planned
the siege of Fort Augustus, which succeeded. He then planned the siege
of Fort William, but was disabled at the outset by a contusion from a
spent cannon ball: Mirabel was given charge of the siege, and again
signally failed. Grant prepared an elaborate map of the expedition,
published in French, English, and Italian editions, which are all
described in the _Itinerary_, pp. 104-107.
[405] The Yorkshire Hunters, a corps of volunteer cavalry, which did
not distinguish itself greatly. Its war-song, set to music, will be
found in the _Gentleman’s Magazine_, December 1745.
[406] Daniel probably means the Dutch troops, some of which landed at
Berwick and the Tyne in Sept. ’45. The Hessians did not come over until
Feb. ’46.
[407] See _ante_, p. 150.
[408] Should be Cluny Macpherson.
[409] This is the celebrated ‘Skirmish of Clifton,’ fought 18th
December; described by Sir Walter Scott in _Waverley_, chap. lix. and
note. Both sides claimed the victory. The late Chancellor Ferguson
wrote an exhaustive monograph on the subject (Kendal, 1889) showing
that both were technically right. The Jacobite rear-guard fought to
protect the army’s retreat to Carlisle, and entirely succeeded in their
object; Cumberland’s troops retained possession of the field, but
were too crippled to pursue. Daniel, I think, shows a certain animus
in entirely ignoring Lord George Murray, who directed this action and
fought it with great bravery and skill.
[410] At the surrender of Carlisle to Cumberland on 30th December the
following officers were captured:--
_English_, 20 officers and 1 chaplain--of these 9 officers and the
chaplain were executed;
_Scots_, 17 officers and 1 surgeon--of these 5 officers were executed;
_French_, 3 officers, who were treated as prisoners of war.
In addition 93 English, 256 Scots, 5 French non-commissioned officers
and men were taken prisoner.
[411] This date is wrong; it should be 20th December, the Prince’s
birthday and the day he left Carlisle. The date is often given as 31st
December, which is the New Style equivalent. Old Style was used in
Great Britain until 1752.
[412] The Rev. John Bisset, one of the ministers of St. Nicholas
Church, Aberdeen, from 1728 to 1756. He was a man of strong personality
who spoke his mind, and was not very popular with his brethren. Bisset
kept a Diary during the Rising of ’45, most of which is printed in the
_Spalding Club Misc._, vol. i. In that volume there is no reference to
this sermon, nor do I know when it was preached. It is referred to in
general terms by the late Mr. Watt in his _County History of Aberdeen
and Banff_, p. 303. The sermon was probably printed or Daniel could
not have quoted it, but Mr. P. J. Anderson, who has kindly searched
the Aberdeen University Library, cannot find a copy. Bisset, though
uncompromisingly inimical to the Jacobites, declined an official
meeting with the Duke of Cumberland as a member of the Aberdeen Synod,
but he obtained a private interview as ‘he had reasons for being
alone.’ Bisset so deeply offended the duke that he refused ever after
to enter a Presbyterian church. (Henderson, _Hist. of the Rebellion_,
5th ed., p. 307.)
[413] This refers to the Prince’s army. The Prince himself was never in
Aberdeen.
[414] A party of Dumfries townsfolk had cut off a detachment of the
Jacobite army’s baggage during the advance to England in November. As
a reprisal Prince Charles fined the town £2000. Only £1100 could be
raised in the time given, so he carried off the provost and another
citizen as security till the balance was paid. (_Scots Mag._, vii. 533,
581.)
[415] The army began to arrive on Christmas Day. Charles himself
entered on foot at the head of the clans on 26th December. He remained
in Glasgow until 3rd January.
[416] A very different story is told by Provost Cochrane of Glasgow,
who wrote: ‘Our very ladys had not the curiosity to go near him, and
declined going to a ball held by his chiefs. Very few were at the
windows when he made his appearance, and such as were declared him not
handsome. This no doubt fretted.’ (_Cochrane Correspondence_, Maitland
Club, p. 63.) Probably both versions have a certain amount of truth,
and the situation must have been similar to that of an earlier royalist
leader when riding through Edinburgh:--
‘As he rode down the sanctified bends of the Bow,
Ilk carline was flyting and shaking her pow;
But the young plants of grace they looked couthie and slee,
Thinking, luck to thy bonnet, thou Bonny Dundee!’
[417] The Prince’s Master of the Household says: ‘The Prince dressed
more elegantly when in Glasgow than he did in any other place
whatsomever.’ Lord Elcho says he was ‘dress’d in the French dress.’
[418] Mirabel de Gordon, a French engineer, who completely failed
at the siege of Stirling, as he afterwards did at the siege of Fort
William. Lord George Murray says of him that he understood his
business, but was so volatile he could not be depended upon: Lord
Macleod states that he was always drunk.
[419] Brown was a French-Irishman, a captain in Lally’s regiment, who
came over with the French envoy in October. He was left in Carlisle,
but escaped at the surrender. After Falkirk he was sent to France to
carry the news of the victory to Louis XV., who made him a colonel
in the French army. He returned to Scotland in March in the _Hazard_
sloop, which was driven ashore by four men-of-war at Tongue in
Sutherland, when the passengers and crew were captured by Lord Reay and
his militia.
[420] Probably William Maxwell of Carruchan, Kirkcudbrightshire, who
acted as chief engineer in the defence of Carlisle against the Duke of
Cumberland.
[421] See _ante_, pp. 173, 187. Whatever may have been expected or
mentioned verbally, Cumberland’s written conditions were: ‘All the
terms H.R.H. will or can grant to the rebel garrison at Carlisle are
that they shall not be put to the sword, but be reserved for the king’s
pleasure.’
[422] Lord George Murray was criticised at the time, even by his
friends, for being on foot fighting with his men instead of being on
horseback as a general watching the action and controlling events.
(Elcho, _Affairs of Scotland_, p. 376.) Criticism was also extended to
other generals and staff-officers, particularly to O’Sullivan, who was
never seen during the action and was accused of cowardice.
[423] Sir Robert Munro of Foulis, 24th baron and 5th bart.; b. 1684;
suc. 1729; M.P. for Wick Burghs 1710-41. His mother was an aunt of
Duncan Forbes of Culloden. Entered the army early, and was captain
in the Royal Scots by 1705; served under Marlborough in Flanders,
where he made a lifelong friendship with Colonel Gardiner (killed
at Prestonpans); a commissioner of the Forfeited Estates Commission
1716-40; appointed lieut.-colonel and commandant of the new Highland
Regiment (Black Watch) when embodied 1740; fought at Fontenoy; promoted
in June 1745 to be colonel in the 37th (now the Hampshire Regiment),
which he commanded at Falkirk.
Dr. Duncan Munro (b. 1687), Sir Robert’s brother, had been a doctor
in India but retired home in 1726. He accompanied his brother from
fraternal affection in the hope of being of use to him, for the colonel
was very corpulent.
For George of Culcairn, a third brother, who fell a victim in ’46, see
_ante_, p. 103.
[424] I am not aware of any ministers killed, though there may have
been some in the Glasgow and Paisley volunteer or militia regiments,
which suffered severely. In the Glasgow regiment, commanded by the Earl
of Home, was John Home, afterwards celebrated as author of _Douglas_
and of a _History of the Rebellion_. He was lieutenant, and during
the battle in command of a company of Edinburgh volunteers. Home
with several other volunteers was taken prisoner and lodged in Doune
Castle. One of the prisoners was the Rev. John Witherspoon (1723-94),
then minister of Beith, near Paisley; afterwards in 1768 president of
Princeton College, New Jersey, a leader in the American Revolution, and
a very active member of the first congress of the United States. Home
gives a graphic account of their escape in his history. Later in the
year Home became minister of Athelstaneford in East Lothian.
