Chapter XV: Conclusion--Charles interrupts the Congress--Is (5)

From Glasgow then they took their rout,
Lochiel he led his Clan about
By Cumbernauld, another way,
Lest Kir’ntilloch they should repay,
Which had killed two of their Clan,
That a spulzieing unto it came;
As they were passing through the town,
They by the rabble were knock’d down,
For which the place was taxed sore,
And dreaden much ’twould suffer more.
Near Stirling then, they all did meet,
Summon’d the town for to submit,
Militia therein were quartered,
And the townsmen also, armed,
Who did defend a day or two;
But found their force it would not do:
Though a good wall both stout and strong,
Lay on the south where they came on;
Yet ’tween the water and the town
It lay quite open, halfway roun’.
The bridge was cut on the south side,
The water deep they could not wade;
Their nearest pass was at the Frew,
Full four miles west and in their view.
Four thousand lay on the north side,
Threat’ning the town whate’er betide.
Glasgow Militia had left the place,
And to met Hawley at Ed’nbro’ was.
Militia they had; but not enew,
Such duty was too hard to do.
Those who did ly on the north hand,
Were not of those were in England;
But with Lord Lewis Gordon came,
Brother to th’ Duke of that same name,
Which he had raised in the north,
Help’d by lord John, brother to Perth,
Who did command Fitz-James’s horse,
That came from France into Montrose:
Most of their riders Irish and Scots,
Nat’rally bent to join such plots,
Inclin’d to love the Stewart race,
Whose fathers did that side embrace.
These foresaid Lords most active were,
Both men and money to prepare,
And would have rais’d some thousands more,
Had but six thousand French came o’er,
Which, time from time, they promised;
But the seas were too well guarded.
Lord Loudon lay into the north,
Long way beyond the Murray firth,
Twenty sev’n hundred men had he,
Which made the Frazer’s Clan to flee,
When Fort Augustus they did besiege;
Yet in open field would not engage.
Likewise MacLeods, Grants and Munroes,
Against the Stewarts in arms rose:
The Sutherlands and name of Gun,
To arms did against them run.
Sir Duncan Forbes, Lord president,
Caus’d many rise by his consent.
Thus, in the north, I you assure,
There was an army of great pow’r,
All upon the Georgian side,
Beside what was besouth the Clyde,
Who all in arms there did unite,
Unto the cause with noble sp’rit.
Also the brave men of Argyle,
Who were preparing all the while;
But could not find safe passage east,
Until they were from Glasgow past:
And then they went by Airdrie town,
When Hawley was through Lothian come,
Him join’d at Ed’nburgh where they lay
Preparing for the battle day;
Glasgow and Paisley troops were there,
To serve king George free volunteer.

CHAP. V.

_Siege of Stirling Castle. Battle of Falkirk._

Now as Charles around Stirling lay,
To surrender they did give way,
All but brave Blakney, who withdrew
Into the Castle, with those thought true,
Who chose with him the siege to stand
To their life’s end, with sword in hand.
His stores, indeed, were ill laid in,
S’ unexpected it did begin,
No time had they for to provide,
Charles being so long on their south side.
Their ammunition too was small,
No stock of powder, nor yet of ball;
Yet all encouragement he gave
To those who’d help the Fort to save:
His endeavours he spared not
To find such stores as could be got:
And all he thought of use to be,
Were welcome to his companie:
And those who fearful were to stay
Freely got leave to go away;
Th’ unloyal he charg’d not to ’tend it;
For to the last he would defend it.

Summons he got for to surrender;
But answer made, “He was defender,
“Intrusted by king George command,
“To which, he vow’d, he’d firmly stand.”

Then to assault they did prepare,
Milit’ry engines erected there,
Cannon from th’ other side the Forth,
Which had been landed in the north.
British cannons lost at Fount’noy,
Came home this Fort for to destroy.
To raise a trench, in haste they got,
As near the walls as pistol shot,
On the east side, on a hill top,
To breach the wall it was their hope:
And then by storm they did pretend,
Of all within to make an end:
But at this instant Hawley came,
Which put a stop to their fierce aim.

Then all their force together drew,
Those in the north past at the Frew;
Near by Torwood they rendezvouz’d,
Where Hawley’s camp, afar they view’d,
Hard by Falkirk, on the north side,
The English banners were display’d.
From th’ banks of Carron they had in view,
All passes where they could come thro’:
Ev’n from Forth side up to the hills;
But high presumption their courage fills,
As they were arm’d in such a case,
The rebel Scots would not them face:
And as in scorn did them deride,
So to advance did slow proceed:
And spent their time in vain delay
Ev’n the forepart of th’ battle-day.

While Charlie, with much active care,
His res’lute troops did well prepare:
From Torwood-head they issu’d down
To the south side, on rising groun’.
Cross’d Carron at Dunnipace mill.
By foot of Bonny took th’ hill,
And still he kep’t a sharp look out,
In hopes that Hawley would take th’ rout;
As in his camp sure news he had
From’s out-guard posts who there had fled.

Mean time the Highlanders gain’d th’ hill,
Wind on their back just at their will.
Hawley’s camp it was alarmed;
But he himself could not be had:
Chief orders then they could get none,
Which caused some confusion,
And when that Hawley did appear,
He’d not believe they were so near.
Husk form’d his men and took the hill,
The horsemen also march’d there-till,
Glasgow and Paisley volunteers,
Eager to fight, it so appears,
With the dragoons advanc’d in form,
Who ’mong the first did feel the storm.
The Highlanders, seeing their zeal,
Their highland vengeance pour’d like hail,
On red coats they some pity had,
But ’gainst Militia were raging mad.
Cob’s dragoons they southmost stood;
But gain a flank they never cou’d:
For Murray led on the front line,
And kept them both from flank and wind:
Some time was spent these points to gain;
But all the struggle prov’d in vain.
Gardner’s and Monroe’s were next,
On worse ground troopers could not fix;
I don’t mean as to th’ en’mies fire;
But on their front a boggie mire,
Which in th’ attack the horse confounded,
And they on all sides were surrounded;
Next to them the volunteers,
Between the foot and Grenadiers.
Some reg’ments coming up the hill,
And as they came, they formed still.

