Chapter XV: Conclusion--Charles interrupts the Congress--Is (4)

In the month of July, forty-five,
This project into act, they drive.
Prince Charles, the Pretender’s son,
On board a French frigate is gone,
With Sullivan, of Irish birth,
And Tilly-bairn of noble worth;
With other five Scots natives more,
Left Lazare, on Brittany shore.
First to Belleisle they steer’d their way
July the fifteenth, that very day,
Where they the Elis’beth did join,
A man-of-war, with arms and coin,
To be his guardian ship, and store,
But could not reach the British shore;
Altho’ well mann’d with sixty guns,
The English Lion, made blood and wounds,
Her captain slew, and seventy more;
Made all her crew with wounds and gore,
Fly with the wind in haste to France,
And into Brest they got by chance.
Right narrowly, escaping sinking,
Show’rs of balls around them clinking.
Thus by the Lion, and captain Brett,
He and his convoy, were separate.
His frigate eleven guns did carry,
But on the battle, she did not tarry,
And thought it best to get away,
Because he’d been the richest prey:
The Scottish coast, he reach’d at last,
Amongst the Isles, into the west;
Near Lochaber, there did he land,
At Kinloch-moidart, I understand;
With one Macdonald he did stay,
And on his standard, did display
This motto, TANDEM TRIUMPHANS,
At length triumphant, the English is.
His MANIFESTOES, also spread,
Which for the Scots, great favour had;
How that the Union, he’d dissolve,
And the tax from Malt, Salt and Coal;
And as for the High Church of England,
As now establish’d, ’twas to stand:
But for Scots Kirk, call’d Presbytry,
He would consider at more delay.
This set the clergy on his tap,
And kept some thousands from the trap,
Wherein with him they had been snar’d
If under arms, they had appear’d.
The Highland Chiefs drew clans together,
But of the end, did not consider,
If their designs, miscarry should,
How that they were, of all befool’d.
The Camrons rose, headed by Lochiel,
And Stewarts did under Appin dwell,
With the Macdonalds of Glengary.
These clans did first his arms carry,
Numbred one thousand, eight hundred men,
But badly arm’d, as you may ken;
With lockless guns, and rusty swords,
Durks and pistols of ancient sorts,
Old scythes, with their rumples even,
Into a tree, they had them driv’n;
And some, with battons of good oak,
Vow’d to kill at every stroke:
Some had hatchets upon a pole,
Mischievous weapons, antick and droll,
Was both for cleaving and for clieking,
And durking too, their way of speaking.
Their uniform, was belted plaids,
Bonnets of blew upon their heads,
With white cockade and naked thie
Of foot, as nimble as may be.
The rumour spread thro’ all the land,
Of the Pretender and his band,
Then two companies padrolling went
Of Sinclair’s soldiers, with intent,
For to disperse this rebel crew,
But found it was too hard to do;
Being surrounded by the way,
And forc’d their arms down to lay,
They prisoners of war were made,
Or with them list, they freedom had;
And, Swethenham of Guise’s foot,
But he on parole, release got,
Who gave the real authentic count
What strength, the Highland pow’rs did mount,
Who did command, what clans they were,
How they encamped, when and where.
Then Sir John Cope gen’ralissimo,
Troops in Scotland prepar’d to go,
Break and scatter them, if he might,
Before they came to a great height,
And all inventions did contrive,
To catch that Prince, dead or alive.
A proclamation there was made,
Of thirty thousand[41] for his head,
Yet this did not prevent his friends,
Him to assist with men, and means,
From different corners of the land,
They came for to augment his band.
But Cope into the North he went,
Thinking their growth for to prevent;
With all the foot he could collect,
Light arm’d they were, thinking to break
And scatter a wild unarmed crew,
Who that of fighting, nothing knew.
The horse he made at Stirling stay,
Under the wall encamp’d they lay,
While he march’d on from hill to hill,
But them to find he had no skill,
For Charles sent in their way a scout,
At which they follow’d close pursuit,
O’er the mountains to Inverness;
Before he heard where Charlie was,
Possessed of the town of Perth,
And there was join’d by men of worth,
The Drummonds and duke John by name
Whose stile was Perth, of noble fame;
There Elcho came, and Broughton too,
With Balmarino not a few,
Kilmarnock also gave consent
And afterwards unto them went,
With many more, from north to south,
Of gentlemen, the flow’r of youth.
Here of Prince Regent, he took the name,
And his royal Father did proclaim,
King of Great Britain, and Ireland,
With all its titles, you’ll understand;
And here they lifted tax and cess,
Which did the lieges sore oppress,
And what was worse, I understand
Without his knowledge or command,
Some thievish bands, in many parts,
To cloak their rog’ry, us’d these arts,
In tartan dress’d from top to toe,
Arms and livery had also;
Plunder’d the country where they went,
Profess’d they by the Prince were sent,
To levy horse, men and money,
Extorting cash and horse from many;
Excise and cess made people pay,
And gave receipts, so just were they:
A famous way for making rich,
But Charlie got the blame of such,
Which did his merit sore defame,
And gave his men a thievish name.
Many of his crew indeed were greedy,
To fill their bellies when they were needy;
They cocks and hens, and churns and cheese
Did kill and eat, when they could seize,
And when owners did them exclaim;
“_Hup poup_, hersel be far frae hame,
“You need not fash to say no thing,
“Hersel brings you a bra’ new king.”
From Perth they march’d unto Dumblane,
And then by Down the road they’ve ta’en;
By Stirling bridge they could not go,
Fearing the castle, and troops also,
Gard’ner and Hamilton’s dragoons
Which lay encampt between the towns
Of St. Ninians and Stirling wall,
Impatiently waiting the call,
Thinking John Cope was on their rear,
Though no tidings could from him hear.
They watch’d their motions day and night
But five miles distant in their sight;
Until inform’d by an express,
Of Cope’s marching from Inverness,
And then was bound for Aberdeen,
From thence to sail for East Lothi’n:
And so from Stirling to retreat,
On his arrival there to wait;
And were by no means to oppose
Them on their march, or come to blows,
Until the foot and horse unite;
This was John Cope’s orders complete,
While Charles yet, he lay at Down,
And the dragoons at Stirling town:
A council call’d at his desire,
Held in the house of Arnprior,
With chiefs and heads of ev’ry clan,
Their expedition south to plan.
Some was with Gard’ner for to fight,
And others said, that was not right;
Unless in Glens, or mountain tops,
To fight horsemen they had no hopes.
If field they lost, what could they do,
Nought but their heels could them rescue;
We’ll cross the Forth, then take the hill
Where horse can do us little ill;
Thus take the South at any rate,
Arms and money we’ll surely get:
Then shall we be more fit by far,
To fight with men that’s learn’d in war.
And that in field open and plain,
The victory they’d surely gain;
The mountain road ’tween Forth and Clyde,
Where’s glens and bogs on ev’ry side,
A famous field, if need there be
We’ll fight with more securitie.
Perhaps these horse will not us face,
Because no foot is in the place;
For certain, they’ll not fight alone
Without infantry to lead them on.
Then reply’d Stewart of Glenbuck,
“We’re them that loup before we look;
“What madness is’t for so few, he said,
“To ’ttempt down pulling a crown’d head;
“’Bout two thousand is our number,
