Chapter D: Mackintosh.284 (2)

Being pinched in provisions as above, his royal highness stood back with the two lieutenants, while Major MacDonald of Glenaladale and the guide (Donald Cameron of Glenpean) went [Sidenote: _fol._ 614.] to some shealing huts where they expected to meet some people. But finding none, they chused a fast place in the face of a hill at the head of Lochqhuaigh, to which fastness they came about two o'clock in the morning, having only about a mile in walking to it. After taking an hour's rest there, the guide and Lieutenant MacDonald (Glenaladale's brother) were sent off to the hill above them to furnish some provisions if possible, the Major and his cousin, the other lieutenant (Boradale's son), standing sentries, while his royal highness took some rest. When the sun shined they observed distinctly a camp pitched at the head of Lochqhuaig, and though they did not like the prospect they waited the return of their provisors, who came back to them about 3 o'clock, having got only two small cheeses, that would not be a morsel to the piece of them; and brought intelligence that about one hundred of the red-coats were marching up the other side of the hill his royal highness [Sidenote: _fol._ 615.] lodged in, in order to destroy and carry off such of the poor inhabitants as had fled to the hill for shelter. Notwithstanding this alarm (the search for his royal highness being general and very narrow all around), they stayed in the same place till about eight o'clock at night, when, setting out, his royal highness travelled stoutly till it became dark, and climbing a steep hill called Drimachosi to the top,[336] they observed the fires of a camp directly in their front, which they could scarcely shun, at Glenqhosy. However, being resolved to pass at any rate, they came so near without being observed as to hear them talk distinctly; and ascending the next hill, no sooner was his royal highness at the top than he and his small party spied the fires of another camp at the very foot where they were to descend. But turning a little westward they passed between two of their guards betwixt one and two o'clock in the morning of July [Sidenote: _fol._ 616.] 26th. After travelling two miles, as they judged, beyond them, they came, betwixt two and three o'clock in the morning, to a place on the Glenealg side of the head of Lochuirn called Corriscorridill,[337] where having chosen a fast place they took such refreshment as the exigency of the time afforded them, his royal highness covering a slice of cheese with oatmeal, which, though but dry fare, he ate very comfortably, and drank of the cold stream along with it.

[336] See ff. 1448, 1474.

[337] See f. 1450.

[Sidenote: 27 July]

His royal highness passed the whole day in the above place till about eight o'clock at night, and the guide (Donald Cameron), knowing the road no further in the course the Prince intended to hold, he expected to find some people thereabouts he could trust. Glenaladale and the guide accordingly went about in order to find them; but no sooner did they get out of their fasthold than they found they had lodged all day within a canon-shot of two small camps, and spied a company of red-coats getting in some muttons to a cot and chusing out some [Sidenote: _fol._ 617.] for slaughter. Upon which they brought[338] back word to his royal highness of what they had seen. Upon this his royal highness set out, and by three o'clock in the morning of July 27th they came to Glensheil in Seaforth's country. As they had run out entirely of their last supply of provisions, the Major and Lieutenant John MacDonald (Boradale's son) were sent off as well to furnish some as to provide a guide to conduct them to Pollieu in Seaforth's country, where his royal highness had heard some French vessels to have been; and coming to the place where the inhabitants were, the Major bought some provisions, and made application to one of the inhabitants for a guide, which he undertook to provide. In the meantime that the Major was talking about the guide, a Glengary man appears coming towards them who that morning had been chased by the troops (they having killed his father the day [Sidenote: _fol._ 618.] before) from Glengary to Glensheil. Upon seeing this man the Major knew him, who upon conversing with him found him to have formerly served in his royal highness's army, and conceiving him to be a trusty fellow, resolved to make use of him[339] as a reserve in case they should be disappointed of the intended guide, and would be thereby obliged to alter their course, though at the same time Glenaladale did not disclose his mind to the Glengary man.

[338] In the original Journal here ended the handwriting of
Glenaladale, and then began the handwriting of Captain Alexander
MacDonald, which continued to the end of the Journal.--ROBERT FORBES,
A.M.

[339] Who could have thought that the troops would have furnished
the Prince with a guide to make him escape their own clutches at the
very nick of time when they were hunting after him like a partridge
in the mountains? For their chasing the Glengary man proved the means
of bringing him to the place where Glenaladale was. An instance of
Providence most adorably conspicuous that made these very men who
were eagerly panting after his blood, become (quite opposite to their
intention) the principal instruments of the Prince's preservation.

ROBERT FORBES, A.M.

The Major after furnishing what provisions he could get, returned to where his royal highness was, and taking some refreshments, they went to the face of an adjacent hill to take some rest and sleeping, till about four or five o'clock in the afternoon, when they got up and dismist their old faithful guide, Donald Cameron.[340] Soon after whose departure, the Major, upon seeing the Glengary man passing by on his way to his country, slipt out of his den and brought him to a byplace, till he would be sure about his intended guide, and returning to his royal highness consulted with him what should be done [Sidenote: _fol._ 619.] in regard of the Glengary men, and the Prince approved of keeping by him till their fate with regard to their other guide should be known. About seven o'clock at night, the man who undertook to furnish the guide was seen coming to the place which had been appointed for meeting at betwixt him and the Major, who immediately stept out to the place appointed, and after some conversation he found that the only French ship that had been there was gone off, and that no guide could be procured. The Major finding it needless to proceed further towards Poolieu made the man believe that he intended to return again to his own country and so dismist him.

[340] See f. 1451.

