men had deserted him in upper Marre as a Prologue to the ensuing Tragedy had beheaded three stout and gallant Gentlemen The first was Sir William Rollock one of whom we have had often occasion to make honourable mention a valiant and expert man dear unto Montrose from a Child and faithful unto him to his last breath The chief of his Crimes was That he would not pollute his hands with a most abominable murder For being sent from Montrose with an express to the King after the battel of Aberdeen he was taken prisoner by the Enemy and was condemned unto death which he had not escaped except for fear of death he had harkened unto Argyle who most unworthily set a price upon Montroses head and promised great rewards honours and preferments to whomsoever should bring it in and had taken upon himself to commit that Treason which he abhorred with all his soul By which shift having his life and liberty given him he returned straight to Montrose and discovered all unto him beseeching him to be more careful of himself for not he only who heartily detested so high a villany but many more had been offered great matters most of whom would use their best endeavours to dispatch him The next was Alexander Ogilby of whom we also spake before eldest Son to Sir John Ogilby of Innerwharite descended of an antient Family and much renowned in the Scotish Chronicles He was but yet a youth scarce twenty but valiant above his age and of a present and daring spirit Nor can I hear or so much as conjecture what they had to lay to his charge but that new and unheard-of Treason to wit his bounden duty and loyalty to his King But there was no help for 't but Argyle must needs sacrifice that hopeful youth if it had been for nothing but his names sake for he bare an implacable fewd to the Ogilbies The third was Sir Philip Nesbit of on antient Family also and chief of it next his Father who had done honourable service in the Kings Army in England and had the command of a Regiment there Nor can I discover any reason they had to put him to death neither besides that which is used when they have nothing else to say that mad charge of the new High Treason except it was that their guilty consciences suggested unto them that that couragious and vigilant man might take occasion some time hereafter to be even with them for the horrid injuries they had done his Father and his Family However these men suffered a Noble death with patience and constancy as became honest men and good Christians And unto these there are two brave Irish Gentlemen that deserve to be joined Colonel O-Chaen and Colonel Laghlin odious unto the Rebels only for this impardonable crime that they had had many experiments of their courage and gallantry These Irish Gentlemen were murdered indeed at Edinbourgh but many more were doom'd to the like execution at Glascow had not Montrose's unexpected approch within a few miles of the City had so much influence that it repriev'd them till another time The Lord Governor was very much perplexed with the news of these mens death and it was a question whether he was more vext at the cruelty of the Rebels or the negligence if not treachery of his friends For besides Huntley whose Forces he had so long in vain expected to come with his Son Aboine Mac-donald also himself of whom he entertained an exceeding good opinion being often sent unto and invited also by the nearness of the place although the time appointed by himself was already past and gone made no appearance of his approach Six weeks had now passed since Aboine had engaged himself for the Northern Forces and the Winter than which our age never saw sharper was already deeply entred Besides the aids that the King had sent under the Command of the Lord Digby were defeated all which might easily have been salved and the Kingdom reduced again if those great Professors of Loyalty had not plaid fast and loose in that good Cause Therefore at last on the 20. of November Montrose deâ—arting from Levin and passing over the Mountains of Taich now covered with deep snow through woods and loghes whose names I do not at this time well remember crossing also through Strath-Erne and over the Tay returned into Athole There he met Captain Ogilby and Captain Nesbit whom he had formerly sent with the Kings instructions unto Huntley And they bring word the man was obstinate and inflexible who would believe nothing that they said and when they unfolded unto him the Kings Commands answered scornfully That he understood all the Kings business better than they or the Governor himself and neither he nor any of his children should have any thing to do with him Moreover he sharply and threatningly reproved his friends and clients who had willingly assisted Montrose and dealt worse with them than with Rebels Nevertheless the Lord Governor thought best to take no notice of any of these things but bear with them and whiles he treats with the Athole-men for the setling of the Militia of that Country he sends again unto Huntley by Sir John Dalyel as a more fit Mediator of friendship Who was to inform him of the danger the King and Kingdom was in and so of the present misery that hung over his and all faithful Subjects heads and to make it appear unto him that it was no ones but his and his sons fault both that they had not brought in the supplies into Scotland which the King had sent and that the prisoners who were gallant and faithful men had been so cruelly butchered and that yet there were many more remaining that had near relations to Huntley himself and some also of the prime Nobility whom the Rebels would cut off after the same fashion unless they were now at last relieved And lastly to pray and beseech him that at least he would grant the Kings Governor the favour of a friendly conference promising he would give him abundant satisfaction Huntley although he answered Dalyel in all things according ro his wonted peevishness yet he was most of all averse to a Conference as fearing seeing he should have nothing to answer to his Arguments and Reasons the Presence the Confidence and the Wisdom of so excellent a Man But Montrose as soon as things were setled in Athole that he might leave nothing unattempted that might possibly bring him to better thoughts resolved dissembling all injuries and obliging him by all good offices to surprize him and be friends with him whether he would or no and to treat with him concerning all things that concerned His Majesties service Therefore in the month of December he forced his way very hardly thorow Rivers and Brooks that were frozen indeed but not so hard as to bear mens weight over the tops of Hills and craggy Rocks in a deep Snow and passing through Angus and over Gransbaine
And now that he had left Argyle so far behind him that he might safely take some time to recruit he went to Strathbogy that he might meet with the Gordons and perswade them to engage with him But he lost his labour for they were forestalled by Huntley and after his example plaid least in sight For such as were generous and daring spirits though they were loath to provoke the indignation of their Chief yet they could not but be ashamed that at a time when there might be so much use of them they did nothing Besides the Lord Gordon Huntley's eldest Son a man of singular worth and accomplishment was detained by Argyle his Uncle by the Mothers side the Earl of Alboin the second Son was inclosed within the siege of Carlisle and Lewis another Son was of the enemies side so that there was no one of Huntley's family under whose authority they should take up Armes Notwithstanding Montrose quartered there a great while in which time almost every other night marching seven or eight or ten miles with a party of light Foot for Horse he had few or none he used to give alarms to the enemy beat up their quarters put them to flight and frequently to bring home horse and men prisoners And because he alwayes brought his men safe off it was strange to see how cheerfull and daring his souldiers were so that though their number was not great there was nothing that he would lead them on unto that seemed great to them At last when he despaired of any good to be done with the Gordons at the end of October he removed from Strathbogy and came to Faivy Castle and possest it There he was like to have been utterly undone by the bad and false intelligence his Scouts in whom he put great confidence brought unto him concerning the enemy for those whom they perswaded him were scarce got over Grainsbain were on a sudden encamped within two miles of him Argyle and Lothian had there two thousand five hundred Foot and twelve hundred Horse Montrose now when Mac-donald was absent with a party had fifteen hundred Foot and about fifty Horse If he should have descended into the Plain with so small strength it had been madnesse and to keep a Castle and no strong one neither he thought dishonourable and derogatory to the credit of his late victories Therefore he bethought himself of another course he drawes his men up unto a higher hill which over-look'd the Castle The soil of the hill was rough and there were hedges also and ditches cast up there by the Husbandmen for the fences of their fields which were almost as usefull as Brest-works But before he had appointed every one his ground to draw up in those few of Huntley's dependents which accompanied Montrose from Strathbogy in the sight of all people fairly betook them to their heels And on the other side the enemy driving fiercely up the hill made themselves masters of no small part of it which if they had been able to maintain with the same vigour that they had obtained it Montrose had been a lost man whose Souldiers discouraged both by the timorous flight of some of their own and the multitude of their enemies forces were well near ready to turn their backs them Montrose presently put life and courage into by his own example and presence by putting them in mind of their former atchievements and their own sense of their wonted prowesse Moreover he thus bespake a young Irish Gentleman one Collonel O Kyan Go thy way O Kyan with such men as thou hast at hand and drive me those fellows out of yonder ditches that we may no more be troubled with them The gallantry of O Kyan Montrose had often seen and commended nor did that truly valiant man deceive the Generals opinion of him for he quickly firretted the enemy out of the ditches though they much out-numbred his men and were seconded with a party of Horse And not only so but gained some baggs of powder which the enemy had left behind them for haste a very seasonable prey of which they had great need Nor doth a notable example of the forwardnesse of the Souldiers seem to me unworthy in this place to be remembred for one of them looking upon the baggs of powder What saith he have they given us no bullets Marry but wee must fetch bullets too from those sparing distributors of Ammunition As if it had been altogether the enemies duty to provide them necessaries for the Warr. In the mean time his Horse which were but fifty being disposed in a place of danger he timely secured them by lining them with musketiers For Lothian charged them with five whole troops who before they had crossed over half a field that lay between them being scared with our shot wheel'd about and returned to the place from whence they came Montrose's men being encouraged with these two successes could hardly be kept off from falling on with a shout upon the whole body of the enemy whom Montrose refrains rather with a kind of commendation of them as was meet than reproof only bids every one know his own duty and wait his commands Towards night Argyle having done nothing to any purpose retreats two miles off and slept not that night But the next day when he was told that Montrose's souldiers had great scarcity of powder and bullet drawing his men into the same ground again he made as though he would have charged up the Hill and beaten Montrose out of his hold But when his heart failed him in that enterprise besides some skirmishes between small parties while the main bodies kept their ground there was nothing done that day neither All this while Montrose sends for all dishes and flaggons and chamber-pots and what other pewter vessels could be had and caused them to be melted into bullet yet when that was done the souldiers had not enough With which great inconvenience the souldiers were so little troubled that one as often as he made a shot which he presumed never missed he would say merrily to his Comerades As sure as can be I have broken one Traytors face with a chamber-pot Nor wil any one wonder if Montrose's men were oft in want of powder and other necessaries for War when he considers they had no other way to supply themselves with them but out of their enemies stock And now the second day being almost spent Argyle withdraws his men over the river the way that they came three Scotch miles which make one Dutch mile off The time was thus spent at Faivy for several dayes Argyle carrying nothing away with that great Army but disgrace among his friends and contempt among his enemies for it was wholly imputed to his cowardise that there he had not made an absolute conquest At last Montrose lest by marching away in the day time he might have some of his Rear cut off by the enemies Horse takes the advantage of the night to
return to Strathbogy where he intended to make some stay both because the cragginesse of the Countrey was a good security to his Souldiers against the incursions of the enemies Horse and because it was near those places from whence he dayly expected Mac-donald with what Highlanders he could raise The next day the enemy pursues him with an intention to force him to fight with them in the open field and truly assoon as they came in sight of them drawing up their men they made ready to battel as if they would have fallen on with all their power But a forlorn hope of Highlanders was sent before by Argyle to engage Montrose in a light skirmish who were manfully entertained and repulsed Then Montrose having possessed himself of the highest ground Argyle alters his resolution and thinks upon that which was more safe and lesse honourable He desires a Cessation proposes that engagements may be given on both sides for a Conference and Treaty yet at the same time he did not only tempt the Souldiers to forsake Montrose by promising them indempnity and rewards to boot but which is a shame to say even of an enemy set a great price upon Montrose's head to be paid unto any assassine or murtherer that should bring it in Of which when Montrose was well assured who well knew the disposition of the man to be more bent to over-reach and betray than to fight with his enemy he thought nothing concerned him more than with all speed to bring off those small Forces he had as far as he could both from Argyle's Horse and knavery Therefore calling a councill of War he declares his opinion they all approve his wisdome and promise to continue their fidelity and their best endeavours to serve him Therefore he resolveth upon a long march the next night as far as Badenoth and that the Souldiers might be lighter for so great a journey he sent the Carriages before with a guard and bid the Souldiers make themselves ready against the next day as if they were to fight And now the Carriages were on the way when on a suddain news came that Forbes of Craigevar a prisoner to whom upon the engagement of his Honour for his true imprisonment Montrose had given the liberty of the Camp and that Sibbalds who besides Rollock was only of his counsell and company when he came out of England and some others had made an escape and run away to the enemy He was troubled at the perfidiousnesse of the men and justly suspected that they to ingratiate themselves with the enemy would betray his counsels Therefore he straight called back the Convoy with the Carriages and seemed as if he had wholly altered his resolutions But indeed he altered them not but thought it fit to delay them for a time that the intelligence which the enemy received from his fugitives might appear unto them idle and uncertain But after four dayes he sent the Carriages away again before him and making fires through all the Camp he placed all the Horse he had within view of the enemy as if they kept their guard there till such time as the Foot were marched far enough from danger and then brought the Horse also safe off and all by break of day came to Balveny And now being safe from having their quarters beaten up by the enemies Horse and they no further pursuing it being also the very deep of winter he allowed a few dayes unto the refreshment of his Souldiers And at this time especially Argyle began to appear in his own colours and his subtilties were manifested For most of the Noblemen Gentlemen and prime Souldiers that were with Montrose who setting aside Irish men and Highlanders had more Commanders than private Souldiers in his army deserted him and fell off to Argyle Some of them pretended sicknesse others disability to make such long marches in winter time over mountains uninhabited unpassable full of nothing but stones and bryars for the most part deep in snow and never travelled over by any man alive And therefore sore against their wills as they said and being compelled to depart by an extream necessity they desired his Passe which he denyed to none that ask'd but yet look'd upon them rather with a kind of indignation and scorn than approbation or compassion Nor can one easily say how much the example of such men weakened his Forces and how much it disheartened many that intended to have listed themselves under his Command But the old Lord Ogilby the Earl of Airley a man of threescore years old and not very healthy neither together with two of his Sons most worthy of such a Father Sir Thomas and Sir David could never be perswaded even in the extremest hazard of their lives to depart from him CHAP. VIII MOntrose returning from Balveny to Badenoth net a very faithful intelligencer who gave him notice that Argyle with his Foot for his Horse were gone to their winter-quarters lay at Dunkeldon and that from thence he used all his industry to perswade the Athole men to revolt He although he was assured of their loyalty neverthelesse with incredible haste goes down into Athole For in one night he marched with his Forces four and twenty miles through wayes untrodden untilled full of snow waste and never inhabited by mortal man to the intent he might fall upon Argyle whiles he had not his Horse about him But he being frighted with the report of his coming when Montrose was yet sixteen miles off bid his men shift for themselves and he himself fled as fast as he could into Perth wherein the Covenanters had a strong garrison Mac-donald was by this time returned and brought along with him the Chief of the Mac-renalds with his men to the number of five hundred and Montrose himself added to that number Patrick Graham with some choice men of Athole Being recruited with these he marcheth to the lake out of which the river of Tay breaks forth to passe from thence through Bredalbin into the Country of Argyle for he thought an enemy could never be so happily overthrown as in his own Countrey And truly he had many strong reasons for that resolution In the first place Argyle ' s power and authority amongst the Highlanders rendered him formidable to his Peers and Neighbours and so conduced much both to raise and foment the whole Rebellion For assoon as any one adventured to oppose the Covenanters or dispute their Command presently Argyle gathering a tumultuous army of five or six thousand Highlanders who for all that served him against their wills crush'd him in pieces and therefore he had all the reason in the world to bring down the power of so seditious and covetous and cruell a man Moreover those Highlanders who did not only favour the Kings cause but hated Argyle heartily as having had a sufficient experience of his Tyranny durst not appear as they would till he was first subdued And lastly the Low-lands of the