“What can we do, but raise a rumour,
“Though all be north us could be trusted,
“Yet by the South we will be worsted;
“Without a num’rous aid from France,
“With them we can have little chance.
“A people that’s to Whiggism bound,
“With life and blood will keep their ground;
“And ’mongst them if we broken be,
“For shelter then, where can we flee?
“We already stand ’tween two fires,
“And yet go South is your desires.
“There’s Cope behind, Gard’ner before;
“Beat one of these, I’ll say no more.
“Gain but one battle, and then pursue,
“’Twill raise your fame and army too;
“But still run forward and be chac’d,
“That is no conquest but a jest.
“I’ll rather choose to turn about,
“And try our might, this Cope to rout;
“For if the two rejoin, ’tis true,
“We’ll find the work more hard to do;
“First break the foot, if that ye may,
“The horse then will no longer stay.”
At this high speech they took offence,
And charg’d him and his men, go hence;
For such a tim’rous soul as he,
Should not go in their companie:
A cow’rd, they said, so full of care,
Would fill their troops with dread and fear;
No trust he had in Providence,
In feats of war could have no chance.
And thus their counsel ends in rage,
Glenbucket’s schemes they’ll not engage,
But call’d him cow’rd and shabby names,
Who ’gainst their eager plan exclaims;
And in their strife they parted so,
Glenbucket to his sleep did go;
But how it happen’d none can tell,
Such accident on him befel:
They were alarmed with a shot,
Then found him bleeding on the spot;
Into the bed he lay alone,
But friend nor foe, with him was none.
Whether it was dregs of remorse,
Or thoughtful of the dang’rous course
He was engag’d to undergo;
But here he di’d, that’s what I know.
His men the body carried home,
And decently did him intomb;
And through displeasure of the act,
Not one of them returned back.
September, on the thirteenth day,
From Down they march’d in good array;
And at the Frew they cross’d the Forth,
The only passage from the North;
Without the help of boat or brigs,
Charles himself first wet his legs;
Being on the front of all his foot,
For help of horse there sought he not;
And on the south bank there he stood,
’Till all of them, had pass’d the flood.
Here for a space they took a rest,
And had refreshment of the best
The country round them could afford,
Though many found but empty board;
As sheep and cattle were drove away,
Yet hungry men sought for their prey:
Took milk and butter, kirns and cheese;
On all kinds of eatables, they seize:
And he who could not get a share,
Sprang to the hills like dogs for hare;
There shot the sheep, and made them fall,
Whirl’d off the skin and that was all;
Struck up fires and broil’d the flesh,
With salt and pepper, did not fash.
This did enrage the Cam’ron’s chief,
To see his men so play the thief;
And finding one into the act,
He fir’d and shot him through the back:
Then to the rest himself addrest,
“This is your lot, I do protest,
“Who e’er amongst you wrongs a man,
“Pay what you get, I tell you plain;
“For yet we know not friend or foe,
“Or how all things may chance to go.”
And then to arms they order’d were,
On thoughts of Gard’ner’s coming there:
But finding that he did decline,
They took the hills on some design,
Where men on horse could hardly sit,
They speal’d the rocks like goat or cat.
Out o’r the top, above Red-ha’,
To th’ moor of Touch went one and a’,
And in that moor lay all that night,
Where Stirling castle’s in their sight,
About three miles south from the town,
Which made Gard’ner to leave his ground,
Who lay encampt in Stirling park,
And judging they might in the dark
Upon him have some rude design,
For which his camp he did resign,
But for Falkirk they march’d away,
And all that night in field they lay,
Between Larbour and Falkirk town,
Then the morrow were eastward bound,
Through Lithgow to Edinburgh went,
To meet with Cope was his intent.
When Charlie found that they were fled,
Upon their rear, his front he led,
And near to Stirling marched by,
While the castle at him let fly;
But being too far, and badly serv’d,
Nought but terror was observed;
Which made th’ straglers mend their bicker,
And only run a pace the quicker;
Which kept them in from seeking plunder,
And cry, “That pe o’er muckle thunder.”
So through St. Ninian’s they passed wi’ speed;
To Bannockburn they did proceed,
There on the moor lay down to rest,
And from their friends got a repast,
Of what the country could afford,
As of ’munition they were not stor’d;
Neither of bread nor baggage carts,
Got bread and ale to cheer their hearts.
Came crowding in many a hunder
And all to keep them back from plunder;
As hunger will make men to steal.
Forsooth they took both brose and kail,
And when refresh’d, they march’d away
Yet some indeed forgot to pay.
Then through Torwood with speed they past,
To Callender house they came at last,
A little by east Falkirk town
Where store of arms in it they foun’,
Whereof they surely stood in need.
Then to Linlithgow did proceed;
Op’ned the pris’n in search of more,
Thinking to seize on Gard’ner’s store,
But th’ information was but mocks,
For all they found was sacking frocks,
Which troopers use dressing their horse,
This made Hersel to rage and curse,
Saying, “Het, tat soger has been chac’d,
“And left his auld sark in the haste.”
To Borrowst’ness they did advance,
Where powder and lead they found by chance;
To Winceburgh then, they march’d that day
And form’d a camp in regular way,
About eight miles from Edin. west,
Expecting to be ’ttack’d in haste
By horse, cit’zens and city-guard,
Who all for marching were prepar’d,
Thinking, upon Corstorphin plain,
To give them battle they did intend:
But yet the Achans in the town
Advis’d to lay all arms down.
Then Gen’ral Guest to the castle went,
Perceiving what was their intent
With what arms and reg’lars he had,
For nought they should not it invade.
When Charles found how all might be,
He marched on courageouslie,
Within two miles west from the town;
Then by Slateford took compass round,
By the south side of Burrow-muir,
Out of the castle’s sight and power.
South from the city he camp’d again,
While the surrender was made plain.
In the night, September the seventeen,
Into the city all marched in;
Which gave to many a sad surprize,
Rapping at their doors to make them rise:
The castle then struck round her clear,
None in its sight there durst appear.
They fix’d a guard at the West-bow-head,
And the Weigh-house their Guard-house made,
Crowding it full, ’bove and below;
When this the Castle came to know,
Their half-moon-cannons ’gan to play:
Like mad-men then they ran away;
But such a _furich_ was never there,
As they tumbled headlong down the stair:
All in a haste got out together,
And riding one above another;
Each striving foremost for to get,
Their naked hips and noses met.
They centries kept at the West-port,
Which did afford the Castle sport:
As oftentimes they did let fly,
Made many on the streets to lye:
And also on the Castle-hill,
Sham sallies did them many kill:
Ev’n for to draw them in the snare,
When they return’d, pursu’d they were,
Being unacquaint with such play,
They pop’d them off both night and day.
Then tidings came in from Dunbar,
Of Gen’ral Cope’s arrival there
But twenty miles from Ed’nburgh east,
Which made them all take arms in haste.
On the east side of Arthur’s seat,
They rendezvouz’d both small and great,
And call’d a council what to do:
For ten miles east they had a view
Of all the coast to Aberlady,
And so for battle made all ready.