[425] Lockhart was a major in Cholmondeley’s regiment, the 34th (now
the Border Regiment). He was taken prisoner at Falkirk and released
on parole. After Culloden he especially distinguished himself by
extraordinary barbarity and the perpetration of terrible cruelties on
the hunted fugitives. For instances refer to the _Lyon in Mourning_.
[426] Every man of common sense who has the least Idea of Military
Matters must well know that, where there is only a small Body of
Cavalry attached to an army of light Infantry, as in this case, such
Cavalry must be inevitably harrassed because there are not many bodies
of horse to relieve each other. [Note in the Drummond Castle MS.]
[427] A village between Stirling and Bannockburn; spelt St. Ninians,
but locally pronounced St. Ringans.
[428] John Baggot, see _ante_, p. 150.
[429] See _ante_, p. 101.
[430] Gordon Castle.
[431] See _ante_, p. 151.
[432] This is a vague and incorrect report, probably the camp rumour,
of Lord George Murray’s doings at this time. By a remarkable secret
march from Inverness, he simultaneously surprised, on 17th March, a
large number of military posts garrisoned by the Government militia in
Perthshire, taking 300 prisoners. He then laid siege to Blair Castle,
defended by Sir Andrew Agnew, but his guns were too small to hurt the
old castle. He probably would have starved out the garrison, but the
advance of Cumberland’s army caused his recall to Inverness.
[433] This being from an enemy is perhaps the most flattering tribute
to President Forbes’s achievement for his Government.
[434] Cf. _post_, p. 364.
[435] See _ante_, p. 155.
[436] See _ante_, p. 157.
[437] Cumberland left Aberdeen on 8th April.
[438] Lady Catherine Gordon, daughter of the 2nd Earl of Aberdeen.
[439] See _post_, p. 230.
[440] 15th April.
[441] This is a calumny founded on ignorance of what was passing at
a distance from the local situation of the writer--Lord George was
leading the van to the attack of the Enemy’s Camp, which would have
been surprised if the rear division had not hung back, and retarded
the advance of the van ’till it was too late to storm. [Note in the
Drummond Castle MS.]
[442] The fact was directly the Reverse--Lord George had used every
endeavour to induce the Prince to cross the River, and occupy strong
ground which Brigadier Stapleton[656] and Colonel Kerr[657] had
examined two days before at his Lordships desire. [Note in the Drummond
Castle MS.][658]
[443] Ruthven in Badenoch, on the east side of the Spey, near Kingussie.
[444] Daniel is a little out in his recollection of time. Culloden was
fought on 16th April, while he left Scotland on 4th May (see p. 223),
only eighteen days after the battle.
[445] This gold was 40,000 louis d’ors. Part of it, ‘Cluny’s Treasure,’
was concealed in Loch Arkaig, and left there for nine years under the
care of Cluny Macpherson.
[446] The British ships were the _Greyhound_, the _Baltimore_, and the
_Terror_. (_S. M._, viii. 238.)
[447] William Harrison, a native of Strathbogie, who, when most of
his brethren had been taken prisoner or driven from their charges,
went to the sheriff of Argyllshire, ‘told him frankly that he was a
Catholic priest, but had neither done nor meant harm to anybody, and
begged protection. The sheriff was well pleased with his confidence,
and gave him a paper signed by himself requiring of everybody to allow
him to go about his lawful business unmolested. In consequence of this,
Mr. Harrison, in the summers of 1746 and 1747, visited almost all the
Catholics in the Highlands, administering the sacraments, and exhorting
the people to patience and perseverance in the faith.’ (Bishop Geddes’s
MS.)
[448] The ships left Lochnanuagh on May 4th. (_L. in M._, iii. 383;
_Scots Mag._, viii. 239.)
[449] Son of Thomas Sheridan, a fellow of Trinity College, Dublin,
D.C.L. (Oxon.) and F.R.S., an Irish Protestant who followed James II.
into exile and became his private secretary. His wife (it is said)
was a natural daughter of the king. The son, Sir Thomas, who was a
Catholic, was engaged in the ’15; appointed tutor to Prince Charles
1724 or ’25, and created a baronet ’26. Attended the Prince at the
siege of Gaeta ’34. In April ’44 after the abandonment of the French
invasion the Prince asked for him, and his father reluctantly sent
Sheridan to France, warning his son to be careful in his dealings with
him. Sheridan accompanied the Prince to Scotland and acted as his
private secretary throughout the campaign. On arrival in France in ’46
he was summoned to Rome by the Chevalier; accused of deserting the
Prince but exhibited his written orders to leave. He died at Rome a few
months later, his death being variously attributed to mortification at
the Chevalier’s reproaches, or to grief at the Prince’s disasters.
[450] He had accompanied the Marquis d’Eguilles to Scotland as
interpreter.
[451] John Hay of Restalrig, near Edinburgh, brother of Thomas Hay,
Lord Huntington, who married the sister of John Murray of Broughton
(see p. 49). He was an Edinburgh Writer to the Signet, admitted 1726;
Substitute-Keeper of the Signet 1725-41 and 1742-46; fiscal 1732-34;
treasurer 1736-46. He acted as treasurer to the Prince, and when
Murray of Broughton fell ill at Inverness in March he succeeded him
as Secretary. Lord George Murray attributed much of the disaster of
Culloden to his neglect or inefficiency in provisioning the army, a
duty which Murray had always performed well. Hay held a colonel’s
commission in the Jacobite army. He attached himself to Prince Charles
after leaving Scotland, became major-domo of his household when he went
to Rome after his father’s death in 1766; created a Jacobite baronet in
that year; dismissed in 1768; returned to Scotland 1771; died 1784.
[452] Alexander Macleod, an Edinburgh advocate, was aide-de-camp to the
Prince throughout the campaign. His father, John, also an advocate, was
a grandson of Sir Norman Macleod of Bernera, and was a first cousin of
Lady Clanranald. He had purchased Muiravonside in Stirlingshire, two
miles from Linlithgow. Alexander was sent from Edinburgh in September
to summon to the Prince’s standard Sir Alexander Macdonald of Sleat
and Macleod of Macleod, both his near kinsmen. This mission, in which
he failed owing to the stronger influence of Duncan Forbes, brought
on him the special anger of the Government. He was attainted, and for
thirty-two years he wandered in the wildest regions of the Western
Highlands and Islands. He received a pardon in 1778, and died in 1784.
He was in Raasay when Dr. Johnson and Boswell visited that island
in September 1773. He was generally known as Sandie Macleod in the
Islands, and had also acquired the nickname of M‘Cruslick, signifying a
cross between Proteus and Don Quixote. He possessed the most boisterous
spirits, which delighted Johnson and irritated Boswell.
[453] See _post_, p. 230, _n._ 2.
[454] Allan Macdowell is a mistake for Macdonell or rather Macdonald,
as his name is afterwards correctly spelled. He was a ‘native of the
Isles’ and a clansman of Clanranald’s; he went out with the clan as
chaplain when the standard was raised, and continued with the army
until the end of the campaign. He also acted as confessor to the
Prince. He and Æneas M‘Gillis, the chaplain of Glengarry’s men, were
the only priests that accompanied the Highlanders to Prestonpans.
They wore the Highland dress, with sword and pistol, and were styled
captains. At the battle of Falkirk Mr. Macdonald rode along the line
and gave his blessing, which the Catholics received kneeling. From
Culloden he accompanied the Prince in his flight and in the earlier
part of his wanderings, leaving him at Scalpa. Later on he was
apprehended in South Uist, and sent with some other priests to London
in Ferguson’s ship the _Furness_. He and four other clergymen were
examined by the Duke of Newcastle, who informed them that they might
leave the country on finding bail for £1000 each not to return. They
pointed out that the bail was quite beyond their power, on which the
Duke smilingly replied that they were honest men and he would take each
man’s bail for the other. Macdonald went to Paris, and in 1748 to Rome,
where he lived for many years. (Bishop Geddes’s MS.) I do not know if
he ever returned.