with his Horse was joyned unto him and that they had in their Army many old souldiers brought back out of England and Ireland so that now the Covenanters going about their businesse in so great sadnesse Montrose must expect not only other kind of souldiers but also most expert Commanders to deal with Therefore lest he should chance to be hemm'd in with their Horse in which their chief strength lay he chuseth his most convenient way by the foot of Grainsbaine towards the river of Tay intending also if it were possible to get over the Forth where he believed the King could not want assistance Which designe of his was not unknown to the enemy therefore they send these Commanders against him with a powerfull Army who no sooner came in sight than Montrose offered them battell But they intended nothing lesse than to try it out with him that way nor would adventure so much as but to fall upon the rear of Montrose as he marched off So he went to the Castle of Innerwharity and the next day to a village called Eliot And here again leaving the mountains behind him he descends into the plain and by a Trumpet sends a challenge unto Baily to fight Between their two Armies ran the river I le which neither could safely passe over without the others consent Montrose therefore desires Baily to give him leave safely to come over to that side which motion if Baily should not like of he offered him a safe and free passage on condition that he would engage his honour to fight without further delay Baily answered he would look to his own businesse himself and would not have other men teach him when to fight Thus the two armies fac'd one another many days neither the enemy endeavouring to passe their Forces over the river against Montrose nor he hoping to make good his passe unto them by reason of his scarcity of Horse Marching therefore to Dunkel he thought to passe the Tay at which time by a sudden and unexpected mischief he was almost utterly ruined It was thus Lewis Gordon Son to Marquesse Huntley who had born arms against Montrose in the battell of Aberdeen by the mediation of his noble Brother the Lord Gordon had been received into favour He either by true or counterfeit letters from the old fox in the hole his father tempted and carried away with him almost all the Gordons without the knowledge of his Brother and basely deserted Montrose and him when they were ready to be engaged with the enemy And truly it is hard to say to whether of both he bore lesse good will Montrose being sore afflicted with this unexpected revolt although he was of necessity to return into the North to gather new Forces yet made as if neverthelesse he went straight towards the Forth and his scouts came all with full cry that all the enemy were got over the Tay that by taking the fords of the Forth they might hinder his passage He lest he should seem all this while to have done nothing thought it well worth his labour if by the way he could take in Dundee a most seditious town for that being the securest haunt and receptacle of the Rebels in those parts and a place that had contributed as much as any other towards the Rebellion was kept by no other garrison but of the Townsmen He therfore commanded the weakest and worst armed men to goe along by the bottom of the hills and to meet him at Breichin and he taking with him what Horse he had which were but one hundred and fifty in all and six hundred nimble musquetiers departing from Dunkel about twelve of the clock in the night made so great haste that he came to Dundee by ten of the clock in the morning on the fourth day of April He summons the Townsmen to deliver the Town to the King which was the only way to preserve their own lives and its safety if they would not they must expect fire and sword They began to make delayes and first to give no answer at all afterward to commit the Trumpet to prison Which affront provoked Montrose so highly that hee stormed the Town in three places at once The Townsmen stood out a while and mantained their works but they had as good have done nothing for the Irish and Highlanders would take no repulse but with a resolute assault some beat them out of their sconces and possessing themselves of their Ordnance turned it against the Town others beat open the gates and possesse themselves of the Church and Market-place and others set the Town on fire in several places And indeed had not the common souldiers by an unseasonable avarice and intemperance addicted themselves to pillage that rich Town had been immediately all on fire But as it happened it was better both for the conquerours and the conquered that it was not for all the intelligence that the Scouts had brought in concerning the enemies comming over the Tay was absolutely false it may be they saw a few Troops and many they did not see passe over it which they beleeved to have been the whole body of the enemy and by that means were like to have undone both themselves and the whole party Montrose stood upon the top of a hill close unto Dundee looking upon this onslaught when his almost breathlesse Scouts brought him news that Baily and Hurrey with three thousand Foot and eight hundred Horse were scarce a mile off He immediately calls his men out of the Town which he had much to doe to perswade them for the souldiers counting themselves secure of the victory and thinking they had done a good dayes work already and besides being a little heated in drink and much taken with so rich a booty could hardly be brought to leave the Town they had so newly taken And truly before they could be beaten off from the spoil the enemy was come within musket-shot of them And now as it uses to happen in great dangers Montrose's counsell of War were of different opinions some perswaded that Montrose should shift for himself with the Horse he had because they conceived it not possible that he should be able to bring off the Foot who had been wearied with a march of above twenty miles in the morning after that were spent in a hot fight at noon and now were over-loaden either with drink or prey especially seeing he was to march twenty or perhaps thirty miles from Dundee before they could rest in safety That this was the fortune of War and to be patiently under-gone especially since he had given oft-times far greater overthrows to the enemy than this could be to him That there was no doubt but that as long as he was safe his Forces might be easily recruited and on the other side if he miscarried the case was desperate and they were utterly undone Others cryed out that all was lost already and there was nothing left them but to die with
that he could by no means either make his way unto them or draw them out into plainer ground Having therefore made them several fruitlesse offers of battell he resolved to march into the heart of the Country and came to Kinrosse as well to hinder the rising of that Country as to train the enemy at last out of their fastness to come in unto the aid of their distressed friends They not so much as daring to fall upon his Rear turn'd another way and keeping close to the bank first of the Erne afterwards of the Tay made speed towards the East-side of the Country As Montrose passed along he sent Collonel Nathaniel Gordon and Sir William Rollock before him with a small party These sending the rest of their party up and down to scout kept only ten men in their company on a sudden they happened upon two hundred of the enemy who were raising men in those parts and being not able to retreat they twelve encountred the two hundred put them to flight kill'd some and took other some prisoners Montrose that night came to Kinrosse not doubtting but they of Fife who were exceedingly out of love with the King most firm to the Covenanters and wholly given to the new superstition were generally up in armes Therefore thinking it not safe rashly to engage with so great a multitude of Horse and Foot he determin'd to passe over the Forth and that upon this ground that he having wearied out the Fife-men whom he believ'd would not be easily perswaded to follow the Army further than their own borders with long marches might vanquish them without a blow For he accounted that most of them being born or brought up in shops or ships or taverns and not acquainted with the hardship of Souldiers would presently give out and be weary Besides such of the Nobility as were in rebellion after they saw with sorrow that the seat of the War was drawn so near them as the Forth were raising men with more eagerness than ever before upon the Borders and in the West of whom the chief were the Earls of Lanerick Cassils and Eglington Whose levies Montrose laboured either to hinder or draw themselves to his side before they came up to Baily and the Fife-men therefore he marched from Kinrosse towards Sterling and lay that night some three miles from the City The next day sending the Foot before he followed softly after with the Horse because he suspected that the enemy pursued him in the Rear Nor was he deceived in that suspition for some Espyals whom he left behind him brought word that Baily was hard by with the greatest Army that ever he had And immediately the enemies Scouts came within view one of whom having been too forward was brought prisoner to Montrose by some of his Horse He being examined told them free and confidently that he believed Baily and his party were resolved to march all that night to engage him to fight as soon as was possible before they dismist the Fife-men who being already tir'd he hardly believ'd would be drawn over the Forth accounting their work at an end as soon as the enemy was gone out of their own Country Therefore Montrose that he might get speedily over the Forth bids his men march apace and going on the other side of Sterling a good Town and one of the Kings strongest Castles in which the enemy had now a great Garrison that same night passed over the river at a Ford about four miles above the Town And at break of day next morning made a halt a while about six miles from Sterling where he had intelligence that the enemy the night before had not come over the Forth but quartered three miles from Sterling on the other side of the river Therefore Montrose holding on his intended journey encamped himself in that fatal place the Field of Kilsythe He bids the Souldiers to refresh themselves but however to be in a readinesse either to fight or march as occasion should serve The enemy the mean while by an easier and shorter cut got over the Forth at Sterling-bridge and encamped at night some three miles from Kilsythe In the interim the Earl of Lanerick Duke Hamilton's brother had rais'd a thousand Foot and five hundred Horse of the friends and clients of the Hamiltons in Cluidsdale and the places adjacent and was not at present above twelve miles from Kilsythe And the Earls of Cassils Eglington and Glencarne with others of the Covenanting Nobility were engaging the West unto the same impious Militia who were so much the readier to take up armes by how much they had lesse felt the miseries of Warre Which things being well considered Montrose thought it best to fight with those Forces which Baily had at present For although they were more numerous than his own yet the danger was like to be greater of his side if he should be put to engage with them when Lanericks and other parties were come up But moreover he was either obliged to take this course or do nothing and return back into the Highlands with the blemish of that Honour which by so many victories he had atchiev'd The enemy on the other side being arrogant and confiding in the multitude of their men believ'd that Montrose had but made a running march the dayes before and had passed the Forth more out of fear than design so that they counted it nothing to assault him in that ground and entrenchment which he had chosen to his best advantage And above all their proud hopes were most carefull of this to block up all wayes of his escape and to prevent his return into the Mountains But there are some that say Baily himself thought it not best to give him battel but was over-sway'd by the authority and votes of the Earl of Lindsey especially and some other of the Nobility that were present in the Army which forc'd him much against stomack to draw up his men and order the battel as be could However it was early in the morning they led their men straight upon Montrose which when he saw he told the standers by that that was happened which he most desired for now he could supply his want of men by the advantage of the ground and therefore he made haste to possesse himself of the fastnesses before them Moreover he commands all his men as well Horse as Foot to throw off their doublets and to affront the enemy all in white being naked unto the waste all but their shirts which when they had chearfully performed they stood there provided and ready to fight resolved certainly either to conquer or die In the field where they intended to fight there were some Cottages and Country-gardens where Montrose had conveniently lodg'd some few men and the first design of the enemy was to dislodge them But it took not for making a fierce assault and being as stoutly receiv'd as soon as they were observ'd to cool something of their
first heat those that mann'd the places beat them off drave them away and slew them without resistance The Highlanders being animated with this happy success those that were next those places not expecting the word of Command ran rashly up the hill which lay open to the whole strength of the enemy Montrose although he was something troubled at the unseasonable boldnesse of his men yet thought it not good to leave them engaged nor was it easie to say whether the quickness of his relief or the cowardliness of the enemy conduc'd more to their safety Montrose had in all four thousand four hundred Foot and five hundred Horse a thousand of his Foot or more had now by their own fault so engaged themselves with the enemy that they could not come off for the enemy encounter'd them with six thousand Foot and eight hundred Horse But the enemies Rear came up but slowly and while the Van made a stand expecting their advance Montrose had opportunity to bring timely aid to his engaged men But at last they send out three troops of Horse and after them two thousand Foot against those rash and almost lost men of Montrose Which when Montrose saw after others had too dishonourably shifted off that service he thus bespeaks the Earle of Airley You see my noble Loid how yonder men of ours by their unadvisedness have brought themselves into a most desperate hazard and will presently be trampled to dirt by the enemies Horse except we relieve them with all speed Now all mens eyes and hearts are fixt upon your Lordship they think you only worthy so great an honour as to repell the enemy and bring off our fellow Souldiers Besides it seemes most proper for you that the errour which hath been committed by the fool hardinesse of youth may be corrected by your Lordships grave and discreet valour And he undertook the service as dangerous as it was with all his heart and being guarded with a troop of Horse in which rode John Ogilby of Baldeby who had formerly been a Collonel in Swethland a stout man and a skilfull souldier led them on straight upon the enemy And they giving the charge upon the Ogilbies disputed it sharply with them for a while but at last being no longer able to withstand their courage fac'd about whom the Ogilbies pursued so hotly that they made them fall foul upon their own Foot and charging them furiously thorow and thorow routed them and trode them under foot By this gallant example of Airley and the Ogilbies Montrose's Souldiers being enraged more and more could no longer be kept back from raising a great shout as if they had already got the day and falling on upon the enemy Nor would the Rebels Horse long abide their charge but deserting their Foot fell a running as â—ast as ever they could Nor did their Foot after they were so deserted stand it out long but throwing down their arms sought to save their lives by flight Which proved unserviceable for the victorious pursuers had the killing of them for fourteen miles So that of all the enemies Foot that were present at that battell it is thought there did not an hundred come off Nor did their Horse escape very well of whom some were killed some taken the rest disperst Their Ordnance their Arms their Spoils came clearly to the Conquerours who lost only six of their side whereof three were Ogilbies valiant Gentlemen who fighting like themselvs sealed the victory with their own bloud The rebellious sort of the Nobility of whom many were in the fight some of them by their timous running and swiftness of their Horses got to the Town and strong Castle of Sterling others escaping to the Scotish Fyrth shipt themselvs in some vessels that lay at anchor near the shoar amongst whom Argyle having now this third time been fortunate to a boat escaped into a ship and thought himself scarce safe enough so till weighing anchor he got into the main Or prisoners the chief were Sir William Murray of Blebo James Arnot brother to the Lord Burghley one Collonel Diee and Collonel Wallace besides many more whom Montrose after quarter given used courteously and upon the engagement of their Honours set at liberry And this is that famous victory of Kilsythe obtained on the 15 day of September 1645. in which it is beleev'd no fewer then six thousand Rebells were slain CHAP. XIV THere was a great alteration all the Kingdome over after this battell at Kilsythe those of the Rebell-Nobility were all of them sore affrighted some of them fled to Baywick some to Carlisle some to Newcastle others into Ireland And such as before only privately wisht well unto the King now did no longer fear to shew themselves to expresse their loyalty to pray openly for his prosperity and to offer their service But those that before had sided with the Covenanters began to ask forgivenesse to plead they were constrain'd to take up Arms by the violence and tyranny of the Rebells to submit their persons and estates to the Conquerour humbly to beseech his protection and to implore his wonted clemency And Cities and Countries that were furthest off began to dispatch their Commissioners to professe in their names their Allegiance to their King their duty and service to his Vicegerent and freely to offer him Men Arms Provision and other necessaries of War The Nobility of the Realm and the Chiefs of Septs came in thick unto the Lord Governour welcomed him tendred their service unto him extoll'd his high and honourable atchievements and thank'd him for them All whom he pardoned for what was past receiv'd them with liberty and indempnity into his protection and encouraged them to be of good chear Nor did he lay any greater burden upon them than to change that covetous and cruell slavery which they were manacled with by the Rebells for the sweet and gentle government and protection of a most gracious Prince and by laying aside all former grudges and fewds hereafter more religiously to observe their duty and loyalty to the good King and thence forward never more to have to doe with the counsells of seditious men who by endeavouring to satisfie their own â—usts had engaged King and Subject one against the other and upon the matter ruin'd both For his part he never had any other intention than to restore their Religion their King their Liberty his Peers and Countrymen by Arms when no other means was left out of the tyranny of Rebells unto their antient peace happinesse and glory Which if he should effect he would give Almighty God the authour of all good things everlasting praise but if he failed however he should by these his honest endeavours acquit himself before God and Gods Vicegerent his Majesty before all good men and his posterity his honour and his conscience At this time the whole Kingdome sounded nothing but Montrose's praise Men of all sorts every where extolling the ingenuity of his disposition in