The Duke of Perth and great Lochiel
They chus’d for ground, that rising fell
West from Tranent, up Brislie brae,
A view both South and North to ha’e.
A few were left on Arthur’s Seat,
Thinking the king’s army to cheat.

CHAP. II.

_Battle of Preston pans. Rebels return to Edinburgh, and behaviour there._

Now, at Dunbar, both foot and horse
Were join’d again, with full purpose,
The proud Pretender’s force to try,
And all the Highland pow’rs defy:
Commanded by Cope and fur’ous Fowke,
Who, alas! their plan had quite mistook;
Though Loudon and Gard’ner both were there,
They in council had, but little share:
For Cope he challeng’d the sole command,
And Fowke was still at his demand.
A day’s march made from Haddington,
Judg’d great fatigue, four miles of ground.
Between Cow-canny and Tranent
There Cope encamp’d, to council went,
Loudon and Gard’ner were of a mind,
That night to fight were well design’d:
Cope shamm’d it till another day,
In hope ’twould prove a cheaper way:
“Old men and boys, he said, would run,
“Sight of his army would them stun,
“A rabble undisciplin’d to fight,
“They neither have courage nor might.
“This day we’ve march’d enough, you’ll grant,
“T’ morrow we’ll make the rogues repent.”
---- With that the Highlanders appear’d
(While Cope huzza’d, mocked and jeer’d)
On the hill top bewest Tranent,
All in good order, for battle bent.
Then Cope began to Cannonade,
So back behind the hill they fled,
Thought it too hard to face his shot,
As ’tween them lay a ditch or moat;
Their Chiefs in council quickly chose
On the east side Cope to enclose,
South, north and west, he was hemm’d in,
No ways but one could at him win.

This was about the hour of two,
When first they did each other view.
The afternoon was fair and clear;
Yet Sir John Cope stopt all, we hear,
The fields are plain around Tranent,
Besouth the town grow whins and bent,
Where Charles kept his men secure,
Thinking on battle ev’ry hour.
But, Cope to move no man could treat,
More than he had been Arthur’s seat,
On which hillside he spy’d some men,
And vow’d they were the Rebel train,
Which was divided in parties two,
And on his rear in ambush drew;
For which the piece of ground he chus’d,
As on all sides it was inclos’d.
So under arms they stood all night,
Till break of day began the fight.
His troops indeed, none can deny,
Were form’d in order gallantly;
The foot into the centre stood,
And cavalry, wings covered,
With each battalion was seen
Counter guards, cannons between.
All night he in this posture stood,
While Charlie in a bushy wood,
A little bewest of Seaton-town,
Picquets and spies went him around,
Lay undiscover’d till break of day,
Then rouz’d like lions for their prey,
In full brigades and oval form,
Upon Cope’s front came as a storm,
The orders were not for to fire,
Until they came a little nigh’r;
To sham the first fell to the ground,
By which means few receiv’d a wound:
And ere they gave the other charge,
They on them with their sword and targe.
The furious Cam’rons, led by Lochiel,
With hideous cries gave such a knell
As frighted both dragoons and horse,
They could not fight, but rore and curse:
And Sir John Cope, for all his might,
Went with the foremost out of sight.
Fierce Fowke, brave Hume and Loudon both,
For to be ta’en that day were loth,
Few of the horsemen stood at all,
Woe to their conduct! worst of all;
For those who on the right wing stood,
A whole battalion over rode,
That kept the rear _Corps de garde_
Quite over them they headlong tread.
One thing they knew, they were inclos’d,
And where to flee, was not dispos’d:
They always sought the way they came,
Though in their face were sword and flame:
So when they got down to the sea,
Took east the coast most furiouslie:
And some through Preston vennal fled,
Then west by Mussleburgh they raid,
Up to the hills above Dalkeith,
O’er Sutrae hill, then out of skaith,
In such a pannic, ’twas a shame,
Ran thirty miles, even to Coldstream,
And there to rest they would not yet;
But unto Berwick, next morning set,
Where all the fugitives did meet,
And Sir John Cope his cheeks did weet;
Because they swore he had sold them,
To fight nor flee he ne’er told them.