Immediately Glenaladale returned to the Prince and told him what had passed; whereupon it was resolved to change their course, and accordingly the Glengary man was introduced to his royal highness, and most chearfully undertook to guide [Sidenote: _fol._ 620.] him. And, preparing to pursue their journey, they set out late at night, and going on about a quarter of a mile, they stopt a little, which was occasioned by the Major's clapping his hand to his side and missing his purse,[341] wherein he had another purse of gold he had got the charge of from his royal highness in order to defray his charges, and which he had forgot when they had been preparing for their journey. Upon this Glenaladale and Lieutenant MacDonald (Boradale's son) returned, and coming to the place found his purse, but opening it miss'd the inner purse in which the gold he had got from the Prince was contain'd. In the midst of his surprize he reflected it might have been taken away by a little boy sent by their landlord, Gilchrist MacCrath, with a compliment of milk, as the landlord supposed to the Major, who had not allowed him to know anything about the Prince at all. He was the more confirmed in this opinion, as they had left the boy at the place where the [Sidenote: _fol._ 621.] purse was forgot. Accordingly the Major and Lieutenant MacDonald went all the way to MacCrath's house, which was more than a mile off, and calling for him represented to him the inconveniency of the accident that had happened, and intreated him to oblige the boy to restore the purse, which he did to a trifle. They returned by a different road from what they had gone before, and came to the Prince, who was in great pain for them, fearing they might have been intercepted by an officer and two private men that pass'd under arms by the place where his royal highness was in their absence; which made him reflect how much the hand of Providence guided him in all his ways,[342] and particularly in this late lucky accident of losing the purse, which stopt them in their progress: whereas if they had pursued their journey they would inevitably have fallen in with these persons, in which case any thinking person may [Sidenote: _fol._ 622.] easily judge how fatal the consequence of such a meeting might have proved. The Prince likewise used to think much upon the happy undesigned event of his enemies, chasing a guide to him for no less than thirty miles whom Providence led in his way to conduct him safe out of their hands.

[341] This is the same narrative with what is contain'd f. 549 of
this volume, and serves to correct a mistake there as to the person
who lost the purse: for 'tis plain that Glenaladale has been the
man.--ROBERT FORBES, A.M.

[342] See f. 550.

[Sidenote: 28 July]

Having once more got together, his royal highness and his small retinue set out, and travelling all the remainder of the night came early in the morning of July 28th to a hill-side above Strathchluaine, and, chusing a fast place, took some rest till towards three o'clock afternoon, when they set out, and travelling by a hill-side about a mile from the place they rested in, they heard the firing of small arms in the hill above them, which they judged to be some of the troops chasing people that had fled with their effects. They steered their course northward, and mounting up a high hill betwixt the Braes of Glenmoriston and Strathglass came late at night to the very top of [Sidenote: _fol._ 623.] it, and being very dark they were obliged to lodge there all night, the only shelter his royal highness could have being an open cave where he could neither lean nor sleep, being wet to the skin with the heavy rain that had fallen the day before; and having no fuel to make a fire, the only method he had of warming himself was smoking a pipe.

[Sidenote: 29 July]

About three o'clock in the morning of July 29th the Lieutenant (Glenaladale's brother) and the guide (the providential Glengary man) were sent in quest of some trusty people they intended to find out in order to conduct his royal highness to Pollieu,[343] and were appointed to return to the top of a neighbouring hill where his royal highness and the remainder of his retinue were to meet them. Accordingly about five o'clock in the morning his royal highness set out, [Sidenote: _fol._ 624.] and by seven came to the top of that hill, where meeting with the guide on his return he told he had found out his intended trustees,[344] who had given him directions to the Major (they knowing nothing at all of his royal highness, only suspecting that a young man they were told was in company might be young Clanranald) to repair into a cave in the Brae of Glenmoriston in a place called Coiraghoth, where they promised to come at an appointed hour with a refreshment. Accordingly his royal highness set out, and by the time appointed came to the place and meeting with these few friends (who upon sight[345] knew his royal highness, having formerly served in his army) they conducted him to the grotto where he was refreshed with such chear as the exigency of the time afforded; and making a bed for him, his royal highness was lulled asleep with the sweet murmurs of the finest purling stream that could be, running [Sidenote: _fol._ 625.] by his bedside, within the grotto, in which romantic habitation[346] his royal highness pass'd three days, at the end of which he was so well refreshed[347] that he thought himself able to encounter any hardships.

[343] See ff. 1451, 1661, 1664.

[344] The faithful Glenmoriston men. See f. 172.

[345] Perhaps the circumstance of 'Ha! Dougal MacCullony' etc.,
mentioned by Mrs. Cameron is not literally true. But I have often
heard that these men used to call the Prince by the name Dougal the
better to conceal him. See f. 1451.

ROBERT FORBES, A.M.

[346] Here begins vol. iv. of Bishop Forbes's Manuscript Collection.
It is entitled:

'THE LYON IN MOURNING,' or a collection (as exactly made as the
iniquity of the times would permit) of Speeches, Letters, Journals,
etc., relative to the affairs, but more particularly, the dangers and
distresses of.... Vol. 4th. 1748.