paper which was contrary to the King his Crown or Authority he utterly disavowed it Then being absolved from the sentence of Excommunication under which he lay for Adultery long since committed to the great grief of the beholders he laid down his neck upon the block A man subject indeed to that fault but famous for his valour and souldiership both in forein Countries and at home The next that was brought upon the Scaffold yet reeking with the blood of Colonel Gordon was a man worthy of everlasting memory Sir Robert Spotswood one rais'd by the favour of King James and King Charls unto great honours as his singular virtues did merit King James made him a Knight and a privy Counsellor King Charls advanced him to be Lord President of the Session and now but of late Principal Secretary of Scotland This excellent man although his very enemies had nothing to lay to his charge through all his life they found guilty of high Treason which is yet the more to be lamented because he never bore arms against them for his eminency lay in the way of peace not knowing what belonged to drawing of a sword This was therefore the only charge that they laid against him That by the Kings command he brought his Letters Patents unto Montrose whereby he was made Vice-Roy of the Kingdom and General of the Army Nevertheless he proved at large that he had done nothing in that but according to the custom of their Ancestors and the Laws of the Land And truly he seemed in his most elegant Defence to have given satisfaction to all men except his Judges whom the Rebels had pick'd out from amongst his most malicious enemies that sought his death so that questionless they would never have pronounc'd that doleful sentence if they had but the least tincture of justice or honesty But to speak the truth a more powerful envy than his innocency was able to struggle with undid the good man for the Earl of Lanerick having been heretofore Principal Secretary of the Kingdom of Scotland by his revolt unto the Rebels forced the most gracious and bountiful King to the whole Family of the Hamiltons to take that Office from so unthankful a man and bestow it on another nor was there any one found more worthy than Spotswood to be advanced to so high an honour And hence hapned that great weight of envy and revenge to be thrown upon him which seeing he was not able to bear out he was forced to fall under And now Spotswood being about to die abating nothing of his wonted constancy and gravity according to the custom of the Country made a Speech unto the people But that Sacrilegious thief Blair who stood by him upon the Scaffold against his will fearing the eloquence and undauntedness of so gallant a man lest the mysteries of Rebellion should be discovered by one of his gravity and authority unto the people who use most attentively to hear and tenaciously to remember the words of dying men procured the Provost of the City who had been once a servant to Spotswoods Father to stop his mouth Which insolent and more than ordinary discourtesie he took no notice of but letting his speech unto the people alone he wholly bestowed himselfe in devotions and prayers to Almighty God Being interrupted again and that very importunately by that busie and troublesome fellow Blair and asked Whether he would not have him and the people to pray for the salvation of his soul He made answer That he desired the Prayers of the people but for his impious Prayers which were abominable unto God he desired not to trouble him And added moreover That of all the Plagues with which the offended Majesty of God had scourged that Nation this was much the greatest greater than the Sword or Fire or Pestilence that for the sins of the people God hath sent a lying spirit into the mouth of the Prophets With which free and undeniable saying Blair finding himself galled grew so extremely in passion that he could not hold from scurrilous and contumelious language against his Father who had been long dead and against himself who was now a dying approving himself a fine Preacher of Christian Patience and Longanimity the while But all these things Spotswood having his mind fixed upon higher matters passed by with silence and unmoved At last being undaunted and shewing no alteration neither in his voice nor countenance when he laid down his neck to the fatal stroke these were his last words Merciful Jesu gather my soul unto thy Saints and Martyrs who have run before me in this race And certainly seeing Martyrdom may be undergone not only for the Confession of our Faith but for any vertue by which holy Men make their Faith Manifest there is no doubt but he hath received that Crown And this was the end a doleful end indeed in regard of us but a joyful and honourable one in him of a man admirable for his knowledge of things Divine and Humane for his skill in the tongues Hebrew Chaldee Syriack Arabick besides the Western Languages for his knowledge in History Law and Politiques the Honour and Ornament of his Country and our Age for the integrity of his life for his Fidelity for his Justice for his Constancy a man of an even temper and ever agreeing with himself whose youth had no need to be ashamed of his child-hood nor his riper years of his youth a severe observer of the old-fashion'd piety with all his soul and yet one that was no vain and superstitious Professor of it before others a man easie to be made a friend and very hard to be made an enemy and who being now dead was exceedingly lamented even by many Covenanters His breathless body Hugh Scrimiger once his Fathers servant took care to bring forth as the times would permit with a private funeral Nor was he long able to bear so great a sorrow and loss for after a few days espying that bloody Scaffold not yet removed out of the place immediately he fell into a swoond and being carried home by his servants and neighbours died at his very door Lastly they give unto Spotswood another companion in death Andrew Gutherey Son unto the most desâ—â—â—ing Bishop of Murray and hated the more by the Rebels for that A youth as well valiant in battel as constant in suffering and contemning death He also was threatned and railed at by the same Elaire but answered That no greater honour could have been done him than to be put to an honest death in the behalf of so good a King and so just a Cause which those that were present should see he embraced without fear and perhaps another generation would not report without praise For his sins he humbly begged mercy and forgivenesse at the hands of his most gracious Lord God but for that which he stood there condemned he was not much troubled After this manner died with constancy and courage a man who
of whom were the Lord Ogilby himself Sir Iohn Innes and Colonel Henry Graham his brother a most hopefull young Gentleman Iames Iohn and Alexander Ogilbyes Patrick Melvin and other gallant men and highly esteemed by Montrose fell into the enemies hands and endured a long and nasty imprisonment untill they were set at liberty by Montrose himself the next year after which they did him most faithful service He returning to Carlisle imparts his design to the Earl of Aboine lest he should have any occasion to cavil afterwards that a matter of that consequence was done without his knowledge or advice who might have proved able to give a great stroke to the advancing of it But when he found something too much sicklenesse in that young man he was not over earnest to engage him to adventure with him in so perillous a journey and therefore easily perswaded him to reside at Carlisle till he heard further news out of Scotland by which time it might be more seasonable for him to return into his Country And now being prepared for his journey he selected only two men for his companions and guides one was Sir William Rollock a Gentleman of most known honesty and an able man both of his head and hands The other was one Sibbald whom for the report of his valour and gallantry Montrose did equally love and honour but the latter afterwards deserted him in his greatest need Montrose passing as Sibbalds man and being disguis'd in the habit of a Groom rode along upon a lean jade and led another horse in his hand And so he came to the borders where he found all ordinary and safe passes guarded by the enemy There was a chance happened which put them in a greater fright than all that and it was this not farr from the borders they hit by chance upon a servant of Sir Richard Grahams who taking them for Covenanters and to be of Lesley's Army who used to range about those parts told them freely and confidently that his Master had made his peace with the Covenanters and had undertaken as if he were their Centinel to discover unto them all such as came that way whom he suspected to favour the King An unworthy act it was of a shamelesse villain of whom not only Montrose had a very high esteem but his Majesty also whose mistaken bounty had raised him out of the dunghill to say no worse unto the honour of Knighthood and an estate even to the envy of his neighbours Having not passed much further they met a Souldier a Scotchman but one that had served under the Marquesse of Newcastle in England who taking no notice of the other two Gentlemen came to Montrose and saluted him by his name Montrose giving no heed unto him as if he were no such man the too officious souldier would not be so put off but with a voyce and countenance full of humility and duty began to cry out What Doe not I know my Lord Marquesse of Montrose well enough Goe your way and God be with you whithersoever you goe When he saw it was in vain to conceal himself from the man he gave him a few crowns and sent him away nor did he discover him afterwards But Montrose conceiving himself much concerned in these speeches thought it the best course to make all the haste he could and to run faster than the news of him could flie nor did he spare any horse-flesh or scarce draw a bridle till after four dayes travell he came to the house of his cosen Patrick Graham of Innisbrake not far from the river of Tay on that side of the Sherifdome of Perth which is next the Mountains This Patrick being descended of the Noble family of Montrose and not unworthy of so noble parentage was deservedly in very great esteem with the Marquesse who sojourned besides him for a little while in the day time in a mean cottage and passed the nights alone in the neighbouring mountains For hee had sent away his companions unto his friends that they might inform themselves exactly of the whole state of the Kingdome and bring him word in what condition they found it After a few dayes having examined the matter with all the industry they could use they return with nothing but sad and tragical news That all the Subjects that were honest and loyal lay under the tyranny of the Rebells and of such as had been so hardy as to endeavour to recover their freedome with their swords some were put to death others fined others being yet in prison dayly expected the worst their enemies could doe That the Marquesse of Huntley had laid down the arms which too unadvisedly he had taken up at the first summons of the enemy that indeed he had had no contemptible number of men but the men wanted a good Commander that his friends and dependents were exposed to the implacable malice and revenge of their enemies and that he himself had fled to the utmost corner of the Iland and sculked upon another mans land Montrose was very much troubled as he had reason at this news especially at Huntley's errour and the ruine of the Gordons who were men of singular loyalty and valour and expert souldiers therefore much lamented by him that for no fault of theirs they should come to so great misfortune And now he began to cast about how hee might draw them to himself that they might try again the fortune of War under another General in the behalf of his most excellent Majesty CHAP. V. IN the mean time there were some uncertain reports spread abroad among the Shepheards who kept their flocks in the Mountains of certain Irish who were landed in the North of Scotland and canged about the Mountains Montrose conceived it not unlikely that these might be part of those Auxiliaries which the Earl of Antrim had promised should have been there four months before but he had no certainty what they were till at last some Letters came from some intimate friends of his Highlanders and from Alexander Mac-donald a Scotchman also to whom Antrim had given the Command in chief of those few Irish directed to Montrose These they had taken care to send to a certain friend of his a sure man that he might convey them if it were possible to Carlisle where Montrose was believed still to remain He who never dreamed of Montrose's return into Scotland though he sojourned by him by chance acquainted Master Patrick Graham with the businesse he promiseth to take charge of them and undertaketh to see them safely dilivered to Montrose though be made a journey as far as Carlisle a purpose and so by the good providence of God they came into his hands much sooner than could be expected And he writes back as from Carlisle that they should be of good comfort for they should not stay long either for sufficient assistance to joyn with them or a General to command them and withall requires them forthwith to come
down into Athole The people of Athole were engaged unto Montrose by many obligations men whom he valued most of all the Highlanders both for their Loyalty Piety Constancy and singular Valour and truly they made good his opinion of them to the very end of the War The Irish with a very few Highlanders who were almost all of Badenoth receiving Montrose's commands marched straight into Athole He who was not above twenty miles from them comes to them immediately and ere ever they looked for him on foot in the habit of a Mountainer without any man along with him save the abovesaid Patrick Graham his guide and companion And indeed the Irish would hardly be perswaded that that was Montrose but when they saw him so salured and only not adored like some great Deity by the men of Athole and others that knew him well they were over ver joyed for his comming to them was in exceeding good time they being then in extream danger to be cut off For Argyle was in their rear with a strong and well ordered Army the champain Country were ready in Arms before them expecting if they should make down into the Plain to trample them to dirt with their horses hoofs the vessels that brought them over were burnt by Argyle that they might have no way to retreat nor would the Arthole men or any other that favoured the King venture any hazard with them because they were strangers and came not by the Kings open and known Authority nor had they any Commander of ancient Nobility a thing by the Highlanders much set by who would not fight under the command of Alexander Mac-donald a man of no account with them lastly their number was inconsiderable being not above a eleven hundred though ten thousand had been promised The next day the Arthole men to the number of eight hundred put themselves in arms and offered their service most cheerfully to Montrose who having got this handfull of men and earnestly commending his most righteous Cause to the protection of Almighty God now desired nothing more than to be among the thickest of the enemy Impatient therefore of further delay that very day he marches through the Plains of Athole towards Ern as well to make way for his friends and assistants easier accesse unto him if any should rise upon the news as that he might fall upon and amaze the Rebels unlook'd for before they should be able to joyn together who lay at distance Therefore passing by Weem a castle of the Menizies seeing they handled a Trumpetter whom he sent friendly unto them unworthily and fell hotly upon the rear of his Army he wastes their fields and causes all their houses and corn to be fired this was at the very first onset of the War to strike terrour into the enemy The same night he passed over Tay the greatest river in Scotland with part of his Forces the rest follow him very early the next day When they were ready to march on he gave Patrick Graham of whom I shall have often to speak and never without honour at their earnest request the Command of the Athole men and sent him with the nimblest of them he could pick out amongst them to scout before He brings word he saw some Souldiers drawn up on the top of an hill at Buckinch towards them Montrose makes straight These proved to be commanded by the Lord Kilpont son to the Earl of Taith a man of antient Nobility and descended of the Grahams and Sir Iohn Drummond Son to the Earl of Perth a kinsman also of Montrose who were both of them summoned by the Covenanters to joyn against the Irish as the Common enemy and had with them five hundred Foot and no more nor had they heard any certainty at all of Montrose's being in those parts He resolveth with all speed to surprise them and either to win them to his side or to crush them to pieces But they as soon as they heard that Montrose was General of those Forces send unto him some of their chiefest friends to understand from him what he intended to doe He tells them he had the Kings Authority for what he did and was resolved to assert that Authority to the utmost of his power against a most horrid Rebellion conjuring them by all the obligations that were between them that they would not think much to doe their best endeavours for the best of Kings VVhich as it was much becomming their high birth and would be very acceptable service to the King so it would be beneficial unto them for the present and much to their honour with posterity and stranger if they of all others should be the first that put to their helping hands to hold up a tottering Crown They most readily without any delay came in unto him for both of them though underhand favoured the King exceedingly From them Montrose understood that the Covenanters were thick in arms at a Rendevouz at Perth the second City to Edinburgh and there waited for their enemies falling down from Athole He knowing also that Argyle with his Army was upon his back lest he should be hemm'd in on both sides determins to goe forward to Perth that there he might either force the enemy to fight or reduce the Town to the Kings obedience Marching therefore three miles from Buckinch and allowing the Souldiers but a short time of refreshment at the break of day he draws out his men Nor was he above three miles more from the City when the enemy was in view in a large and open Plain called Tippermore providing to fight They were commanded by the Lord Elchoe one that was taken for no great souldier there were with him the Earl of Tullibardin and the Lord Drummond but this latter as was conceived against his will for he and his fathers whole family favoured the King in their hearts Knights he had with him good store among whom Sir James Scot who heretofore had done good service under the State of Venice was the most noted souldier They had six thousand Foot and seven hundred Horse and in confidence of their numbers they had even devoured their enemies before they saw them It was on Sunday the first of September and it was given in charge to their Ministers that in set speeches they should encourage the people to fight not forgetting to mind them of their most holy Covenant forsooth And to give them their due they plyed their lungs stoutly in the performance of that work they most freely promised them in the name of Almighty God an easie and unbloudy victory my there was one Frederick Carmichael one very much cryed up for learning and holinesse by the silly people who was not afraid to deliver this passage in his Sermon If ever God spake word of truth out of my mouth I promise you in his name assured victory this day Gods service being thus finely performed as they thought they put their men in Battalia Elchoe himself commanded