[455] _Sic_ in _N. M. Mag._ Most likely an error caused by careless
transcription and meant to read, ‘to Gortlick’s house [not horge] a
gentleman of the name of Thomas Fraser.’ Gortlick, more generally spelt
Gortuleg, belonged to Thomas Fraser, a cadet of Lovat’s. It was in
this house and on this occasion that Prince Charles had his memorable
meeting with Lord Lovat which is dramatically described by Mrs. Grant
of Laggan. (See _Wariston’s Diary and Other Papers_, p. 265, Scot.
Hist. Soc., vol. xxvi.)
[456] Stratherrick.
[457] Neil, who at this period is writing from hearsay, is quite wrong
here. Glengarry was not at home and the house was ‘without meat, drink,
fire or candle, except some firr-sticks!’ Had Ned Bourke not netted a
couple of salmon, there would have been nothing to eat. (_L. in M._, i.
89, 191.)
[458] Angus MacEachain (or Macdonald) was a son-in-law of Angus
Macdonald of Borradale. He had served in the campaign as a surgeon in
Glengarry’s regiment.
The family of MacEachain-Macdonald of Drimindarach, Arisaig, was a
branch of the Clanranalds, descended from Eachain (or Hector), a
younger son of Roderick, 2nd Clanranald. Neil MacEachain was of the
MacEachains of Howbeg, a junior branch of the sept. Both families have
long since resumed their earlier name, Macdonald, dropping the name
MacEachain.
[459] This was the Prince’s second visit to Borradale House on
Lochnanuagh. It was here he stayed on his first landing in July 1745.
He came again to Borradale in July 1746, after his wanderings in the
Hebrides, by which time the house had been burned down by Cumberland’s
soldiers; he finally returned to Borradale on 19th September, whence
he sailed for France the following day. Angus Macdonald, the tacksman
of Borradale, was a son of the 5th laird of Glenaladale, a cadet of
Clanranald’s, and was a first cousin of Flora Macdonald. Borradale’s
descendant, Colonel John Andrew Macdonald, is to-day laird of
Glenaladale.
[460] Captain Felix O’Neille, born at Rome, son of a brigadier in the
Spanish service. He served in the Spanish army until 1744, when he
joined Lally’s French-Irish regiment as captain. Was sent to Scotland
with despatches from the Duc de Richelieu in March 1746. After Culloden
he accompanied Prince Charles during the first two months of his
wanderings and shared his discomforts. He was captured in Benbecula by
Captain John Ferguson of the _Furness_. He was confined in Edinburgh
Castle until February 1747, when he was released on parole and
subsequently exchanged (_Scots Mag._, ix. 92). He wrote a journal of
his wanderings, which is printed in _The Lyon_, i. 102, 365.
[461] John William O’Sullivan; b. in Co. Kerry, 1700; educated in
France and Rome for the priesthood, and, it is said (Fielding’s _True
Patriot_), took orders. Entered the family of Maréchal de Maillebois
as tutor, afterwards secretary. Joined the French army and served
under Maillebois in Corsica; afterwards in Italy and on the Rhine.
Recommended to D’Argenson as an officer ‘who understood the irregular
art of war better than any other man in Europe, nor was his knowledge
in the regular much inferior to that of the best general living.’
Entered the household of Prince Charles about 1744; accompanied him to
Scotland and acted as adjutant-general, as well as private adviser,
during the campaign. Was with the Prince in his wanderings until 20th
June. Escaped to France in a French cutter. Knighted by the Chevalier
about Christmas 1746, and created by him a baronet of Ireland 1753.
Date of death not ascertained.
[462] Donald Macleod of Gualtergil, on Dunvegan Loch, Skye, the
faithful ‘Palinurus’ of Prince Charles from 21st April to 20th June. He
was captured in Benbecula in July, and taken to London in Ferguson’s
ship; released June ’47; died at Gualtergil in May ’49, aged 72. His
wife was a sister of Macdonald of Borradale and a first cousin of Flora
Macdonald.
[463] It seems absurd to write of seizing the boat and stealing away.
In addition to the Prince’s five attendants, O’Sullivan, O’Neil, Allan
Macdonald, Ned Bourke, and Donald Macleod, there was a crew of seven
boatmen, probably the servants of Borradale who must have known. It is
true, however, that the Prince’s intended departure was concealed from
most of the Jacobite officers assembled in Arisaig.
[464] Neil is right as to the day of the week, but wrong as to the day
of the month. It should be Sunday, 27th April. See _Itinerary_.
[465] Rev. John Macaulay, son of the Rev. Aulay Macaulay, minister of
Harris, was ordained parish minister of South Uist in May 1745. He was
subsequently minister of Lismore and Appin 1755; Inverary 1765, and
finally of Cardross 1775. He died 1789. At Inveraray he had a good deal
of intercourse with Dr. Johnson in 1773, duly recorded by Boswell in
the _Tour to the Hebrides_. John Macaulay was the father of Zachary
Macaulay, and grandfather of Lord Macaulay.
[466] _i.e._ Neil MacEachain.
[467] Rev. Aulay Macaulay, formerly of Tyree; appointed to Harris 1712;
died 1758; aged about eighty-five.
[468] Rev. Colin Mackenzie was not minister of Stornoway but of Lochs,
the parish to the south of Stornoway.
[469] Should be 30th April.
[470] Donald Campbell was the brother-in-law of Hugh Macdonald of
Baleshare and of Donald Roy Macdonald, the former of whom is mentioned
later on; the latter, though of the family of Sleat, had served in
Glengarry’s regiment. Donald Roy took over charge of the Prince when he
said farewell to Flora Macdonald at Portree in Skye. (_L. in M._, ii.
21.) An anecdote of Campbell’s fidelity to the Prince when he protected
him against a party headed by Aulay Macaulay the minister is given in
the _Itinerary_. Neil MacEachain does not love Donald Campbell, but Ned
Bourke, who was one of the party, calls him ‘one of the best, honestest
fellows that ever drew breath.’ (_L. in M._, i. 191.)
[471] Lady Kildin should be spelt Kildun. This lady was the wife of
Colin Mackenzie of Kildun, a grandson of the 2nd Earl of Seaforth.
Mackenzie’s sister was the second wife of Donald, 16th Clanranald,
the mother of Macdonald of Boisdale, and stepmother of old Clanranald
of the ’45. From private letters belonging to Frances, Lady Muir
Mackenzie, I find that Colin Mackenzie was then in London.
[472] Neil MacEachain is all wrong here in the sequence of events and
in his dates. He was writing from hearsay only. The true sequence will
be found with authorities for the same in the _Itinerary_, pp. 48-50.
[473] A quarter of a peck of oatmeal not threshed, but burnt out of the
ear.
[474] This was strictly in accordance with Hebridean honesty, continued
to this day. The Prince desired to leave money on the rocks to pay for
the fish, but O’Sullivan and O’Neille (_not_ the islanders) dissuaded
him. Cf. _L. in M._, i. 172.
[475] Prince Charles landed in Benbecula, Clanranald’s island, on 11th
May, and from this time onward Neil writes from knowledge, not hearsay.
[476] South Uist.
[477] Ranald was afterwards taken prisoner and sent to London.
[478] Corradale is a picturesque valley situated in the mountainous
part of South Uist, which occupies the middle of the east side of the
island, whose northern, western, and southern confines are wonderfully
flat. Corradale lies about the middle of this district, running
north-west from the sea, between the mountains Hekla and Benmore, each
about 2000 feet high. If approached by sea it was easy for a fugitive
to get away to inaccessible hiding-places in the mountains, while
if attacked from the land he could escape by sea. Prince Charles’s
lodging was a forester’s house not far from the shore. On the north
side of the glen, close to the sea, there is a fairly commodious cave,
traditionally but erroneously the dwelling-place of the Prince. This
cave was probably the rock under which Neil left the Prince while he
looked for strangers. Considering the weather to be expected in this
island, there can be little doubt that the Prince often sat there for
shelter while he looked out for passing ships, as the cave commands an
excellent view of the offing to the south-east.
