Parliament which the Covenanters had not without solemnity and oftentation summoned at Saint Johns-town Nor did any thing hinder him but want of Horse of which alwayes he had such scarcitie that it was never or very seldome sase for him to fall down into the plain Country But because he daily expected Aboine and Airley to come unto him with a considerable party of Horse he passed over the Tay at Dunkeldon and lying neer Amunde struck no small terrour into the enemy who held Saint Johnstown and from thence approaching neerer unto them he encamped in Methfyn Forrest The enemies Foot all but the garrison souldiers in the Town lay on the South of the river Erne The Horse which were designed for the guard of the Town and Parliament assoon as they discovered Montrose's Scouts bring in a hot alarm that he was there and come already close to the gates and no question but he meant presently to scale the walls and make an assault upon the Town therefore they were earnest with the Nobility and the whole Parliament to secure themselves by a speedy flight when all this while Montrose had scarce a hundred Horse and they were four hundred But he the next day the more to encrease their terrour drew neerer unto the Town with those Horse he had and about the same number of ready Fire-locks whom he mounted upon pack-horses and set out his men in their view so much to his advantage that they appeared a considerable body of Horse And because the enemy kept themselves within the gates forthwith turning towards Duplen he diligently view'd this side of the River Erne and all that coast as if he had Horse enough to keep all that Country in subjection And truly thus much he got by it that the enemy took him to be exceeding strong as well in Horse as Foot Therefore they draw together as many Forces from all sides as they could make whom they intended to fight with Montrose if he should offer to passe over the Forth But he finding it not safe for himself neither to descend into the champain Country they both kept their stations for many dayes the enemie expecting Auxiliaries out of Fife and the Country on this side the Forth and out of the West and Montrose looking for the like out of the North. And waiting impatiently for Aboine who was too slow with his men he 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 only 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 neer with all their Army to Methsyn 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 battell which he made as if he would give till such time as the Carriages were got so farre 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 hee 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 cheerfully oft into the heights and sleep 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 unto the passes and the enemy knew very well they were not able to pursue 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 only 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 aims 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 success assoon 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 Hunters set sputs to their Horses 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 Methfyn Forrest 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 cruelty upon women for all the wives of the Irish and Highlanders that they light of who followed the Camp for the love of their husbands most basely and shamelesly they hew'd in pieces Montrose kept his quarters at little Dunkeldon both because the place was cumbersome and unpassable for Horse and lay very conveniently for receiving such aids as he daily 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 Nathaniell Gordon brought up their men out of the North to Dunkeldon men for their number indeed fewer than was expected but for their stoutness 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 the Earle of Airley and Sir David his Son with fourscore Horse most of them of the noble family of the Oglebyes amongst whom Alexander Son and heir of Sir John Ogleby of Innarcarit was most eminent not only for the rare accomplishments of his person and the
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 Therefore he drew his Forces to this side the Spey to raise the Countries of Bamph and Aberdene 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 Maâ—â—e and encamped not far from Fettercarne At Brechin some seven miles from thence Sir John Hurrey a stout man and an active and famous also in forein parts for Military exploits being Generall 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 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 Musketiers Which Horse when Hurrey saw and observed they were so few he drâ—w 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 Brechin Here Montrose understood that Baily a Commander of great account had been fetched out of England to be Generall of the enemies Forces that Hurrey 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 hem'd in with their Horse in which their chief strength lay he chooseth 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 design 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 theâ— battell But they intended nothing lesse then to try it our with him that way nor would adventure so much as â—ut to â—all upon the rear of Montrose as he maâ—â—ned off So he went to the Castle of Innercarity 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 sight 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 dayes neither the enemy endevouring 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 Dunkeldon 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 Huntly who had born arms against Montrose in the battell of Aberdene by the mediation of his noble brother the Lord Gordon had been received into favour He either by true or counterfeit Letters fâ—om the old fox in the hoâ—e his father tempted and carried away with him almost all the Gordons without the knowledge of his bâ—other 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 fore 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 thaâ— 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 a much as any other towardâ— the Râ—bellion was kept by no other garrison but of the Townsmen He therefore commanded the weakest and worst armed mâ—n to goe along by the bottome of the hills and to meet him at Brechin 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 Dunkelden 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 Aprill He summons the Townsmen to deliver the Town to the King which was the only way to preserve their own lives and itâ— safety if they woâ—ld not they must expect fire and sword They began to make delayes and first to give no answer at all afterward to câ—mmit the Trumpet to prison Which affront provoked Montrose so highly that he stormed the Town in three places at once The Townsmen stood out a while and maintained 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 pâ—ssessing themselves of thâ—ir ordnance turned it against the Town others beat open the gates and possesse themselves of the Church and
