All the Information that is known here about the Rebells, who fled
Out of Fochabers, is that they all marched to Huntly, and about 6 men
as computed abode in Newmilns Sunday night and on Monday followed to
Huntly. There is no word yet from Lord Loudon.
[554] APP. 35. _Declaration published at Strathbogie by Mr. Grant,
dated 18th Dec._--Whereas many of his Majesty Subjects have been
compelled by Force and Threats to enlist in the Service of the
Pretender, whilst there was no Force sufficient to protect them.
If any such shall resort to me, and deliver up their arms, I shall
signify their dutiful Behaviour in this point, to the end that it may
be a motive to obtain their pardon from his Majestys Grace and will
endeavour to free all of illegal and treasonable Levies of men and
money; but such as presumes to persist in their treasonable Practices
and to resist will be treated as Traitors.
[555] APP. 36. _C. of G._, ii. 194. (From Inverness.) Loudoun’s letter
after applauding Grant’s zeal is very much the same as Lord Deskford’s
letter which follows.
[556] APP. 37. _Lord Deskfoord to Mr. Grant, dated 14th Dec._--I am
now with Lord Loudon and in a conversation with him, I find that he
is Sorry he has not Sufficient authority as yet from the Government
either to give Pay to any Clan, except when an immediate necessity
which cannot be answered by the Troops upon the establishment requires
it, nor has he any arms to dispose of to the Friends of the Government,
scarcely having sufficient arms here for the independent companies and
his own Regiment. This being the Case and the Service in the Countrys
of Banff and Aberdeenshire being sufficiently provided for by the 700
men already sent to that Country, it is impossible for him to take your
men into Pay, and as your arms are certainly not extremely good, and
he cannot give you others, I believe he would be as well pleased, that
your People should go back to Strathspey; but he does not care to take
it upon him to order them back, as the thing was undertaken without
his Commands. If you carry your People home, he wishes you gave M‘Leod
Information of it because he must regulate his motions accordingly
with the independent Companys. He says he wont fail to represent your
Zeal and that of your People, and wishes for the future nothing may
be undertaken but in concert with those who have the Direction of the
Kings affaires in this Country. Pray let us hear what you do. Loudon
who is much your Friend assures me of another Thing which is that the
first opportunity that offers of employing any People in a way to make
them make a figure he will most certainly throw it into your hands. I
hear there are more Troops to march eastward tomorrow. When Lord Loudon
sets out himself is not certain.--I am, Dear Sir, etc.
As the Governor commands here in Lord Loudons absence My Lord says he
will chuse to leave the Grants here with him, that he may have one
Company that he may entirely depend upon.
[557] APP. 38. _C. of G._, ii. 201. (From Huntly.) Grant writes he has
a letter from Loudoun intimating he should not have marched further
than Keith, and he will return there next day. Culcairn and Mackintosh
want to join Macleod at Inverurie to-morrow night.
An enclosure contains the following lines, which naturally were not
sent up to Government, and are not in the Record Office. They are taken
from _The Chiefs of Grant_:--
‘Lord Loudoun will not act as Cope,
Whose ribbon now is call’d a rope;
If Grant is armed to join M‘Leod
The enemy is soon subdued.’
[558] APP. 39. _C. of G._, ii. 200. (From Banff.) Macleod very sorry
that Grant is not to join him at Inverurie, but he knows best what
Loudoun has directed.
[559] APP. 40. _C. of G._, ii. 202. (From Castle Grant.)
[560] APP. 41. _C. of G._, ii. 205. (From Elgin.)
[561] For a detailed account of the action at Inverurie on 23rd
December, see _ante_, p. 140 _et seq._
[562] APP. 42. _Mr. Grant to the Magistrates of Elgin, dated 29th
Dec., in answer to their Letter following._--I received your Letter of
yesterdays date signed by you and the Magistrates of Elgin, informing
me that Macleod and his men were then marching from your Town towards
Inverness and that you are now exposed to the same oppression with the
other Burghs to the East. As you had Intelligence that there are 500
men ready at Strathbogie to come over, who have sworn heavy vengeance
against you. How far it may be in my Power to give them a check, and to
prevent the oppression they threaten you with, I dare not positively
say; but I assure you, I have all the Inclinations in the world to
be of as much Service to my Friends and neighbours during these
troublesome Times as I possibly can. Upon the 10th of this month I was
informed that the Party under Abbachys Command was levying the Cess and
raising men in a most oppressive manner in Banffshire, and that they
were to detach a large Party to your Town, and were threatning to use
the same acts of violence against you. As at that Time I knew nothing
of the Relief that was acoming to you from Inverness. I conveened upon
the 12th the most of the Gentlemen of the Country and about 500 of the
men, and marched directly to Mulben with an Intention to cover your
Town and Country, and to assist my Friends and neighbours in the County
of Banff. All this I did without any advice or Concert with those
entrusted at Inverness, only the very day I marched from this, I wrote
and acquainted them of my Intention; but as they imagined they had
sent Force sufficient to clear all betwixt them and Aberdeen, I found
it was not expected that I should proceed further than Keith or my own
Estate of Mulben; however as I was resolved to chase the Rebells out of
Banffshire, if in my Power I proceeded to Strathbogg where I remained
two nights, and then finding that I was not desired or encouraged to go
further, I returned home, leaving a party of 60 men, with officers in
Mulben to prevent any small partys of the Rebells either from visiting
you or oppressing that neighbourhood. My Party continued there till all
the M‘Leods had passed in their way to Elgin; but then the officers
there thought it was not proper for so small a body to remain longer,
when Such numbers of the Rebells were so near them. My present opinion
is that you may all be easy, unless you hear that a much greater body
come from Aberdeen to join that at Strathbogie for these at Strathbogie
will never venture to cross Spey, when I am above them and Lord Loudon
is so near them. Altho the MacLeods have marched to Inverness, I am
persuaded Lord Loudon will send another body sufficient to give a
check to those at Strathbogie. In the situation I am at present in I
am uncertain whether I am to be attacked from Perth or by those at
Aberdeen and Strathbogie for my late March. I dare not promise to march
with any body of Men but in Concert and with Lord Loudons Directions.