The Highlanders in columns three,
Came moving on couragiouslie,
With loud huzzas on every side,
Their bloody banners were display’d,
The front line only three men deep,
They in reserve the rest did keep:
Their plaids in heaps were left behind,
Light to run if need they find:
And on they came with a goodwill,
At the _dog-trot_, adown the hill.
At Cob’s dragoons the first rank fir’d:
But rear and centre were desir’d
To keep their fire, and then to pour’t
Into their face, while front in _scourd_
With sword in hand, (as they intended)
This was design’d them to defend it.
So near their front at flight they came,
They turned back both horse and man,
They kept up fire then crack by crack,
They surely found it on their back;
For men and horse to field they brang,
And many in their saddles swang.

The brave Monroe, with his troops too
Disdain’d to flee; but went quite thro’
Their front line, centre, and the rear;
But fell himself, as he came near,
Two balls out thro’ his body ran,
Alas! he never raise again.
He was a soldier, bold and true,
Rather too fierce as some avow,
His whole troop now was in the mire,
Inclos’d about with sword and fire,
Hacking, slashing, behind, before ’em,
All enrag’d for to devour them:
Th’ horses legs to their bellies was,
Few with life from ’mong them pass.

By this the horse were fairly beat,
And those were left made full retreat;
But oh! such wind and rain arose,
As if all conspir’d for Hawley’s foes.
The southside being fairly won,
They fac’d north, as all had been done,
Where next stood, to bide the brush
The volunteers, who zealeous
Kept firing close, till near surrounded,
And by the flying horse confounded:
They suffer’d sore into this place,
No Highlander pity’d their case--
_You curs’d Militia_, they did swear,
_What a devil did bring you here?_
Ligonier’s, Husks and Cholmondelly,
Gave from them many a dreadful volley,
Two running fires, from end to end,
Which broad swords could no way defend:
But seeing so many run and fall,
They thought they were in danger all,
And for their safety did prepare,
In haste they form’d a hollow square:
The horsemen being all fled or slain,
The very LOYAL fled like men.
Some reg’ments marching up the hill
To turn again, had right good will.
Brave col’nel JACK, being then a boy,
His warlike genious did employ,
He form’d his men at the hill foot,
Which was approv’d as noble wit:
But if Husk had not check’d their fury,
Some thousands more had been to bury;
He beat them fair quite out of sight,
But O! the rain and blowy night,
Horse or cannon, there, he had none,
He could not keep the field alone,
Some cannon which on th’ field there was,
Being spik’d up with iron flaws,
And render’d useless for that time,
The hole being stopt whereat they prime,
Barrel’s grenadiers to some yok’d too
And eastward to Falkirk them drew;
Yet all their toil no effect had,
Their drivers and the horse were fled,
The cannon, for some time, were lost,
The chance of war so _rul’d the roast_.

Husk in form made safe retreat,
Where all were flying the other gate
Out from the camp, the Lithgow way,
He form’d the Buffs behind to stay,
In trust, to cover the retreat,
Which was nought but a pannick fright:
For had they kept their camp, I’m sure,
The Clans wou’d soon have left the Muir;
For there was but few who kept th’ field,
Many dispers’d to seek for bield.
No sooner the battle was begun
Than on both sides the cow’rdly run;
And thro’ the country word was spread,
How George had won, and Charles fled:
Ev’n Charles himself could hardly tell,
That very night how it befel;
But the abandoning their camp
Confirm’d all, and made them ramp.
It is well known by all about,
The battle was not half fought out:--
But to run, O shame! and leave your tents,
Like brok’n tennants with unpaid rents?
The dread of Highlandmen to consider!
And not two hundred of them together;
But all dispers’d the country thro’,
Afraid of them, and they of you!
For had they known th’ English retreating,
’Hind TAMTALLAN, had been a beating.
This was the step which Hawley took,
Which ruined all, else I mistook.

The duke of Perth laught in his sleeve,
And Charles himself could scarce believe,
That Hawley was turn’d such a cow,
As flee when none was to pursue.
When those about heard of the flight,
They came and took the town that night.
Both town and camp left to their will,
As Hawley march’d on eastward still,
To Lithgow and Borrowstounness,
And some to Edinburgh did pass,
There gave it out, “That all was lost,
“Few left alive of Hawley’s host,
“Charles was driving all before him,
“The very _wind_ and _rain_ fought for him.”

On Janu’ry sixteenth, afternoon,
This battle was fought, but never won:
But on the _morn_ both great and small
Unto Falkirk assembled all,
To view the field and bury the slain;
But which was which, was ill to _ken_:
For by their clothes no man could tell,
They stripped were as fast’s they fell.
The plund’ring wives, and savage boy
Did many wounded men destroy;
With durks and _skians_ they fell a sticking,
For which they well deserved a kicking:
Some of the brutish commons too,
I saw them run the wounded thro’!

The brave Monroe his corpse was there,
Among the slain and stripped bare;
In Falkirk yard, you’ll read his name,
Interr’d hard by Sir John the Grahame.

All who Militia were suspected,
To catch that day was not neglected,
And hundreds more, I you assure,
Who came to see their Falkirk-muir,
Ev’n for such curiosity
Were brought into much misery.
Being driven north to Inverness,
Their cold and hunger I can’t express:
Those who felt it, best can tell,
I leave them to express’t themsel.