The poor foot, left here, paid for all,
Not in fair battle, with powder and ball;
But horrid swords, of dreadful length,
So fast came on, with spite and strength,
Lochaber axes and rusty scythes,
Durks and daggers prick’d their thighs:
Fix’d bay’nets had but little share
With the long shanked weapons there;
Although they kept together fast,
Their en’mies close upon them prest;
And back to back long did they stand,
Till lost was many a head and hand.
Then after Gard’ner’s party’s beat,
The whole of’s horsemen clean defeat,
Himself on foot rejoic’d to see
The brave lads fight so valiantly,
With no commander on their head,
To join that party swift he gade:
Although some wounds he’d got before,
To lose the field his heart was sore.
Then all around he was enclos’d,
Behind, before, fiercely oppos’d,
With sword in hand he hew’d his way,
While blood in streams did from him fly.
Ere him down on the field they got,
His head was clove, his body shot,
And being sep’rate from the rest,
The battle sore upon him prest,
Ev’n after he lay on the ground,
No mercy was unto him shown,
I mean by the rude vulgar core,
Yet gentlemen lamented sore;
Because he would no quarter have,
While they endeavour’d ’s live to save.

One man he had, who by him staid,
Until he on the field was laid,
And then he fled to the Meadow-mill,
Where he acquainted was right well,
Thence in disguise return’d again,
And bore him off, from ’mongst the slain.
His stately dwelling was near by;
But now he could not lift an eye,
His speech was laid, all hopes were gone
No signs of life, except a groan.
Of hours he liv’d but very few,
“A good Christi’n and soldi’r too,”
This character he’s left behind
Military men there’s few of ’s kind.

The poor foot, on field, I can’t forget,
Who now were caught as in a net,
From ’bove Cow-canny to Preston-dyke,
About a mile or near the like,
They were beat backward by the clans,
Along the crofts ’bove Preston-pans,
Till the high dyke held them again,
Where many taken were and slain;
Although they did for quarters cry,
The vulgar clans made this reply,
“Quarters! you curst soldiers, mad,
“It is o’er soon to go to bed.”
Had not their officers and chiefs
Sprung in and begg’d for their reliefs,
They had not left one living there:
For in a desp’rate rage they were,
’Cause many clans were hack’d and slain;
Yet of their loss they let not ken:
For by the shot fell not a few,
And many with bay’nets pierc’d thro’.
’Bove three hundred lay on the field,
Fifteen hundred were forced to yield,
The rest with Cope got clear away.
And so ended this bloody fray,
Since call’d the battle of Preston-pans,
Fought by John Cope and Charlie’s clans,
September the twenty-first day,
Below Tranent a little way;
From Gladsmoor church two miles and more,
The place old Rhymer told long before,
“That between Seaton and the sea,
“A dreadful morning there should be,
“Meet in the morning lighted by the moon,
“The lion his wound here, heal shall not soon.”
In Thomas’ book of this you’ll read,
Mention’d by both Merlin and Bead.

Now, the field tents and warlike store
And cannons, which they’d not before,
All fell into the conq’rers hand,
Of arms many a hundred stand.

To Edinburgh then he did return,
His great triumph made many mourn.
Through Lothian then it was the way,
Whose man ye was ye durst not say.
Nor to what side you’d wish good speed;
So critical were times indeed.
To Holyrood-house, great Charles then,
Went in with all his noblemen,
Being low out of the castle’s view
There to him flocked not a few,
Who were in dread to come before;
But now they thought the conquest o’er,
Rich presents were unto him sent,
And much time in gallanting spent.
His army here strove to recruit,
Large collections were contribute,
Taxes, cess, and all king’s dues,
His orders no man durst refuse.
The whole country and neighbouring towns
Obediently sent in their pounds:
Horses and carts they did provide,
And men likewise these carts to guide.
Yet when of all he was prepar’d,
Another hardship was declar’d,
As they were ’bout to leave the land,
Six weeks cess before the hand,
They gave a charge for all to pay
Who dealt into the malting way,
Forthwith to raise this contribution
On pain of military execution.

This did the brewers exasp’rate,
But to answer they knew not what.
An honest quaker brew’d good ale,
Who never wanted a ready tale,
To him the brewers did apply,
For his good counsel what to say:
After that he had heard them speak,
“Your speech, says he, does make me sick,
“By Yea and Nay, I think it’s fit,
“To keep our money and pay with wit,
“Though he’s noble born, I do not lo’e him;
“Yet ne’ertheless I will go to him:
“Were he all the earthly into one skin,
“He’s but a lump of dust and sin,
“If I regard the face of clay,
“To morrow be my bury’ng day:
“He’s fenc’d around with men and swords,
“Which I’ll repel with simple words.”