And at the same Time I have demanded to be assisted with arms, and
encouraged to keep my Men in the proper way. There is no body can
wish the Peace and happiness of my Friends in the Town of Elgin than
I do. And I shall always be ready to use my best Endeavours towards
preserving the Tranquility you at present enjoy.--I am, etc.
_The Magistrates of Elgins Letter to Mr. Grant, dated December 28th,
1745._--The Laird of M‘Leod and his Men are this moment marching from
this Place towards Inverness, so that we are left exposed to the like
Ravage and oppression which other Burghs and Counties to the East
of us labour under. And unless we be immediately favoured with your
Protection, we and many others of the principal Inhabitants must remove
with our best effects to some Place of Safety without loss of Time.
By Intelligence we have from the other side of Spey there are 500 at
Strathbogie ready to come over and who have threatned a heavy vengeance
upon us, so that we have all the Reason in the World to guard against
the Blow in some shape or other. We therefore begg you may give us a
positive and Speedy Answer. And we are respectfully, Hon^{ble} Sir,
Your most humble Servants.
[563] APP. 43. _Sir Harry Innes to Mr. Grant, dated 28th Dec._--The
desertion among all the Companys has been so great that M‘Leod is
resolved to march to Forress, and for ought I know to Inverness. This
will lay this Town and Country open to the Insults of the Rebells.
Therefore the Magistrates have writ you and have desired me to do the
same, desiring you may march Such a body of your Men here as will
secure the Peace of the Country and Town; but as you are best Judge of
this.--I am, D^r Sir, etc.
_P.S._--We had yesterday the accounts of the Highland Armys being
totally routed and dispersed betwixt Manchester and Preston betwixt
the 13th and 14th. The Prince as he is called flying in great haste
with about 100 horse. The Duke of Perth amongst the Prisoners. If
M‘Leod marches I must with him or go to you, but I think I shall go to
Inverness for I am not liked at present by many.
_Sir Harry Innes to Mr. Grant, dated 28th Dec., probably from Innes
House._--I wrote you this forenoon from Elgin, which I suppose would
or will be delivered to you by one of the Council of Elgin. As M‘Leod
was then resolved upon Marching here, they were determined to apply to
you for some Relief and Support for their Town and Country in General.
I have and must do M‘Leod Justice. He is far from loading you with
any share of their late unlucky disaster, and would willingly act in
Concert with you for the Common well, but to his great Surprise when he
came here, he found that his men who had deserted in place of going to
Inverness had mostly past from Findorn to the Ross side. So he does not
know when or where they may meet. This has hindered him from writing to
you to desire you to bring your men to Elgin in order to act with his.
Altho he had desired this from no other authority, or any Reasons, but
your doing the best for the common Cause, but this unlucky passing of
his men at Findorn has prevented his writing as he told the Provost of
Elgin he was to do. For these Reasons I run you this Express that you
may think how to act. I go to Lord Loudon and the President tomorrow,
and will return to M‘Leod Monday forenoon.--My Complements, etc.
_P._--The President writ me that Lord Deskfoord is gone for London in
the _Hound_ and that they sailed the 25th.
[564] APP. 44. _C. of G._, ii. 208. (From Inverness.)
[565] APP. 45. _Mr. Grant to Lord Loudon, dated the 9th Jany
1745-6._--Inclosed your Lordship has a letter I received this day from
John Grant Chamberlain of Urquhart. The subject contained in it gives
me the greatest uneasiness. I thought I had taken such measures as to
prevent any of the Gentlemen or Tenants of that country from so much
as thinking to favour the Rebells far less to join them. I have sent
the Bearer James Grant my Chamberlain of Strathspey, who has several
Relations in that Country to concur with John Grant my Chamberlain of
Urquhart in every Measure that can prevent these unhappy People from
pursuing their Intentions of joining the Rebells. And I have ordered
him to obey any further Orders or Instructions your Lordship shall give
him for that purpose, and I am hopefull I’ll get the better of that mad
villain Currymony who is misleading that poor unhappy People.