the right flank Sir James Scot the left and the Earl of Tullibardin the battel To the right and left flanks were added wings of horse with which they made no doubt on so fair a Plain to hem in the enemy Montrose perceiving the great body of the enemy and especially their strength in Horse for he had not so much as one Horse-man nor more than three lean horses and being carefull as it concerned him lest being incompassed with so great a number they should fall upon him in the Front Rear and Flank he caused his Army to be drawn out to as open order as could be possible and makes his files only three deep He commands the Ranks all to discharge at once those in the first Rank kneeling in the second stooping and in the hindmost where he placed the tallest men upright he chargeth them also to have a care of mis-pending their powder of which they had so small store and that they should not so much as make a shot till they came to the very teeth of their enemies and assoon as they had discharged their muskets once a piece immedidiately to break in upon the enemy with their swords and musket ends which if they did he was very confident the enemy would never endure the charge Montrose undertakes the Command of the right Flank over against Sir James Scot appoints the left to the Lord Kilpont and the main Battel to Mac-Donald with his Irish which was very providently ordered lest the Irish who were neither used to fight with long Pikes nor were furnished with swords if they had been placed on either flank should have been exposed to the fury of the Scotch-Horse Montrose had sent unto the Commanders of the enemy Drummond Son and Heir to the Lord Maderty a noble Gentleman and accomplished with That Montrose as well as the Kings Majesty from whom he had received his Commission was most lender of shedding his Countreys blood and had nothing more in his devotions than that his victories might be written without a red Letter And such a victory they might obtain as well as he if they should please but to have the honour to conquer themselves and before a stroke were struck to return unto their Allegiance That for his part he was covetous of no mans wealth ambitious of no mans honour envious of no mans preferment thirsty after no mans blood all that he desired was that in the name of God they would at length give ear to sound counsell and submit themselves and what belonged unto them unto the grace and protection of so good a King who as he had hitherto condescended unto all things either for matter of Religion or any thing else which they thought good to ask though to the exceeding great prejudice of his Prerogatives so still they might find him like an indulgent Father ready to embrace his penitent children in his arms although he had been provoked with unspeakable injuries But if they should continue still obstinate in their Rebellion he called God to witnesse that it was their own stubbornesse that forced him to the present encounter The Commanders of the enemies answered nothing at all to all this but against the Law of Nations sent the Messenger who out of meer love to his Countrey had undertaken the employment prisoner with a company of rude Souldiers unto Perth vowing assoon as they had got the victory to cut off his head But God was more mercifull to him and provided otherwise than they intended for the safety of that gallant man They were come within musket shot when the enemies under the Command of the Lord Drummand sent out a forlorne hope to provoke Montrose to a light skirmish he sends a few to meet them who at first onset disorder and rout them sending them back to their main body in no small fright Montrose thought now was his opportunity and that nothing could conduce more either to the encouragement of his own souldiers or the terrour of the enemy than immediatly to fall upon them as they were disordred and astonished with that fresh blow nor would he give them time to rally or recover courage therefore setting up a great shout he lets loose his whole Army upon them The enemy first at distance discharge their Ordnance which made more noise than they did harm afterwards marching forward their Horse labour to break in upon Montroses Souldiers those when their powder was spent and many of them had neither Pikes nor scarce Swords they stoutly entertain with such weapons as the place would afford good stones of which they poured in such numbers amongst them with so greatstrength and courage that they forced them to retreat and to trouble them no more For the Irish and Highlanders striving bravely whether should outvie the other in valour bore up so eagerly when they gave ground that at last they betook themselves to the nimblenesse of their Horses heels There was something more to do a little while longer in the right Flank Sir Iames Scot disputed some time for the higher ground but Montroses men being stronger bodied and especially swifter footmen obtained the Hill from thence the Athole men rushed down with their drawn swords upon the enemy and making little account of the musquetiers who sent their bullets amongst them as thick as hail closing with them as they lik'd best to fight they slash'd and beat them down At last the enemy not able to abide their fury fairly ran away Most of the Horse made so good speed as to save themselves but there was a great slaughter of the Foot whom they pursued for six or seaven miles There were conceived to be two thousand of the Covenanters slain and more were taken prisoners of whom some taking a Military Oath took up arms again with the Conquerour but perfidiously for almost all forsook him afterwards The rest taking a Solemn Protestation that they would never after bear arms against the King he set at liberty He took in Perth the same day without doing the least harm unto the City although most of the Citizens had fought against him in this battell thinking by so great clemency to turn the hearts of the people towards their King which was the only end to which he directed all his defigns CHAP. VI. HE staid three dayes at Perth for there he exected many in those parts to come in with their friends and clients armed who upon the noise of the late victory professed themselves most faithfull to the King but none came but the Earl of Kinowl with a few gentlemen of Gowry nor did they continue very constant unto him neither And by this time Argyle was at haud with a great Army of Foot of his own and supplies of Horse were joyned with him out of the South parts therefore Montrose passing over the Tay took up his Quarters in the field for other quarters he seldome had near Couper a little village in Angus where a famous Monastery once
stood but now lies on the ground Here a brave young gentleman Sir Thomas Ogilby Son to the Earl of Airley with others of the Gentry of Angus met him and readily offered him their service whom he curteously entertained and sent them a way with thanks they pretending they only went to fit themselves for a march neverthelesse few of them returned besides the Ogilbies Next morning by break of-day before the Revellier was beat there was a great tumult in the Camp the Souldiers ran to their armes and sell to be wild and raging Montrose guessing that it was some falling out between the Highlanders and the Irish thrust himself amongst the thickest of them there he finds a horrible murther newly committed for the noble Lord Kilpont lay there basely slain The murtherer was a retainer of his own one Stuart whom he had treated with much friendship and familiarity in somuch that that same night they lay both in a bed It is reported that the base slave bad a plot to dispatch Montrose and in regard of the great power he had with Kilpontin he conceived he might draw him in to be accessary to the villany therefore taking him aside into a private place he had discovered unto him his intentions which the Nobleman highly detested as was meet whereupon the murtherer fearing he would discover him assaulted him unawares and stabbed him with many wounds who little suspected any harm from his friend and creature The treacherous assassine by killing a Centinel escaped none being able to pursue him it being so dark that they could scarce see the ends of their Pikes Some say the traitor was hired by the Covenanters to do this others only that he was promised a reward if he did it Howsoever it was this is most certain that he is very high in their favour unto this very day and that Argyle immediately advanced him though he was no souldier to great commands in his Army Montrose was very much troubled with the losse of this Nobleman his dear friend and one that had deserved very well both from the King and himself a man famous for Arts and arms and honesty being a good Philosopher a good Divine a good Lawyer a good Souldier a good Subject and a good man And embracing the breathlesse body again and again with sighes and teares he delivers it to his sorrowfull friends and servants to be carried to his parents to receive its funeral Obsequies as became the splendor of that honourable Family With the rest of his Forces Montrose marcheth to Dundee the Town being proud of the number of its inhabitants and having a Garrison out of Eife beside refused to submit And he thinking it no wisdome to hazard the honour he had gotten by his late victory upon the doubtful successe of a siege turns away toward Esk for he hoped that many of his friends and kindred being men of greatest note in those parts and who used to talk as highly what they would do for the King as any others would be ready to joyn with him But they having news of his approach withdrew themselves only the Lord Ogilby Earl of Airley a man of threescore years old with his two Sons Sir Thomas and Sir David and some of his friends and clients men of experienced resolutions joyned himself unto him and with admirable constancy he went along with him through all fortunes unto the very end of the War being in that almost universal defection the other honour and ornament of the Nobility of Scotland besides Montrose While Montrose was hereabouts he receives intelligence that some Commissioners from the Covenanters of whom the Lord Burghly was the principal lay at Aberdene with an Army and laboured to assure unto themselves the Northern parts upon which Montrose especially relyed either by fair means or foul He determines to fight these immediately before Argyle could come up to them therefore with long marches he hies thither and possessing himself of the bridge upon the river of Dee and drawing near the City he found the enemy drawn up close beside it Burghley commanded two thousand Foot and five hundred Horse whom he placed in wings and having chosen his ground and planted his great Guns before his men he expected battel Montrose had fifteen hundred Foot for the Lord Kilponts souldiers were gone to convey their Lords dead body to his parents and most of the Athole-men after the victory of Perth were gone home from whence they were not farr laden with spoil and just four and forty Horse of whom he made two divisions and mixing amongst them the best fire-men and Archers that he had who in nimblenesse and swiftnesse of body were almost as good as Horsemen placed them on either wing to prevent the falling of the enimies horse upon his rear which they performed most gallantly beyond the opinion or perhaps the belief of many He gave the command of the right flank to James Hay and Nathaniel Gordon and of the left to Sir William Rollock all valiant men The left wing of the enemy was commanded by Lewis Gordon Son to the Marquesse of Huntley a bold young man and hot spirited but hair brain'd and one that had forced out his fathers friends and clients to fight with Montrose against their wills He having gotten the plain and most commodious ground for fighting on horse-back charged Montrose's right flank which when he perceived he commanded Rollock with his twenty Horse to their aid and they being backed with the gallantry of their Commanders and the activity and stoutnesse of the Foot amongst them received the charge with so much hardinesse that they four and forty beat back full three hundred of the enemy routing all and killing very many But because they were so few they durst not follow the chase which was forborn by the great prudence of the Commanders and proved to be of great consequence towards the obtaining of the victory for the enemy charged Montrose's left Flank which had no Horse with their right Wing of Horse Montrose therefore in a trice now that Lewis Gordon and his men were fled conveighs the same Horse to the left Flank who seeing they were not able to draw themselves into a Body like the enemies fetch'd a compasse about and so escaped their first charge then neatly wheeling about they fell upon the Flank of the enemy and with their naked swords beat and cut and vanquisht and put them to flight They took prisoners one Forbes of Kragevar a Knight of great esteem with the enemy and another Forbes of Boindle Those that retreated got safe away because that so few could not safely pursue them They that commanded the enemies Horse were not so much frighted with their losse as vexed with the disgrace of a double repulse therfore imputing their defeat to those light firelocks that were mixed with Montroses Horse they themselves call for Foot-men out of their main Body intending to return with greater courage Montrose suspected that and
was loath to engage those few gallant men again whose Horses were spent already in two sharp services with the enemy who was reinforced with fresh Foot Therefore observing the enemies Horse not yet rallied since their new rout and standing at a sufficient distance from their Foot he rode about among his own Foot who had been sore galled already with the enemies Ordnance and bespeaks them to this effect We do no good my fellow souldiers while we dispute the matter at thus much distance except we cloze up with them how shall we know an able man from a weak a valiant man from a coward If ye would assail these timorous and brawnelesse shrimps with handy-blows they will never be able to stand you Goe to therefore fall about them with your swords and but-ends of your muskets beat them down drive them back and make them pay what is justly due for their treason and rebellion It was no sooner said than they fall to work break in upon the enemy defeat them rout them Their Horse who expected Foot to come and line them seeing them all run away ran faster than they whom the Conquerours were not able to follow much lesse to overtake so they scap'd scot-free but the Foot paid for all few of which escaped the Victors hands For having no other place to fly unto but into the City Montrose's men came in thronging amongst them through the gates and posterns and laid them on heaps all over the streets They fought four hours upon such equal terms that it was an even lay whether had the odds At this Battell Montrose had some great Guns but they were unserviceable because all advantages of ground were possessed by the enemy but the enemies Guns made no small havock of his men Among others there was an Irishman that had his legg shot off with a Cannon bullet only it hung by a little skin he seeing his fellow-souldiers something sad at his mischance with a loud and cheerfull voyce cryes out Come on my Comrades this is but the fortune of Warr and neither you nor I have reason to be sorry for it Do you stand to it as becomes you and as for me I am sure my Lord Marquesse seeing I can no longer serve on foot will mount me on horse-back So drawing out his knife being nothing altered nor troubled he cut asunder the skin with his own hand and gave his legg to one of his fellow souldiers to bury And truly when he was well again and made a Trooper he often did very faithfull and gallant service This battell was fought at Aberdeen on the twelfth day of September 1644. Then Montrose calling his souldiers back to their Colours entred the City and allowed them two dayes rest CHAP. VII IN the mean time news was brought that Argyle was hard by with much greater forces than those they dealt with last the Earle of Lothian accompanying him with fifteen hundred Horse Therefore Montrose removes from Aberdeen to Kintor a Village ten miles off that he might make an easier accesse unto him for the Gordons the friends and dependents of the Marquesse of Huntley and others that were supposed much to favour the Kings cause From thence he sends Sir William Rollock to Oxford to acquaint his Majesty with the good successe he had hitherto obtained and to desire supplies out of England or some place else That he had fought twice indeed very prosperously but it could not be expected that seeing he was so beset on all sides with great and numerous Armies he should be able to hold out alwayes without timely relief Still nothing troubled Montrose more than that none of the Gordons of whom he conceived great hopes came in unto him And there wanted not some of them who testified their great affection to the service but that Huntley the chief of the Family being a back-friend to Montrose had with-held them all either by his own example or private directions and that himself being forced ro sculk in the utmost border of the Kingdome envied that honour to another of which he had missed himself and had forbidden even with threats all those with whom he had any power to have any thing to do with Montrose or to assist him either with their power or counsell Which when he understood he resolved to withdraw his Forces into the Mountains and Fastnesses where he knew the enemies horse wherein their great strength consisted could do them little service and of their Foot if they were never so many relying upon the justice of his cause and the valour of his souldiers he made but little reckoning Therefore he hid his Ordnance in a bogg and quitted all his troublesome and heavy carriages And comming to the side of the river Spey not farr from an old castle called Rothmurk he incamped there with an Army if one respect the number but very small but it was an expert and cheerfull one and now also something accquainted with victory On the other side of the Spey he finds the men of Cathnes and Suderland and Rosse and Murray and others to the number of five thousand up in arms to hinder his passage over the swiftest River in all Scotland till such time as Argyle who marched after him was upon his back Being oppressed and as it were besieged with so many enemies on every side that at least he might save himself from their Horse the turned into Badenoth a rocky and mountainous Countrey and scarce passable for Horse There for certain dayes he was very sick which occasioned so immoderate joy to the Covenanters that they doubted not to give out he was quite dead and to ordain a day of publique Thankesgiving to Almighty God for that great deliverance Nor were their Levites you may be sure backward in that employment in their Pulpits for as if they had been of counsell at the Decree and stood by at the execution they assured the people that it was as true as Gospel that the Lord of Hostes had slain Montrose with his own hands But this joy did not last them long for he recovered in a short space and as if he had been risen from the dead he frighted his enemies much more than he had done before For assoon as his disease would give him leave he returned into Athole and sent away Mac-donald with a party unto the Highlanders to invite them to take up arms with him and if they would not be invited to force them He himself goes into Angus hoping it might happen that he should either force Argyle with his tyred Horse unto his Winter quarters or at least leave him far enough behind him For Argyle had pursued him slowly and at such distance that it was apparent he thought of nothing lesse than of giving him battail Therefore going through Angus and getting over the Grainsbain which going along with a continued ridge from East to West divideth Scotland into two equal parts he returned into the North of the Kingdome