An accident happ’ned next day
T’ one Glengarie on the Street-way,
A man in plunder got a gun,
Two balls from which he had new drawn,
Judging in it there was no more,
Yet another she had in store.
Out at a window did her lay,
Dreading no harm he did let fly,
Which kill’d Glengary as he past,
Dead on the street it laid him fast.
They siezed the fellow and did bang him,
Would give no time to judge or hang him;
But with guns and swords upon him drave,
Which made him minch-meat for the grave.

For Stirling then they march’d again,
With prisoners and all their train:
To Blackney new summons were given
For to surrender, or be driven
Unto death, by fire and sword;
Just now to yield--or trust the word,
That they would make that fort his grave,
And not a soul therein would save.
But Blackney said, The fort was his,
And each within aminded was,
To stand the last extremitie:
Take this for answer now from me,
“When my King and Master gives me word,
“You will have it without stroke of sword.”

Then with fury began the siege,
Both day and night they did engage:
On the east side upon a height,
Open’d a batt’ry in the night,
Of wooden faggots fill’d with mud:
Upon a rock the trench it stood,
To dig it deep it would not do,
At last they purchas’d packs of woo,
For which Perth’s duke gave his own bill,
Smith may protest it when he will,
For Perth and Blackney both are gone,
And I trow, it was paid by none.
The country ’round they did compel
Faggots to make and trees to fell.
The one built up, th’ other beat down,
Their noise was heard the country round.
Indeed _hersel_ was loth to do it;
But on pain of death _she_ was put to’t.
French engineers indeed they had,
Who order’d all to work like mad.
Here many a poor man lost his life,
Being unaccustom’d to such strife,
Crying _Shentlemen, ye’d best let be;
For feth wese hae a meuds of ye;
If we had up our muckle dyke
We’ll tak your Castle when we like_.
These engineers, who knew far better,
Out of their lives did still them flatter,
At ev’ry point where danger was
They made the poor unthoughtfu’ pass:
Which only did prolong the time,
To murder men they thought no crime:
For well they knew it would not do,
With such batt’ries of mud and woo:
Unless they made a cover’d way
Dug in the earth, thro’ sand or clay.
Ten days they wrought with all their pow’r,
And men they lost on’t ev’ry hour,
Night and day there was no rest,
And Blackney always had the best.
The fort being high above their trench,
To see their work it was no pinch,
Dung hill like on a rock ’twas laid:
In form of a potatoe-bed.
With tow and tar when it was dark
He let them see to do their wark,
Which as a lamp burnt on their trench,
Caus’d many die who thought to quench’t.
They skirmish’d on, both night and day,
With cannons and small arms did play:
Four big guns were brought up at last;
But soon were off their carriage cast,
Their very muzzles were beaten in,
And off their wheels they made them spin.

One called Fife on Blackney’s side,
At ev’ry shot he laid their pride,
Experienc’d by hand and eye,
A perfect gunner, by land and sea;
But the worst thing which did ensue,
Of cannon balls they had but few,
Which caus’d them fire with coals and stones,
Or ought was fit for smashing bones:
For of the balls he was but sparing,
Unless to give some hearty _fairing_.
An engineer who plagu’d him sadly,
Whereat he was enraged madly,
By his upbraiding speech and mocks,
As he’d been more than other folks,
Some did believe he had a charm,
As ’gainst a shot he’d wag his arm,
Fife try’d with ball, iron and stones,
Then curs’d his _cantraips_ skin and bones;
He was some de’il as all did miss him,
Said he, I’ll find a way to bless him,
Having drunk some beer, bottles were by,
With glass, methinks, this devil I’ll try:
When broken small, he cram’d them in,
“I trust, with this, to pierce thy skin,”
Then play’d it off with all his art,
Which minch’d him quite above the heart,
So down he fell, spoke never more;
Soon after this the siege gave o’er.
The cannons all off carriage driven
And trenches with the rocks made ev’n.
Then to all those who went to see,
Like potatoe field it seem’d to be.
Many dead bodies in’t were found,
White noses sticking thro’ the ground.

All being o’er, since it began,
Brave Blackney lost only one man;
Six were wounded, ’tis very true;
But poor John Fife got not his due
Recompence, equal to his merit;
For which the poor lad broke his spirit,
He went again back to the sea,
Got a wat’ry tomb, as they tell me.
He was but a Scot, and meanly born,
Had no good speakers, Scots then at scorn.

Now, to ev’ry body, ’tis a wonder,
How that so many liv’d on plunder;
For between Falkirk and Kippen ay
It is but sixteen miles of way,
Which space maintain’d ten thousand more
Than th’ usual number within each door,
For full four weeks, or nearly thereby,
The time they at the siege did ly,
The happy Janet kept the Forth,
And curb’d all vessels from the north.
About the Queens-ferry she lay,
Came with the tides, and gave them play
Up by Airth and Higgins nook,
Where was a batt’ry prov’d a mock.
They thought to keep Forth to themsel;
But what it cost there’s few can tell:
For all th’ shipping they had at sea,
Did not exceed in number three,
Which kept about Perth and Montrose,
And privily to France did cross.
So all round Stirling where they lay,
Oft did they wish they were away.
Commands they sent all round about,
And searched all provisions out.
Some of them paid like honest men,
Others did not, I tell you plain:
But this I have so far to say,
They duly got their weekly pay;
But yet when plunder came in use,
They spared neither duck nor goose,
Butter, cheese, beef, or mutton,
All was theirs that could be gotten,
Pocks of meal, hens and _cockies_,
They made that country bare of _chuckies_,
Made many a _Carlin whinge_ and _girn_,
By _crowdie_ of her meal and _kirn_:
All this they did before their eyes,
_Guidwife cum sup here an ye please_,
I own indeed it was a failing;
But yet I cannot call it stealing:
Because some folks refus’d to sell:
How long, now, cou’d ye fast yoursell?
For the hungry came, chas’d out the fu’,
Where meat was found, this was their due.

EAST SIDE.
Falkirk Town.