_Extera gens nostra passim dominatur in orbe_,
SCOTORUM PRINCEPS _vix, ubi degat, habet!_

On the inside of the back board there is one piece of wood, an inch
long by about 3/8 broad and 1/8 thick (and there has been another
piece, but now it is not) and underneath is written:--

The above are pieces of that identical eight-oar'd boat, on board of
which Donald Macleod, etc., set out from Boradale on the continent
with the Prince (after the battle of Culloden) for Benbecula in the
Long Isle. The above pieces were sent to me from Major MacDonald of
Glenaladale to the care of Captain Alexander MacDonald in Edinburgh,
brother-german to Dalely. The said Alexander MacDonald delivered the
above pieces to me on Wednesday evening, December 28th, 1748, he
having come under a promise upon our first acquaintance to procure me
a bit of the eight-oar'd boat. See vol. 2, ff. 270, 284, vol. 3, ff.
581, 582. Vol. 4, ff. 677, 678.--ROBERT FORBES, A.M.

[347] It is very remarkable that the Prince made little rest serve
him at any time, and that he was almost indefatigable in walking and
in undergoing hardship. [See ff. 238, 244, 291.]--ROBERT FORBES,
A.M.

[Sidenote: 2 Aug.]

[Sidenote: 6 Aug.]

[Sidenote: 7 Aug.]

Having time in that space to provide some necessaries and to gather intelligence about the enemy's motions, they removed, on the 2d of August, into a place within two miles of them, called Coirmheadhain,[348] where they took up their habitation in a grotto no less romantic than the former. After taking some refreshment, they placed their sentries and made up a bed for his royal highness in a closet shaped out by nature, and seemingly designed by her for the reception of his royal highness. He rested comfortably all night. In this place he resided four days; but, being informed that one Campbell (factor to Seaforth in Kintale, and captain at that time of a company of militia) had gathered a throng herdship of cattle and pitched his camp within four miles of them, it was then resolved his royal highness [Sidenote: _fol._ 626.] should remove his quarters. Accordingly, upon the 6th of August, he set out to the northward, and, by break of day upon the 7th, came in upon the Brae of the Chisholm's country, called Strathglass, having left one of their party behind in the Brae of Glenmoriston to wait Campbell's motions.[349] That friend came up to them that night (August 7th) and brought word that they needed not be afraid for that night. Upon this his royal highness repaired to a neighbouring sheally hut, when they prepared a fire, and, taking some refreshment, they made up a bed for his royal highness, which consisted of a long divot or fail (that was found lying in the hut) of six or seven foot long; and, laying it flat upon the floor, the grass side uppermost, with a pillow of the same kind, his royal highness slept on the earthen bed all night. They remained in this place two days, and in that time the prince sent an express to Pollieu[350] to know the certainty about some French vessels being there.

[348] See f. 1664.

[349] See f. 1665.

[350] The Prince used to insist upon it that the French would still
send him succours. This I heard from severals. See ff. 175, 214.--F.

[Sidenote: 9 Aug.]

[Sidenote: 10 Aug.]

[Sidenote: _fol._ 627.] Early in the morning of August 9th, his royal highness set out to the northward so far on his way to Pollieu in case of any encouragement[351] from that quarter, and, travelling a muir road unfrequented, came that night into another sheally hut, about the distance of five or six miles from where they had set out. There they remained all night, and set out about two o'clock in the morning of August 10th, and came about twelve o'clock into a place called Glencanna, where, passing the remainder of the day in a wood, they repaired late at night to a neighbouring village, where they stayed only the dead of night.

[351] See the preceding note.--ROBERT FORBES, A.M.

[Sidenote: 11 Aug.]

About two o'clock in the morning of August 11th, they set out and climbed a hill on the northmost side of Glencanna,[352] where they pass'd the day and sent off two of their party to furnish a fresh supply of provisions. At night they repaired into a neighbouring sheally hut, where they remained two days, [Sidenote: _fol._ 628.] expecting the return of the express sent off to Pollieu, who accordingly came to them and brought back word that the only French ship that had come there had sailed off again, and that a couple of gentlemen who had come on board of her had actually landed and were making the best of their way for Lochiel's country in search of the Prince.[353] He, becoming anxious to know if they had dispatches for him, resolved to return towards the place from whence he had come in order to meet with them.

[352] See f. 1665.

[353] See ff. 173-176, 356.

[Sidenote: 13 Aug.]

August 13th, at night, they set out cross the water of Canna back again, and boldly by young Chisholm's house, came by two o'clock in the morning to a place called Fassanacoill in Strathglass; and, consulting what was best and fittest to be done, it was resolved (before his royal highness should venture any further) to send some spies to the Braes of Glengary and Lochiel's country, in order to get sure information [Sidenote: _fol._ 629.] whether or not the search for him in these bounds was all over, and if the troops had gone into their camp at Fort Augustus, which being done, his royal highness remained there for three days in a very fast wood, the inhabitants dreaming nothing of his being so near them.

[Sidenote: 17 Aug.]

They waited the return of the spies, who brought notice that the forces had returned to their camp. Whereupon his royal highness set out by six o'clock in the morning of August 17th, travelled through an unfrequented road, and came by ten o'clock to the Braes of Glenmoriston, and, passing the day on the top of a hill, they set out at night, and had not travelled above a mile when they learned that a strong party had been detached to the Braes of Glengary in quest of the Prince. Upon this it was resolved to proceed no further on their journey untill the motion of the enemy should be farther known; and then they repaired into a neighbouring sheally [Sidenote: _fol._ 630.] hut, where they passed the remainder of the night.

[Sidenote: 18 Aug.]