That I may not weary your Lordship, I’ll leave to him to tell you all
that he knows relating to that country. I have just now received the
Inclosed from Lord Strechin by Mr. Sime Minister of Longmay: My Lord
Strichen did all in his Power to save my Friend Lieutenant Grant from
being taken Prisoner, even to the hazard of his own Life. I would
gladly march to relieve him as my Lord Strichen suggests in his Letter,
but I take it for granted that that Thing is impossible, for I could
not march to that Country with any Body of men but the Rebells must
have notice of it, and would send my Friend to Aberdeen and so forward
to Glames, where the rest of the Prisoners are. I am hopeful the
Kinghorn Boat on board of which my Friend came to Fraserburgh is by
this time arrived at Inverness, but least it should not, I send your
Lordship with the Bearer the two last Newspapers from Edin^r, which
came by Lieutenant Grant who luckily delivered them with my Letters to
Lord Strichen, before he was made Prisoner. And I must refer it to the
Bearer to inform your Lorp. of the manner of Mr. Grant’s landing and
being taken Prisoner. Mr. Syme who brought me Lord Strichens letter
informs that Mr. Grant told that part of the Duke of Cumberland’s
horse arrived at Edinburgh Wednesday last. That the Duke of Cumberland
arrived at Edinburgh on Thursday last with a great body of horse, and
the foot were following. I think it my duty to take notice to your Lop.
that the Rebells are exerting themselves in every corner of the North
to increase their army. I therefore think it absolutely necessary that
all the Friends of the Government should use their outmost efforts to
disconcert and disperse them. I had a meeting yesterday with all the
Gentlemen of this Country, and I can assure your Lop. we wait only
your orders and Directions, and there is nothing in our Power, but
we will do upon this important occasion for the Service of our King
and Country. I wish it was possible to assist us with some arms, and
money to be sure also would be necessary; but give me Leave to assure
your Lordship that the last farthing I or any of my Friends have, or
what our Credite can procure us, shall be employed in supporting of
our men upon any Expedition your Lordship shall direct us to undertake
for this glorious Cause we are engaged in. I wish to God your Lordship
and the Lord President would think of some measure of conveening the
whole body of the Kings Friends in the north together, and I would
gladly hope we would form such a body, as would in a great measure
disconcert and strike a damp upon the army of the Rebells in the South,
and effectually put a stop to any further Junctions they may expect
benorth Stirling and at the same Time surely we might prevent their
being masters of so much of the North Coast, and also hinder many of
the Kings Subjects from being oppressed by the exorbitant sums of money
the Rebells are presently levying from them. Complements etc.
[566] APP. 46. _Lord Loudon to Mr. Grant, dated 16 Jany. 1745-6._--I
have had the Honour of two Letters from you since I had an opportunity
of writing to you. I think your scheme of relieving the low Country is
a very good one; but in the present situation until I have a Return of
the Letters I have sent for Instructions, and a little more certainty
of the motions of the Rebells, I dare not give them any opportunity
of Slipping by the short road over the hills into this Country and of
course into possession of the Fort. Whilst I am in the low Country,
as soon as Instructions arrive, I shall be sure to acquaint you, and
consult with you the most effectual way of doing real Service to our
Master and our Country. I begg my Complements etc.
[567] The Prince arrived at Blair Castle 6th February, and left on the
9th.
[568] APP. 47. _C. of G._, ii. 222. (From Inverness.) Giving news of
the abandonment of the siege of Stirling Castle by the Jacobites and
their retreat to the north. The desertion among them has been very
great, and it will take time to re-collect their people before they can
hurt us.
[569] APP. 48. _Intelligence sent to Lord Loudon by Mr. Grant, 9th
February 1746._--Last Thursday Mr. Grant sent by a Ministers son
not having had time to write, being busied in his own Preparations,
Intelligence of the Rebells motions, and what was said by some of their
leaders to be their Intention.
Saturday morning he wrote M‘Leod the substance of it with the orders
then brought to Badenoch, which as M‘Leod would forward was unnecessary
for Mr. Grant to do. Since the above many confirmations of it have
arrived but nothing new all this day.
The inclosed is a copy of their Resolutions taken at their Meeting in
Badenoch, where Cluny was present and approved of them.
Many of the M‘phersons came home before Cluny and many of them
expressed Resolutions not to be further concerned; but how far they
will be steady is uncertain.
It is said by pretty good authority, that the Glengerry men after the
Interment of Angus MacDonald openly and in a body left the army, and
many of the Camerons followed their example. It is certain most of
Keppoch’s men were at home some time ago, but people are sent to use
their outmost Endeavours to bring all the above back, and influence
what more they can, for which purpose it is said they will remain at
least two days at Badenoch.
Their Prince was said to be at Cluny last night, but the men remaining
with him, and coming through the hills to be only in the Country this
night.
A deserter from those coming by the Coast, and who only left them in
Angus, says Duke Cumberland was entering Stirling, as last of their
army was going out, Confirms the great desertion since the battle, and
asserts it continues dayly, also that there is no division coming by
Braemar.
The above Deserters and others and Letters say that Clanhatton,
Farquharsons, French, Pitsligo, Angus, Mearns and Aberdeenshire
People came by the Coast for whom Billets were ordered last Wednesday
at Aberdeen, and that some M‘Donalds, M‘Kenzies, Frasers, M‘Leods,
Camerons, Stewarts, M‘Phersons, Athole and Drummond men are coming by
the Hills.
Some Clatters say they wont disturb Strathspey, and others that it is
their formed Plan to march through and disarm it, and join the rest in
Murray. The Truth is not yet known. There are some Rumours from the
South that part of the Duke’s Army are following briskly by the Coast,
and that upon the Rebells leaving Stirling, two Regiments were ordered
to embark for Inverness. Mr. Grant and all his Friends have been alert
as desired. Many spyes are employed and what is material shall be
communicated.
The Bearer will explain Mr. Grants numbers and present distribution of
them, with the various Instructions given for the different occurences
that may happen. In the general it may be depended upon, that Mr. Grant
will act zealously with his whole Power in every shape that shall be
judged best, suitable to the hearty Professions he hath all along
made, and upon a closer scrutiny finds he could bring furth 5 or 600
more good and trusty men if he had arms, than he can in the present
condition. If there are arms to be given the Bearer will concert their
Conveyance.