Argyle Militia 3 Regiments
formed below marching up
the hill to cover the Hill.
the Retreat.

G. Husk’s Scots Royal. Glasgow and Gardner and
Column. Pais. Militia. Monro’s Dr.
_________ ____________ ____________ ___________

Cob’s Dragoons.
_______________

_THE KING’S ARMY_

NORTH SOUTH
SIDE. SIDE.

The _HIGHLAND ARMY_

______________ _____________ ___________ ________________
The Cammerons The Stewarts. Macgregors. L. Geo. Muray’s.
or first Column. This Col. fired first.

____________________________________________
The Second Column who came not up to Action,
but still in Motion.

________________________________________________
The Third Column, who stood as Corps of Reserve.

______________
The Hussars or
Horse-men.
____________________
The French Brigades,
or Prince’s Guards.

WEST SIDE.
]

CHAP. VI.

_The Duke’s return. His Speech to the Army. March to Stirling. Explosion of St. Ninian’s Church._

Now when the news to London went,
Guess ye if George was well content,
At Hawley’s being so defeat,
And making such a foul retreat.
On Friday’s night the deed was done,
This was on Sunday afternoon.
The council’s call’d, and in all haste,
The Duke again they did request
To go, and take the whole command,
For to reduce the Highland band
That so disturbed BRITON’S peace,
Which was accepted by his Grace.
All things prepar’d for posting ways,
He on the road was near six days.
To Ed’nburgh town he came at last,
Which gave their sp’rits a quickning blast.
The troops review’d and brought together,
All for the field he did consider,
The Glasgow and the Paisley Core
He order’d home, knowing of more,
Six thousand Hessians beside dragoons
Were entring in the Scottish boun’s,
On pressing march towards the north,
Expecting battle, south side of Forth.

_The_ DUKE’S _Speech to his Army at Edinburgh, January 30th, 1746_.

“Now Gentlemen, hear this of me,
“You’re th’ soldi’rs of a people free,
“Not like the poor starv’d slaves in France,
“Bound to a Popish ordinance.
“I know there’s many of you here
“Who’ve shown your merit, that I can swear,
“Others, perhaps, n’er had occasion
“To show your valour in foreign nation,
“Yet think yourselves as good as they,
“I doubt not but part of you may;
“Tho’ native soil you’ve yet possest,
“In foreign land no foes have fac’d,
“You descend from men, as well as they,
“Who never turn’d their backs to fly:
“I hope you’re now resolv’d to fight
“All for your King and countries Right,
“’Gainst their rebellious resolution,
“Who’re for turning order to confusion,
“A set of plunderers and thieves,
“Which in ev’ry age disturbs and grieves:
“Ay, learn’d from their fathers they are,
“In troublous times to raise up war:
“Boasting themselves in bauling words,
“To do great actions with broad swords:
“I think they’ll prove to be small stops,
“In front of well disciplin’d troops.
“Stand and behold them in the face,
“And use your points in such a case.
“If you don’t fly and break your line,
“By swords you can no danger find;
“But when you turn your backs to fly,
“You throw honour and life away;
“You murder by this means yoursell,
“And foes encourage to excel.
“Think on Tourney and Fontenoy.
“Fear not this Rabble, who wou’d destroy
“All that’s good, if they had power.
“May heav’n protect us in battle hour!
“Remember you’re for a right cause,
“Against subverters of the laws.”

From Ed’nburgh town they march’d away
To Lithgow came that very day,
The Campbells on front also this night
Retook Falkirk, and put to flight
Part of the Highland troops were there,
Who straight for Stirling did repair;
But orders met them by the road,
That night to stop at the Torwood:
Because against the morning light,
Their army would be there on sight.
The council call’d at Bannockburn,
Where all agreed for to return
And fight the Duke, whate’er betide,
But his Lowland men would not ’bide;
These Nor’landers swore by their _saul_
That Cumberland would kill them all.
But the Highlanders made this reply,
That for their Prince they’d fight and die,
Where’er he went, they’d with him go
And face the Duke, tho’ ten for two.
So then to morrow by break of day,
The Northern men march’d all away;
And yet the Clans they were so kind
As offer to fight if he inclin’d.
But all agreed to take the rout,
More of the Clans for to recruit:
Then all of them took to their heels,
Kept no high road; but cros’d the fields,
The nearest way unto the Frew,
For otherwise it would not do,
Stirling Militia the bridge had cut,
And on the water there was no boat,
But what was broken or haul’d away,
To keep the Forth when north they lay.
Their cannon and baggage, all forsaken,
Lay round Stirling and soon was taken.
Their magazine of powder and ball,
Falkirk plunder, tents and all,
Were stor’d up in St. Ninian’s church,
An engineer enter’d the porch,
On purpose for to lay a train;
But too much haste did him atten’.
He broke one barrel, as they say,
Began the powder for to stray
All along upon the floor,
Without the threshold of the door.
Some people in the kirk there was,
The love of plunder was the cause,
The engineer backward did run,
And at the powder fir’d his gun,
Himself he thought quite secure too;
But to the air with it he flew.
Other eight persons there was slain,
And one blown up, but fell again,
So senseless, that he was thought dead,
As he lay on a midden-head.
He first fell on a thatched house,
Next on a midden, with a _souse_:
His clothes and hair were really sing’d,
Sat on the midden, curs’d and whing’d,
So stupid drove, knew not the cause
But own’d his mercy in such fa’s.
But others were in pieces torn,
And from the church a long way born;
One safe before the pulpit lay,
When all above was blown away:
This roar did him so stupid drive,
He knew not whether dead or alive;
In flames and smoak he was benighted,
And own’d that he was fairly frighted.
Charles and his court from a hill top,
Stood and beheld the catastrop’;
Then to the north they march’d away
Unto St. Johnston upon Tay.