that stood upon the height which shadowed the neighbouring valley and some little hâ—lls that were higher than the Town behind it that hindered the discovery of any one till they were just upon him In this valley he drawes up his Forces out of the view of the enemy Before the Town he places a few but expert and choice Foot with his Ordnance who were sheltered with such ditches as they found there The right wing he commits to Alexander Mac-donell with four hundred Foot and lodged them in places fortified to their hand with banks and ditches with shrubs also and great stones and commands him to preserve himself entire that he might be a reserve upon all occasions and not to depart from his station which had so good a naturall fence that they might lie there safe enough not only from the enemies Horse but Foot also And with the same good advice he committed to his charge that notable Standard of the Kings which only he was wont to carry before him expecting that the enemy upon the sight of that would order the best of their Forces against that wing which by reason of the disadvantage of the place would be rendred wholly unusefull unto them till such time as he on the flank should take his best advantage against them And to that end drawing the rest of his Forces to the other side he commends the Horse to the Lord Gordon and takes charge of the Foot himself Those few that stood before the Town under the shelter and covert of the banks and ditches seemed as if they were his main battel wheras indeed he had none And for reserves in that scarcity of men they were not to be thought of The enemy as Montrose most wisely foresaw assoon as they saw the Kings Standard ordered the most part of their Horse and old Souldiers wherein their chief strength consisted against that And by this time the Van of the enemy began to dispute it with those before the town and on the right flank and still as their Souldiers were spent drew up fresh men which Montrose because his number was but few could not so easily doe therefore he resolved with all his men that he had on the left flank to make a violent assault upon the enemy at once And whiles he was thinking so to doe there comes unto him one whom he knew to be trusty and discreet and whispers him in the ear that Mac-donell with his men on the right flank were put to flight He being a man of a quick spirit thought it was best to forestall the Souldiers lest their hearts should fail them upon bad news and crys aloud to the Lord Gordon My Lord what doe we doe Mac-donell upon the right hand having routed and discomfited the enemy is upon the execution shall we stand by as idle spectatours whiles he carries away the honour of the day And with that he commands them to charge Hurrey's Horse had no mind long to endure the shock of the Gordons but wheeling about and beginning to run left their flanks which they were to maintain open to their enemies Their Foot although thus deserted by their Horse being both more in number and better armed than Montrose's men stood out very stoutly as long as his men kept aloof but assoon as he came to fall upon them hand to hand he drove them to throw away their arms and to seek though to little purpose to save themselves by their heels But Montrose himself not forgetting what was signified unto him by so faithfull a messenger drew off with a few of his readiest men unto the right flank where he found things in a far other condition than they were left For Mac-donell being a valiant man but better at his hands than head being over-hasty in battel and bold even to rashness disdaining to shelter himself behind hedges and shrubs whiles the enemy vapoured and provoked him with ill language contrary to orders upon his own head advanceth towards the enemy out of that most defencible fastness and station wherein he was placed And he did it to his cost for the enemy over-powring him both in Horse and Foot and having many old souldiers amongst them routed and repulsed his men And certainly if he had not timely drawn them off into a close hard by they had every one of them together with the Kings Standard been lost But he made amends for that rash mistake in his admirable courage in bringing off his men for he was the last man that came off and covering his body with a great target which he carried in his left hand defended himself against the thickest of his enemies Those that came closest up unto him were Pike-men who with many a blow had struck their spear-heads into his target which he cut off by three or four at once with his sword which he managed with his right hand And those that made him any opposition in the close seeing Montrose come in to his aid and their own men on the other side put to flight such as were Horse spur'd away and the Foot most of which were old Souldiers out of Ireland fighting desperately were almost all of them slain upon the ground The Conquerors pursued them that fled for some miles so that there were slain about three thousand Foot of the enemy amongst whom their old souldiers fought most stoutly but almost all their Horse escaped by a more timely than honourable flight Nor had Hurrey himself with some of their best men which went last off the field escaped the hands of the pursuers had not the Earl of Aboine by I know not what want of heed displayed some Ensigns and Standards that had been taken from