Kingdome were maintained by the Covenanters with strong Garrisons and great bodies of Horse so that except he had a mind utterly to undoe his friends he had no other place to winter his Souldiers in but that And being pressed with these reasons with long and foul journeys and incredible speed he commeth into Argyle The Earl at that time was listing souldiers in his Country and had appointed the day and place for a Rendezvouz He lived securely in the castle of Inncrare supposing no enemie to be within a hundred miles of him For he could never before be brought to beleeve that an Army could get into Argyle on foot in the midst of summer and many times heretofore he has been heard to bragge that he had rather lose a hundred thousand Crowns than any mortal man should know the way by which an Army could enter into his Country When he therefore suspected nothing lesse the trembling Cow-herds came down from the hills and told him the enemy was within two miles He not knowing what to do and almost besides himself for fear at last commits himself to a fisher-boat and flies away leaving his friends and servants and the whole Countrey to their fortunes and the mercy of an enemy It is a rough and mountainous countrey barren of corn for little or none is sown there but very commodious for pasture the chief riches of the inhabitants consisting in cattell Montrose divides his Army into three Brigades and sends them about the countrey one Brigade was commanded by the chief of the Mac-renalds another by Mac-donald and the third by himself They range about all the country and lay it waste as many as they find in arms going to the Rendezvouz appointed by their Lord they slay and spare no man that was fit for War nor do they give over till they had driven all serviceable men out of that Territory or at least into holes known to none but themselves Then they fire the villages and Cottes and lay them levell with the ground in that retaliating Arygle with the same measure he had meted unto others who was the first in all the Kingdome that prosecuted his Country-men with fire and sword Lastly they drive their cattell Nor did they deal more gently with others who lived in Lorn and the neighbour parts that acknowledged Argyle's power These things lasted from the 13. of December 1644. to the 28. or 29. of January following And indeed he used never more to acknowledge the singular providence and fatherly mercy of Almighty God than in bringing him and his men safe out of those places for if but two hundred Souldiers had handsomly kept those Passes they might easily either have cut off or at least driven back all his Forces Beside if the Cow-herds had but driven away their cattell which they might easily have done in those barren places he must have starved for hunger Or thirdly if it had been a sharp and stormy winter and it seldome chances to be otherwise there they had either been drowned in snow-drifts or starv'd and benumb'd with cold But merciful God took away both courage from the enemy and its ordinary temper from the air and supplyed their want of bread with great abundance of flesh At length departing out of Argyle and passing through Lorn Glencow and Logh-Aber he came to Logh-Nesse And now he expected that all the Highlanders being either frighted with the example of Argyle or freed from the fear of him should be ready to assist the Kings most righteous cause and vindicate it with their arms against the Rebells But now lest Montrose's heroical spirit should ever want matter to work upon he is advertised that the Earl of Seaforth a very powerfull man in those parts and one of whom he had entertained a better opinion with the Garrison of Innernesse which were old souldiers and the whole strength of Murray Rosse Sutherland Cathnes and the sept of the Frasers were ready to meet him with a desperate army of five thousand Horse and Foot Montrose had only fifteen hundred for those of Clanrenald and most of the Athole-men suspecting no such need of them and being laden with the spoils of Argyle had got leave to go home on condition they should return when they were sent for But for all that Montrose was not afraid to give battell to that disorderly Army for although he knew those of the Garrison to be old souldiers yet he accounted of the rest of the multitude which were newly raised out of Husbandmen Cow-herds Pedees Tavern-boyes and Kitchin-boyes to be altogether raw and unserviceable And now while he thought of nothing but fighting these a trusty Messenger overtakes him and informs him that Argyle having gathered forces out of the lower parts of the Kingdom and joyned unto them such Highlanders as yet adhered unto him had come down into Logh-Aber with three thousand Foot and staid at an old Castle called Innerlogh upon the bank of Logh-Aber Montrose who well understood the crafty and cowardly disposition of Argyle by that had a good guesse at his designe which was to follow after him at a good distance that he might be first engaged with those Northern-men and then to make his own advantage of the event of that battell but by no means to fight himself if he could help it Therefore Montrose considered that it would be a matter of greater concernment and of lesse danger to let men see that Argyle was not invincible even in the Highlands where he was adored by the simple people like some great-little god and as for the Northern Army he conceived that upon the report of a Victory obtained against Argyle it would moulder away and easily be brought into order Montrose was thirty miles absent from Innerlogh neither would he go the high way thither though he placed guards in it lest the enemy should have any intelligence of his moving but streight over Logh-Aber hills in untroden paths and only known to Cowherds and Hunts-men for in those mountains there are great herds of Deer by a way that never man led an Army before and killing their Scouts was upon the back of the enemy ere he was aware They being but little affrighted with so unexpected an accident run to their arms and immediatly prepare themselves for battell When Montrose perceived them to be in a posture so quickly he stood still a little while till his Rear being tired with so hard a march could come up unto his Front It was night but the Moon shone so cleerly that it was almost as light as day all night they stood to their arms and making frequent sallies and skirmishes one with another neither gave the other leave to rest or retreat All others earnestly expected day only Argyle being more advised than the rest conveyed himself away at dead of the night and this second time taking boat saved himself from the perill of battell as if he intended to be Umpire between the two Armies
and being himself out of gun-shot stand spectatour of other mens valour and well too At the break of day Montrose ordered his men as he intended to fight and the enemy were as forward to doe the like For they did not yet think that Montrose was there as some prisoners afterwards confessed but some Collonel or Captain of his with a party only of his forces When the Sun was up on the second of February which is Candelmass day a trumpet sounding struck no small terrour into the enemy For besides that attumpet shewed they had Horse with them and therefore was a sound with which those parts were little acquainted it discovered also that Montrose himself was there Neverthelesse the prime of the Campbells that 's the sirname of Argyle's family being gallant men and stout and deserving to fight under a better Chieftain in a better cause cheerfully begin the battell But their souldiers that were in the Front having only once discharged their muskets and Montrose's men pressing on fiercely to come to the dint of sword began to run Whom they raising a great shout so eagerly pursued that as it were at one assault they routed them all and had the killing of them with a most horrible slaughter for nine miles together Of the enemy were slain fifteen hundred among whom were very many Gentlemen of the Campbells who were chief men of the family and of good account in their country who fighting but too valiantly for their Chieftain had deaths answerable to their names and fell in Campobelli in the Field of War I cannot say the bed of Honour Their fortune Montrose extremely lamented and saved as many of them as he was able taking them into his protection whiles Argyle himself being gotten into a boat and rowed a little way off the shore securely look'd on whiles his kindred and souldiers were knockt on the head Some Colonels and Captains that Argyle had brought thither out of the Low-lands fled into the Castle whom when the Castle was surrendred and quarter was given unto them Montrose used curteously and after he had done them several good offices of humanity and charity freely let them depart In this fight Montrose had many wounded but none slain saving three private souldiers but the joy of this great victory was much abated by the wounds of that truly honourable Sir Thomas Ogilby Son to the Earl of Airley of which after a few days he dyed He was one of Montrose's dearest friends one who had done very good service for the King in England under the Command of his Father-in-law the Lord Ruthien Earl of Forth and Branceforde a man known all the world over for his noble archievements Nor was he lesse a scholar than a souldier being a new ornament to the family of the Ogilbies whose honourable deaths-wounds for his King and Country had no small influence upon that days victory Montrose being very much afflicted with the losse of him causeth his body to be carried into Athole where he was interred with as sumptuous a funeral as that place and those times could afford But the power of the Campbells in the Highlands which for these many ages past hath been formidable to their neighbours was by this overthrow clearly broken to pieces and by it also a way opened unto Montrose to doe his businesse the more easily thence forward For the Highlanders being warlike men and let loose from the hated tyranny of Argyle now began to offer themselves willingly unto the Kings service CHAP. IX THe souldier who was almost spent with this sore travell having refreshed himself for a few dayes Montrose measuring over again Logh-Aber hills returneth to Logh-Nesse And from thence viewing by the way the coasts of Harrick Arne and Narne came to the river of Spey Here he is told that there was no small party of the enemy at Elgin which is the chief town of Murray a Country beyond the Spey Montrose hies towards these either to draw them to his side or to suppresse them but the very report of his advancing blew away that cloud for they in great amazement shifted for themselves every one whither he could Montrose neverthelesse goes on his march and takes in Elgin by surrender on the fourteenth day of February At which time the Lord Gordon eldest Sonne to the Marquesse of Huntley a man who can never be sufficiently commended for his excellent endowments came off openly to the Kings side from his Uncle by whom he had been detained against his will and with not many but very choise friends and clients voluntarily did his duty and offered his service to Montrose as the Kings Deputy and Vicegerent Montrose first welcomed him with all civility and gave him many thanks afterwards when he came to understand him more inwardly joyned him unto himself in the entirest bonds of friendship and affection Now because the inhabitants of Murray were extremely addicted to the Covenanters they hid themselves in their lurking places nor were any supplies to be expected from men so maliciously disposed Therfore he drew his Forces to this side the Spey to raise the Countries of Bamph and Abordeen by the presence example and authority of the Lord Gordon So having got together what forces he could in those places with two thousand Foot and two hundred Horse passing the river of Dee he came into Marne and encamped not farre from Fethercarne At Breichin some seven miles from thence Sir John Hurrey a stout man and an active and famous also in forein parts for Military exploits being General of the Horse for the Covenanters had the Command over the whole Forces there He came out with six hundred Horse to discover the strength of Montrose he conceived Montrose had but very few Foot and no Horse and if he should but descend into the plain he made account to make short work with him and howsoever it should happen he made no question but to secure himself Montrose to draw him on hid the rest of his men in a bottome and made shew only of his two hundred Horse but lined them as he used with his nimblest Musquetiers Which Horse when Hurrey saw and observed they were so few he drew up his men and charged But when he perceived too late the Foot that ran close after Montrose's Horse he sounded a retreat and Hurrey himself turning his men before him behaved himself stoutly in the rear When they turned their backs Montrose's souldiers drive on let fly and lay about them untill being got over the river of Eske the enemy scarce safe under the protection of Night betook themselves to shelter nor did they think themselves secure till after a race of four and twenty miles long they came to Dundee Then they that had pursued them so far returned to Fethercarne and thence the next day to Breichin Here Montrose understood that Baily a Commander of great account had been fetched out of England to be General of the enemies Forces that Hurrey
honour and therefore if charging couragiously they should break in amongst the thickest of the enemy no one could say but that they fell gallantly Montrose concurred with neither of these for he could never be brought to forsake so good men as he had in the extremest danger and preferred an honourable death among his souldiers before dishonourable safety But for all that for men that were so much out-numbred by them to run desperately upon the enemy and as it were to dash out their own brains against the stones was the very last refuge and not hastily to be made use of therefore as we ought not to tempt Almighty God by our own wretchlesnesse and negligence so neither ought any valiant man or good Christian despair of his assistance in a just cause Lastly he exhorts every one to do his own part and referre the successe to God and other things to his own care and industry Immediately he sends out four hundred Foot before him and commands them that as much as they possibly could without breaking their ranks they should make all speed Then he appoints two hundred of the activest men he had to follow them and he with his Horse brings up the Rear The Horse trooped on in so open order that if occasion were they might have room enough to receive light musquetiers He believed the enemies Foot were not able to overtake them and if their Horse only should charge them which they would hardly adventure to do he conceived it was no matter of extreme difficulty to make their part good against them besides the Sun was ready to set and the darknesse of the night would be commodious for their retreat The enemy understanding the number of them that went away first by some prisoners they had taken and after that by their own view assoon as they saw they were disposed rather for a journey than a battell divide their Forces into two parts and so pursue them Wherein their intention was not only to fall upon the Rear and the Flank at once but also to secure against them all passages up to the Highlands And their Commanders the more to encourage their Souldiers to a hot pursute proposed twenty thousand Crowns to any one that could bring in Montrose's head And now the Van of the enemies Horse began to cloze up unto the retreaters whereupon those good musquetiers that lined Montrose's Horse welcomed one and another and another of the forwardest of them with bullets in their sides with whose mischance the rest becoming more wary abated of the eagernesse of their pursute And Montrose's souldiers when they saw they had been too hard for the enemies Foot at a march and had got before them taking heart and courage they skirmished stoutly with their Horse untill the night parted the quarrell And to rid themselves some way of the enemy took their way East-ward many miles by the sea-coast However that was not their way but to go Northward toward Grainsbain and so to deliver themselves from their mischievous Horse But Baily had laid the greatest part of his Army between them and Grainsbain that there might be no place for them to retreat unto Therefore at the dead of the night when they were not far from Aberbroth Montrose commands his men to make a stand a while And long they stood not before he considering with himself that all wayes and passages straight into the Mountains might be laid by the enemies Horse and he was not mistaken commands them to face about and march South-west And by this art though with intolerable pains he beguiled the Pursuers whom that same night he passed by and then turning Northward by the next morning at Sunrising passed over South-Eske at a place not far from Careston Castle and from thence sent to Breichin to fetch those men which he had there with the Carriages But that had not needed for they upon the report of this expedition had provided for themselves better more timely and had taken the Mountains VVhiles he staid at Careston the Scouts brought him word on a sudden that the enemies Horse were in sight and their Foot being refresht with victualls and sleep march'd after them apace Montrose himself being now within three miles of the Mountains was not much afraid of them but his souldiers who had not slept for three dayes and two nights but had all that while been either on their march or in fight were overcome with so dead sleep that they could hardly be raised without pricks and wounds The enemy being at last entertained with a light skirmish suffered Montrose to possesse himself of the bottome of the Mountains and having done nothing to the purpose retreated from their vain pursute So he and his men came to Gleneske And this was that so much talk'd-of Expedition of Dundee infamous indeed for the mistake of the Scouts but as renowned as any for the valour constancy and undaunted resolution of the General and even admirable for the hardinesse of the Souldier in encountering all extremities with patience for threescore miles together they had been often in fight alwayes upon their march without either meat or sleep or the least refreshment Which whether forein Nations or after times will believe I cannot tell but I am sure I deliver nothing but what is most certain of mine own knowledge And truly amongst expert Souldiers and those of eminent note both in England Germany and France I have not seldome heard this Expedition of his preferred before Montrose's greatest victories CHAP. X. ANd now being safe beyond expectation Montrose bids the souldiers take their rest whiles he determines thus of the whole affair of the War He sends the Lord Gordon together with those that had continued loyal and dutifull after the revolt of his brother Lewis into their own Country both that they might recall those whom his Brother had seduced away and recruit themselves by levying new forces Which he cheerfully and couragiously performed and though he spared none yet he was most severe with those that had been authors or accessaries to his Brothers defection and he was the more active in that businesse that he might acquit himself of any suspition Nor indeed did Montrose himself or any other more detest that villany of Lewis Gordon than that noble Lord his Brother As for Montrose he with a small party for he kept but five hundred Foot and fifty Horse with him marches through Angus into Perthshire that he might distract the enemy till such time as he had made up his Army with recrutes from every side Neither was he out in his aim for the Covenanters had sent Hurrey the Lieutenant General of the Horse with a Command into the North of a party of six hundred old Foot and two hundred Horse that he might strengthen their own-side and suppresse the Lord Gordon And Baily himself staid with an Army at Perth as in the very heart of the Kingdom ready to wait upon all
the Lord Forbeses called Druminore where he staid two dayes And at last he understands the enemy had quitted the passes and was marching toward Strathbogy so he at break of day sets forth towards a village called Alford But Baily when he had gotten certain notice that Mac-donald with a considerable part of those Forces was absent in the Highlands he voluntarily pursues Montrose conceiving him to be stealing away and about noon began to face him Montrose determines to wait for the enemy who as seemed to him came towards him upon the higher ground but Baily turning aside some three miles to the left hand Montrose holds on his intended march to Alford where he staid that night the enemy lying about four miles off The next day after Montrose commands his men very early in the morning to stand to their arms and make ready to battell and placed them on a hill that stands over Alford And as he with a Troop of Horse was observing the motion and order of the enemy and viewing the fords of the Done a river which runs by Alford it was told him that the enemy Horse and Foot were making unto a ford which lay a mile from Alford to the intent that they might cut off the Rear of their flying enemy for so those excellent Diviners prophesied to their own destruction Montrose leaving that Troop of Horse not farre from the Ford together with some select and understanding men who should give him perfect intelligence of all things he returneth alone to order the battel And above all things he possesses himself of Alford hill where he might receive the charge of the enemy if they fell on desperately Behind him was a moorish place full of ditches and pits which would prevent Horse falling upon his Rear befote him was a steep hill which kept his men from the enemies view so that they could hardly perceive the formost ranks He had scarce given order for the right managing of all things when those Horse whom he had left at the Ford returned with a full cariere and bring word that the enemy had passed the River And novv it vvas no more safe for either of them to retreat vvithout the apparent ruine of their party It is reported that Baily like a skilful and vvary Commander vvas sore against his will drawn unto this battel nor had engaged had he not been necessitated unto it by the rashnesse of the Lord Balcarise a Collonel of Horse who precipitated himself and the Horse under his command into that danger whether Baily would or no as that he could not be brought off without the hazard of the whole Army Montrose gave the command of his right wing on which side the enemies Horse were most strong unto the Lord Gordon and appointed Nathaniel Gordon an old Commander to his assistance The command of the left wing was given to the Earl of Aboine to whom also was joyned Sir William Rollock And of the main battel to two valiant men Glengar and Drumond of Ball the younger unto whom he added George Graham Master of the Camp an expert Souldier also The Reserve which was altogether hid behind the hill was commanded by his Nephew Napier And for a while Montrose kept himself upon the height and the enemy in the valley being fortified with pits and ditches for it was neither safe for the latter to charge up the hill nor for the former to fall upon them that were surrounded with marshes and pooles The numbers of the Foot were in a manner even either side had about two thousand but Baily was much stronger in