[479] The actual stay at Corradale was from 14th May to 5th June,
although the Prince was in South Uist until 24th June. For details, see
the _Itinerary_.
[480] See _ante_, p. 213, and Introduction.
[481] Moidart.
[482] In _Ordnance Survey_ Glen Quoich, to the west of Loch Garry. I
have no knowledge of the actions here referred to.
[483] Donald Macdonald, second son of Clanranald, served as captain
in his brother ‘Young Clanranald’s’ regiment throughout the campaign.
His mother was Margaret, d. of William Macleod of Luskintyre, son of
Sir Norman Macleod of Bernera, and Catherine, d. of Sir James ‘Mor’
Macdonald of Sleat, 2nd bart. Donald’s uncle, Alexander Macleod, was at
this time laird of Luskintyre in Harris. Donald was afterwards captured
and imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle, but discharged without trial. In
1756 he joined Fraser’s Highlanders (the Master of Lovat’s); fought
with Wolfe at Quebec and was killed in a subsequent action.
[484] _i.e._ Boisdale.
[485] Hugh Macdonald of Baleshare, an island to the south-west of
North Uist, was of the Sleat family, his father being a natural son
of Sir James ‘Mor,’ 2nd bart., and his mother a daughter of the 13th
Clanranald. As Sir Alexander of Sleat and Lady Clanranald were both
great-grandchildren of Sir James ‘Mor,’ they were nearly related to
Baleshare, being in the Scots phrase ‘first-cousins once removed.’
Baleshare’s sister was the wife of Donald Campbell, the Prince’s
host in Scalpa. Hugh of Baleshare had been sent to South Uist by
Lady Margaret Macdonald, the wife of Sir Alexander of Sleat then in
attendance on Cumberland at Fort Augustus, while his men were out
against the broken Jacobites. Lady Margaret had sent Baleshare secretly
with money and little luxuries to relieve the Prince’s discomfort and
to help him generally. At one time it was proposed that Baleshare
should conceal Prince Charles in his own island, but the scheme was
abandoned as it might compromise his chief, Sir Alexander.
[486] This power of drinking seems to have made a great impression.
Baleshare told Bishop Forbes that the Prince ‘still had the better
of us, and even of Boystill [Boysdale] himself, notwithstanding his
being as able a boulman as any in Scotland.’ It is generally assumed
that Prince Charles acquired his drinking habits as a result of his
hardships in Scotland, yet his anxious father had detected symptoms of
an over-fondness for wine even before he left Rome in 1744. In a letter
to Colonel O’Bryen (Lord Lismore), his envoy at the French Court, in
August 1745, the Old Chevalier writes: ‘La grande vivacité du Prince,
son penchant pour toutes sortes de divertissements, et un peu trop de
goût qu’il sembloit alors avoir pour le vin, leur ont faire croire
faussement qu’ils avoient gagné quelque chose sur son esprit et il
devint bientôt par là leur Héros.’ (Stuart Papers, Browne, _Hist. of
the High._, iii. 445.)
[487] See _post_, p. 249, _n._ 3.
[488] Should be Ulinish. He was a first cousin of Sir Alexander
Macdonald, whose mother was a Macleod of Greshornish. Alexander Macleod
was made sheriff-substitute in Skye in 1773. In 1791 he was alive and
in his 100th year.
[489] Captain John Ferguson was the fourth son of George Ferguson,
one of six brothers, members of a family long resident at Inverurie.
The eldest was the celebrated or notorious ‘Ferguson the Plotter’ of
the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries; other brothers
founded the families of Pitfour and Kinmundy. George lived and died
at Old Meldrum near Inverurie, so it may be supposed that his son,
John, was born there. Nothing is known of his early career, but in
1746 John Ferguson was in command of H.M.S. _Furness_, (which is
always spelt _Furnace_ in the Scottish journals and narratives of the
time), and was employed in hunting fugitive Jacobites. He was the
‘black captain’ of the ’45, one of the most active and ruthless of the
Government officers. His cruelties are a constant theme in Jacobite
annals (see the _Lyon_ from the index). Captain O’Neille, who was one
of his prisoners, states that Ferguson used him with the barbarity of a
pirate, stripped him, and ordered him to be put into a rack and whipped
by his hangman because he would not confess where he thought the Prince
was. (_L. in M._, i. 374.) Ferguson was promoted in the same year, by
the express interference and recommendation of the Duke of Cumberland,
to be captain of the _Nightingale_, a new frigate just launched. He
died in 1767. (_Records of Clan Ferguson_, p. 280.) Ferguson’s greatest
exploit was the capture of Lord Lovat, which was effected with skill.
Lovat had taken refuge in an island on Loch Morar, a fresh-water lake,
and had removed all the boats on the loch to the island. Ferguson
landed a party, who saw the fugitives, whom they could not reach, and
by whom they were greeted with cries of derision. He then sent a boat
ashore from his ship, carried it over a mile or so of rugged country,
and launched it on Loch Morar. Lovat’s party rowed rapidly up the loch,
and got on shore, but after three days’ concealment, the old lord,
unable from infirmities to continue the struggle, determined to give
himself up, sent word to his pursuers and surrendered to Captain Dugald
Campbell of Achacrossan of the Argyll Militia.
[490] Fuyia, which I have corrected from Fugia in the _N. M. Maga._, as
it is a manifest error of the copyist or printer. Fuyia gives the local
pronunciation of the name of the island, which is generally spelt Ouia
in the _Lyon_, and Wiay in the Ordnance Survey maps. It is spelt Fouay
on p. 253.
[491] Alexander Macdonald of Boisdale (Clanranald’s step-brother) was
carried prisoner to London, and kept there until July 1747, when he was
released.
[492] This was Boisdale’s third wife, Anne, daughter of Macneil of
Barra.
[493] Captain Carolina Frederick Scott shares with Ferguson and
Lockhart eternal infamy for his superlative cruelty to the hunted
Jacobites of the Western Highlands. I found his name and that of
Ferguson still perfectly remembered in the Outer Hebrides, and received
with execrations. He was an officer of Guise’s regiment, the 6th
(now the Royal Warwickshire). His satanic zeal, like Ferguson’s, was
rewarded with promotion. In November 1746 he was appointed major in
his regiment in the room of Major Wentworth, who was cashiered for
surrendering Fort Augustus to the Jacobites (March 5th), when three
companies of Guise’s regiment were made prisoners of war.
[494] Meaning Captain O’Neille.
[495] This is the Beinchillkoinnich of the _Lyon_ (i. 329), the Beinn
Ruigh Choinnich of the _Ordnance Survey_; a hill on the north side
of Loch Boisdale, 900 feet high, from whence the low-lying country
of South Uist can be viewed from sea to sea. On the northern spur
there is a cave accessible only by a precipitous narrow ledge, where
shelter from the weather could be had and an outlook to the Minch.
Local tradition associates this cave with the Prince. He possibly took
shelter there on this momentous day. South Uist, even in summer, is a
very rainy island.
[496] Hugh Macdonald of Armadale, in Skye, was Flora Macdonald’s
step-father. He was a grandson of Sir James ‘Mor’ Macdonald of
Sleat, and was thus a first cousin of Sir Alexander’s father, and of
Lady Clanranald’s father, as well as of Baleshare and Mrs. Campbell
of Scalpa. He was a captain in one of Sir Alexander Macdonald’s
independent companies out against Prince Charles. He had formerly been
an officer in the French army. (Henderson’s _Life of Cumberland_, p.