the enemy and himself not following the chase but turning towards his own party seemed to have been the enemy and to threaten a new battell With which mistake they were so long deluded untill the enemies Horse though much disordered had shifted themselves away into such by-paths as they knew or could light upon only a few of them came with Hurrey before next morning to Innernesse Of such of the enemy as were slain the most notable were Cambell Laver a Collonel of old Souldiers Sir John and Sir Gideon Murray Knights and other stout men and perhaps not unworthy to be lamented had they not stained their otherwise commendable valour with the horrid crime of Rebellion nor in that did they so much follow their own judgements as the humour of the times or the ambition or avarice of their Chiefs Montrose of those that served with him on the left flank missed only one man and him a private souldier and on that side where Mac-donell commanded there were missing fourteen private souldiers also But he had many more wounded the curing and securing of whom was especially provided for by Montrose Afterwards entertaining the prisoners with sweetness and courtesie he promised all such as repented of their errour liberty or employment and was as good as
Angus with all the pains he took he did only this he ranged with his Army up and down Athole and after he had robbed and spoiled all the Countrey he set it on fire In this imitating Argyle who was the first that in this age introduced that cruell and dreadfull president of destroying houses and corn being better at fire than sword when they came into empty fields and towns unmann'd Baily at that time went to Bogy to besiege the fairest castle that belonged to the Marquesse of Huntly and indeed of all the North and in case he failed to take it in to waste and fire all the Country of the Gordons thereabouts Montrose although Mac-donel was absent with a great party thought it necessary to relieve Huntley and his friends whom he laboured to assure unto himself by all good offices and hied thither Where having notice that Baily's souldiers though not all yet a great part were new rais'd men for he had parted with so many old souldiers to Lindsey desired nothing more than without delay to fight him and marcheth straight towards him He had not gone above three miles before he discovered the enemies Scouts He therefore sent before some of his readiest men that knew the wayes to view the strength the rendezvouz and the order of the enemy They immediatly bring word that the Foot stood on the top of a hill some two miles off and the Horse had possessed themselves of a narrow and troublesome passe which lay almost in the middle between the two Armies and were come on this side it Against them Montrose sent such Horse as he had in a readiness with some nimble Firelocks whom they first entertained with light skirmishes afar-of and after retreated behind the pass which they had strongly mann'd with musquetiers Montrose sends for the Foot that if it were possible they might dislodge the enemy from thence but it could not be done for they were parted by the fall of the night which both sides passed over waking and in their arms The next day Montrose sends a Trumpet to offer a set battell but Baily answers he would not receive order to fight from an enemy He therefore seeing he could not drive the enemy from those passes without manifest loss and danger that he might draw him out thence in some time marcheth off to Pithlurge and from thence to a Castle of 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-donell with a considerable part of those Force 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 higer 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 armes 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 destruction Montrose leaving that troop of Horse not far 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 battell 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 before 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 now it was no more safe for either of them to retreat without the apparent ruine of their party It is reported that Baily like a skilfull and wary Commander was sore against his will drawn unto this battell nor had engaged had he not been necessitated unto it by the rashness 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 oâ— 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 not for the former to fall upon them that were surrounded with marshes and pools 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 becomming to die than to be overcome Besides Montrose knew that the greatest part of the old souldiers were gone with Lindsey and the now 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 immediatly 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
Muskets once apiece immediatly 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 Scos appoints the left to the Lord Kilpont and the main Battell to Mac-donell 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 all kind of vertues who declared in his name That Montrose as well as the Kings Majesty from whom he had received his Commission was most tender 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 hee was covetous of no mans wealth ambitious of no mans honour envious at no mans preferment thirsty after no mans bloud all that he desired was that in the name of God they would at length give eare 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 indulgant 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 hee called God to witnesse that it was their own stubbornnesse 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 Drummond sent out a forlorn hope to provoke Montrose to a light skirmish he sends a few to meet them who at the first on set 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 disordered 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 Montrose's Souldiers those when their powder was spent and many of them had neither Pikes or scarce Swords they stoutly entertain with such weapons as the place would afford good stones of which they poâ—red in such numbers amongst them with so great strength and courage that they foâ—ced 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 