Horse for he had six hundred and Montrose but two hundred and fifty Only Montrose had this advantage that the enemy were for the most part hirelings raised from dunghils but those that served the King Gentlemen who fought for a good Cause and Honour gratis and not for gain and such as esteem'd it more becoming to die than to be overcome Besides Montrose knew that the greatest part of the old Souldiers were gone with Lindsey and the new ones would be so frighted with the shouts of the Armies and the noise of Trumpets that they would scarce stand the first charge Therefore in confidence of so just a cause and so valiant assertors of it he first drew down his men and immediately the Lord Gordon giving a smart charge upon them was courageously receiv'd by the enemy who trusted to the multitude of their Horse and now being clos'd and come to handy-blows no one could advance a foot but over his vanquished enemy nor retreat by reason of the pressing on of those in the Rear The first that made way for themselves and their men by a great slaughter of their enemies were the two Gordons the Lord and the Collonel and Collonel Nathaniel called out unto those expert Firelocks who now lin'd the Horse as they were wont Come on my fellow souldiers throw down your now useless guns draw your swords and sheath them in the Rebels Horse or hamstring them They instantly took the word of command and at the same time Montrose drawes up Napier with his Reserve which lay out of sight on the other side of the hill at whose sudden and unexpected coming the enemy affrighted betook himself to his heels Aboine with the left wing kept off nor did he attempt the enemy but by light skirmishes in small parties who when they saw their own men on their left wing routed and put to flight made their retreat with little losse There Foot being deserted by their Horse after they had desperately stood out a while and reâ—used quarter were almost all cut off The fall of the Lord Gordon was no little advantage to the escape of their Horse who after the battel was won rushing fiercely into the thickest of them received a shot thorow his body by the conquered and flying enemy and fell down dead Whom also Aboine did not hotly pursue being much troubled with the losse of his brother In this battel Montrose did not lose so much as one common Souldier and of Gentlemen one Culchol and one Melton whose names and families I should most willingly have inserted had I been so happy as to have knowledge of them because they died gallantly in the bed of Honour fighting for their King their Liberty and the Laws Nor are some Pedees as well Scotch as Irish to be forgotten boyes scarce fourteen yeares of age apiece who throwing down their Masters luggage and mounting upon their Nags and Sumpter-horses did not only make a fair appearance of a body of Horse but as if they had been Corrivals in valour with their Masters beyond what might be expected from their years and strength fell in among the thickest of their enemies Of whom some but very few were slain nor did they sell their lives for nothing and by that they gave an ample testimony of their towardnesse and of so manly a spirit in children as might prescribe to riper years
sent some to hasten him lest they should lose the opportunity of doing their businesse He also complained but in a soft and gentle manner as before a faithfull friend that Aboine's lingring and delay was in the fault that a brave victory by which he conceived the Rebells might have been utterly subdued had slipt out of his hands which misfortune no man doubted but his speed and diligence might have prevented The enemy when they understood that he onely cheated them with a false Muster of Horse having gotten aid from all parts and by this time over-numbring him even in Foot labour'd not onely to provoke but even compell him to-fight Whereupon he concluded to step aside a little into the neighbouring Mountains whither he knew either the enemy would not advance or if they did it would be to their losse Therefore the enemy drawing near with all their Army to Methfyn he gives a private command for the Carriages to drive fast up the hills whiles he as if he intended to fight orders the battell makes good the passes with strong guards and draws up the Horse into the Front Nor did the enemy expect any other than to try it out by battail which he made as if he would give till such time as the Carriages were got so far before that he conceiv'd them out of danger and then he commands the Army in one body at their close order to march away apace He gave charge unto such Horse as he had and his ablest Fire-locks to bring up the Rear and to secure them from the enemies Horse The enemy providing for a present charge as they expected when they saw Montrose retreating first pursued eagerly though to no purpose for he making good all passes as he went easily repulsed them and without losse of so much as one private Souldier came chearfully off into the heights and steep places that were unaccessible unto the enemies Horse and for their Foot they fear'd no assault from them It is remarkable that when Montrose's Horse were come up into the passes and the enemy knew very well they were not able to persue any further lest with all that pains they should seem to have done nothing at all they sent out three hundred of their ablest and readiest Horse to follow after them with a great shout and base language whom when Montrose saw he call'd for onely twenty active bodied men of the Highlanders that were used to hunting and very good marks-men and commanded them to check their insolence and they first of all creeping hither and thither and hiding their Guns took their aimes so well that they knockt down some of the forwardest of those men who being men of the better sort by their example made the rest more wary so that they were all contented to retreat But those good huntsmen being encouraged with their good successe as soon as they saw their enemies disorder'd came into the open plain and resolutely charged their Horse who in as much fear as Bucks or Does chased by the Hunters set spurs to their Horses and fled back to their main body as if the Devill were in them The enemy upon their retreat chose that place for their Rendezvouz from whence Montrose departed Methfyns Forest after they had done nothing worthy to be remembred in all that expedition but that when they found themselves unable to cope with men they exercised their cruelry upon women for all the wives of the Irish and Highlanders that they light of who followed the Camp for the love of their Husbans most basely and shamelesly they hew'd in pieces Montrose kept his quarters at little Dunkel both because the place was cumbersome and unpassable for Horse and lay very conveniently for receiving such aids as he dayly expected with Aboine out of the North. All which time the two spleenative Armies lying close together rather stood upon their guards than offered any affront one to the other And now at length Aboine and Collonel Nathaniel Gordon brought up their men out of the North to Dunkel men for their number indeed fewer than was expected but for their stournesse and true valour farre above their number The Horse they brought were only two hundred and some sixscore Firelocks whom they had mounted and made Dragoons other Foot they brought none Along with them came tht Earl of Airley and Sir David his Sonne with fourscore Horse most of them of the noble family of the Ogilbies amongst whom Alexander Son and heir of Sir John Ogilby of Innarwharatie was most eminent not only for the rare accomplishments of his person and the splendor of his Ancestors but for the honour of his valiant and happy atchievements much above what his age could promise Montrose being thus well recruited thought it not good to lose anytime but marched straight towards the enemy But as soon as he came to Amonde he thought it best to see in what condition the enemy was and to find out whether that was true which he had receiv'd a flying report of that was that very many of their Auxiliaries had deserted their colours and run home Therefore leaving his Foot to take their rest a little before night he fac'd the enemy with his Horse with which sight being something affrighted they kept within their trenches And next morning early Montrose riding about to discover was informed that they had stollen away at the dead of the night to Methfyn and in disorder had got over a Bridge upon the Erne He instantly causes his men to march and passing the river at a stone-bridge about six miles off lay that night in Strath-Erne CHAP. XIII FIfe is the most populous the most rich the thickest Country Towns and Villages in all Scotland Its Inhabitants are little martial consisting most of Merchants Shopkeepers Mariners and Husbandmen But so new-fangled in their Religion and so bewitched both by the example and authority of the Nobility and by the Sermons of their seditious Ministers that all of them upon the matter were extremely addicted to the Covenanters The Country it self is almost an Island being inviron'd towards the South with the Scotish Fyrth on the North with the Tay which carrieth ships of great burden all along on the East with the main Sea No entrance thither by land but on the West in the straights of which both Armies lay The whole Country was in a distraction some especially their much admired Preachers that thundered nothing but Excommunications inciting and compelling all of every estate and age to take up armes others flocking in great numbers unto them others running hither and thither to hide themselves as every one was led by his own superstition confidence or fear Montrose was very desirous to assault the enemy and try the fortune of a bâ—ttel with them before they increas'd their Forces with addition of the Fife-men but it would not be For they had so fortified themselves by the advantage of the ground and the narrowness of the passages
Forces to wheel to the left hand and to march away apace every one wondering that knew not the mystery of the businesse what should be the meaning of that change of his resolution and his intention in that sudden expedition for they marched straight to Strathgale But the matter was as they afterward gathered from the enemies themselvs he had received letters by which he had perfect notice that Montrose being attended only with five hundred Foot and those Irish and a very weak party of new-rais'd Horse might very easily be surprised on the borders of Tweed if Lesley would make use of that opportunity was offered him to do his businesse Therefore Lesley upon this intelligence made haste thither and as I said lodg'd within four miles of Selkirk That Traquaire sent those letters unto Lesley although it was the generall report I cannot certainly affirm but it cannot be denied that that same night he sent his Commands to his son the Lord Linton that he should immediately withdraw himself from the Royal party which with much joâ—lity he did This was like themselves being the ungratefullest of all men deserting their King of whom none had better deserved and staining their posterity And truly that morning being very misty gave no small advantage to the treachery of the enemy whom at last Montrose's frighted Scouts discovered to march towards him in a full body at such time as they were not above half a mile off Montrose mounting the first Horse he could light on gallops into the field appointed for the Rendezvouz that morning where he finds a great deal of noise but no order The Cavalry being little acquainted with their duty and lying already disperst in their quarters where they dream'd more of bairing their horses than maintaining their lives and honours upon the first alarm which they received from the enemies Trumpet ran disorderly up and down they knew not whither but never came in the fight Yet there were a few and those were for the most part Noble men or Knights who made all speed thither and gallantly undertook to make good the right wing and they were not above six scored â—n all Nor did the Foot who were about five hundred make a good appearance for many of them looking about their private businesses among the Carriages by that unseasonable care of saving lost themselves and all they had And which spoiled the matter which was bad enough before most of the Commanders were absent and never came in the field Besides the enemy comming on speedily left them no time for deliberation The enemy therefore who were six thousand whereof most were Horse out of England furiously charging Montrose's right wing were twice gallantly received and repulsed with no small losse Nor could they make that noble Troop give any ground or break thorow it untill at last laying along those few foot that withstood them they broke in upon the left flank where ther was no horse By this two thousand Horse whom the enemy had sent over to the other side of the river were gotten on the Rear of those noble Gentlemen who lest being hemm'd in on every side and gall'd with the enemies shot at distance they should fall for nothing and unreveng'd withdrew themselves every one the best way he could But the Foot who could have little security by flight fighting a good while stoutly and resolutely at last upon quarter ask'd and given for their lives threw down their arms and yeelded themselvs prisoners Every one of whom being naked and unarm'd without any regard to quarter given Lesley caused to be most unhumanely butcher'd The stain of which perfidious cruelty by which he hath so filthily blurr'd his honour if eany he got in forein service he shall never be abl to wipe away As for those that escaped out of the battell the enemy pursued them no further being busie in plundring the Carriages where they made a lamentable slaughter of Women Pedees and Cook-boys no pitty was shown to sex nor age they went to the pot all together The number of the slain is not easie to be given almost no Horse and very few Foot besides those that yeelded themselvs and had quarter fell in that battell which may appear by this that they were no more then five hundred in all and before the next day two hundred and fifty of them came safe to Montrose all of them with their swords by their sides so that there could not be as many more missing and very few were taken prisoners and not until their horses being tired and themselvs ignorant of the way they became a prey to the country people Whom they forgetting all the benefits and protection they had but newly received from Montrose to do the Covenanters a favour delivered up unto their cruell enemies to be made by them acceptable sacrifices to Baal-Berith the god of the Covenant For all that the Rebell conquerours missed of the Kings Standards The one of them which was carried before the Foot was preserved by an Irish souldier a stout man and of a present spirit when others were almost beside themselves who when he saw that the enemy had got the day stript it off the staff and wrapped it about his body and being oherwise naked made his way with his drawn sword through the thickest of the enemy and brought it to Montrose at night Whom he received into his Lifeguard and gave it him to carry in token of his valour and loyalty And the other of them William Hie brother to the Earl of Kinoule a hopefull young Gentleman who succeeded his Uncle by the mothers side Douglasse Son to the Earl of Morton who having receiv'd many and grievous wounds at the battell of Alford was rendred unable for that burden stript from off the staff too and carried it away with him And conveighing himself into the borders of England skulked there a while till the coast was a little clearer about Tweed and then through by-ways and night-journeys for the most part being accompanied and conducted by his faithfull friend Robert Toures a stout man and a good souldier who had been a Captain in France a good while agoe returned in the North and presented that same Royal Standard unto the General And now at last Montrose when he saw his men totally routed and put to flight which he never saw before thought of nothing more for a good space than to die honourably and not unrevenged therefore rallying about thirty Horse whom he had gathered up in that confusion he resolved by fair and honourable death to prevent his falling alive into the enemies hands And seeing he was not able to break thorow the enemies Troops who stood thick round about him he gall'd them on the Front and Rear and Flanks and of such as were so hardy as to adventure out of their ranks many he slew others he beat back But when all that he could do would not do his businesse as God would have it this
him by his presence to make more haste into the South For his design was as soon as he had joyned his forces with Areskins and Airleys and sent for Mac-donald and other Highlanders and taken up the Athole-men by the way to march in a great body straight over the Forth and so both to meet the Kings Horse and to fright the enemy upon their apprehension of an imminent danger to themselves from putting the prisoners to death For he conceived they dnrst not be so bold as to execute their malice upon men of Nobility and Eminency as long as they had an enemy in the Field and the victory was uncertain And truly they being doubtfull and solicitous what might be the successe of so great warlike preparations as they knew were in providing did deferre the execution of the prisoners Montrose upon his journey found the Lord Areskin very sick but his clients whose fidelity and valour he had sundry experiences of even in the absence of their Lord all in a readinesse if Aboine did but doe his part for they depended much upon his example and authority And now the Marquesse of Huntley after he had playd least in sight for a year and some months it is hard to say whether awaken'd with the news of so many victories obtained by Montrose and the reducing of the Kingdome or by the deceitfull influence of some bad starr was returned home An unfortunate man and unadvised who howsoever he would seeme most affectionate unto the Kings Cause and perhaps was so yet he endeavoured by a close and dishonourable envy rather to extenuate Montrose's glory than out-vie it Which seeing it was not for his credit openly to professe even before his own men who were sufficient witnesses of Montrose's admirable vertues lest by that he should discover some symptomes of a heart alienated from the King yet he gave out that for the time to come he would take upon himself the conduct of the Warr against the Rebells therefore he commanded his Tenants and advised his friends and neighbours scarce without threats to fight under no command but his own And then they replyed What shall we then answer to the Commands of the Marquesse of Montrose whom the King hath declared General Governour of the Kingdome and General of the Army He made answer That he himself would not be wanting to the Kings service but however it concerned much both his and their honour that the King and all his men should know what assistance they had given him which could not otherwise be done than by serving in a body by themselves Moreover he fell to magnifie his own power and to undervalue Montrose's to extoll unto the skies the noble Acts of his Ancestors men indeed worthy of all honour to tell them That the Gordons power had been formidable to their neighbours for many ages by-gone and was so yet That it was most unjust that the atchievements gotten with their blood and prowesse should be accounted upon another mans meaning Montrose's score but for the future he would take a course that neither the King should be defrauded of the service of the Gordons nor the Gordons of their deserved honour favour and reward All these things the simpler sort took to be spoken upon all the grounds of equity and honour in the world but as many as were understanding men and knew better the disposition of the person saw through those expressions a mind too rancorous and altogether indispos'd towards Montrose and that his aim was to fetch off as many as he could from him not only to the utter ruine of the King and Kingdom but even to his own destruction which God knows the sad event made too manifest Nor were there wanting amongst them desperate men and of good fore-sight who condemned this counsell of his as unwise unseasonable and pernicious even to himself For they considered with themselvs that he never had any design that did not miscarry either by bad play or bad luck That businesses were better carried by Montrose and it was ill to make a faction upon the poor pretence of his carrying away the honour of it For if Huntley joyned his Forces and communicated his counsels unto Montrose he should not be only able to defend himself but subdue his enemies and gain unto himself the everlasting honour of being one of the Kings Champions but if he should make a breach in that manner it would prove not only dishonourable but destructive unto him That Montrose it could not be denyed had got many and eminent victories with the assistance of the Huntleys but they had done nothing of note without him Therefore they earnestly desired him constantly to adhere unto the Kings Lieutenant which as it would be both acceptable and advantageous to the King so it would be well taken with good men and honourable to himself Nor did some of them fear to professe openly that they would yeeld their duty and service to Montrose if Huntley should stand out in his humour and they were as good as their words But he refusing the advice of his friends resolved what ever came on 't to run counter to Montrose nor did Montrose ever propose any thing though never so just or honourable or advantageous which he would not crosse or reject And if at any time Montrose condescended to his opinion which he did often and of purpose he would presently turn his mind seeming to comply with him sometimes before his face but alwayes averse unto him behind his back and indeed scarce well agreeing with his own self For all this Aboine being at that time solicited by many expresses from Montrose and the importunity of his own friends that he might be some way as good as his word met him with a considerable party at Dâ—â—minore a Castle of the Lord Forbeses He brought with him fifteen hundred Foot and three hundred Horse all cheerfulI and ready to undergo any hazard under the command of Montrose And truly assoon as ever they met Aboine freely protested he would carry those men that he had whithersoever the Lord Governour should lead him but there were many more behind which for his scantnesse of time he had not got together which his brother Lewis would bring him Montrose extolling highly his fidelity and pains turned back again almost the same way he came that taking up the Lord Areskins and the Marre Forces by the way and climbing over Grainsbaine he might fall down into Athole and Angus not doubting within a fortnight to be able to passe over the Forth with a great Army The first dayes journey Aboine and his men marched with a good will but the next night his brother Lewis whom Montrose had placed under the command of the Earl of Crawford conveighed himself homewards with a strong party of Horse making as if he meant to encounter some Troops of the enemy and carryed along with him as many souldiers as he could get upon pretence of a guard