This great explosion, I heard say,
Was heard full forty miles away.
Duke William at Lithgow heard th’ crack,
And cry’d, “Now Blackney’s gone to wreck,”
Not knowing what the meaning was,
Till in Falkirk he heard the cause,
Now all of them had cross’d the Forth
Quite o’er the hills into the North.
The Campbells, and some troops of horse,
That night arriv’d at Stirling cross,
Who came harrassing the retreat,
And pick’d some straglers by the _gate_:
Blackney also sallied out,
And catch’d some strollers thereabout.
Many of them were so mischiev’d,
It shocked nature to perceiv’t,
Legs and arms shot clean awa’,
And some wanting the nether-jaw;
Some were out of the trenches drawn,
Being bury’d alive ’midst the san’.
The Campbells kept upon the chace,
And pick’t ’em up in many a place.
Some cannon were found near the Frew,
Their horse, being weak, could not go thro’.
Much baggage left and several things,
With a Printing press, called the king’s,
Which back to Stirling was return’d,
While Charles, by Crief, to Perth adjourn’d.

CHAP. VII.

_The Duke’s arrival at Stirling. The Rebels’ Retreat, and the Rout both Armies took to the North._

Soon after William to Stirling came,
With all his troops, a warlike ban’:
Reg’ments of foot, there were fourteen,
Sixteen field pieces of brass, full clean:
Kingston’s, Cobham’s, and Ker’s dragoons.
The trusty Campbells, all chosen ones,
With Hawley, Husk, and John Mordaunt,
Brave Ligonier he could not want,
With Cholmondely, bred soldiers all,
For battle ready at any call.
One day his march was here suspended,
The broken bridge for to get mended,
O’er which the foot were safely past,
And all the carriages at last.
The horsemen forded Forth at Drip,
Then to Dumblain they marched up.

While the army into Stirling lay,
They catched one they call’d a spy,
Whom Hawley, by some uncouth laws,
Condemn’d for carrying Charles’ pass,
Likewise another from the Duke,
Which made him more like traitor look,
Hawley seiz’d them, and with an oath
Swore he should be depriv’d of both:
Go, said he, and get a rope,
And take the dog and hing him up,
Which was no sooner said than done,
As soon’s the hangman could be foun’,
Without confession, or clergy’s stamp,
Was like a dog hung to a lamp.

Next day the duke went to Dumblane,
Campbells’ and th’ horse had Crief reta’en.
Here the Highlanders did divide,
Some took the hills, some water-side;
The highland road by bridge of Tay,
Or by Dundee, the sea-side way,
The horse and French brigades did chuse;
And the Highland roads did refuse,
So kept their rout north by Montrose,
While th’ others climb’d o’er hills and moss:
Short time they took in Perth to tarry,
All the stores they could not carry,
They threw into the river Tay,
With cannon they could not take ’way,
Thirteen of iron they spiked up,
And swivels of the Hazard sloop,
Which was taken off John’s haven,
By help of that town’s fisher-men.
Argyle Militia and the horse
To Perth straight came; but did not cross
The river Tay for to pursue,
Till the whole army came in view.
Some would have a party take the hill,
But to this the Duke deny’d his will,
And kept his march down by Dundee,
Thro’ towns that lay hard by the sea
Toward the town called Montrose,
And great resentment there he shows:
All the suspect’ did apprehend,
And south to Stirling did them send,
Where they’re detain’d close prisoner,
’Till ’bout the ending of the stir;
Many of them were innocent,
As afterwards was truly _kent_,
If ’twas not for their thought and wish:
For few durst say whose man he was
Who lived into such a clime,
And in such a critical time.
Thence he unto John’s-haven sent,
As being upon vengeance bent
For taking of the Hazard sloop,
And burnt their boats both _stoop and roop_.
Two off’cers here he also broke,
For their goodwill to Charlie’s folk,
The one’s sash was in pieces cut,
And quite out of the army put,
His sword was broke above his head;
Because he unto Charlie fled.
The other, because he stopt the plunder
Of th’ house of Gask, being sent under
Strict command, to do such duty;
But kept his party from the booty,
For which he got’s commission torn,
Himself depos’d with shame and scorn.

From thence they march’d to Aberdeen,
Where a storm of snow and frost full _keen_,
Which on the mountains some time lay,
Caus’d them into that town to stay.
Hesse’s band in Perth then quarter’d was,
And at Dunkeld keeped the pass,
The remains of Gardner’s broke dragoons
Kept Blair in Athole, and such towns:
These horsemen twice had suffer’d sore,
Here, by surprise, they suffer’d more:
As they next to the Highlands lay,
They _skelped_ at them night and day.
Being station’d in this utmost pass,
They bore the _brunt_ of all distress;
But the Hessians kept about Dunkeld,
And did into more safety dwell.
These Hessians were a warlike band,
Six thousand did their prince command,
Earl Crawford in their company,
To guide them thro’ the Scots country.
Their countenance was awful fierce,
They spake High-Dutch, or German Earse,
Had white buff-belts, and all blue clothes,
With a long beard beneath their nose,
And those who were in wedlock state,
Had all long whiskers, like the cat.
Their spatterdashes with pick were gilt,
And long swords with a brazen hilt,
Bars on the outside of the hand,
And in their guns an iron wand.
The finest music e’er you did hear
Would make one dance who could not stir,
Their whistles and drums in chorus join
Did cheer one’s heart, they played so fine:
Their grenadier’s had caps of brass,
Thus order’d were the men of Hesse,
Who camp’d for some time near Dunkeld,
And kept that pass, till they hear’d tell
How at Culloden all were broke,
And they had never fought a stroke,
Except one canonading bout;
The clans afar came on a scout
To view their camp from a hill top
Who soon retir’d when they drew up:
Whene’er their cannon began to play,
They skipt like rams and ran away,
Describ’d the Hessians ev’n as they can,
Said, “He was a blue and bloody man,
“His drums and guns pe ready, _got_
“Hersell pe rin, or else be shot.”