Sunday 8 at night. This moment fresh Intelligence arrived from
Rothemurkus as follows. It confirms most of what is above.
They are ignorant in Badenoch of the present root of the army, and
conceal their Losses as much as possible, but acknowledge they lost
considerably before Stirling, and obliged to leave behind them seven
heavy cannon of their own, and part of their Ammunition and Baggage,
with all the Cannon and Ammunition taken from the King’s army.
That they have brought north all their Prisoners. The Duke was advanced
as far as Perth. Their Prince is to be at Ruthven tomorrow where his
Fieldpieces and five, and some say 9 battering Cannon is arrived. Tho
they conceal their designs with great secrecy the Prisoner officers
conjecture their design is against Inverness. All the men of Strathern
are gone home and to meet the Army in its way to Inverness, which is to
go through Strathspey, and the Division coming by the Coast to march
through Murray. They call these in Badenoch seven Regiments, made up of
the people above mentioned.
That many the writer conversed with declared they were sick of the
present Business, and wish for a sufficient Force to protect them at
home.
One man says he heard their Prince declare he would quarter next
Tuesday in the house of Rothemurkus.
Some means are employed to endeavour to increase the desertion and to
create some dissention. If they prove effectual the Conclusion will be
quicker and easier.
[570] APP. 49. _C. of G._, ii. 225. (From Castle Grant.) A long letter
of various items of intelligence.
[571] APP. 50. C. OF G., ii. 224. (From Inverness.) Though a supply of
arms has come it is impossible to send them and men must come for them.
He will be glad to consult and co-operate with Grant. He has brought
back troops from Forres and needs money: will Grant send him the cess
he has collected.
APP. 51. _C. of G._, ii. 223. (From Culloden.) The Aberdeen rebels
much discouraged, for the most part separated, and will not easily
be brought together again. The Jacobites’ intention is to capture
Inverness and force all the neighbourhood into their service.
Glengarry’s and Keppoch’s people and the Camerons are almost all gone
home, but leaders are sent to fetch them out. All this will give time
to the friends of government.
[572] APP. 52. _C. of G._, ii. 232. (From Castle Grant.) A long letter
of details of intelligence of the movements of the Jacobite army.
[573] APP. 53. _Further Intelligence, dated 15th Feb. 1746, Saturday 7
o’clock at night._--Two persons confirm that Letters from Lord Loudon,
etc., were stopt at Ruthven. One of them says the Bearer was hanged
this morning. Both agree the Bridges on the road to Athole are broke
doun, That the Castle of Ruthven was burnt last night, and stables
this morning. The Prince to be at Inverlaidnan this night, some of
his People in Strathern,[665] the last at Avemore. The Macphersons to
march to-morrow all for Inverness. Best Judges call them about 5000.
The Campbells were at Blair. The Duke certainly at Perth the 12th. The
Hessians certainly landed at Leith. Several Expresses for this are
stopt. You know better than we do what is doing in Murray.
[574] Near Carrbridge.
[575] APP. 54. _Lord Loudon to Mr. Grant, dated Inverness, 15th
Feb._--I have been honoured with a Letter from you last night, and
another this morning, and I have seen yours to the Governor, all with
the Intelligence which you have got for which I am very much obliged
to you, and as we have had notice some time I hope if they do come,
we shall be able to give them such a Reception as they will not like.
I expect to be reinforced with 900 or 1000 men in two days, and every
day to grow stronger. I have thought seriously on every method of
sending you arms; but do not see as we are threatned with an attack,
that I can answer sending such a detachment from hence. A march that
must take up 4 days, as well bring the arms safe to you. Consider the
Clan hattonn[666] are all come home. The Frasers and the Gentlemen of
Badenoch are appointed to intercept them, and if we have any Business
it must be over before they return. As to the number you mention, you
know how small the number is, I have to give, and how many demands are
made on me, and by people who are none of them near so well provided
as you are. If you can send down 300 men, I shall endeavour to provide
them as well as I can that is the outmost I can do. You are very good
as you be advanced to send us constantly what accounts you get, but by
all I can learn your accounts magnify their numbers greatly. I beg you
will make my Compliment to all ffriends.--I am with real Esteem and
Sincerity, Dr. Sir, yours etc.
[576] This date not quite right. The ‘Rout of Moy’ took place on the
17th. Loudoun evacuated Inverness on the 18th, and the Jacobite army
reached the town the same day. The castle (Fort George), garrisoned
partly by Grant’s company and commanded by his uncle, surrendered to
the Prince on February 20th. (_Scots Mag._, viii. p. 92.)
[577] Sir Everard Fawkener, secretary to the Duke of Cumberland;
b. 1684; originally a London mercer and silk merchant; the friend
and host of Voltaire in England 1726-29; abandoned commerce for
diplomacy; knighted and sent as ambassador to Constantinople 1735;
became secretary to the Duke of Cumberland, and served with him in the
Flanders campaign; for his services was made joint postmaster-general
1745; accompanied the Duke throughout his campaign in Scotland 1746; d.
1758.
[578] The Duke of Cumberland arrived at Aberdeen on February 27th or
28th.
[579] Not the modern Castle Forbes on the Don, in Keig parish, but the
old Castle Forbes at Druminnor, in the parish of Auchindoir and Kearn.
[580] Cumberland crossed the Spey on April 12th.