say how great influence that mans example had upon other Northern men The Earl of Seaforth who had been but lately and with much adoe reconciled to the Kings side was conceived to begin to falter and some say that being still unsetled he had then underhand dealings for the making of his peace with the Covenanters which truly I can hardly believe And Alexander Mac-donald himself pretending I know not what although he had had often and serious invitations made nothing but sleevelesse excuses and put-offs from day to day Which carriage of his gave occasion of strange reports of him as if he although he was a bitter enemy to Argyle yet had great correspondence with and relations unto the Hamiltons and therefore staid at home and looked only upon the preservation of the Mac-donalds not medling with publique affairs Which when Montrose considered he resolved without further delay to make his progresse over all the North-country and Highlands with a considerable party to list souldiers to encourage the well-disposed to reduce those that were refractory by the severity of the Laws and condign punishment and to deal with them as men use to do with sick children make them take physick whether they will or no. And he wanted not fiting instruments to promote this desigh who had earnestly laboured with him to take that course While these things passed at Innernesse Huntley lest he should be thought never to have done any thing by his own conduct without the assistance of Montrose besieged and took in Aberdeen which Middleton kept with five hundred men but with more losse to Huntley himself than to the enemy For besides the losse of many valiant souldiers he gave his Highlanders leave to pillage the City But what fault those poor innocent Aberdeen-men had made either against the King or Huntley let them judge who know that almost all of them were eminent and observed for their loyalty But for the enemy whom he took in Armes who were both many and of very good account amongst their own party hee dismist them freely without any conditions and look'd fawningly upon them rather like a Petitioner than a Conquerour Nor when he had many Collonels Knights and others of quality who by chance were found in Aberdeen in his hands did he so much as think of exchanging any one of his own friends for them many of whom were prisoners either in Scotland or England But this was his humour being alwayes more ready to doe good for his enemies than his friends CHAP. XXI MOntrose being busie about his design on the last of May there came unto him a Herald with Commands from the King who by I know not what misfortune had cast himself upon the Scotch Covenanters Army at Newcastle wherby he was required forthwith to lay down his arms and disband and to depart into France and there to wait his Majesties further pleasure He being astonished with this unexpected message bitterly bewailed the sad condition of the King that had forced him to cast himself upon the mercy of his most deadly enemies And doubted not but that that command which was given him for disbanding was extorted from him by the craft or force or threats of the Rebels into whose hands he had fallen But what should he do in that case If he obeyed he must give over the estates of his friends to plunder and their lives to death and if he stood in arms against the Kings command he should be guilty of that crime he undertook to scourge in others Rebellion And especially he was afraid lest the Rebells should put his actions upon the Kings account and use him the worse for them seeing they had him in their power of which the King had given him a fair hint in his Letter Therefore Montrose resolved to call together all the Noblemen and Chiefs of Septs and Knights and others of quality that were of his side that a matter of that consequence which concern'd them all might be discust by general consent To which end after he had received so many injuries from him he dispatcheth Sir John Hurrey Sir John Innes being men of greatest account in his Army and as he conceived most in Huntleys favour unto him to desire him to be present at that so serious Consultation and deferr'd unto him the appointment of the time and place And to tell him moreover that Montrose was willing to come to his Castle if he thought fit Huntley answer'd That the King had sent him Letters also to the same effect which he was resolved to obey that the Kings commands were of that nature as not to admit of second thoughts and after them nothing was left for consultation When they replyed that that likely was Montroses opinion too and that he was as ready as any other to give obedience to the Kings Commands if they were not forced however it concern'd them all to provide in time for the safety of them and theirs And that the credit and authority of what they resolved upon would be greater even in the opinion of the enemies themselvs if they made a joynt and unanimous resolution He made no other answer than that he had resolved for himself and would have nothing to do with any body else Montrose therefore sends his answer to the King by Letters wherin he was very inquisitive of the condition he was in amongst the Covenanters and whether he conceiv'd himself safe in their hands and also whether his service could be beneficial unto him any further And if he was fully determin'd to have that Army disbanded which fought for him whiles the enemy in both Kingdomes were in a military posture and crow'd over them more and more what course should be taken for the security of the lives and fortunes of his most gallant and faithfull Subjects who had spent their blood and all that was dear unto them for his sake For it was a lamentable case if so excellnet men should be left to the mercy of them that had none not only to be undone but to be murthered To this he received no open answer besides some Articles which the messenger brought which were signed by the Rebells with which Montrose was to be content But he in great anger rejected those conditions which the enemy had made being so unconscionable as they were and not vouchsafing so much as to treat with the enemy sent back the bearer to the King professing that as he had not taken arms up but by the King Commission so he would have no condition prescribed him to lay them down by any mortal man but the Kings himself Therefore he humbly besought the King if he thought it fit that he should disband his Army that he would not think much to make and signe the conditions himself to which though they prov'd perhaps very harsh he promised absolutely to submit but he scorn'd the commands of any one else whosoever they were The messenger returning at last brought with him
Articles signed by the Kings hand with Injunctions now the third time wherein he was required to disband without further delay and the same messenger charged him in the Kings name under pain of high Treason to give obedience forthwith to the Kings Command And besides his Majesties pleasure there was another thing which hastened him which was that those that had engaged with him had most of them privately and by their friends laboured to make their peace with the Rebels which was evidently known by good tokens of the Earl of Seaforth and others As for Huntley and Aboine they did not only professe themselvs open enemies to Montrose but also threatned to fall upon him by force of arms if he did not immediately submit to the Kings authority And Antrim being newly arrived out of Ireland in the Highlands without either men or arms busied himself to draw away all the Highlanders as his kindred allies to himself from Montrose's Army whom in scorn he call'd the Governour of the Low-lands making by this means an unseasonable fraction and a pernitious one to his friends in those parts All which Montrose having well considered he was forced according to the Kings command to disband his Army And truly that was a most sad day in which having sollemnly prais'd and encourag'd his souldiers as well as the occasion permitted he took his leave of them For althuogh he bid them to be of good comfort however and told them he saw some day-light of a blessed peace and that he did as much service to the King by his present submission as he had done before by his Martial atchievements Yet notwithstanding they all conceiv'd that that was the last day of the Kings authority in Scotland and all of them beleeved for certain that those Commands from the King were wrested from him upon the apprehension of greater dangers to his person if he had not given them And although some provision had been made by Articles in writing for their Indemnity yet they had raher have undergone the worst that could fall than survive idle and unserviceable spectators of the miserable dition of their dearest King And it was no little vexconation to those generous spirits to think what an unworthy opinion forein Nations and their own posterity must needs have of them as if the Scotish Nation had been unanimously guilty of Rebellion and desertion of so good a King Besides their sorow was much augmented with the consideration that their General who was most valiant most successfull and therefore most beloved should be taken off so unhappily from the King from his Country from themselvs and all good men So that his souldiers falling down at his feet entreated him with tears in their eyes that seeing the safety of the Kings person depended so much upon it and he must of necessity depart the Kingdome he would be pleased to take them along with him into what part of the world soever he went Professing their readinesse to live and fight any where under his command and if God would have it so to die too And truly many of them were resolved though to the certain hazard of their lives and estates to follow him even against his will and knowledge and to offer him that service in an unknown land that they were able to afford him no longer in their miserable Country By the Articles to which the King had consented according to the desires of the Covenanters it was especially provided that Montrose should depart Scotland before the first of September and that they should find him shipping with provision and all things necessary when he went These things were transacted the first of August and a Port in Angus designed for Monrose whither they were to send shipping from whence 〈◊〉 was to imbark And Montrose to prevent and remove all occasions of exception or suspition being accompanied only with his own servants and a very few friends betook himself thither and waited for the shipping About this time his most implacable enemies set abroad crafty and feigned reports by their fit instruments wherein they confidently averted that the States of the Kingdome as they call'd themselvs would by no means suffer that so gallant a Subject should be banished the Country For they knew not how great need they might have of a man of his worth especially if the King who had cast himself freely upon the affections of the Scots could not get any right of the English but should be put to seek it by force and arms and if it came to that no age had afforded a better General than Montrose And truly that was the earnest desire and expectation of most men who were not able to dive into the bottome of the Rebells plots but they had far other designs in hand and another game to play For what their thoughts were towards the King the sad event made too manifest and for Montrose they laid very unconscionable and unworthy traps to catch him For they did this that if they could flatter him up with such vain hopes and entice him to stay in the Kingdome beyond his time appointed they might take hold of him upon the Articles and cut him off with more credit August was almost spent and no news at all was to be had about the shipping or safe conduct therefore Montrose although he was resolved to be gon by the day the King had limited that he might more fully grope the intentions of the Covenanters gave leave to some of his friends to deal with them for further time But when they brought him nought but uncertain and doubtfull answers he had reason to think they intended nothing but to delude and intrap him Besides which made his suspition so much the greater there came a ship upon the very last day allowed for his stay to wit on the last of August into the haven of Montrose The master of it was not only a stranger to him but a most rude and violent abettor of the Rebells the Seamen and Souldiers men of the same temper malicious dogged and ill-condition'd the ship it self neither victualled not fit to go to Sea So that when Montrose shew'd himself ready to depart and bad them hoise their sailes assoon as they could the Master of the ship told him that he must have some dayes allowed him to pitch and rigge his ship before he durst adventure himself to the wind and waves And then making great brags of himself and his ship he drew forth a Commission which the Covenanters had given him wherein he was required to transport the passengers to certain places assigned by themselvs and to carry no body else Moreover there lay great English ships and men of War every day in sight about the mouth of the river Eske which makes the haven of Montrose attending there in favour of the Rebells for their much-desired booty that by no means he might escape their hands But Montrose had sufficient notice of their treacheries
and wanted not some friends of the Covenanters themselvs who informed him by frequent messages that the Sea was sore pester'd with the English Navy and he could not escape safely either into France or the Low-Conntries that the haven was upon the matter block'd up in which he was to take shipping and therefore it was very perillous for him to go to Sea that his enemies look'd for nothing else than that either by making too long stay in his own Country he should sall into the hands of the Scotish Covenanters or by going should be surprised unarm'd and unawares by the English Rebells Montrose's friends that were with him were of opinion that it was best for him in so apparent a danger to return into the Highlands and draw his men together again conceiving that he had better trust the fortune of War than so perfidious a peace But he forbore to take that course especially because of his most ardent affection to the King For he was assured if the War brake forth again it would be laid upon the King though undeservedly and so he should bring his Person into present danger perhaps as much as his life was worth Therefore being straightned on every side one way with treachery plotted against his own another against the Kings anointed head he determined with an unalterable resolution to bear all the burden upon his own shoulders And therefore he withdrew himself not out of rashnesse as if he despair'd of safety at the worst but out of sage and discreet deliberation For when he had smelt out the plots of the Rebels before-hand he had sent some a good while ago to search diligently the havens in the North and if they chanced to find any outlandish vessell to agree with the Master for the fraught and to appoint him to be ready to put to sea at such a day and to transport the passengers which should be ready with him by the help of God into Norway By good fortune there was found in the haven of Stanhyve a small bark of Bergen in Norway and the Master was soon agreed with for he was very glad of the opportunity having hopes of getting Thithet Montrose sent away Sir John Hurrey John Drummond of Ball Henery Graham his brother John Spotswood nephew to that great Sir Robert John Lilly a Captain of approved skill and coruage Patrick Melvin such another George Wise heart Doctor of Divinity David Gutherey a stout young Gentleman Pardus Lasound a French-man once a servant to the noble Lord Gordon afterwards entertained for his Masters sake by Montrose himself one Rodolph a German an honest and trusty young man and a few servants more And these he had pick'd out to carry along with him whithersoever he went for this reason especially because he knew the Rebels to be so maliciously bent against most of them that they could not be safe for never so little a while in that Country And they on the third of September having a good wind put forth to Sea for Norway and the same evening Montrose himself accompanied only with one James Wood a worthy Preacher by a small cock-boat got into a bark which lay at anchor without the haven of Montrose and being clad in a coarse suit the Lord and Patron passed for his Chaplains servant This was in the year of our Lord 1646. and the 34. year of his age FINIS The Continuation of Montrose's Historie IT is not our purpose in this addition to the Historie of the famous Marquesse to deliver his several Negotiations with forein Princes further than in the general For howsoever they were in order to the Cause he had in hand and did add a great deal of lustre and splendour to his worth in the eyes of strangers who were indifferent in the case As likewise it must be confessed that no subject of that Kingdome ever received higher favours abroad or procur'd greater respect to the addresses made in his Masters name Yet these things being but obscurely known in the Tenour of them except only to those that were employ'd and indeed not so proper for our intention in this brief narration which is to satisfie the curiosity of all in the manner of his last entrie his defeat death and buriall if it may be so call'd Things for ought I know as yet set down in no certain relation We shall therefore setting aside his Forein endeavours bring him upon the same stage where his Tragedie had both its beginning and ending Only that you may have a more lively representation of his personal vertues we shall give you to understand in what high estimation the Marquesse was with Forein Princes as well as with those of England and Scotland and point at those honours which did seem to court his magnanimitie beyond Seas In France with the general consent of the Princes of the blood and the rest of the Nobility he was design'd Chaptain General of all the strangers in that Kingdome A trust which those know that are acquainted with the Warrs of France of very high consequence for in them consists the whole strength of the Kingdome But this advancement of the Marquesses was by Cardinall Mazarine crossed or delayd who was alwayes a professed enemy to Scots in that Kingdome From thence he took his journey to Holland where the Prince then was in pursute of his former intentions but there he met with as great crosses and impediments as he had done in the bowels of his own Country Duke Hamilton who was his irreconcilable enemy was now his competitor and being then at the Hague labour'd by all means possible to undermine or prevent the Marquesses designs With him were the Earl of Lautherdale and the Earl of Calender men both of eminent parts whom the Duke by several engagements had made firm to his purposes They were both very earnest for a Commission The Duke having interest in the Prince by blood could not think that any in that trust could justly be preferred before him alleging likewise that he might be more able to perform any design in that Kingdome his kindred and allies and those of his Name being very powerfull and in the very heart of the kingdome Whereas Montrose's souldiers whom he trusted most and employed in his former action were either kill'd or dispersed And those whom he had left so terrified and squeezed in their estates that they were utterly unable to help him On the other part the Marquesses fidelity pleaded much for him his notable atchievements his poor and slender beginnings which made him so much the more capable for that undertaking it being requisite the Prince should employ such an instrument as the case then stood being destitute of all means to help him The Prince who knew how needfull it was to reconcile two such eminent Persons who being joyn'd might draw the greatest part of that kingdome after them fayling of which either of them was sure to oppose the other that should be employd made it