Upon August 18th, in the morning, three expresses were sent off--two to Lochiel's country, Lochharkaig, who were to seek out Cluns Cameron,[354] and to tell him from Major MacDonald of Glenaladale that he wanted to meet with him in a convenient place; and the third express was to return at the Brae of Glengary and to bring back word if the party they were informed of the night before had returned to their camp or not; that so, if the road should happen to be clear, his royal highness might be pursuing his journey, even while the meeting betwixt the Major and Cluns Cameron was a concerting.

[354] See f. 173.

[Sidenote: 19 Aug.]

Accordingly the expresses were sent off, and, upon the 19th, the one that was to return brought word that the road was clear. Whereupon the Prince and his small party, being then ten in number, set out under the advantage of a foggy afternoon, [Sidenote: _fol._ 631.] and, passing through Glenmoriston and Glenlyne, came late at night to the Brae of Glengary. In their way to the water of Gary, the rain came on so heavy that the water swell'd to a great height. Two of the company went first to try if they could wade the water, and they found it passable, even though it came up to their very middle. Whereupon, his royal highness and the rest of his party entering the water, they forded it safely, and, travelling about a mile from the water of Gary, the night being very dark, they were obliged to pass it on the side of a hill, without any cover, though it rained excessively.

[Sidenote: 20 Aug.]

In the morning of August 20th the Prince set out, the rain still continuing very heavy, and, travelling six miles cross hills and muirs, came about ten o'clock to the Brae of a place called Achnasaul,[355] where the other expresses had been appointed to meet them. There they pass'd the day in a most inconvenient [Sidenote: _fol._ 632.] habitation, it raining as heavy within as without it. Towards the afternoon they began to despair about their expresses, and, being entirely run out of provisions of any kind and being quite strangers to the situation of Lochiel's country for the present, they began to concert what should be done, when, in the midst of their concert, the expresses came to them and brought word to the Major that Cameron of Cluns could not wait upon him that night, but had directed him to lodge all night in a certain wood within two miles of them, where he would come to them next morning. Accordingly, two of their number were detailed to take a view of their intended habitation, who, coming to the place, found it to be very fast.

[355] It is omitted in this Journal that Auchinsaul himself was with
the Prince. See f. 173.--ROBERT FORBES, A.M.

And here it must be observed that that wonderful providence which always prevented his royal highness's difficulties seemed in a particular instance remarkable here. He and his faithful few, as has been observed above, running entirely out of all manner of subsistence and being at a loss to know which [Sidenote: _fol._ 633.] way to be provided, they were immediately supplied by the small detachment, they having shot the finest deer (a large hart) that could be, at the very place where the Prince intended to pass the night.

The two returning with their approbation of the place to his royal highness, he (after permitting Major MacDonald of Glenaladale to acquaint D. MacDonald of Lochgary of their arrival at that place, and to send for him) set out for the intended quarters with his party, and coming to the place, they were most deliciously feasted with their late purchase. Lochgary joined them that night, after which they took their rest.

[Sidenote: 21 Aug.]

About ten o'clock in the morning of August 21st, Cluns Cameron joined them, and, remaining there till towards the afternoon, Cluns conducted them into a wood at the foot of Lochharkaig, where they lodged all night, etc.

[Sidenote: 22 Aug.]

[Sidenote: _fol._ 634.]

Timeous in the morning of August 22d, an express was sent off to Lochiel[356] to command his attendance. His royal highness stayed in the foresaid place three days, till the return of the express, who brought word that Lochiel, not being recovered of his wounds and being at too great a distance, could not come, but he sent his brother, Dr. Cameron, to make his apology, who came to his royal highness upon August 25th.

[356] The affair of the Prince's sending expresses to Lochiel, and of
Lochiel's sending proper persons to seek out the Prince, and at last
of their meeting together as they both intended, appears to me not to
be so distinctly and accurately narrated in this Journal as in that
of Mr. John Cameron [See ff. 173-179]. As I have made some enquiry
into this matter, I shall note down all I have discovered about it
as exactly as possible. Dr. Archibald Cameron (Lochiel's brother)
and Mr. John Cameron (late Presbyterian chaplain at Fort William)
were the persons despatched by Lochiel to use all the endeavours they
could to find out the Prince, in which they were happily successful.
Lochiel was by this time recovered of his wounds [See f. 1479] as
is evident from Dr. Stewart Threpland's leaving him and making
his way to Edinburgh in the habit and character of a Presbyterian
probationer, in the month of July, long before the Prince and Lochiel
could meet. The foresaid Mr. John Cameron was the person dispatched
by Lochiel (after meeting with the Prince) to Edinburgh in order to
hire a vessel to take him and whom he should bring along with him off
the east coast. Mr. Cameron (by the assistance of proper friends)
succeeded in this negotiation, as is well known to some. But when he
returned to inform the Prince of his success, he, with Lochiel, etc.,
had set out for the place where the French were landed upon the west
coast to take off the Prince, etc. So that Mr. Cameron was left to
shift for himself. He made his way back to Edinburgh in disguise,
and at last got off under a borrowed name in the same coach with
Lady Lochiel and her children for London, the lady passing under
the name of Mrs. Campbell, for she could have no pass. They all got
safely to France. When I happened to be conversing with John Cameron,
uncle of the said Mr. Cameron, in Edinburgh [See f. 558], he told
me that he himself attended Lochiel in his skulking. I told him it
was surprizing to me how any person could find out the Prince when
the ship landed in the west, because he was so far down the country
in his way southward, and then asked him if he could inform me what
miles the Prince might be from the ships when notice came to him. He
said that he himself was then on an errand enquiring about some of
the distressed gentlemen, but that he was persuaded the Prince was
no less than 60 miles from the ships in a direct line over the tops
of hills, etc., as by that time he behoved to be in the confines or
in the county of Athol. I said no doubt he meant Highland miles.
He said he meant so, for that it would be no less than 70 or 80
ordinary miles; and if one was to travell it by the common roads [See
f. 1475], it would make no less than 90 or 100. The indemnity did
not make John Cameron (the uncle) safe, because he had carried arms
abroad in the first Highland regiment, and when the Prince landed had
a pension from Chelsea. He got off to Holland, and from thence to
France. He said the Prince, when skulking, used to retire some time
morning and evening by himself.--ROBERT FORBES, A.M.