299.)
[497] Daughter of Alexander (Montgomerie), 9th Earl of Eglinton.
Married as his second wife to Sir Alexander Macdonald of Sleat; d. 1799.
[498] At Alisary, on the slopes of Sheaval, a hill to the south of
Loch Eynort, and rising to the north-east from Flora’s old home of
Milton (or Arrivoulin) on the low ground near the ocean. This was the
hill pasture of her brother’s farm to which the cattle were driven in
summer, while the owners occupied ‘shielings’ or temporary huts in the
neighbourhood. It was an excellent place to meet. The western side of
the island is a wide belt of dead level links formed by the sand thrown
up by the swell of the Atlantic, and known as ‘the Machar.’ No wayfarer
on the Machar could easily escape detection even if he were miles away,
and it was the night of the full moon. Flora’s shieling was near the
western end of the hill region of South Uist, and just about as far
west as the Prince could have dared to go without losing the shelter of
the hills.
[499] Benbecula, that part of the ‘Long Island’ lying between North and
South Uist, and joined to these islands by sea-fords passable only at
low tide and thus easily guarded.
[500] I found that the custom of nick-naming local notabilities after
distinguished statesmen still exists. When I was visiting these islands
fifteen years ago I met a crofter known as ‘Gladstone’ on account of
his financial ability and his persuasive powers of (Gaelic) oratory,
and there were others whose nick-names I have forgotten.
[501] I obtained a very interesting confirmation of this story from
an aged cailliach when in the islands. She told me that a family of
Campbells, who lived near Loch Eynort or Loch Skipport, had rowed
the Prince and Neil MacEachain to Benbecula, and that the Prince was
furiously angry with them; but her explanation of his anger was that
the boatmen were Campbells, a name not beloved in the Outer Hebrides:
no one had ever thought of the terrifying effect of a tidal island on a
stranger. Cf. R. L. Stevenson’s _Kidnapped_, ch. xiv.
[502] A tenant who takes stock from the landlord and shares with him in
the increase.
[503] Clanranald’s residence in Benbecula.
[504] A hill named Rueval, 400 feet above sea level, the only high
ground on a very flat island. A projecting rock, on the south side of
the hill, which gives considerable shelter and affords a wonderful view
of the country, is probably the spot where the Prince lay waiting for
Flora.
[505] John Campbell of Mamore; b. about 1693; d. 1770; suc. as
Duke of Argyll on the death of his cousin, the 3rd duke, in 1761.
He had command of the troops in the west of Scotland in 1745, with
headquarters at Dumbarton. He pursued Prince Charles through the
islands, hunting for him as far away as St. Kilda. He was on his way
back from that island when he nearly captured the Prince at Benbecula.
Many of the Jacobite prisoners passed through his hands, and, as a
rule, he was kind to them, contrasting favourably with such men as
Scott and Ferguson.
[506] Spelt Loch Uskavagh in the _Ordnance Survey_.
[507] _i.e._ Neil MacEachain.
[508] The home of Sir Alexander of Sleat at this time was Monkstat
House (also spelt Mongstat, Mougstot and other variations), in the
parish of Kilmuir, Trotternish. It was built on the site of an ancient
monastic foundation near the shores of a lake named Columbkill, since
then drained and parcelled into crofts. The ancient home of the
family was Duntulm Castle, about five miles north of Monkstat, but
during the troubles of the Revolution it is said to have been burnt
by a party landed from a warship. Local legendary lore gives various
other versions of the reason for abandoning Duntulm. By one account
the family was driven from the castle by the ghost of Donald Gorm, a
sixteenth-century ancestor. By another, it was owing to the death of
a child of the family, who was killed by a fall from a window of the
castle, which is built on the edge of a precipitous rock overhanging
the sea. Monkstat was built in its stead.
[509] Alexander Macdonald of Kingsburgh, a senior cadet of the Sleat
family, was the 6th in descent from James, a younger son of Donald
Gruamach, 6th in descent from John, Lord of the Isles and the Princess
Margaret. Kingsburgh was Sir Alexander’s factor in 1746. His house was
on Loch Snizort, about eight miles south of Monkstat.
[510] The garrison belonged to the Macleod Militia, and the officer in
command was Alexander, son of Donald Macleod of Balmeanach.
[511] Robert Craigie of Glendoick, Perthshire; b. 1685; advocate 1710;
Lord Advocate 1742-46; Lord President 1754; d. 1760.
[512] APP. 1. Printed in _Chiefs of Grant_, ii. 144. From Edinburgh,
telling of rumours of the Pretender’s eldest son who had sailed from
France. Requesting intelligence for government and expressing his
belief that Grant will do all in his power to support government.
[513] APP. 2. _C. of G._, ii. 146. Of Grant’s zeal for H. M. and
the government he never doubted. First intelligence ridiculously
exaggerated, and had delayed military advance, but now Cope will be
soon in your neighbourhood which ‘with the assistance of H. M. friends
it’s hoped will restore quiet to the country.’
[514] Near Aberfeldy; Cope reached it when marching to the Highlands
from Stirling on 23rd Aug. He reached Trinifuir the 24th; Dalnacardoch
25th; Dalwhinny 26th.
[515] App. 3. _Mr. Grant to Sir John Cope, dated 25th Aug._--Upon the
first Information I had of the Pretender’s son landing in the north
west Highlands I came to this part of the Country, and conveened all
the Gentlemen of my name, and gave them Directions to prepare as well
as they could to keep the Peace of the Country. I and my Friends have
had great vengeance denounced against us by those Clans, who are in
arms, for the appearance we made for the Government at the Revolution,
and in the year 1715. We have been preparing to defend ourselves the
best we could; But now all my Fears are dissipate, as I am informed you
are marching to attack those Rebells, when I think of your abilitys and
experience, no doubt can remain with me, but that the Highlanders will
run before you. I wish you from my heart all Success. I have sent the
Bearer a cousin of mine who has served several years in the army, to
give you all the Information he can, and to assure you of my zeal for
the Support of his Majestys Service and Government, I am with esteem,
Sir, etc.
[516] This date is wrong; Cope reached Ruthven 27th August; Dalrachny’s
(Carrbridge) 28th August; Inverness 29th August. (See _Itinerary_ and
authorities there quoted.)
[517] All this is disingenuous and quite anachronic. The Duke of Perth,
it is true, had fled from Drummond Castle on 24th July, and taken
refuge in Braemar, but he had left long before this, for he was back at
Machany in Perthshire on 9th August. (_Jac. Lairds of Gask_, pp. 103,
104.) Cluny Macpherson at this time had declared openly for government,
had accepted a commission as captain in Lord Loudoun’s Highland
regiment, and was now actually raising his men for King George. He was
seized by Lochiel on 28th August, carried prisoner to Perth, and not
released until the 9th or 10th September, when he undertook to join the
Prince. He returned to Badenoch, and not until then raised his men for
the Stuart Cause. The Mackintoshes at this time were arming for King
George, under their chief, who was a captain in the Highland regiment
(Black Watch); it was not until considerably later that they deserted
their chief to join Prince Charles under Lady Mackintosh.
[518] Alexander Brodie of Brodie, Morayshire; M.P. Inverness Burghs;
appointed Lyon-King-of-Arms 1727; d. 1754. His daughter married John,
eldest son of Macleod of the ’45.
[519] APP. 4. _C. of G._, ii. 149. A letter of indignant remonstrance.
Cope cannot attack highlanders in their passes or strongholds without
highlanders to flank the regular troops. If the king’s highland
friends fail him we are undone, and all of us must be at the mercy
of the rebels. The writer is told that Grant’s people refuse to join
him (Grant) if he joins Cope or marches out of his own country. Let
him beware of counsels that will lead to his ruin. Grant should not
give himself the airs of having a clan that can support and serve the
government if when it comes to the push they tell him they won’t go
along with him. Grant had written to Cope expressing his readiness
to join and assist him, but he would neither join him nor assist him
with one man, nor go near him, although Cope stopped at Aviemore and
spent the night at Dalrachny’s (Carrbridge) within ten miles of Grant.