fewnesse of his number and that his souldiers were much undisciplin'd and unlike to the former with whom he had done so great things began to be averse and have a suspicion of the event Yet have I heard some say which knew well enough the situation of that Country that if he had not been oppressed in the nick he might have gain'd such strengths amongst the hills as might have given him leisure enough to have strengthned his own party and tyred out the enemy Howsoever he was not altogether unmindfull of a retreat there is in that Country a Castle call'd Dumbath the Lord or Laird thereof is the head of a very antient Family but no friend of the Marquesses This Gentleman having left his house in the keeping of his Lady and some servants â—ed to Edinburgh The Lady though the place were naturally fortified yet upon summons delivered it to Colonel Hurry who was sent thither by the Marquess with a party of Foot to reduce it upon condition her goods and estate might be secur'd and she with her servants suffer'd to march away Hurrey having plac'd a Governour and a Garrison as he thought sufficient for the defence of the place return'd to the Marquess who was now advanc'd to the place or neer it where he was to lose at one throw both his life and fortune The Marquesse hearing of the enemies approach made his whole Forces march at a great trot to recover a passe which they were not very far from when he himself in the vanguard discover'd the first party which was Straughans Forlorn hope advancing very fast upon him So that these with their haste and the souldiers running found them both out of breath and order The second Party was commanded by Straughan himself and the Rear-guard as I remember by Colonel Ker for he had divided them in three bodies But now the first party being very near there was a Forlorn hope of a hundred Foot drawn out to meet them who giving fire upon them put them to a disorderly retreat but being immediately seconded by Straughans party they made good their charge and so terrified the Islanders with that breach that most of them threw down their Arms and called for quarter Only the Dutch Companies after they had bestowed a volley or two amongst the Horse retreated into some shrubbs hard by and there very valiantly defended themselvs awhile but were all taken at last There were kill'd in this business to the number of two hundred twelve hundred taken very few escaped For the whole Country being in Arms especially Sunderlands men who came not to the fight but to the execution they kill'd or took Prisoners all such as fled In that skirmish was taken the Standard which he had caus'd to be made of purpose to move the affections of the people with this Motto Judge and revenge my cause O Lord and the portraict of the late King beheaded exactly well done The Standard-bearer a very gallant young Gentleman was kill'd after he had several times refused quarter There was Colonel Hurrey taken the Lord Frenderick Sir Francis Hay of Dalgetie Colonel Hay of Naughton Colonel Gray and most of the Officers and two Ministers The Marquess after he saw the day was absolutely lost threw away his cloak which had the Star on it having receiv'd the order of the Garter a little while before his Sword was likewise found and not very far off his horse which he had forsaken For so soon as he had got clear off that ground where the skirmish was he betook himself to foot and lighting upon one of that Country or one of his own souldiers I know not whether took his Highland apparel from him and so in that habit conveighed himself away But such narrow search being made for him he could not long escape yet he continued in the open fields three or four days without any notice gotten of him At last the Lord of Aston being in arms with some of his Tenants aboard in that search happned on him He had been one of his followers before In that place he had continued three or four dayes without meat or drink with one only man in his company The Marquesse knowing him and believing to find friendship at his hands willingly discover'd himself But Aston not daring to conceal him and being greedy of the reward which was promised to the apprehender by the Councel of State seiz'd upon him and disarm'd him 't is said he profered great summs for his liberty which being in vain he desired to dye by the hands of those who took him rather than be made an object of misery and shame as he knew very well he should by his enraged enemies But neither of his desires was granted but in place of them a strong guard set over him and so conveyed to David Lesley Sraughan having atchieved his business with great expedition and freed the State from this much-fear'd danger returned to Edinburgh leaving the rest of the businesse to Lesley and Holborn where he receiv'd great rewards and thanks for his eminent service not without the great heart-burning of David Lesley who seeing a rivall risen up to his honour and one whom he lookt upon as an upstart souldier have so great successe fretted not a little Howsoever forwards he moves to accomplish the rest of the work which was now of no great consequence for there rested nothing within the Country but only the Castle of Dumbath which being out of all hopes of relief after the defeat so soon as they were perfectly assur'd by some Prisoners whom they knew yielded the Garrison The Governour was Prisoner at mercy The souldiers being Dutch were upon terms to return homewards There was nothing else to be done save the reducing of the Islands and the town of Kirkwall in Orkney where Colonel Johnson and Colonel Harry Graham were left when the Marquesse pass'd over to Cathanes but Montrose either because he could not spare any souldiers or because he expected better successe had left them almost naked though there were several places in those Isles which might have been made very renable Colonel Johnson having understoost of the defeat with those that were with him took shipping and returned from whence he came so did Harry Graham likewise else both of them had casted of the same sawce which their General did Thus Lesteys Forces entred without any resistance seiz'd upon the Arms which Montrose had brought thither together with two pieces of Ordnance The Queen of Sweden had given him a little Friggot of sixteen Guns which lay in the Harbour the Master of which being gone ashore into one of the Islands the Company seeing the event of the businesse revolted and brought in that likewise The victorie being now compleat there was a solemn day of thanksgiving appointed through the whole Kingdome Bonfires shooting of Ordnance and other testimonies of joy But many of the Gentry who had been under his command before having now engaged
them about his neck saying Thongh it hath pleased His Sacred Majesty that now is to make him one of the Knights of the most Honourable Order of the Garter yet he did not think himself more Honoured by the Garter than by that cord with the Books which he would embrace about his neck with as much joy and content as ever he did the Garter or a chain of gold and therefore desired them to be tied unto him as they pleased When this was done and his ams tyed he asked the Officers If they had any more Dishonour as they conceived it to put upon him he was ready to accept it And so with an undaunted Courage and Gravitie suffered according to the Sentence past upon him THe death of the noble Marquesse was not bewailed as a private losse but rather as a publique calamitie The greatest Princes in Europe expressed no small sorrow for his unhappy end And indeed we have not had in this latter Age a man of more eminent parts either of body or of mind He was a man not very tall nor much exceeding a middle stature but of exceeding strong composition of body and incredible force with excellent proportion and feature Dark brown hayr'd sanguine complexion a swift and peircing gray eye with a high nose somewhat like the antient signe of the Persian Kings Magnamity He was of a most resolute and undaunted spirit which began to appear in him to the wonder and expectation of all men even in his childhood Whom would it not have startled to attempt as he did at his first entry into Scotland a journey wherein he could not almost escape discovery all passes being so laid for him but even when he was known and almost made publike he proceeded in his intention He was a man of a very Princely courage and excellent addresses which made him for the most part be us'd by all Princes with extraordinary familiarity A compleat Horseman and had a singular grace in riding Nor is it lesse wonderful how in so great scarcity of all things when warre in that Country is but tedious with the greatest plenty it can afford he could patiently endure so much distresse Nor is it lesse to be wondred at how he could win so much upon those Irish who had no tie to him either of Country Language or Religion as he did More especially when they wanted not all manner of temptation that either their own miseries and intollerable duty could suggest or the wit and sagacity of the enemy could invent to make them leave him and abandon the service Besides the many examples shown upon them and their continual want of Pay either of which accidents in an Army is ground enough and has been many times the occasion of mutiny and desertion Nor had he only an excellent and mature judgement for providing and forecasting of businesse but a prompt and ready spirit likewise in matters of present danger and sudden calamity and these things which might have confused another another mans understanding as such sudden chances often doe were a whetting to his wit There are many stratagems in several Histories related which in the heat of action have been put in practice for the regaining of a day already lost or in danger to be so As that of Jugurtha a politick and valiant Prince who in the heat of a battel betwixt him and Marius the Roman Consul rode up and down in the head of the Army showing his bloody sword and affirming that he had slain Marius with his own hand which word did so encourage the Numidians and amaze the Romans that had not Marius in time appeared that day had been in hazard It is likewise reported of one of the Roman Captains that he flung his Standard amongst the middle of the enemie that his own Souldiers by pressing forward to rescue it might break and disorder the enemy Likewise of another that took the bridles off the horse-heads that every man might be a like valiant and charge as we say without fear or wit But beyond all these in my opinion was that device of the Marquesses who at Alderne being in a great straight one wing of his Army being routed and the other in a very staggering condition he did so incense that which was yet whole with the feigned success of the other that they valiantly charged the enemy and put the businesse again into an even ballance And very like was it to that device of Tullus Hostilius who being deserted by Metius King of the Albans told his souldiers he had don 't of purpose to try them and by that means turned their fear into indignation He was exceeding constant and loving to those that did adhere to him and to those he knew very affable though his carriage which indeed was not ordinary did make him seem proud Nor can his enemies lay any greater fault to his charge than his insatiable desire of honour which he did pursue with as handsome and heroick actions as ever any did and such as had neither admixtion of avarice or self-ends though he was therewith by some most unworthily branded For these and the like vertues of which he was the rich possessour he was lamented all Christendom over by all sorts of men since his death too by those who had the greatest hand in 't though their successe at that time did animate their cruelty Nescia mens hominum fati sortisque futureae Et servare modum rebus sublata secundis The Speech of Collonel William Sybbald intended by him to have been spoken on the Scaffold at the time of his Execution at Edinborough Jan. 7. 1650. but hearing that Liberty would not be given him to speak so freely he gave a Copie of it to a special friend GEntlemen I am brought this day to this place to pay a debt to Nature before it be due and by the malice and cruelty of my mercylesse enemies I am sentenced to dye as a Traytor to my Country for endeavouring to do service for my King on whose happinesse and wel-fare does depend the wel-fare of these Kingdoms and to whom I am bound both by the Law of God and man to perform all faithful and loyal service And as the cause for which I suffer proclames my loyalty so their Sentence does declare to all the world their disloyalty and their intentions against the King Their self-guiltinesse makes cowardly spirits cruel and such was their proceedings against me as that I could not obtain an Advocate to plead for me nor any man skilful in the Laws either to advise with me or to write my Defence though they knew me to be ignorant of the Laws Thus is my innocencie and integrity betrayed partly by their malice and my own ignorance The truth is they did profer to do me any courtesie or favour if I would make an ingenuous confession that is accuse some Noblemen and Gentlemen of keeping correspondency with his Majesty or with the Marquesse of Montrose
which if I had done I deserved to have been branded with perpetual infamy for I never knew any man in this Kingdome that did keep correspondency with them neither had I Commission from his Majesty or the Marquesse of Montrose to treat with any I did indeed speak with some Noblemen and Gentlemen because I was formerly obliged unto them for their love to me and did expect from them some small assistance to furnish me in my journey but I never spake with them concerning the publike Affairs no further than the weekly Gazets made known to all the world if these great Fish could have been taken in our Statesmens Nets it might have been that such a Minim as I should have escaped the Bayliff of the Fish-markets hand this day I have been from my youth a Souldier and though that Calling in it self be honourable yet men in that Calling have greater occasions and provocations to sin than in any private Calling Besides naturally my youth led me to some abominable sins and custom in them did for many years detain me captive unto them so that I cannot but confesse that to me appertaineth shame and confusion in this life and damnation of soul and body eternally in Hell fire if God should deal with me according to my desert my comfort is that the blood of my Saviour cries lowder in his ears for mercy than my sins doe for vengeance and that he who hath promised a free pardon and remission unto all penitent sinners through faith in Jesus Christ will purge and cleanse my Soul from all uncleanesse and deliver me from all blood-guiltinesse by the blood of his Son our Saviour The true sorrow that I find in my Soul for my former sins and that godly resolution and stedfast purpose I have to lead a new life if it please God to continue it together with the joy the patience and the courage I have to suffer gives me some assurance of this blessed hope that through faith in Christ Jesus my Saviour my penitent Soul though sinful shall be saved And as for my Religion I die as I lived a true Protestant this Religion I thank God as it preserved me from Popish Superstition so it kept me from being seduced by the Novelties of the times and from being deluded with the wicked Doctrine which is now taught by the Reformers of the Kirk It was this Religion which did keep my hand from your Covenant of which in the space of some five years you gave two interpretations quite contradictory for in the year 1639. the Assembly did affirm as appears by our Acts of Parliament and Assembly that in all causes whatsoever you were to defend and maintain the person and dignity of your King but in the year 1644. you limit your obedience to your King to your Religion Laws and Liberty and make your selves in all differences between the King and you both Judge and Party The Religion in which I was bred taught me to give both to God and my King their due it taught me to honour and worship God and to expect Salvation through Christ and to live soberly and to deal justly with all men I ever hated that Religion which made Saints or Angels sharers with God in his worship or men partakers with my Redeemer in the work of my Redemption or that made our Christian liberty a cloak of maliciousnesse and though naturally I inclined to evill and wicked company drew me to most hainous and filthy sins yet I thank God I hated that Religion that taught impiety and wickednesse Rebellion Murther and Injustice or that approved the killing of Kings and their loyal Subjects for their loyalty as having its original rather from the Devill who was a murtherer from the beginning than from God and I did ever esteem it more aggreable to mans sinfull and corrupted nature than to Gods holy Word I have heard a learned man say that it were better to deny God to be than to believe him to be such an one who delights in the bloody sacrifices of men and women or to think that he is such an one who delights in cruelty and murther the God whom we serve and worship is the Savior of the world the peserver of man the Redeemer of Man-kind the avenger of his blood I have been taught from Gods word that he hath no pleasure in wickednesse neither shall any evil dwell with him undoubtedly such bloody Sacrifices cannot be pleasing or acceptable to him for they are repugnant to his nature and contradictory to the Justice and equity of his holy Law It is my greatest grief at this time I did not walk according to the purity of my Religion and the holinesse of God who hath called us to the knowledge of his truth Therefore let me entreat you to pray unto God with me and for me that he would be pleased to pardon my many and great sins that he would purge my soul with the blood of his Son from the guilt and pollution of all my sins that I may be presented unto my heavenly Father without spot or wrinkle holy without blemish that he would receive me through the merits of my Saviour into everlasting peace and into the glorious estate of his chosen Saints in heaven O Lord into thy hands I commend my soul Lord Jesu receive my spirit O merciful Father forgive my Enemies and lay not this sin to their charge Amen FINIS Upon the Death of King Charls the First GReat Good and Just could I but Rate My Griefs and Thy too Rigid fate I 'de weep the world to such a strain As it should Deluge once again But Since Thy loud-tongu'd blood demands supplys More from Briareus Hands than Argus eys I le sing Thy Obsequies with trumpet Sounds And write Thy Epitaph with Blood and Wounds MONTROSE Written with the point of his Sword