[581] Fort Augustus surrendered to the Jacobites, March 5th.
[582] Alexander, the father, had died, a prisoner, before 29th July.
He died a natural death, but in Glenurquhart it was believed that he
was burned to death in a barrel of tar. (Wm. Mackay, _Urquhart and
Glenmoriston_, p. 288.)
[583] Not dated, but must have been written before 29th July, _i.e._
prior to Sheugly’s death.
[584] Sir Dudley Ryder (1691-1756) was Attorney-General 1737-54;
prosecuted the Jacobite prisoners of 1746; appointed Lord
Chief-Justice, 1754; cr. Baron Ryder of Harrowby 1756, and died the
same year.
[585] Hon. William Murray (1705-92), fourth son of David, 5th Viscount
Stormont. He was Solicitor-General 1742-54, and the active prosecutor
of Lord Lovat; Attorney-General 1754-56; Lord Chief-Justice 1756-88;
created Baron Mansfield 1756, and Earl of Mansfield 1776. His father
and eldest brother were denounced as rebels, fined and imprisoned for
their conduct in 1715. His brother James (_c._ 1690-1770) attached
himself to the court of the Chevalier de St. George; in 1718 he was
plenipotentiary for negotiating the marriage of James. In 1721 he was
created (Jacobite) Earl of Dunbar, and he was Secretary of State at the
court in Rome, 1727 to 1747; he was dismissed in the latter year at the
desire of Prince Charles, who deemed him responsible for the Duke of
York’s entering the Church; he retired to Avignon, where he died _s.p._
in 1770.
Murray’s sisters entertained Prince Charles in the house of their
brother, Lord Stormont, at Perth from the 4th to the 10th April 1745.
[586] Solicitor to the Treasury.
[587] This report is printed, _post_, p. 400.
[588] Alexander Grossett, a captain in Price’s Regiment (14th, now
P. of W. O. West Yorkshire). An engraving, dated 14th Jan. 1747,
entitled ‘Rebel Gratitude,’ depicts the death of Lord Robert Ker and
Captain Grossett at Culloden. About the latter the following legend is
engraved on the print: ‘Captain Grosett, Engineer and Aid de Camp to
the General.’ The rebel ‘shot Captain Grosett dead with his own pistol
which happened accidentally to fall from him as he was on Horseback,
under pretence of restoring the same to the Captain.’ Grossett had been
aide-de-camp to General Handasyde; he was serving on General Bland’s
staff at Culloden, according to family tradition.
[589] Sir John Shaw of Greenock, 3rd bart.; he was a cousin of
Grossett’s. I have failed to find his name in any record of officers
connected with the customs or excise at this time. His father, whom he
succeeded in 1702, had been ‘one of H.M. principal tacksmen for the
Customs and Excise,’ a pre-Union appointment, and it is possible that
the son succeeded to his father’s office or to some of its perquisites.
Sir John was M.P. for Renfrewshire 1708-10; for Clackmannanshire
1722-27; and again for Renfrewshire 1727-34. He married Margaret, d. of
Sir Hew Dalrymple of North Berwick 1700, and died 1752.
[590] Letter i. p. 379.
[591] Brigadier-General Thomas Fowke was the officer left by Cope in
command of the cavalry stationed at Stirling and Edinburgh when he
went on his march to the Highlands. Fowke fled with the cavalry on
the approach of the Jacobite army, and joined Cope at Dunbar. He was
present, second in command, at Prestonpans. His conduct, along with
that of Cope and Colonel Peregrine Lascelles, was investigated by a
military court of inquiry, presided over by Field-Marshal Wade in 1746.
All were acquitted.
[592] I have failed to find this narrative, but it matters little, as
all that Grossett had to say was probably given in his evidence at
the trial of Lord Provost Stewart, an account of which was printed in
Edinburgh, 1747. It is accessible in public libraries.
[593] See _ante_, p. 127.
[594] This refers to the capture of Charles Spalding of Whitefield,
Strathardle in Atholl, a captain in the Atholl brigade. He was sent
from Moffat on 7th November by William, (Jacobite) Duke of Atholl,
to Perthshire with despatches, and carried a large number of private
letters, which are preserved in the Record Office. He was made prisoner
near Kilsyth. There is no mention of Grossett’s presence in the
journals of the day, the credit of the capture being given to Brown,
the factor of Campbell of Shawfield. (_Chron. Atholl and Tullibardine_,
iii. 86; _Scots Mag._, vii. 540.) Spalding was tried for his life at
Carlisle the following October and acquitted.
[595] The Lord Justice-Clerk had retired to Berwick when the Jacobite
army occupied Edinburgh. That army left Edinburgh for good on 1st
November, but the Justice-Clerk and the officers of State did not
return until the 13th.
[596] Lieut.-Gen. Roger Handasyde superseded Lieut.-Gen. Guest as
Commander-in-Chief in Scotland on his arrival in Edinburgh on 14th
November, and held that office until December 5th, when he returned
to England. Guest again acted as Commander-in-Chief until relieved by
Lieut.-General Hawley, who arrived in Edinburgh on 6th January 1746.
The two infantry regiments that accompanied Handasyde were Price’s
(14th) and Ligonier’s (48th). They remained at Edinburgh until
December, but after the landing at Montrose of Lord John Drummond with
the French Auxiliaries (22nd November), it was felt necessary to guard
the passage of the Forth with a stronger force, and the Edinburgh
garrison was sent to Stirling, Price’s on 6th December and Ligonier’s
on the 9th, where they were joined by the Glasgow and the Paisley
militia. The cavalry were also sent to the neighbourhood of Stirling,
and Edinburgh was left with no defence but some volunteers and
afterwards by an Edinburgh regiment enlisted for three months’ service,
of which Lord Home was commandant.