This honest quaker took his way,
And call’d for Charles without delay,
I am a man who want to see him;
Because I have some bus’ness wi’ him.
Said one, You must tell that to me,
By Yea and Nay, thou art not he,
The tidings which I have to tell
Concerneth none but Charles himsell,
And if he’ll not permit me in,
My mouth I’ll shut and not begin:

Then at the door he entrance gat,
Yet neither mov’d his hand or hat,
Says----“Charles, man what dost thou mean?
“Thou sure are not this countries friend,
“Thou’rt worse than all that came before thee,
“And will make the country quite abhor thee,
“Thou’rt worse than George for all his stents,
“He ne’er before-hand charg’d his rents;
“But gave six weeks to scrape it in;
“Thou car’st not whether we lose or win;
“We may die, ere six weeks be past,
“Look what thou do’st, run not too fast.”
Charles replies, “a strait we’re on;
“But ’gainst your wills, it sha’n’t be done.”
_Then thank thee kindly for thy grant_,
And off he came as mild’s a saint.

EAST SIDE.

Cow-canny SEATON VILLAGE.
Village.
The Highland Army all in one Column.

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3 Cannon. 2 Cannon.
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GARDNER’S MONRO’S
Dragoons. Dragoons.

___________________
The foot all in one
Column.

| Any that A great |
NORTH The town | fled, got The Thorn- DITCH | SOUTH
SIDE. of Preston through Tree where below | SIDE.
on the | this Gardner fell. TRANENT. |
Sea-side. | open. † |

________________________________________

The Park-dyke to which
they were driven back. | Colonel |
| Gardner’s |
| House. |

WEST SIDE.
]

CHAP. III.

_Their March into England. Taking of Carlisle. Rout through England and retreat back._

Then, taking leave of Edinr, they
Unto Dalkeith all march’d away,
First of November camped there,
And then for England did prepare.
Short time they in that camp did stay,
Till south they went the nearest way.
At Kelso town they pass’d the Tweed,
And west the Border went with speed:
By Jedburgh and through Liddisdale,
They spread themselves o’er hill and vale:
And some by Moffat took their route;
Although it was some miles about.
In this order they march’d along,
Only about sev’n thousand strong.
Chief in command was duke of Perth,
And Lord George Murray of noble birth;
Lord Elcho son to the Earl of Wemyss,
Col’nel of the Life-guard it seems;
The Earl Kilmarnock, in this cause,
Commanded those they call’d Hussars;
Lord Pitsligo gen’ral of the horse,
With Lords Nairn and Ogilvie there was;
Bold Balmarino and brave Dundee,
MacDonald th’ aid de’ camp was he:
Sheridan too, and Sullivan,
By birth an Irish gentleman:
The squire of Broughton his secret keeper,
Who got the name of _bosom-viper_:
Besides the worthy brave Lochiel,
Other Chiefs I have not room to tell.

At the English border they did unite,
All in a body their troops complete,
Near Canabie in Liddisdale
They enter’d Cumberland in hail.
Then did assault the fort Carlisle,
Which did hold out but little while.
Having friends within and round about,
Long to resist they seem’d unstout.
The town and castle both they got
Call’d England’s KEY, an useful spot.
At Carlisle he did leave a band
The town and fort for to command,
From thence to Penrith did proceed,
And then for Kendal march’d with speed:
To Lancaster they came indeed,
Which news put England in great dread;
To Proud-preston and Manchester
They still advanc’d withouten fear,
Being join’d by none of English train,
But five hundred Lancaster men,
Which to him was of small effect;
For hard marching made them to ake,
And miss’d their dinner many a day,
Made them, repenting, sigh and say
“Woe worth the Scots; for they can feed
“On drinking water and eating bread:
“Their irony soles do never tire
“On stony ground, dub or mire.
“Beef or pudding they never mind:
“Them Scots can live on _snuffing wind_,
“For me, my belly clings to my back,
“Since I have join’d this hellish pack.
“If in this state all soldiers be,
“The dev’l be soldi’r again for me.”
---- To such hard frets thus driven were
Poor hungry Toms, of Lancashire:
For in all haste they marched up,
At Manchester they made a stop;
Here his faithful Clans perceiv’d and saw,
That English vows were nought at a’;
Some kind enough; but no way friendly:
Only through terror they acted meanly.
Said the Scots Chiefs, “We blinded be,
“That’s come far from our own countrie.
“As friends, indeed, some English own us;
“But if once defeat, they’d set upon us.
“France and England, by perjurie,
“Will be our ruin, we clearly see:
“They’ve charm’d us out as working tools,
“Now use us as a band of fools,
“England to Whiggism is inclin’d,
“And with the Georgian house combin’d;
“They cry, _Oppression_, from high to low:
“Yet _Redeeming-time_ they do not know.
“’Gainst Acts and Tax on ev’ry trade:
“They’re all bewitch’d, and we’re mislead:
“Here in a trap betwixt two fires,
“And what we’ll do counsel requires.
“The Duke before and Wade behind,
“And where now shelter can we find?”

Then Charles, hearing all this, said,
With heart full sore he answer made,
“My Lords and Gentlemen (said he),
“Our case is bad, I plainly see;
“But all’s not lost that’s in a peril,
“Kind providence can ease the quarrel.
“Both French and English have betray’d us;
“But I trust a better hand will guide us:
“On Preston field, ye all well ken,
“We found the English there but men.
“I trust in field they’re no more here,
“Though thrice our number should appear:
“Could we pass the Duke without a blow,
“And with all speed to London go,
“Our friends there would so well assist,
“That en’mies were of small request.
“That stalward Duke’s so fierce and keen,
“Were he defeat, ’twould end the scene,
“And give aspects another face,
“Which we can’t do in such a case;
“For if here defeat, then all is lost;
“Battle avoid we surely must,
“I trust the French to come by sea;
“But where can their invasion be?
“If at sea indeed they have been check’d
“It damps our hope; but does not wreck’t.
“Then let’s push on and do our best;
“Kind providence make out the rest!”

Then proclaiming his father there,
As done in ev’ry town elsewhere,
In form, all market towns he past,
To Staffordshire he came at last:
Where the Duke’s army lay ’fore him
Well prepar’d for to devour him.
He here to fight had no desire,
Took east the muirs for Derbyshire,
Directed his rout by th’ town of Leek,
Left Cumberland to claw his cheek:
Kept south by east to Derby town,
In full career for London boun’:
But there receiv’d intelligence,
His friends to rise had now no chance,
The Georgian party was so strong,
And mixt in each place them among,
No assembling could be together,
Nor word of French ships coming hither.
The south coast all was guarded round,
An English fleet cruis’d up and down;
And through each county in the south lands
Militia swarm’d, like locust-bands.