[Sidenote: 26 Aug.]

August 26th. The Prince set out with his attendants, and travelling about a mile came to a wood opposite to Achnacary called Torramhuilt or Torvauilt. Dr. Cameron and Lochgary having parted with his royal highness about three or four o'clock in the afternoon to avoid suspicion, as did also Cluns Cameron, how soon he had conducted his royal highness into [Sidenote: _fol._ 365.] this last habitation. In this place the Prince remained for eight days, during which time the forementioned French gentlemen were sent for and were brought to the place where his royal highness was, and after staying two or three days with him, were sent to a safe place to be taken due care of till such time as they could get a passage to their own country.

[Sidenote: Sept.]

The Prince seeing himself in a manner out of danger, having got intelligence that all the forces which had been encamped at Fort Augustus were dispersed up and down the kingdom, and that no more was left there but Loudon's regiment; and besides that all the militia were returned home, having delivered back their arms; and supposing that a chance party might come near the place where he was still, he had a safe retreat, south and north as would be thought most convenient; upon all these considerations put together he thought proper to [Sidenote: _fol._ 636.] dismiss Major Macdonald of Glenaladale home to his own country near the coast, there to look out for the arrival of French vessels which his royal highness expected daily for conveying him safely off, and to bring him intelligence upon their arrival, the Prince himself being resolved to remain in the same place (unless he was surprized) to wait that event.

[Sidenote: 3 Sept.]

Accordingly upon September 3d the Major set out, leaving his royal highness attended by Lochgary and Cluns Cameron, and arrived in his own country upon the 5th, where he remained till the 13th, when Captain Sheridan and Lieutenant O'Burn landed from on board two French ships that anchored in Lochnannuagh upon the Arisaig side in order to carry off his royal highness, they coming to the place where Glenaladale then was and expecting to find the Prince with him.

Lochnannuagh is the boundary between Arisaig and Moydart, [Sidenote: _fol._ 637.] so that people can arrive upon either of these places out of that loch.

[Sidenote: 13 Sept.]

Glenaladale set out that very night (September 13th) to acquaint the Prince of the arrival of these ships and to conduct him safely on board. But coming to the place where he expected to have found him, to his great disappointment he could get no person that could give any certain account whereabouts his royal highness might happen to be. The Prince had been obliged to retreat by a party that had come out of Fort Augustus under the command of Culcairn and Captain Grant; and Cluns Cameron, who had been appointed to acquaint the Major where the Prince was to be found in case he should be obliged to retreat, having gone out of the way without leaving any directions for the Major either about his royal highness or [Sidenote: _fol._ 638.] himself, these things put the Major in the utmost pain, considering the many disappointments and inconveniencies this piece of inadvertency in Cluns might be the occasion of. Whilst he was taken up with these melancholy thoughts, a poor woman came accidentally where he was and told him the place where Cluns was to be found. Immediately he set out with all diligence and arrived at a shealling whither Cluns came soon after, with whom he concerted measures for sending an express to his royal highness, who by this time had gone where Lochiel was for the reasons abovementioned, that so he might be speedily informed about the arrival of the ships. When the concert [Sidenote: _fol._ 639.] about sending an express was adjusted, the Major returned with all possible expedition to the ships to inform the gentlemen of the reasons of the delay, and that the Prince would be with them as quickly as possible.

[Sidenote: 28 Sept.]

As soon as his royal highness was informed that the vessels were at Lochnannuagh he set out with all possible diligence for that place, where he arrived about the 28th of September,[357] accompanied by Lochgarry, John Roy Stewart, and Lochiel, and went on board the _Happy_, a privateer of St. Malo's, which set sail instantly upon his royal highness's being on board.

[357] This certainly is a wrong date, for by the best intelligence
that can be had the Prince arrived in France on the 29th or 30th of
September, having set sail from Scotland on the 20th of said month.
[See ff. 522, 1476.]

ROBERT FORBES, A.M.

Here ends the Journal.

* * * * *

_N.B._--When Captain Alexander Macdonald was in my room (Tuesday, December 29th) I read to him those passages in [Sidenote: _fol._ 640.] Mr. Æneas Macdonald's Journal which relate to the landing and the marching down the country, and upon which he gave me his observations. I took them down in writing from his own mouth, and they are as follows:--

[Sidenote: July 1745]

Vol. 3, page 509, 514. It is an oversight either in Mr. Æneas Macdonald or in Dr. Burton not to have mentioned that the Prince actually landed in Lochnannuagh upon the Arisaig side,[358] and went to Boradale, which was the first roof he was under upon the continent of Scotland, Boradale is in Arisaig. The landing at Lochshiel must be a mistake, as no ship can land there, seeing it is only a fresh water loch. This will be better cleared up in the following paragraph.