[597] Letters ii.-iv. pp. 379-382.
[598] Letter v. p. 383.
[599] Letter viii. p. 385.
[600] Letter ix. p. 386.
[601] Letter x. p. 387.
[602] The Glasgow regiment was then five hundred strong. It was
commanded by the Earl of Home, who was also colonel of the Edinburgh
regiment. There were about a hundred and sixty men of the Paisley
regiment, of which the Earl of Glencairn was colonel. (_Scots Mag._,
viii. 30.)
[603] Grossett’s account gives the erroneous impression that the
infantry was moved to Edinburgh on account of its desertion by the
cavalry. According to the _Caledonian Mercury_ and the _Scots Mag._,
the cavalry and the main body of the regular infantry came in together
by forced marches from Stirling on the morning of the 24th, ‘men and
horses extremely fatigued.’ The west country militia arrived later, by
ship from Bo’ness, the intention originally being to send them on to
one of the East Lothian or Berwickshire ports (see Lord Justice-Clerk’s
letter, xvii. p. 390 _post_). It was decided, however, not to abandon
Edinburgh, so the infantry was kept in the town, but ‘all the dragoons
were marched eastward’; the text here locates Haddington as their
destination.
[604] Letters xii.-xviii. pp. 388, 391.
[605] Letter xiii. p. 388.
[606] The _Milford_, on 28th November, captured off Montrose the _Louis
XV._, one of Lord John Drummond’s transports; eighteen officers and
one hundred and sixty men were made prisoners, and a large quantity of
arms and military stores were taken. The prisoners were confined in
Edinburgh Castle until 26th December, when they were sent to Berwick.
[607] Letter xix. p. 391.
[608] Henry C. Hawley; b. _c._ 1679, d. 1757. Served at Almanza, where
he was taken prisoner; Sheriffmuir, where he was wounded; Dettingen
and Fontenoy; C.-in-C. at Falkirk; commanded the cavalry at Culloden.
Execrated by the Jacobites, and detested by his own soldiers, who
dubbed him for his cruelty the Lord Chief-Justice and hangman. He
arrived in Edinburgh on January 6th, 1746.
[609] In the ‘Narrative’ this sentence begins ‘Mr. Grossett having
received certain intelligence which he communicated to Lord Justice
Clarke that the rebells....’
[610] The ‘Narrative’ says ‘one hundred.’ This agrees with Maxwell
of Kirkconnell ‘not above a hundred,’ but the number was continually
increasing.
[611] Lieut.-colonel of Blakeney’s regiment (27th, now the Royal
Inniskilling Fusiliers).
[612] Letter xx. p. 392.
[613] Letters xxi., xxii. pp. 392, 393.
[614] William Blakeney, an Irishman, born in Co. Limerick 1672;
brigadier-general 1741, major-general 1744, and appointed
lieut.-governor of Stirling Castle in that year. The office was a
sinecure in time of peace. When Cope left Edinburgh for his highland
march, Blakeney posted down to Scotland and took command at Stirling
Castle on 27th August. When summoned to surrender the Castle to Prince
Charles in January, before and again after the battle of Falkirk, he
replied that he had always been looked upon as a man of honour and the
rebels should find he would die so. His successful defence of Stirling
was rewarded by promotion to lieut.-general and the command of Minorca,
which he held for ten years. His defence of Minorca in 1756 against an
overwhelming French force won the admiration of Europe. For seventy
days this old man of eighty-four held out and never went to bed. On
capitulation the garrison was allowed to go free. Blakeney received an
Irish peerage for his defence of Minorca about the time that Admiral
Byng was executed for its abandonment.
[615] John Huske, 1692-1761, colonel of the 23rd (Royal Welsh
Fusiliers); was second in command at Falkirk, and commanded the second
line at Culloden. Major-general 1743; general 1756. He was second in
command to Blakeney at Minorca in 1756.
Huske’s division on their march consisted of four regiments of
infantry of the line, and the Glasgow regiment, with Ligonier’s (late
Gardiner’s) and Hamilton’s dragoons (now 13th and 14th Hussars).
[616] This is very misleading. Lord George Murray’s scheme was to wait
till the Government troops came up, and tempt them over the bridge:
when half had crossed he intended to turn and cut them off. Lord
Elcho had kept the enemy in sight all the time, and records that the
Jacobites retired ‘in such order that the dragoons never offered to
attack them’; moreover, before the highlanders ‘had passed the bridge
the dragoons, who were in front of the regulars, drew up close by the
bridge and very abusive language passed betwixt both sides.’
Even the picturesque touch of the substituted dinner must go. Lord
George particularly mentions both in a private letter to his wife and
in his historical letter to Hamilton of Bangour that they had dined at
Linlithgow, and the journals of the day state that the affair occurred
about 4 o’clock. Maxwell of Kirkconnell considers that if the dragoons
had been very enterprising they might have cut off Lord George’s rear.
(Elcho, _Affairs of Scotland_, p. 370; _Jac. Mem._, p. 79; _Chron. Ath.
and Tullib._, iii. 141; Kirkconnell’s _Narrative_, p. 98.)
[617] This is meant to be an account of the battle of Falkirk.