Rose of Kilravock, Lord Moray, General Cope and President Forbes are
all disappointed with him. Grant’s uncle, the major (governor of Fort
George, Inverness Castle) is very angry. It would have been far better
if Grant had given no assurances if he were not sure he could fulfil
them. The writer is distressed about what people are saying of Grant
at Inverness. How glorious it would have been if he had been the first
man in the country to join the king’s forces. The President has got two
hundred stand of arms for the laird of Mackintosh, who is to join Cope
with two hundred men. Munro, Mackays, Sutherland, Seaforth and others
are raising their men for government. The writer is to meet Cope and
President Forbes on Tuesday (3rd September), what is he to say of or
for Grant at that interview?
A separate piece of paper contains this rider, ‘I would not have been
so strong if it had not been with a design, that you might show it to
those of your own people that I am told are not for leaving your own
countrey; so hope you’ll forgive any strong expressions, as my meaning
is to serve you.’
[520] Ludovick Grant’s uncle.
[521] APP. 5. _C. of G._, ii. 152. Duke of Gordon claims a right
to the superiority over Morange, and Glenbucket (the Duke’s former
commissioner) was threatening the people if they did not join him.
[522] App. 6. _C. of G._, ii. 155. Grant’s situation had made it
absolutely impossible to wait on Cope when in his neighbourhood;
tells of Glenbucket’s movements; also that very few have joined the
Pretender’s son north of Badenoch; Glenbucket only got 130 men from
Strathdoune (Strathavon) and Glenlivet.
[523] James Ogilvy, eldest son of the 5th Earl of Findlater and 2nd
Earl of Seafield; b. 1715; suc. as 6th Earl 1764; d. 1770. He was a
brother-in-law of Lord George Murray, being married to his step-sister
Lady Mary. He was also brother-in-law to Ludovick Grant, who married
(1735) Deskford’s sister, Lady Margaret, a union which two generations
later (1811) brought the Earldom of Seafield (but not of Findlater) to
the Grant family.
[524] APP. 7. _C. of G._, ii. 160. Protests against the granting of
one company only, but Lord Deskford has explained and he acquiesces;
he names as officers for the independent company--Capt., Grant of
Rothiemurchus; Lieut., Robert Grant, son of Easter Duthill; Ensign,
William Grant, yr., of Dellachapple.
[525] APP. 8. _C. of G._, ii. 160. (From Culloden.)
[526] APP. 9. _C. of G._, ii. 162. (From Culloden.)
[527] The Macphersons under Cluny joined the Prince at Edinburgh (nine
or ten marches distant) on 31st October. The Mackintoshes joined the
reserves at Perth (five marches) on 30th October.
[528] Accidentally shot at Falkirk the day after the battle.
[529] APP. 10. _Angus MacDonell, second son to Glengerry, to the
Baillie of Urquhart, dated Delchannie, 30th Sept._--This serves to
give you notice, that I am this far on my way to Glengerry, and being
clad with the Princes orders to burn and harrass all People that does
not immediately join the Standart and as I have particular orders to
raise your Country, I do by these begg the Favour of you on receipt of
this to have at least 100 men ready in 5 days after receipt of this to
join my Standart at Invergarry, and tho contrary to my Inclinations,
in case of not due Obedience to this my demand, I shall march to
your Country with the Gentlemen here in Company, Keppoch’s Brother
and Tirnadrish,[659] etc. and shall put my orders in Execution with
all Rigour. And as I have the Greatest Regard for Grant and all his
Concerns, I begg you’ll neither give your Country nor me any Trouble,
I do not chuse to give, and your ready Compliance with this will much
oblige him, who is sincerely, Dr. Sir, your most humble servant.
_P.S._--Let me have your answer p bearer, which will determine me how
to behave.
APP. 11. _Mr. Grant to the Gentlemen of Urquhart, dated Castle Grant,
6th Oct._--Auchmony has communicate to me the Subject you have had
lately under your deliberation. All the Return I will give you,
considering what I formerly wrote to my Chamberlain, and which he
communicate to you is this, That whoever among you dont comply with my
directions in this present conjuncture, which is to remain peaceable at
home, and to be ready to receive my Directions as your Superior, and as
Master of my own Estate, must resolve to obey me at your own Peril. And
as I have firmly determined that whosoever shall insult me or disturb
any part of my Estate shall meet with the Returns such an Insult shall
merite. I am hopefull none of my neighbours will act a part by me,
which I could not nor cannot allow myself to think them capable of. I
cannot conceive the least title any man can have to command any of my
vassals or Tenants, but myself, therefore whoever deserts me to follow
any other at this Time, I must look upon it as a disobedience to me,
which I will never forgive or forget to them and theirs. I am perfectly
persuaded all the tenants will adhere and keep firm to me, if they are
not led astray by bad advice, which I hope they will not follow.--I am,
Gentlemen, your Friend and will continue so, if not your own Fault.
APP. 12. _The Baillie of Urquhart to Mr. Grant, dated Bellmackaen, 8th
Oct._--In obedience to your orders I convened all the Tenents of this
Country this day, in order to March them to Strathspey, and there was
only 60 or 70 of the Tenents, that agreed to go with me. Dell and I
came with all the men that joined us the length of Drumbuie, so far
on our way to Strathspey, and Coll MacDonald and all the Gentlemen of
this Country came up with us there, and one and all of the Gentlemen
but Sheuglie and his son swore publickly to the Tenents, if they did
not return immediately or two nights thereafter, that all their Corns
would be burnt and destroyed, and all their Cattle carried away. And
when the Tenents were so much threatned by the Gentlemen as well as by
Mr. MacDonald, they would not follow me one foot further. And upon the
Tenents returning Mr. MacDonald assured me, that this Country would be
quite safe from any hurt from him and not only so; but as some of the
Gentlemen that came north with him, had the same orders as he had to
destroy this Country, if we did not join them, he sincerely assured me,
he would do all he could to prevent these Gentlemen from coming. And if
he could not prevail upon them to keep back, that he would run me an
Express in a few days to put me on my guard, and acquaint me of their
coming; but one thing I assure you of e’er ten days that this Country
will be ruined. Lord Lovat has not appointed a day for his marching as
yet; for I am told that he has the Meal to make that he carrys along
with him for his Men’s subsistance. There is a Report here this day
that there is 2000 French landed at Cromarty last Saturday with Prince
Charles Brother. You’ll please let me have your advice how to behave;
for I am in a very bad situation. Please excuse this confused Letter,
being in haste and ever am, Honourable sir, Your most faithfull hubl
sert.
_P._ Auchmony[660] did not act a right part.
APP. 13. _Mr. Grant to the Chamberlain of Urquhart, dated Castle Grant,
10th Oct._--I received yours of the 8th this day about Dinner Time. I
am not at all surprised at the Conduct of the Gentlemen of Urquhart;
for as they seem determined to disobey my repeated Orders, they want
to prevail with my Tenents to do so likeways. However now that they
must have heard, that General Legonier with at least 18,000 of our
troops that have come from Flanders and the Dutch, and that there is
12,000 Danes, and the Remainder of the British Troops dayly expected,
and that nobody even at Edinburgh pretended to say, that the French
can spare any of their troops, I fancy they will soon see their Folly,
and they must be satisfied in a little Time, I will make them repent
their Conduct, and they will see the numbers they believed would join
the Rebells, dwindle to a very few, if any at all. Whenever you hear
any Motions among your neighbours make the best of your way for this
Place and see to bring these men with you, who were coming last day and
as many more as you can, and assure them I will see what Losses they
sustain repaid. And shall do all in my power afterwards to save them
when others must fly the country. Dont let any of the Gentlemen know
the day you design to march over with the men, other ways they might
bring a Possy to stop you, which will not be in their Power if you be
upon your Guard. I think you ought to have Spyes in the neighbouring
Countries. See that you get money from the Tenents, who are due, that
we may clear when you come over.