These tidings put him in great fear,
But for to flee, he knew not where.
They all in council did agree,
Backward for Scotland then to flee.
This did the vulgar sore chagreen,
To plunder London that were keen.

When Cumberland perceived this,
He form’d a plan was not amiss,
To intercept ’em in Lancashire:
But how he miss’d you may admire.
Wade on the north, was marching to him.
The Duke behind, did still pursue him.
One Oglethorpe upon his right,
With a thousand hunters all in flight:
Yet he, still his way did keep,
Through Derby town and Ashburn peak:
Which towns indeed for rash proceeding,
Were badly paid for what was needing,
When they perceived their flight was back,
Quite contrary was their kind act,
For all the praise they got before,
They now were savages and more.

December the fourth, they turn’d about,
Out of England they took their rout,
At Derby town they staid two nights,
To get in superscription writes,
Form’d by an English party there,
Which made that town and country bare,
And furnish, at an easy price,
A vast of things for their supplies.
When to Manchester back they came,
Their usage there was much the same:
And for their using them that way,
Two thousand Sterling were made t’ pay,
To save the plund’ring of the town;
Paid when the kingdom was his own.
So north they came to Wigan then,
Next day they did Proud Preston gain.
The Duke behind him but a day,
Ride as they will he kept his way.
And could not gain a mile upon ’em,
Tho’ stout hors’d, they did outrun ’em.
From Preston on the thirteenth day,
Early at morn he march’d away.
No sooner had they quit these towns,
Than Oglethorpe with Wade’s dragoons
Enter’d just at the other end,
To give them chase they did intend;
But being fatigu’d, chose rest a while.
In three days they march’d a hundred mile,
Through ice and hills cover’d with snow,
Across Yorkshire as they did go,
With full intent to intercept him
And at Proud Preston thought to kep him,
They had no footmen here, ’tis true,
But royal hunters not a few,
Who were so keen in battle rage,
On foot they offer’d to engage,
Being zealous youths of gentle fame,
Who, by fighting thought to gain a name.
And as they were to march again,
A false alarm gave them pain,
That French invaded had the south,
Which passed for a certain truth:
Such tidings from Duke William came,
Who actually believ’d the same,
And stopt his forces for a day,
Till Charles was got out of the way.
And Orders sent to Oglethorpe
To come to him with all his troop:
As soon as he the Duke had join’d,
The news prov’d such as _Jacks_ had coin’d.
Then Oglethorpe he got command,
To go in chace of Charlie’s band,
And, if possible, get before him,
While he behind would soon devour him.
But, on the fifteenth, I understand,
Charles reach’d Kendal in Westmoreland,
Now thinking that the chace was over,
Slacked his march; but did discover
The English bloody flag behind,
And colours waving in the wind.
To range their rear they were not slow,
But the front, of this they did not know.
At the village Clifton, in Westmoreland,
They prudently pitch’d out a stand,
At a Quaker’s house stood near the way,
Which rous’d his sp’rit ’bove Yea and Nay:
Behind the hedges, walls and lones,
Where unperceiv’d they stood as stones.
The eighteenth day of dark December,
In Forty Five, you’ll this remember,
After the setting of the sun,
Just as Black night was coming on,
The King’s dragoons and Kingston’s horse
Came prancing up, at unawares.
A volley shot out thro’ the hedge,
Full on their flank did them engage,
Which in confusion did them throw,
And through the hedge they could not go.
Brave gen’ral Bland commanded here
Who quickly caused his troops retire;
For had they more such volleys got,
Few had returned from the spot.
Young Honeywood was wounded sore,
The Duke, enrag’d, then highly swore
That he’d revenged be that night,
Or die before the morning light:
Yet counsell’d was for to desist;
For ambuscades were hard to trust,
So the pursuit he did delay,
Till near about the break of day:
Brave men and horse lay on the field,
Tho’ both the sides did flee and yield:
Yet this check Charles’ end did gain,
For he that night wou’d been o’erta’en:
Lord Elcho and Murray form’d that plan,
And did the party here command,
Not without loss, I truly say;
On both sides dead and wounded lay.
Few Highlanders did come to blows,
Till thro’ the hedge some horsemen goes,
And did engage with sword in hand;
But made nought of it with the Clan,
Who did come on in numbers thick,
And horse and men did hough and prick.
’Bout twenty five lay on the field,
And thirty wounded fled for bield,
With gen’ral Bland they rode away
Toward the Duke, who heard the fray
And came the battle to renew;
But in the dark it would not do.
Of Highlanders, as I heard say,
But fourteen on the field there lay.
George Hamilton of Stewart’s reg’ment,
As prisoner he did consent,
After a stout resistance made,
And deeply wounded in the head,
Cut by an Austrian Hussar,
Who serv’d the Duke during this war.
Then from the field they fled in haste,
And to Penrith at midnight past,
Where the main body was come before,
Which spread the alarm more and more;
Dreading th’ English did yet pursue,
Then all out of the town they flew.
Good for Penrith it happen’d so,
Or next morn had been a day of woe:
They vow’d in ashes it to lay
For what they’d done the other day,
To those who plunder’d Lowther-hall.
And Penrith guards did on them fall,
Beat and broke them, and some slew,
And some they into prison threw:
The rest into Carlisle did run,
As from that fortress they had come,
The while that Charles was in the south,
Wanting something to taste their mouth,
A foraging they came about,
Only a small band in a scout,
And Penrith guards upon them fell
So Charles by chance of it heard tell:
Perth vow’d revenge, in dreadful ire,
A recompense with sword and fire;
But when such hurry on them came,
They minded nought but up and ran.
As one behind another did stand,
He cries, _Furich tere be Cumberland_.
Dark was the night and rough the way,
Carlisle they reach’d by break of day:
There’s sixteen miles between these towns,
But the weak and weari’d, left in wounds,
Were all catched on the next day,
By their fierce foes coming that way,
About an hundred men or more,
And badly us’d you may be sure.
Being into loathsome jails confin’d
But poorly kept and badly din’d.