CHAP. VIII.

_Blowing up the Castle of Cargarf by the Earl of Ancram. Skirmishes at Keith and Inverness, &c._

Now while the duke lay at Aberdeen,
From England did his troops maintain,
Brought in his stores ay by the sea,
And laid no stress on that country,
From thence the earl of Ancram went,
One hundred horse were with him sent,
Major Morris with three hundred foot,
Near to the head of Don they got,
To take the Castle of Cargarf,
But ere they came all were run aff,
Wherein was a large magazine
Of amunition, and arms clean,
Which did become the Earl’s prey;
But could not get it born away,
No horse he could get to employ,
Most of the spoil he did destroy,
’Bout thirty barrels of powder there,
Made soon that fort fly in the air,
And so returned to Aberdeen,
Long forty miles there were between.

Next Col’nel Stuart of Charlie’s band,
At Strathbogie he did command
One thousand foot, beside Hussars,
Who kept that country round as theirs:
Against him were sent on command
The generals Moredant and Bland;
But to Stra’bogie as they drew near,
Stuart did unto Keith retire.
Then captain Holden with volunteers
Follow’d in chase, as it appears,
Seventy Campbells by Bland were sent,
And thirty Kingston’s horse too went,
To clear the village of Keith while light,
And to Stra’bogie return that night:
But their presumption ran so high,
They ventur’d there that night to lye,
When Stuart return’d with secret pains,
Enter’d the town at both the ends,
And set upon them unawares,
Till few were left of men and horse:
Their loss was this, you may consider,
Because they were not got together.
The Campbells sold their lives like men,
And of the horsemen left were ten.
This did the Highlandmen revive,
And rais’d their sp’rits for more mischief,
And to the Duke’s men gave a caution,
Where to quarter on like occasion.
His army in three divisions lay,
The first at Strathbogie, they say,
Second at Old Meldrum, half-way between
Strathbogie town and Aberdeen,
The last at Aberdeen still lay,
Until April on the eighth day.

While Charles must the mountains keep,
Among the goats, cows and sheep,
His army sure was sorely spent,
Ere into Inverness he went,
Having nought but deserts by the way,
Want of meat and scant of pay.
Rivan of Badenoch they took,
And laid it flat on every _nuik_.
To Inverness when they drew near,
Lord Loudon did from it retire,
Having but sixteen hundred men
All newly rais’d, could not preten’
To face them fairly in open field:
Therefore, Retreat was safest bield.
Two companies he left behind,
The fort to major Grant resign’d,
To defend it to extremitie
Strict orders, thus to do or die,
But no sooner did Charles’ troops appear,
Than soldiers hearts did quake for fear,
And being threaten’d with a siege
They durst not stand their spiteful rage.
So town and castle became his own,
The fort was levell’d with the groun’.
Lord Loudon fled but little way,
The firth of Murray between them lay,
Perth and Cromartie play’d a _brogue_,
Assisted by a hazie fog,
Unexpectedly sallying over,
Upon them fell, and would not hover,
Till many they in pieces cut,
Some officers they pris’ners got:
As before them they could not stand,
Being forc’d to flee from Sutherland.
Another party at castle of Blair,
Had beat the Duke’s detachment there;
This gave the king’s army some pain,
And rais’d their Highland blood again.
Fort Augustus too they did attack,
And in short time beat it to wreck:
Three companies of Guise’ therein,
’Gainst Highland fury not worth a pin:
Major Wentworth did here command,
Who had not force them to withstand,
None stood but Fort William now,
And it in haste they ’sieged too.
A large detachment chosen was;
Of artillery the best he has,
Commanded by brave Stapleton,
A French brig’dier of great renown.

On the third of March at Glenavis,
Which opposite Fort William is,
The first attack began at sea,
Betwixt the Baltimore and he,
A sloop then lying at Fort William,
Into the straits of Carrion,
Stapleton siezing of their boat,
Thought t’ master them with num’rous shot:
The Serpent sloop, captain Askew
Caus’d man his boat, with other two,
And soon were master of Carrion,
Where put to flight was Stapleton.

Their next ’ttempt was Kilmadie barns,
Where many shot were thro’ the _herns_:
Yet the Baltimore she could not stand it,
Nor could their troops at all get landed:
For shells and cannons play’d so fast,
Their engineer they kill’d at last.
The Baltimore she could not take it,
Forc’d to sheer off and so forsake it,
Some prisoners of Guise’s men,
In this hurry did liberty gain,
During the time the parties fir’d,
Took to their heels and so retir’d,
And got safe to the garrison,
Without the reach of Stapleton.
Now for some time they stopped were,
Thro’ loss of their chief engineer,
And ere another fill’d his place,
The garrison had their wall in case,
Their bastions raised seven feet high,
Ere the besiegers did draw nigh.