[358] I asked particularly at Captain Alexander MacDonald whether the
Prince arrived on the Arisaig or Moidart side, and he assured me he
landed on Arisaig. This serves to clear up any doubt in Vol. 2, f.
355, and Vol. 3, f. 573.

ROBERT FORBES, A.M.

[Sidenote: Aug.]

Vol. 3, page 515. Before the Prince marched to Glenfinnan he was at Glenaladale where old Glenbuicket joined him and delivered over to him Captain Switenham (an English gentleman), [Sidenote: _fol._ 641.] one of the prisoners taken by Major Macdonell of Tiendrish.[359] The foresaid Captain went to London upon his parole and strictly kept it till the time prefixed was expired. At Glenfinnan the Laird of Moror, of Clanranald's family, came up to the Prince (before the standard was set up) with 150 men who were joined to the fifty men of Clanranald's following, that had been for some time keeping guard upon his royal highness, the Prince himself thinking fifty men sufficient for that purpose, the rest of Clanranald's men having been employed in carrying the baggage and luggage from the head of Lochshiel[360] (up which loch they had been brought in small boats) to the head of the Loch-iel; which service kept the most of Clanranald's men back for four days from joining the main body at Moidh or Moy in Lochabar.

[359] See f. 68.

[360] See f. 356.

Captain Alexander MacDonald was on board the frigate in [Sidenote: _fol._ 642.] Lochnannuagh before the Prince set his foot on the continent, but he acknowledges he did not then know that the Prince was among the passengers, who being in a very plain dress, Captain MacDonald made up to him without any manner of ceremony and conversed with him in a very familiar way, sitting close by the Prince and drinking a glass with him, till one of the name of MacDonald made him such a look that immediately he began to suspect he was using too much freedom with one above his own rank. Upon this he soon withdrew, but still was in the dark as to what particular person the young gentleman he had been conversing with might be.

Vol. 3, page 519. Captain MacDonald declared that he could not help looking upon the affair of O'Sullivan's hiding himself in a barn, etc., as a romance.

At the same time I read in the hearing of Captain Alexander [Sidenote: _fol._ 643.] MacDonald the passages in the Journal of Duncan Cameron, etc., that relate to the landing and the marching down the country. He owned they were very exact, and he made only two short remarks upon them, which are as follows.

Vol. 2, page 356. Captain MacDonald said it was most certain that if Keppoch, Lochiel, and young Clanranald had not joined the Prince, he would have been forced to shift for himself in the best manner he could.

Vol. 2, page 359. A night at Dalquhinnie before marching to Dalnacardoch.

[Sidenote: June]

I then read in the hearing of Captain Alexander MacDonald the conclusion of Captain O'Neille's own subscription, which had been lying by me for some time till I should find leisure to take [Sidenote: _fol._ 644.] an exact transcript of it.[361] In the forementioned conclusion Captain O'Neille complains of one in Benbecula that had betrayed him even after he had entirely confided in him, but he does not name the person. I asked at Captain MacDonald if he could inform me who that person was. He told me he knew the whole affair well, and that he would give it me faithfully and honestly. He said that Ranald MacDonald of Torulum in Benbecula was the man there meant,[362] and that the whole story had taken its rise altogether from a jealousy in Captain O'Neille. Ranald MacDonald happened unluckily to have an outcast with Captain O'Neille, who, though a very clever fellow, was heartily threshed by a MacDonald, they having had a boxing bout together. This unlucky difference made O'Neille strongly believe, when he happened to be seized, that Ranald MacDonald had actually betrayed him, whereas Ranald refused to betray [Sidenote: _fol._ 645.] him when a sum of money was offered him for that purpose. Upon this Ranald MacDonald has given his oath of old Clanranald, who questioned him upon the report of his having betrayed O'Neille, and was very hard upon him for it, swearing that he deserved to be shot through the head if he had done any such dishonourable thing.

[361] See f. 690.

[362] See ff. 589, 923.

As to the story of General Campbell and Campbell of Skipness, Captain MacDonald declared to me he did not in the least doubt the truth of that, for this single reason, because all the Campbells, from the head to the foot of them, had discovered a most avaritious, greedy temper in the matter of pillaging and plundering their native country.

[Sidenote: 29 Dec.]

Captain Alexander MacDonald spoke excellent things of Donald MacLeod of Gualtergill in Sky, and saying that he did not know an honester man or a stauncher loyalist.[363] He told [Sidenote: _fol._ 646.] me that Donald MacLeod's wife is aunt to the present Glenaladale.

Captain MacDonald had all his effects plundered and pillaged. After everything was destroyed or carried off, the party happening to spy a living cat, immediately killed poor harmless puss, and threw it out of the way, lest the poor mother and her children should have eaten the dead cat in their necessity. For Cumberland and his army were exceedingly desirous that the young and old (women and infants not excepted) they did not murder might be starved to death, which was the fate of too many, and their endeavours were fully equal to their desires.

Captain MacDonald and his wife and children wandered through hills and mountains till the act of indemnity appeared, and in the time of their skulking from place to place his poor wife fell with child, which proved to be a daughter, and is still alive. He is a very smart, acute man, remarkably well skilled in [Sidenote: _fol._ 647.] the Erse, for he can both read and write the Irish language in its original character, a piece of knowledge almost quite lost in the Highlands of Scotland, there being exceedingly few that have any skill at all in that way. For the Captain told me that he did not know another person (Old Clanranald only excepted) that knew anything of the first tongue in its original character; but that the natives of Ireland (particularly in the higher parts of the country) do still retain the knowledge of it. Several of the Captain's acquaintances have informed me that he is by far the best Erse poet in all Scotland, and that he has written many songs in the pure Irish.