The Duke to Penrith came next day,
On the twentieth at Hasket lay,
Being then within twelve short mile
Of the strong fortress of Carlisle.
And hearing the Scots were safely there,
To follow hard he took no care:
Upon his rear thought fit to rest,
And counsel call’d to do what’s best.
On the twenty-second they marched on
But finding that the Scots were gone,
All but a few who did pretend,
The town and castle to defend.
Who there were left, I understan’,
By sole advice of Sullivan,
(Of Irish birth although he be)
The cowardliest of the company.
Unlike was he to Blakeney’s blood;
For Irishmen are soldiers good,
Will fight for what they take in hand,
Abroad or yet in native land.
This Sullivan he did pretend,
They would the English so suspend,
That they should come no further north
Till Scots had join’d their friends on Forth.
And Hamilton from Aberdeen
To guard the place appear’d so keen;
Had they stood on but for a day,
As open to the north it lay,
Which was Perth, Murray and Elcho’s plan,
In it they need not lost a man,
They might at ev’ning issued out,
And ev’ry one been out of doubt:
Through boasted courage and hot zeal,
For a month, said, they would not fail,
Cannon, powder and wealth of balls,
Very strong gates and stately walls:
As in despair, they did pretend,
It to the last they would defend.
Lancashire reg’ment chus’d there to ’bide,
For to keep the fort were not afraid:
The English gate of iron and oak,
For fear with cannon it should be broke
They built it up with stones within,
And swore the de’il should not come in;
Unless that he got wings to fly,
And all by oaths would do or die.

This being done, Charles and his men
For Scotland marched back again,
By the Langtown on Esk’s side,
The water swoln, not by the tide,
But a mighty current from the hills
Made all to stop against their wills.
And then to fly they knew not where,
North, south and west, inclosed were.
And though Carlisle lay on their rear,
They knew not but the English were
Hard behind them on the pursuit,
By only going six miles about,
To a bridge lies near Brampton town,
And on the north side to come down,
Whereof they had great fear and dread;
Which put them to this desp’rate deed,
The fords they tried which were too strong,
Horse of more strength and legs more long
They would require at such a place,
And there to stay great danger was.

They chus’d a swamp above a ford,
And in they plung’d with one accord,
The horse went first and swim’d half thro’,
Foot at their tails they forward drew,
Who hung together with arms a-cleek,
Tho’ floods went over head and cheek:
And those who were of stature low,
Hard was their lot in wading so,
Their powder clothes and arms wet,
This was the bath these poor men gat.
Not one shot was preserved dry,
But these that did on horseback ly:
They in the water plung’d so fast,
That many lost their grips at last,
And tumbling, went off with the stream,
Down went their heads, up came their wame:
Though people stood on ev’ry shore,
Alas! their lives were now no more.
Both men and women were wash’d away,
Into the firth of Sollaway.
And some at Bowness were cast out,
At Annan-foot and thereabout.

To Gretna, and Annan they march away,
Thence to Dumfries on the next day,
And charg’d a ransom off that town,
Or else to plunder they were boun’:
Two thousand Sterling made them pay,
And carried hostages away
When cash failed them, to the North,
To join their friends upon the Forth.

NORTH SIDE.

| |
| |
The other Party | Bland’s Dragoons, | A Party
in Ambush unseen, | Hussars and | behind the ⌂⌂
who gave them | Light-horse, Village ⌂⌂
WEST a close Fire | on the High-way at the EAST
SIDE. through the | between two | Quaker’s SIDE.
Hedges. | Hedges. | House.
| |
| |

The Duke’s
Army three
Miles behind.

SOUTH SIDE.
]

CHAP. IV.

_Retaking of Carlisle by Cumberland. His return to London. Battle of Inverurie. The Rebels march from Dumfries by Glasgow to Stirling._

December, on the twenty-two,
The English round Carlisle they drew,
On south west side fix’d on a place
Which opposite the castle was.
The Duke all round it took a view,
And of the castle had no brow,
It seem’d to him like a dung hill,
Or like a German old brick kiln:
But yet their cannon play’d right smart,
Which caus’d them from the hills depart.
To capit’late the terms they crav’d,
Were, _T’ march with honour away to leav’t_.

The Duke reply’d, “That is a due
“Ne’er given to any rebel crew;
“But ne’ertheless take it I shall,
“Either with honour or not at all.”
Then in the dark time of the night,
He caus’d lay down, to cloud their sight,
Loads of straw and ricks of hay;
There dig’d a trench of turf and clay:
But batt’ring cannon he had none,
But small field guns to mount thereon;
Till from Whitehav’n, thirty miles away,
Drove heavy cannon on it to lay.
As soon as they began to fire,
They beat the walls as low as mire,
And made a breach both broad and wide,
In the castle wall on the west side;
To enter there, began to form,
And take the fort by bloody storm.
No quarters they propos’d to give,
Put all to death, not one to live;
When this they saw, without all doubt,
A flag of mercy they hung out;
But all that could obtained be,
Was pris’ners at the King’s mercy.
From thence they were to London sent,
Where heads and hearts were from them rent
Some executed in that place,
And members dash’d into their face,
Their very hearts cut out alive,
Such butch’ry’s horrid to descrive.
Many of the commons banish’d were
To plantations, I know not where,
John Hamilton the governor,
His head, from off his body shore,
Fix’d on a pole on the Scots-port,
Scots for the future to exhort,
By viewing the spectacles were there,
Against rebellion to have a care.
Two Lancashire men’s heads also,
On th’ English gate fixt as a show,
Whom they did English rebels call,
A proof Scots are not rebels all;
I only show there’s part of both,
And for their fate, I say, “Oh, hogh!”
A dreadful sight for human eyes,
For to behold such sacrifice
’Mong Christian people, as I think,
At what I’ve seen my heart does shrink;
When I view the place and on it ponder,
The bloody butch’ry that’s been yonder,
I mean in the streets of Carlisle,
The mangling that was there a while.
Of such like acts I’ll say no more,
But follow the subject just before.