It was on March the twenti’th day,
Their battery began to play,
From a hill top, call’d Sugar loaf,
Eight hundred yards, or thereby off:
Their shots fell weak and came too short,
Some fell before they reach’d the fort:
Cohorns, bombs and a twelve pounder
In vain at such a distance thunder.
Finding their batt’ry was too far,
They erect another half way nigh’r;
But being in a hollower place,
It did not alter much the case,
Except the cohorns and some bombs
Broke some roofs, beat down two _lums_;
Three men indeed they did dissable,
And kill’d a poor horse in a stable.
Stapleton a French _Tambour_ sent,
Beating a parly on he went:
The captain ask’d for what he came?
He said, From gen’ral Stapleton,
To you, Sir Governor, with this letter,
’Tis to surrender, You can’t do better.
Then to your Gen’ral this answer give,
“No letters from rebels I’ll receive,
“I shall do better, and him defy,
“Ev’n to the last extremity.”
The drummer return’d to Stapleton,
O then a fierce bombard went on,
For several hours on either side,
At last the garrison laid their pride,
By tearing their chief battery,
Flat with the ground they made it ly,
And many buried were therein,
Besides the wounded that did run,
The people within the garrison,
Without the houses keeped none,
For being wounded with the slate,
During the hurry of this heat:
The rest behind the ramparts stood,
And so were free from wounds and blood.
Thus in a rage, before they tir’d,
Near two hundred royal were fir’d,
With sixteen cannons, ’gainst the fort,
As afterwards they did report:
Yet did no harm was worth a fig,
But a poor soldier lost his leg.
And on the morrow when day appear’d,
The garrison their trenches clear’d.
Then for a day they let them _slack_,
Another batt’ry to erect,
Nearer the Fort one hundred yard
At which no labour there was spar’d.
At this time, a party sallied out
To make provision in, no doubt,
Who spar’d no bullock, sheep or cow,
Some prisoners they in brought too
From the laird of Apin’s estate,
Burnt every house came in their _gate_,
And those who did resistance shew,
They made no stop to run them thro’.
Their ships came in with meal and bread
So to hold out they had no dread.

Now when the last batt’ry was raised,
To fire again they soon practis’d;
The garrison too began a fresh,
And soon their batt’ry down did thresh.
At last their powder store took fire,
Which dash’d the gunners here and there.
The garrison perceiv’d the case,
And took advantage in short space,
Twelve men out of each companie,
Then sallied out couragiouslie,
And set upon them without dread,
Till many on the place lay dead,
One serjeant of the Campbells slain
The rest victorious turn’d again.
Into the Fort with them they drew
Three brazen cannons and mortars two,
Spik’d up the rest but only five,
At which they could not get a _drive_:
Yet timely retreat safety procur’d,
Or with numbers they’d been o’erpowr’d.

Stapleton did yet again direct
Another batt’ry there to make;
But at that time came an express
Forthwith to march for Inverness.
Thus on the third day of April,
From the third of March a dreary while.
They left their cannon and took the rout
But never more came thereabout.

Now another party prince Charles had
At the castle of Blair prosper’d as bad,
Under lord George Murray’s command,
Who took this doughty deed in hand,
For to conquer this castle of Blair:
The duke of Athole oft lived there,
Who was upon the Georgian side,
And had the Stewarts oft aid deny’d.
The garrison therein was few,
Commanded by Andrew Agnew,
An old Scots Worthy, I well may say,
No better soldier was in’s day.
He could do more by wiles and flight,
Than those who were five hundred weight;
He did defend them in such ways,
The siege prolong’d for several days.
Till word reach’d the camp at Dunkeld
How with Sir Andrew it befel.
Earl Crawford with the Hessian men,
Two troops of horse to him did sen’;
In all great haste they march’d away;
But Murray got other fish to fry:
For he receiv’d a hot express,
Forthwith to come to Inverness,
That very day that Stapleton
Left the siege of Fort-William.

All parties of the Chevalier
Did to their head quarters draw near,
By which Sir Andrew relief had,
And made this siege a fair blockade.
Here the wheel it turn’d, I trow,
And luck to Charles bad adieu.
’Tis oft misfortunes come together,
Or after one mischief another,
His men half mad for want of pay,
Had little to eat, what’s worse, I say?
Being hemm’d in on ev’ry side,
Among the hills and muirs so wide.
On the Hazard sloop they did depen’,
Which went to France for money and men:
As back and fore she oft did go,
Her name’s changed to Prince Charles’ Snow:
On her return, unluckilie,
Met with the Sheerness sloop, at sea,
Commanded by Captain O’Brian,
With whom she fought but did not gain
The day, nor yet could get away;
But was chas’d into Tongue-bay,
Where she upon the shallows ran,
And in the fight lost many a man.
O’Brian enrag’d still kept the sea,
But mann’d his boat right hastilie:
For fifty leagues they gave her chace,
And forc’d them to land in this place;
Into the country of lord Rea,
From whence they no relief could ha’e.
His lordship’s house it was near by,
Just then was there captain Mackay
My lord’s son, with Henry Monroe,
Lord Charles Gordon was there also,
Captain MacLeod a trusty han’,
And fourscore of lord Loudon’s men,
Who had fled there from Inverness
When Perth had put them in distress,
And as the crew came to the land,
As pris’ners they’re compell’d to stand,
One hundred men and fifty-six
As prisoners they here did fix,
Soldiers, sailors and gentlemen,
War-officers from France and Spain,
Who were to join Charles the Prince;
But bold O’Brian did them convince,
That such a thing was not to be:
To Aberdeen the whole sent he,
With the crew of a French priv’teer
Who off the Orkney’s cruising were.
Besides the arms found in her hold,
Thirteen thousand _guineas_ of gold,
Brave O’Brian thus carry’d away
On March the five and twenti’th day.

This was bad luck for Charles too;
For wanting money what could he do,
They had no meal, mutton or beef,
Of cheese and butter no relief:
The cry among them night and day,
Was, _Give me money, meat or pay_.

CHAP. IX.

_Kings Army pass the Spey. Battle of Culloden. Defeat of the Rebels, &c._

Upon the eight day of April,
When air and season sweet did smile,
Duke William then began to move,
The time and season to improve;
Towards the Spey he did approach,
By wary steps and easy voy’ge:
His fleet on sea no faster steer’d,
Than he upon the land appear’d,
Until they reach’d the banks of Spey:
On the north side great Charles lay,
To keep the fords was their intent;
But see’ng the cannon durst not resent,
Planted to cover the only pass,
Where the safe passage unto them was:
So in all haste they _scowr’d_ away,
And let them freely pass the Spey.