[618] The Argyllshire highlanders had joined Huske at Falkirk on
January 16th, and were present at the battle the following day. Their
colonel was John Campbell, younger, of Mamore (1723-1806). In 1745 he
was lieut.-colonel of the 54th Regiment, but he commanded the Argyll
Highlanders (militia) throughout the Scottish campaign, and was present
at Falkirk and Culloden. He succeeded his father (see _ante_, p. 259)
as 5th Duke of Argyll, 1770. He is best known to fame as the husband of
the beautiful Elizabeth Gunning, widow of the 6th Duke of Hamilton, and
as the host of Dr. Johnson and Boswell at Inverary in 1773.
[619] At Prestonpans (21st September) seventy-seven officers were taken
prisoners. Some of these were allowed entire freedom on parole, but
a large portion of them had been interned in Perthshire: they were
kindly treated, and had given their parole. In December a considerable
number had been removed to Glamis Castle, in Forfarshire, and to Cupar,
Leslie, Pitfirran, Culross, and St. Andrews in Fife. They were living
quietly in these places when about the second week in January their
retreats were raided and they ‘were forcibly hurried off by a great
number of people in arms and disguised, whom they could not resist, and
carried by the same violence to Edinburgh.’ (_Scots Mag._, viii. 43.)
Thirty-one officers arrived at Edinburgh on 19th January, and Grossett
was sent next day to recover those mentioned in the text.
[620] The Duke of Cumberland arrived in Edinburgh on 30th January.
[621] Not identified.
[622] Letter xxv. p. 394.
[623] This officer may have been the second major of the 3rd (Scots)
Guards, the only regimental officer of the name who held the rank of
colonel at this time.
[624] Letter xxviii. p. 395.
[625] Not identified.
[626] Letter xxix. p. 395.
[627] Should be Bligh’s regiment, the 20th, now the Lancashire
Fusiliers.
[628] Letter xxx. p. 396.
[629] Letter xxxi. p. 396.
[630] William, 8th earl, suc. 1720. In 1745 he was a captain in the 3rd
(Scots) Guards: he served on Cope’s staff at Prestonpans; commanded the
Glasgow (volunteer or militia) regiment at Falkirk; was also colonel of
the Edinburgh regiment. In 1757 he was appointed Governor of Gibraltar,
where he died in 1761, being then a lieut.-general.
[631] Letter xxxiii. p. 398.
[632] This is that Thomas Smith who, in 1728, for an act of consummate
audacity acquired vast fame, became for a while the darling of the
British nation, and in the Navy received the nickname of ‘Tom of Ten
Thousand.’ Although only junior lieut. of H.M.S. _Gosport_, while in
temporary command he forced the French corvette _Gironde_ to lower her
topsail as a salute to the British flag when passing out of Plymouth
Sound. For this exploit he was summarily dismissed the service on
the complaint of the French ambassador, but, according to tradition,
was reinstated the following day with the rank of post-captain
(see Thackeray’s _Roundabout Papers_, No. 4, ‘On Some Late Great
Victories’). Modern investigation has somewhat qualified the dramatic
story of the reinstatement, but not of the initial act. Smith was naval
commander-in-chief in Scotland from February 1746 to January 1747 when
he became rear-Admiral; in 1757, Admiral of the Blue. He presided at
the court-martial which condemned Admiral Byng. He died 1761.
To those interested in Jacobite history his memory should ever be
cherished as the benignant guardian, if jailer, of Flora Macdonald.
When Flora was first made prisoner in Skye in the second week of July,
she was taken on board the ship of the merciless Captain Ferguson
(_ante_, p. 244), in which she was detained for three weeks. Luckily
for her, General Campbell was also on board and treated Flora with
great kindness. The general handed her over to Commodore Smith, with
whom she remained a prisoner until her arrival in London in the
middle of November, a period of three and a half months. Home, in his
_History_, says that ‘this most worthy gentleman treated Flora not
as a stranger, nor a prisoner, but with the affection of a parent.’
Bishop Forbes tells the same story: he ‘behaved like a father to her,
and tendered her many good advices as to her behaviour in her ticklish
situation.’ Smith permitted Flora to go ashore in Skye to see her
mother. When lying in Leith roads he presented her with a handsome
suit of riding clothes and other garments, as well as an outfit for a
Highland maid who had hurriedly left Skye to accompany the lady in her
captivity.
[633] Guild Hall Relief Fund. See Appendix.
[634] The 8th now The King’s (Royal Liverpool) Regiment.
[635] Apparently meaning ‘notify.’
[636] Eyemouth.
[637] A bylander or bilander is a two-masted ship, rather
flat-bottomed, used chiefly in the canals of Holland.
[638] _Sic_ in copy, ‘and vissibly’ is probably a mistake for
‘invisibly.’
[639] Author of _Medical Heroes of the ’Forty-five_: Glasgow, 1897.
[640] Barclay acted as justice of the peace for Prince Charles,
enlisted men, and collected the excise.
[641] Maule was a writer in Stonehaven and procurator-fiscal of
Kincardine. He served as an ensign, probably in Lord Ogilvy’s regiment.
[642] Dr. Lawson seems to have been the father of John Lawson, junior,
who served in the Jacobite army.
[643] Keeper of a public-house in Stonehaven.
[644] The occasion of this Memorial and the circumstances attending its
production will be found fully detailed in chap. vi. of _The Last of
the Royal Stuarts_, by Herbert M. Vaughan: London, 1906.