ROBERT FORBES, A.M.

[363] See ff. 266, 466, 760-776.

Copy of COLONEL KER of Gradyne,[364] his Account.

[364] See f. 669. This narrative is printed in _Jacobite Memoirs_,
pp. 131-144.

[Sidenote: _fol._ 648.] In order to judge of the state of the Prince's affairs at the time of the battle of Culloden, it will not be amiss to look back to the time of his coming to Inverness, where the Earl of Loudon commanded before his highness's coming there.

[Sidenote: 16 Feb.]

[Sidenote: Feb.]

The Earl of Loudon hearing of the Prince's coming, and that he was to quarter that night at Moy[365] (the seat of the Laird of Mackintosh, about seven miles from Inverness), formed a design to surprize him and to carry him off, as he was to have but a few men with him for his guard. The Earl marched from Inverness with most of the garrison, and was within about two miles of Moy, where accidentally five of the Prince's people[366] [Sidenote: _fol._ 649.] going about their own private affairs met with Loudon's advanced guard, and being under night called to them. But the five, finding who they were, called out loudly for Lochiel and the other clans to advance. Lord Loudon's people, not doubting but they were there, took flight and returned to Inverness in great confusion, and left it next day on the Prince's appearing on the rising ground above the town, returning with his men to the shire of Ross, where they continued till the Earl of Cromarty with a party was sent in pursuit of them.[367] Upon his approach they retired towards Tain, where we shall leave them for a while and return to Inverness.

[365] See f. 380.

[366] Ker's account of this affair agrees most exactly with that of
Captain Malcolm MacLeod, but the account given by the Captain is much
more exact and circumstantial, as may be seen in [see ff. 258-261,
273, 989, 1207, 1256.]

ROBERT FORBES, A. M.

[367] See f. 156.

[Sidenote: 17 Feb.]

[Sidenote: Feb.]

The Prince coming before the place, summoned the castle to surrender, and on being refused a battery was raised; but the canon being but small, had little effect upon it, which obliged [Sidenote: _fol._ 650.] the besiegers to have recourse to a sap, which being brought near the angle of one of the bastions, the castle was surrendered and the garrison made prisoners. This being done, Brigadier Stapleton, with Lochiel's and Keppoch's regiments, Lord John Drummond's (which was not compleat, a great many of them being made prisoners in their passage to Scotland), and the French piquets, were sent to besiege Fort Augustus, which surrendered likewise, and the garrison were made prisoners. After which it was thought proper to leave part of Lord John Drummond's regiment there, and to send Lochiel's and Keppoch's regiments, the French piquets and some of Lord John Drummond's regiment (in all not 300 men) with Brigadier Stapleton to invest Fort William, where we shall leave them and return to the Earl of Cromarty in pursuit of the Earl of Loudon towards Tain, where the said Earl crossed the ferry with his [Sidenote: _fol._ 651.] men and went over to the shire of Sutherland; where we shall again leave him for a while and return to Inverness, from which the most of the Prince's troops that were not employed as above were sent to Speyside, under the command of Lord John Drummond, to guard that river against any surprize from the Duke of Cumberland, who by that time was come with his troop to Aberdeen, and had sent some of Kingston's horse and some of the Argyleshire men to Keith[368] (a small village about six miles from the river Spey), where they were all surprized and made prisoners.

[368] See f. 1138.

As it had been assured that the Duke of Cumberland was to stay at Aberdeen (where he had thrown up some works to prevent a surprize) till all the forces he expected should join him, the Prince on his part took his measures, and in order to secure a retreat in case he had no mind to fight till he should get all his men together, or to march into Perthshire if needful [Sidenote: _fol._ 652.] for the better support of his army, was advised to endeavour the recovery of Blair Castle (which he would not allow to be burnt when he passed that way), which was then possessed by Sir Andrew Agnew with some regular troops under his command, as were most of the principal posts in Athol by the Campbells; whilst the 6000 Hessians and St. George's dragoons lay at Crief and places adjacent. Lord George Murray was ordered to march with the Athol men to Badenoch to join the MacPhersons that lay about Ruthven of Badenoch (from the time the Prince had passed that way) to guard the passes leading to and from Athol and to get intelligence on that side.

[Sidenote: March]

As soon as Lord George had joined the MacPhersons they marched with such expedition into Athol that they surprized a great many of the Campbells at Blairfetty, Keinochin, and other posts possessed by them, and made most of them prisoners.[369] [Sidenote: _fol._ 653.] Sir Andrew Agnew,[370] being alarmed by his out-sentinels, retired into the castle, in which he was shut up for seventeen days, some part of which time it was battered with two pieces of canon,[371] one of three, the other of four pounds, which made but little impression upon the walls, though they ruined the roof.

[369] See ff. 567, 902.

[370] Who pillaged the house of Lude (the widow lady living in it),
breaking to pieces all the doors and windows, and the finishing of
the rooms and some of the floors.--ROBERT FORBES, A.M.

[371] See f. 907.