[530] APP. 14. _C. of G._, ii. 170. (From Inverness.) Claims Grant as
a relation and friend whom he finds, with great satisfaction, acting
so distinguished a part. The king has appointed Loudoun to command the
troops in this country; it gives him the greatest pleasure to know that
he has so powerful and faithful a friend to support him in time of need.
[531] APP. 15. _C. of G._, ii. 171. (From Culloden.) Urging Grant
to press forward his company; any expense after his men are brought
together shall be made good. Believes that ‘the thing will blow over
without much harm,’ but Grant should have his eye on as many of his
people as he can arm, to be ready for any emergency; ‘ways and means
shall be fallen on to subsist them.’
[532] APP. 16. _C. of G._, ii. 175. Mr. Grant’s heart is full of
zeal for the preservation of our religion and liberties, and will
exert himself to do everything in his power for H. M. service, and
is perfectly happy ‘that we who are the friends of government’ have
Loudoun to advise and direct us. The delay in his company’s joining
Loudoun is caused by all his clan vassals being ready, and he wishes
the company to be all volunteers. He foresees that there will be
occasion to convene all his men and he wants Rothiemurchus with him,
and asks for certain alterations in the commissions to his officers.
All the men of his company will have swords and most of them pistols
and dirks. Hopes to capture Capt. Gordon, who is levying cess on his
party as their arms will be useful. He is determined to let none of the
clans now in motion enter his county.
[533] APP. 17. _John Grant in Urquhart to Mr. Grant, dated 21st
Oct._--The MacDonalds and Glenmoristones came into this Country
Saturdays night late, and Sundays morning. And this day we expected
the Master of Lovat with 200 men to join the MacDonalds, who were in
number six score, in order to spreath [ravage] the Country, if the
whole people did not join them. The countrymen were all acquainted to
meet this day at Milntown, but few of them attended. And as the Master
did not come this day, as he appointed, sent word that he would be here
tomorrow morning, so that I am made to understand, that they design to
raise all their Cattle, and by that method are of opinion, that the men
will come present, and condescend to march directly to the army before
their Effects are carried off, but I made the Bearer, who is the only
one I could trust in, advise the People to keep at a distance and allow
them to carry off their cattle, as I assured them that you would repay
them in what damage they might suffer that way. I cannot acquaint you
at this Time of the Gentlemens Disposition, but tomorrow I shall send
an Express, and give you a full account of our Fate. Belintombs house
was attacked; but I procured a party from the Colonel to guard it this
night. Is all on haste but that I remain as becometh, Hon^{ble} Sir
your most ob. humble servant.
I am informed they design to march by Inverlaidnan. Barrisdale came
this day from the north to this country; but did not bring any men
alongst with him.
APP. 18. _John Grant in Urquhart to Mr. Grant, dated 22nd Oct._--The
most of the Countrymen met this day at Bellymore where Barrisdale came
with a Commission from his Colonel to them, assuring if they did not
join him, that he was fully resolved to spreath the whole Country. They
all unanimously replyed that in any Event, they would not disobey their
masters orders and his positive commands to them to sit peaceable at
home, and swore that while there was a drop of Blood in their Bodys,
they would not allow the Macdonalds to carry off their Cattle. In a
short Time thereafter the Master of Lovat accompanied with all the
Stratherrick Gentlemen came to Milntown, and after a long Conference
with Mr. MacDonald of Barrisdale, he agreed that the MacDonalds in
the Country might be compelled to join the Colonel, as he was not
in readiness to march his men this week, but in the Event that this
did not satisfy Mr. MacDonald, he was to come in person with 200 men
tomorrow, to prevent their carrying off the Cattle, and secure the
rest of the men for his own use, as he believed he had a better Title
to them than any MacDonald in life. As they could not agree upon the
above terms, Barrisdale went with the Master to Castle Downie to know
my Lord’s sentiments, and act accordingly. As this happens to be the
case we are as yet uncertain of our Fate, but shall to the outmost of
our Power, resist the MacDonalds if not assisted by the Frasers Is all
but that I remain as becometh, Honourable Sir, Your most obed^t humble
serv^t.
[534] APP. 19. _C. of G._, ii. 179. (From Culloden.) A letter to Lord
Deskford from the Lord President countersigned by Lord Loudoun. In
addition to what Grant quotes, they cannot understand the unaccountable
folly of his people that they deliberate in entering the company and
hope that they may be persuaded to form it forthwith.
[535] APP. 20. _Lord Lewis Gordon to Mr. Grant, dated St. Bridget,[661]
3rd Nov._--I take this opportunity to assure you of the Esteem and
Regard I have for yourself and all your Family, and that I shall be
always glad to do all in my Power to maintain the good Correspondence
that has so long subsisted between the Familys of Grant and Gordon.
And as you are very sensible of the Situation of Scotland at present,
I shall take this occasion of delivering you the Prince Regents
Complements, and how much he would be obliged to you for your aid at
this important Time; and if you dont appear active yourself, that
you would not oppose the rising of your Clan, which is so capable
of Serving the King and Country. I hope you will be so good, as to
consider this seriously, and to excuse this Liberty from a Friend,
who does it with a pure Intention of Serving his Country. I begg my
Complements to Lady Margaret and all your Family, as also to Lord and
Lady Findlater and Lord Deskfoord, to whom please tell, that what I am
to do for the Princes Cause in Banffshire, shall be executed in the
mildest and easiest manner in my Power. Glenbucket will deliver this
to you, and believe me to be, Dr. Sir, with great Sincerity Your most
affectionate ffriend and Servant.
[536] This was the ancestral home of the family of John Roy Stewart,
the Jacobite soldier-poet.
[537] APP. 21. _C. of G._, ii. 184. (From Inverness.) Grant’s company
had arrived the previous day, was a very good one, the best clothed
Loudoun had seen. Was sorry that Lord Lewis Gordon had risen, but the
Duke (of Gordon) had given orders to his people not to join him. Few
had done so. If Grant were attacked his own power should make Lord
Lewis repent; if not strong enough Loudoun would do what he could for
him.
[538] APP. 22. _C. of G._, ii. 183. (From Culloden.)
[539] APP. 23. _C. of G._, ii. 186. (From Castle Grant.)
[540] APP. 24. _C. of G._, ii. 187. (From Inverness.) Lord Loudoun
declines to send the company back to Mr. Grant, as he proposes to march
through Stratherrick to Fort Augustus.
[541] Thomas Grant of Achoynanie, Keith, afterwards of Arndilly, a
cadet of Grant of Grant, best known as the early patron of James
Ferguson the astronomer. (Henderson, _Life of Ferguson_, p. 18.)
[542] Alexander Grant of Tochineal, near Cullen.
[543] APP. 25. _Lord Lewis Gordon to Thomas Grant of Auchynany, dated
Huntly Castle, 6th Dec._--As Lord Lieutenant of the Countys of Aberdeen
and Banff, I am to raise a man for each £100 of valued Rent within the
same, and where Fractions happen the same is to yield a Man. I hope,
therefore, you will be so good as to send to Keith Tuesday next such
a number of ablebodied men, as will answer to the Valuation of your
estate well cloathed in short cloaths, Plaid, new Shoes, and three
pair of hose and accoutred with shoulder belt, gun, pistol and sword.
I have appointed a proper officer to attend at Keith the above day
for receiving the men. I need not tell a man of your good sense and
knowledge the hazard of not complying with the demand. Your Prudence
will no doubt direct you to avoid hardships of military execution,
wherein you’ll extremely oblige, Sir, your most humble servant.