[645] I am indebted to Miss Nairne, Salisbury, for this translation.
[646] These lists make no pretence to completeness. They are extracted
from a manuscript Jacobite army list which I have been compiling
for many years. In it I have noted down the name of every gentleman
properly authenticated that I have come across when studying the
history of the period.
[647] Clanranald, Boisdale, Glengarry, and Bishop Hugh Macdonald did
not rise in arms, but were all imprisoned for being concerned in the
Rising.
[648] Interesting information on the raising of Fairburn’s men is
given by the French envoy, writing to the French Foreign Minister:
Lady Mackintosh, he says, ‘a bien été imitée par une autre fort
jolie personne de son âge, nommée Barbe Gourdon, femme de Mekensie
de Ferbarn, le plus considérable des vassaux et des parens de milord
Seaforth. Celle-cy n’a pas banni son mari; mais, malgré luy, elle a
vendu ses diamants et sa vaisselle pour lever des hommes. Elle s’en a
ramassé cent ciquante des plus braves du païs, qu’elle a joint à ceux
de miladi Seaforth, sous la conduite de son beau-frère.’
This ‘beau-frère’ may mean Kenneth, her husband’s brother, or it may
mean Barisdale who was married to her husband’s sister. Young Lentron
in the _List of Persons concerned in the Rebellion_ is termed a
schoolboy. I find no mention of this Barbara Gordon in the Mackenzie
clan history.
[649] James Gordon, son of the laird of Glasterum, Banffshire. Born
1664; died 1746; consecrated secretly as Bishop of Nicopolis _in
partibus_, 1706; Vicar-apostolic in Scotland, 1718. Lord John Drummond,
Clanranald, and possibly Lady Clanranald (_née_ Macleod) were Roman
Catholics.
[650] Frederick of Hesse Cassel was the consort of Ulrica, sister and
successor of Charles XII. He was crowned King of Sweden 1720; died
1751. His nephew, Frederick, Prince, afterwards Landgrave, of Hesse,
married Princess Anne, daughter of George II., 1740: he brought Hessian
troops to Scotland in February 1746.
[651] Alexander Gordon of Auchintoul (Banffshire). Entered the
Russian service 1693; married the daughter of his kinsman, Patrick
Gordon of Achleuris, the celebrated General of Peter the Great. Was
a colonel at the battle of Narva (1700), where he was captured and
detained prisoner until Peter’s victory at Pultowa (1709). Rose to
be a Russian major-general. Joined Mar’s Rising, 1715, and was made
lieutenant-general (October 1715); commander-in-chief (February 1716)
of the Jacobite Army on Mar’s leaving Scotland. Was at Bordeaux, and
too ill to join the attempt of 1719. Though living in Banffshire in
1745, he felt too old to go ‘out.’ Died 1752. He wrote a _History of
Peter the Great_, published after his death, in Aberdeen, 1755.
[652] Captain Wm. Hay, groom of the bedchamber to the Chevalier.
[653] Robert (Gordon) but for the attainder Viscount of Kenmure; eldest
son of William, 6th Viscount, who was executed for his share in the
’15. He was an ardent Jacobite; he died in 1741, aged about thirty,
and was succeeded by his brother John, who joined Prince Charles at
Holyrood, accepted the command of a troop of horse, but deserted the
following day. See _Murray’s Memorials_, pp. 53, 227.
[654] Not identified; may be Nisbet of Dirleton and Callendar of
Craigforth.
[655] French Minister of Finance.
[656] Walter Stapleton, lieut.-col. of Berwick’s regiment; commandant
of the Irish picquets and brigadier in the French army; wounded at
Culloden and died of his wounds.
[657] Henry Ker of Graden, Teviotdale, heir of an ancient family of
moss troopers; b. 1702; served in the Spanish army, 1722-38, when
he returned to Scotland; was aide-de-camp to Lord George Murray
and titular aide-de-camp to the Prince; the best staff officer the
Jacobites possessed. Captured in May in the Braes of Angus; tried
for his life, and in vain pleaded his Spanish commission; sentenced
to death but reprieved; released in 1748; died a lieut.-col. in the
Spanish service 1751. (Leishman, _A Son of Knox_, p. 20.) Ker wrote
an account of the operations in the last two months of the campaign,
printed in _The Lyon_, i. 355.
[658] This statement of Daniel’s is opposed to all reliable evidence,
and the note in the Drummond Castle MS. is correct. The desire of his
enemies was to throw the blame of the disaster on Lord George Murray.
Even the Prince seems to have talked himself into a similar belief (see
_post_, p. 240). The responsibility lay on Prince Charles himself, as
is told in the Introduction.
[659] Keppoch’s brother Donald, killed at Culloden. Donald MacDonell
of Tirnadrish (or Tiendrish), a cousin of Keppoch; he was the only
Jacobite officer taken prisoner at Falkirk. He was executed at Carlisle
in October.
[660] Alexander Mackay of Auchmony, who long afterwards married
Angusia, d. of Angus Macdonell, Glengarry’s son, referred to on p. 277.
[661] The house of Gordon of Glenbucket at Tomintoul in Strathavon.
[662] See _ante_, p. 118.
[663] His chamberlain or steward.
[664] For the authenticity of this manifesto, see _ante_, p. 132.
[665] Generally ‘Strathdearn,’ the valley of the Findhorn.
[666] ‘Clan Chattan,’ the Macphersons, Mackintoshes and Farquharsons;
probably here meaning the Macphersons.