During this time the Hessians marched to relieve the castle, and some of the Athol men being advanced as far down as Dunkeld to get intelligence and to guard that with other passes on the river, where were frequent skirmishes between them and the Hessian hussars, and some of St. George's dragoons who had come to reconnoitre some days before the foot came up. But when they were come up, the Athol men were obliged to retire (as they could not be supported at such a distance) to Pitlochrie, near the famous pass of Killicrankie, where, with some others that were sent from Blair, they continued about eight [Sidenote: _fol._ 654.] days (the MacPhersons with some of the Athol men keeping Sir Andrew and his men still shut up in the Castle), always skirmishing with the hussars and dragoons till their foot came up, which obliged the Athol men to retire into the above pass, where they continued that day. But as they were few in number, Lord George called a council of the officers, who were of opinion that the pass was not tenable, since it might be surrounded on all sides by such a vastly superiour number. It was therefore resolved to abandon both it and the Castle, which was accordingly done that night. And having sent the canon away, they marched to Ruthven of Badenoch without the least interruption from the enemy.[372] Here the MacPhersons were left as formerly, and the Athol men were ordered to the Speyside. Lord George went on to Inverness, and upon his arrival there, intelligence being brought that Lord Loudon had repass'd with his troops from Sutherland to Tain, he was ordered to march with some [Sidenote: _fol._ 655.] troops to join the Earl of Cromarty and to give Lord Loudon battle if he would stay for it. But he, hearing of Lord George's march, returned to Sutherland again. Lord George, having given the necessary orders to Lord Cromarty (who continued to command in that country), returned to Inverness, where it was resolved the Duke of Perth should be sent to take upon him the command,[373] and if possible to get as many boats together as would ferry over his men, and to drive Lord Loudon out of Sutherland if he would not stay to fight. The boats were got together, and the Duke of Perth with his men passed over without being perceived and surprized Lord Loudon's people,[374] obliged them to capitulate, and made them prisoners. Lord Loudon and the President of the Session of Scotland made their escape. After which the Duke of Perth seized some ships that lay in the Firth of Tain, on board of which were all the valuable effects that were shipt on board at Inverness before Lord Loudon left it, the military chest excepted, which had [Sidenote: _fol._ 656.] been conveyed on board a frigate which lay in the bay. This done, the Duke of Perth returned to Inverness, leaving the command to the Earl of Cromarty.

[372] See ff. 907, 1267.

[373] These particulars represent the Earl of Cromarty in a very
indifferent light. See f. 1259.--F.

[374] It should be _some_ of Lord Loudon's.--ROBERT FORBES, A.M.

[Sidenote: April]

About this time, the _Hazard_ sloop returning from France with money, arms, and ammunition, and several French and Spanish officers on board, was chased on shore by an English man of war in Lord Rae's country,[375] where they landed their cargo, and, apprehending no danger from the country people, they provided themselves with a guide to conduct them and their cargo to the Earl of Cromarty. But as they were on their march they were set upon by Lord Rae's people, who, after a good resistance, made them prisoners and carried off the cargo, which was thought could not have been done without the treachery of the guide, who disappeared before the action began. The news being brought to Inverness, orders were sent to the Earl of Cromarty to send a party into Lord Rae's country to demand satisfaction. But his Lordship, being somewhat [Sidenote: _fol._ 657.] dilatory in executing his orders, Lord Rae's people gathered together with some of Lord Loudon's officers at their head.

[375] See f. 1261.

About this time advice was brought to Inverness that the Duke of Cumberland (being joined by all the forces he expected) had begun his march from Aberdeen northwards, and had ordered the ships that attended him with provisions for his army to coast along in sight of him to Inverness. Upon which, orders were dispatched to the Earl of Cromarty to call in all his detachments, and to march with all expedition to join the Prince.[376] He gave his orders accordingly, and went himself with some of his officers to Dunrobin Castle to bid adieu to the Countess of Sutherland, and to thank her for the civilities they had received from her. Whilst they were there amusing themselves, the castle was surrounded by Lord Sutherland's and Lord Rae's people, who, having had intelligence of their being there, [Sidenote: _fol._ 658.] made them all prisoners. Orders were likewise sent at this time to the MacPhersons, and to those that were at Fort Augustus and Fort William, to join the Prince as soon as possible. Those from Fort Augustus and the French piquets joined on Saturday, and Lochiel from Fort William on Sunday.[377] Advice was brought on Monday that the Duke of Cumberland was coming to the Spey, and that Lord John Drummond, with the troops under his command, was retiring. Upon which the Prince ordered the drums to beat and the pipes to play to arms. The men in the town assembled as fast as they could, the canon was ordered to march, and the Prince mounted on horseback and went out at their head to Culloden House, the place of rendezvous; and Lord George Murray was left in the town to bring up those that were quartered in the neighbourhood of Inverness, which made it pretty late before he joined the Prince at Culloden. Orders were likewise sent to Lord John Drummond [Sidenote: _fol._ 659.] to assemble there likewise, which he did the next day, being Tuesday.

[376] See ff. 156, 1261.

[377] On Monday, says Mr. John Cameron [see f. 157].

[Sidenote: 15 April]

Tuesday,[378] being April 15th, the whole army marched up to the muir, about a mile to the eastward of Culloden House, where they were all drawn up in order of battle to wait the Duke of Cumberland's coming. Keppoch's men joined in the field from Fort William, and the whole was reviewed by the Prince, who was very well pleased to see them in such good spirits, tho' they had eaten nothing that day but one single bisket a man, provisions being very scarce, and money too.

[378] The copy from which I transcribed had here the words, viz.:
'Wednesday, being the 16th of April,' which certainly behoved to be
an error, as it is well known that the battle of Culloden was fought
upon Wednesday, April 16th. See ff. 126, 157, 181, 430, 439.--ROBERT
FORBES, A.M.

[Sidenote: 16 April]