â—o eagerly when they gave ground that at last they betook themselves to the nimblenesse of their Horses heels There was something more to doe a little while longer in the right Flank Sir James Scot disputed sometime for the higher ground but Montrose's men being stronger bodied and especially swifter foot men 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 sury 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 seven 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 Hee took in Perth the same day without doing the least harm unto the Ciry 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 designs Chap. VI. HE staid three dayes at Perth for there he expected 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 Kinoule with a few gentlemen of Gawry nor did they continue very constant unto him neither And by this time Argyle was at hand 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 neer 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 Ogleby Son to the Earl of Arley with others of the Gentry of Angus met him and readily offered him their service whom he courteously entertained and sent them away with thanks they pretending they only went to fit themselves for a march neverthelesse few of them returned besides the Oglebies Next morning by break of day before the Revellier was beat there was a great tumult in the Camp the Souldiers ran to their arms and fell to be wild and raging Montrose ghessing that it was some falling out between the Highlanders and the Irish thrust himself in amongst the thickest of them there he finds a most horrible murther newly committed for the noble Lord Kilpontin lay there basely slain The murtherer was a retainer of his own one Stuart whom he had treated with much friendship and familiarity in so much that that same night they lay both in a bed It is reported that the base slave had 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 Assasine by killing a Centinoll escaped none being able to pursue him it being so dark that they could scarce see the ends of their Pikes Some say the traitour was hired by the Covenanters to doe 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 immediatly 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 tears he delivers it to his sorrowfull friends and servants to be carried to his parents to receive its funerall 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 Fife beside refused to submit And he thinking it no wisdome to hazard the honour he had gotten by his late victory upon the doubtfull successe of a siege turns away towards Eske 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 doe 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 Ogleby 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 universall 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 Burghley was the principall 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 Hee determines to fight these immediatly before Argyle could come up to them therefore with long marches hee hies thither and possessing himselt of the bridge upon the river of Dee and drawing neer the Citie 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 thosen his ground and planted his great Guns before his men hee expected battell Montrose had fifteen hundred Foot for the Lord Kilpontins 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 farre 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 enemies 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 Commandets 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 fall upon the Flank of the enemy and with their naked swords beat and cut and vanquish and put them to flight They took prisoners one Forbes of Kragevar a Knight of great esteem with â—he 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 therefore imputing their defeat to those light fire-locks that were mixed with Montrose's 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 â—n two shaâ—p 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 Ordinance and bespeaks them to this effect We doe no good my fellow souldiâ—rs while we dispute the matter at thus much distance except we closo 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 brawnlesse shrimps with handy blows they will never be able to stand you Goe to therefore fall about them with your swords and butt-end 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
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 alwaies 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 Grainsbaine were on a sudden encamped within two miles of him Argyle Lothian had there tâ—o thousand five hundred Foot and twelve hundred Horse Montrose now when Mac-donell 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 draws 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 Husbandmen for the fences of their fields which were almost as usefull as Breast-works But before he had appointed every one his ground to draw up in those few of Huntley's dependants 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-neer 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 sence of their wonted prowesse Moreover he thus bespake a young Irish Gentleman one Collonell O Kyan Goe thy way O Kyan with such men as thou hast at hand and drive me those fellows out of yonder ditches that we may be no more troubled with them The gallantry of O Kyan Montrose had often seen and commended nor did that truly valiant man deceive the Generalls 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 we 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 War 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 Musquettiers For Lothain 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 haâ—dly 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 hee 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 will 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 hiâ— men over the river the way that they came three Scotch miles which make ouâ— Dutch mile off The time was thus spent at Faivy for severall dayes Argyle carrying nothing away with that great Army but dâ—sgrace 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 hâ—s 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 neer those places from whence he daily expected Mac-donell 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 battell as if they would have fallen on with all their power But a forlorn hope of Hâ—ghlanders was sent befoâ—e by Argyle to engage Montrose in a light skirmish who were manfully entertained and repulsed Then Montrose having possessed himself â—f the highest ground Argyle alters his resolution and thâ—â—ks upon that which was more safe and lesse honâ—urable He desires a Cessation proposes that engagement may be given on both sides for a Conference and Treaâ—y yet at the same time he did not