The Duke forthwith to London went,
And gen’ral Hawly to Scotland sent,
Who round by Berwick took his rout,
Near a full hundred miles about,
Ev’n by Newcastle and Dunbar,
It must be own’d the stretch was far,
Before he came to E’nburgh town
Fatigu’d were both foot and dragoon.

While Charles did through England pass,
Lord Loudon lay at Inverness,
And with him did two thousand men
To keep in awe the Highland Clan:
For several lairds their Clans did raise,
And some took part in both the ways;
Others kept them in their own bounds,
For preservation of their grounds,
And when Duke William gain’d the day,
It was for him, they then did say;
But if Charles had chanc’d to prevail
Some think they’d told another tale.
Yet Loudon to King George was true,
And by his conduct did subdue
Many who were as foes inclin’d,
And kept them in a neutral mind.
The Frazers’ clan he drove away,
Who around Fort Augustus lay,
Commanded by lord Lovat’s son,
He made them from that fort to run.
Lord Lewis Gordon lay from him south,
With lord John Drummond, a furious youth,
And brother to the Duke of Perth,
Who wish’d Loudon sent off the earth,
And under their command, it seems,
Was the French Regiment de Fitz James,
With Clan’s rais’d on the northern shore,
About three thousand men or more,
Kept Aberdeen, Perth, and Dundee,
And all the low towns by the sea:
The fierce MacLeod lay west from them,
Who on George’s side had rais’d his men,
Intending to take Aberdeen,
Knowing that Gordon lay therein,
He as far as Inverurie came,
In hopes next day to reach the same;
But Gordon of this was aware,
And for to meet him did prepare,
But march’d his men another way,
As tho’ he would not on him stay.
West from the road he took his rout,
Altho’ it was some miles about,
Kept hollow ways not to be seen,
Where woods and planting did him screen,
And ’bout the setting of the sun,
He spy’d them entering the town.
A halt he made, judg’d what to do,
Of’s being there they nothing knew.
Much like his own their number seem’d,
Then for to fight, it best he deem’d:
And what favour’d his notion more,
He saw them billoting, a score
Or more into each country town,
At two miles distance all around.
When the full half of them were gone,
He thought it time to draw them on,
In full brigade at the town’s end,
Before MacLeod ought of him _kend_:
The first intelligence some got
Was by the rattling of the shot.
Confus’d he was in this sad case
His men dispers’d, and few to face.
The foes assault, upon the hill
He rallied them near to the mill.
They fir’d full brisk on every side;
Yet Gordon’s force was hard to _bide_,
They being to arms bred in France,
Knew how to retreat, and to advance.
MacLeod’s men, in number few,
Quite raw and undisciplin’d too,
Lost nearly twenty upon the spot,
And forty fled gall’d by the shot.
The laird himself, to end the matter,
Did fly and could not make it better.
His men in crowds came running in,
Crying, _Master did ye loss or win?_
But for to rally in such a _stour_,
He had no time, might, or power;
The darksome night was coming on,
And his best men lay dead and gone,
Or wounded, they before him fled:
While Gordon brisk advancing made,
Whose loss that night was not heard tell,
Alledging that none of them fell;
He gained the field and town, ’tis true,
But yet ’twas judg’d he lost a few,
Whom they did bury in the night,
To keep their losses out of sight.

This bloody battle, as they say,
Was fought the night before _Yuil_ day,
At the end of Inverurie town,
Led on by Gordon and Drummond,
Against MacLeod and all his Clan,
Who did not well concert the plan:
Spreading his men so far a _breed_,
Was nothing like a martial deed:
For the one half they overthrew,
Before the other ought on’t knew.
It was a trick of war ye _ken_
For making them more wise again;
No sooner Gordon got the town,
Than centries plac’d were all aroun’,
Who kept patrolling through the night,
Lest MacLeod shou’d renew the fight;
But to the hills he did proceed,
There to bewail his luckless deed.
Gordon return’d to Aberdeen
Rejoicing he’d victorious been,
From thence to Stirling got his rout,
To join his Prince when thereabout.

When from Dumfries they came away,
Hamilton they reach’d on the next day;
Knowing no danger then before them,
They levied all things fit to store them,
As horse, of which they had great need,
Many of them being rode to dead.
Of meat and drink they spier’d no price;
But little harm did otherwise,
Save changing shoes when brogues were spent,
For victuals sure they could not want.
To Glasgow they came the next day,
In a very poor forlorn way,
The shot was rusted in the gun,
Their swords from scabbards would not twin,
Their count’nance fierce as a wild bear,
Out o’er their eyes hang down their hair,
Their very thighs red tanned quite;
But yet as nimble as they’d been white;
Their beards were turned black and brown,
The like was ne’er seen in that town,
Some of them did barefooted run,
Minded no mire nor stony groun’;
But when shav’n, drest and cloth’d again
They turn’d to be like other men.
Eight days they did in Glasgow rest,
Until they were all cloth’d and drest:
And though they on the best o’t fed,
The town they under tribute laid,
Ten thousand Sterling made it pay,
For being of the Georgian way,
Given in goods and ready cash,
Or else to stand a plundering lash:
And ’cause they did Militia raise,
They were esteem’d as mortal faes:
For being oppos’d to _Jacobites_,
They plainly call’d them _Whiggonites_.
But, for peace sake, to get them clear,
Of ev’ry thing they furnish’d were,
A printing Press and two workmen
To print their journals as they ran.