APP. 26. _C. of G._, ii. 190. _Thomas Grant of Auchynanie to Mr. Grant,
11th Dec._ (From Arndillie.) Lord Lewis Gordon has only 300 men, and
of these only 100 have joined: mostly herds and hire-men from about
Strathbogie and unacquainted with the use of arms; many of them are
pressed and intend to desert; 100 or 150 of Grant’s men would drive
them to the devil, and capture Lord Lewis and his prime minister
Abbachy (Gordon of Avochie). Lord Findlater’s tenants and the people
of Keith are being ruined by Abbachy and look to Grant as their only
saviour. If Lord Loudoun would take possession of old Balveny Castle it
would spoil Lord Lewis’s recruiting.
APP. 27. _Lord Findlater’s Steward[542] to his Lordship, dated 11th
Dec._--I had a Letter from John Saunders in Keith upon Sabbath day
night, informing me that there had 60 of Lord Lewis men come to that
place upon Saturdays night, under command of one White and that he and
others in that place much wanted advice what to do. To whom I wrote for
Answer, that I had a letter from Lord Lewis Gordon for your Lordship,
which I forwarded by Express, was very peremptor, Lord Lewis had given
no orders for making the least demand upon your Lordships Estate before
its Return, so I expected that none concerned in him, would offer to do
it before that Time, yet notwithstanding thereof, I had the inclosed
this day from William Taylor, to which I answered that as I sent Lord
Lewis Letter to your Lordship per Express, I could neither give answer
nor advice to his Letter, but that I expected that none concerned in
Lord Lewis would have made any demand of your Lop. Estate before I had
your Answer. As likeways that they would have defered compounding the
matter untill that Time. David Tulloch[662] is just now at Banff with
about 60 or 80 men and as I am told demands no fewer Levies from that
Town as 200 men. Birkenbush was here last night, and told me that as
it is not in his power to get your Lordships Estate saved in such a
way as he would have desired has utterly refused having any Concern in
uplifting the Levies from that Bounds, for which I have been very angry
at him; but it cannot now help. To appearance Mr. Tulloch or Abbachy
will be soon here, and unless your Lordship fall upon some shift for
relief to us, we shall suffer extremely.
[544] APP. 28. _C. of G._, ii. 192. (From Castle Grant.)
[545] APP. 29. _Earl of Findlater to Mr. Grant, dated 13th Dec._--After
despatching the short letter I wrote you this morning, which is
inclosed, I received the Inclosed from the President. All that I shall
say is, that all their Proceedings will not secure our Safety unless
a Sufficient right and Trusty Party is left in Banffshire for Lord
Lewis’s small partys will stir as soon as they are past, if there is
not force enough to suppress them. You know the State of my health
makes it impossible for me to attend Lord Loudoun and make things
agreeable to him as I would wish. I have writ to Tochineil[663] and
John and William Ogilvies Sheriffs deputes to do their duty the best
they can in all respects; but I am not without my own Fears that Fear
and trembling for after Consequences may make some if not all of them
extremely unwilling to act. Perhaps even they may decline it. You
know you have full Power in everything that concerns me, to do what
you think proper and I have full confidence you will do whatever you
think right; but least some thing more formal should be requisite, with
regard to the office of Sheriff I hereby give you full Power to act
as Sheriff Depute of Banffshire and to employ such substitutes under
you as you shall think fitt, for which this shall be to you and them a
sufficient warrant and Commission, I always am most affectionately and
entirely yours.
_P._--My son intends to go down by Forress to wait of Lord Loudoun
tomorrow; but as he continues extremely ill off the Cold I am uncertain
if he will be really able to go. I begg you will send the Inclosed to
Tochineil by some sturdy clever Man because the bearer is feckless and
too well known, and may be searched for Letters. It contains orders for
Tochineil, John and William Ogilvies to attend my Lord Loudoun. Keep
the Presidents letter. Your wife opened the inclosed from Robert Grant.
[546] APP. 30. _C. of G._, ii. 189. (From Culloden.) This letter
contains a postscript saying that Lord Loudoun ‘had prevailed with Lord
Lovat to come in with him to town [Inverness] to reside at liberty
there till the present confusions are over, to deliver up what arms he
has, and to sign all proper orders to his clan to remain quiet. Loudoun
brings him on with him to-day 11th [Dec.] 9 a clock in the morning.’
[547] Boat o’ Bridge, the ferry on the Spey near the mouth of the
Mulben burn, now superseded by a road and a railway bridge.
[548] Sir Harry Innes of Innes (Morayshire), 5th bart. Suc. 1721; d.
1762. He was a brother-in-law of Ludovick Grant, married to his sister
Anne. Innes’s son James suc. as Duke of Roxburghe on the death of the
4th duke in 1805.
[549] APP. 31. _C. of G._, ii. 193. (From Elgin.) Macleod will most
cheerfully act in conjunction with Grant in everything thought proper.
[550] Bog, the local name for the site of Gordon Castle, built on the
Bog o’ Gight (windy bog). The ferry there was known as the Boat o’ Bog;
it is now superseded by Fochabers Bridge.
[551] APP. 32. _Mr. Grant to M‘Leod, dated 15th Dec._--I have just
now the Pleasure of yours by our Friend Sir Harry Innes. I shall as
soon as I get my Men conveened march to Fochabers and endeavour to get
Possession of the Boats, and shall do all in my Power to secure the
passage for the Men under your Command. I am hopefull the Rebells wont
be able to give much disturbance.
[552] APP. 33. _Lord Lewis Gordon to Mr. Grant, dated Fyvie, 16th
Dec._--I was a little surprised this morning to hear that you had
marched a body of your Men to the low Country so far as Mulben. Your
Reason for such Proceedings I cant find out, as you have not got the
least disturbance from the Prince, or any of his Friends, since his
Royal Highness arrival in Scotland. And for my part I have not given
you the least disturbance, since my coming to the North. So far from
it, that I have given positive orders to the Gentlemen employed by
me to raise the Levies, not to meddle with any of your Estate no not
so much as to raise a man from a little Place called Delnaboe, which
holds of the Duke of Gordon, to the men of which last place, I had a
natural Title. I now desire to know, if you are to take any Concern
in protecting the Estates of any but your own. If that is the case, I
must take my Measures accordingly, and as the Consequence must be fatal
you have none to blame but yourself. I am this minute writing to Lord
John Drummond that he may march his Troops directly to this Country to
join the men I have already raised; but if you withdraw your men, and
give no further disturbance, it may move me to alter my Resolutions
with respect to you. I wrote you a Letter from Strathdoune but was
not favoured with any Return, but must insist on an answer to this in
writing or by some Gentleman of Character. Offer my Complements to Lady
Margaret and your young Family.--I am with much Respect, etc.
_Copy Printed Declaration of Lord John Drummond, Commander-in-Chief
of his Most Christian Majesty’s Forces in Scotland._--We, Lord John
Drummond, Commander-in-Chief of his most Christian Majesty’s Forces
in Scotland, do hereby declare, that we are come to this kingdom with
written orders to make war against the King of England, Elector of
Hannover, and all his adherents, and that the positive orders we have
from his most Christian Majesty are to attack all his ennemys in this
Kingdom, whom he has declared to be those, who will not immediately
join or assist as far as will ly in their power, the Prince of
Wales, Regent of Scotland his Ally, and whom he is resolved with the
concurrence of the King of Spain to support in the taking possession of
Scotland, England and Ireland, if necessary at the expence of all the
men and money he is master of, to which three Kingdoms the Family of
Stewart have so just and indisputable a title. And his most Christian
Majesty’s positive orders are, that his ennemys should be used in this
Kingdom in proportion to the harm they do, or intend to his Royal
Highness’s cause. Given at Montrose, the 2nd day of December 1745 years.