Argyle’s men and lord Kingston’s horse,
Did first of all the water cross,
And after them the grenadiers
To keep the front, if need appears:
For the Duke had always in his thought,
That crossing Spey would be dear bought;
But when he found no opposition,
Of other schemes he had suspicion:
Wherein he did conjecture right,
Altho’ the plot came not to light:
That in the night he’d be attacked,
Which by ill conduct was not acted.
Thus over Spey all safely came,
That rapid river and _stalward_ stream;
Th’ English women not us’d with wading,
Being loth to lift up their plaiding
Went in with petticoats and all,
Which _fagg’d_ their feet and made them fall.
A trooper thinking lives to save,
With them too got a wat’ry grave,
The flood but to men’s middle went,
They were with fording unacquaint:
Cold water struck the women’s belly,
It made them both prove faint and silly.
One horseman, and four women that day,
Were drown’d in crossing of the Spey:
From other harms cannons did cover,
And still they form’d as they came over,
For to engage kept always ready,
Caus’d pipes play _Fair play, Highland laddie_.

To Elgin town they march’d that night,
As the Highland core had ta’en their flight,
From thence to Nairn on the next day,
There on the fifteenth encamped lay,
Where the Duke’s birth was celebrate,
And Charles’ intent was to be at it;
But when near to the camp they came,
They could not execute their plan:
For Murray and Sulli. could not agree,
On what side the attack should be:
For want of courage in such a plight,
They argu’d till the morning light,
Then the Duke’s drums fell a beating,
And they thought fit to be retreating:
So this attempt prov’d nought at all,
But saving of their powder and ball.

Now Charlie and his noblemen,
In council night and day were then,
And in their schemes could not agree,
Where ACHITOPHELS among them be;
Some for this, and some for that,
Long time they in confusion sat:
Some did incline to fight at Spey,
And of all fords to stop the way;
But Tullibardine and Sullivan,
Were quite upon another plan,
To let the Duke free passage have,
And no disturbance there to give;
But lead him to some ugly ground,
Where cannon and horse were useless found:
So pitch’d upon Culloden place,
Where dykes and bogs might vex his Grace;
In hopes, cannon could not get there,
Which was great pain, I must declare,
The way so rough was, and so ill,
But drawn by men were up the hill.
The Duke his march made very slow,
Being form’d in lines as on they go:
In four columns they march’d away,
On cannon and baggage, made them stay,
Did front and rear in a body keep,
Except the Campbells, who ran like sheep,
With Kingston’s horse as spies and van,
From hill to hill they skipt and ran,
Back and fore had many a bout,
Act as Jackals to search them out,
And that day near the hour of twelve,
At Culloden house found them all.
---- The Highland army here were ranged,
That no position could be changed,
Twelve piece of cannon; but highly mounted;
By which the gunners were affronted:
For should they level ere so low,
Shot, down the hill is loth to go;
And though they ply’d them ne’er so warm
In such a posture could not harm.

But the Duke’s cannon so conceal’d,
They thought he’d got none on that field,
In the centre-line he did them screen,
That they at all could not be seen.
Straight on their front he did advance,
On right and left his made a stance:
From Charles’ batt’ry the fire began
By gunners who no honour wan.
The Duke perceiving that his left,
Would be took weak, for such a drift
Of the stout Clans were coming on them,
Sent Bland and Hawley to wait ’pon them,
With foot and horse and Campbells too,
As good as ere _cauld_ iron drew.
Then seeing all in order right,
The signal gave for bloody fight.
His front to fall some paces back,
And then the cannon began to crack.
Grape them, Grape them, did he cry,
Then rank and file he made them ly;
When bags of balls were fir’d at once,
Where they did spread, hard was the chance:
It hew’d them down, aye, score by score,
As grass doth fall before the mow’r.
Breaches they made as large and broad,
As avenues _in thro’_ a wood;
And then such terror on them fell,
That what to do they could not tell;
Whether that they should fight or flee,
Or with the rest, stand there and die.
They had no conduct to consider,
Or in a body rush together;
But some drew back, others advanc’d,
They all into confusion launch’d.
But M‘Phersons, Cam’rons and the Steuarts,
Who did disdain the name of cowards,
All rush’d on, quite void of fright,
And chused death before a flight,
Struck Barrel’s regiment on the flank,
For two companies they made a blank,
Wolf’s Bligh’s and Semple’s were attacked;
But sore for this they were corrected.
For Bland and Hawley came on behind ’em,
Campbells and light horse, which so confin’d ’em
Between two fires, and bay’nets fixt,
That few got off being so perplext.
The Campbells threw down a stone wall,
To let the horsemen on them fall,
Who with sword in hand put them to flight,
And could no longer stand the fight.
Yet many, in rage, came rushing on,
Till bay’nets thro’ their backs were gone,
The bright points on the other side;
So bravely was their valour try’d.
If all their front had so come on,
I know not how the day had gone;
Their lives they did not sell for nought,
The Duke himself, own’d they were bought.
Those on the left stood still as stupid,
Some would advance, others back skipped:
Dreadful cannons on them did blatter,
Till at the last they’re forc’d to scatter.
The French Brigades, who puff’d so hie,
Into a bogue were fain to flee:
Great Stapleton their Brigadier,
In every _spaul_ did quake for fear,
Fitz James’s horse, for all their pride,
Unto the rear were fain to ride.

The Duke’s right stood and saw the fun,
Some reg’ments never fir’d a gun;
They only twice or thrice presented,
But seeing them run it was prevented:
For the order was, that fire they don’t,
Till within few paces of their front.
So when they see’d them so present,
Back they fled with one consent,
Brandisht their swords and pistols fir’d,
Some threw their durks and then retir’d.
The Hussars likewise took the flight,
And never did presume to fight;
But left their leader on the field,
Who as pris’ner was forc’d to yield.
The noble Earl of Kilmarnock,
Whose head was from his body struck,
Afterwards, upon Tower-hill;
Great pity ’twas this Lord to kill!
Were it but for his lenity
To prisoners before that day,
He favour shew’d to many a hunder
And in no case would hear of plunder.