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 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 ghesse at his design 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 goe the high-way thither though he placed guards in it lest the enemy should have any intelligence of his moving but streighr 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 clearly that it was almost as light as day all night they stood to their arms and making frequent fallies 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 gunshot 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 thinke 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 Candlemas day a trumpet sounding stâ—uck no small terrour into the enemy For besides that a trumpet shewed they had Horse with them and therefore was a found with which those parts were little acquainted it discovered also that Montrose himself was there Neverthelesse the prime of the Camâ—bells 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 enemie were slain 1500. 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 Campo belli 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 shâ—re securely look'd on whiles his kindred and souldiers were knock'd in the head Some Collonels and Captains that Argyle had brought thither out of the Lowlands fled into the Castle whom when the Castle was surrendred and quarter was given unto them Montrose used courteously and after he had done them severall good offices of humanity and charity freely let them depart In this fight Montrose had many wounded but none slain saving three private soulders but the joy of this great victory was much abated by the wounds of that truly honourable Sir Thomas Ogleby Son to the Earl of Airley of which after a few dayes 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 Ruthein Earl oâ— Forth and Branceford a man known all the world over for his noble atchievements Nor was he lesse a scholar than a souldier being a new ornament to the family of the Oglebyes whose honourable deaths-wounds for his King Country had no small influence upon that dayes 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 funerall as that place and those times could afford But the power of the Campbells in the Highland 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 do 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 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 nevertheless goes on his march and takes in Elgin by surrender on the fourteenth day of February At which time the Lord Gordon eldest Son 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
Market-place and others set the Town on sire in severall 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 one fire But as it happened it was better both for the conquerours and 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 immediatly 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 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 Musker-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 shist 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 overloaden either with drink or prey especially seeing he was to maâ—ch twenty or perhaps thirty miles from Dundee before they could rest in safety That this was the fortune of War and to be patiently undergone 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 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 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 his 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 doe 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 their Rear and 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 pursuit proposed twenty thousand Crowns to any one that could bring in Montrose's head And now the Van of the enemies Horse began to close up unto the retreaters whereupon those good Musquetiers that lined Montrose's Horse welcommed one and another and another of the forwardest of them with bullets in their sides with whose mischance the rest becomming more wary abated of the eagernesse of their pursuit 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 Eastward many miles by the sea-coast However that was not their way but to goe Northward toward Gransbaine and so to deliver themselves from their mischievous Horse But Baily had laid the greatest part of his Army between them and Gransbaine 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 Sun-rising passed over South-Eske at a place not far from Careston Castle and from thence sent to Brechin 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 and more timely and had taken the Mountains Whiles he staid at Careston the Scouts brought him word on a sudden that the enemies Horse were in sight and their Foot being refresh'd with victuals 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 enemâ— 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 pursuit 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 Generall and even admirable for the hardinesse of the Souldier in encountring 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 loyall 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 hee cheerfully and courageously performed and though he spared none yet he was most severe with those that had been authoors 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 Pertshire that he might distract the enemy till such time as hee made up his Army with recruits from every side Neither was he out in his aim for the Covenanters had sent Hurrey the Lieutenant Generall 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 Kingdome ready to wait upon all motions Montrose was twelve miles off at a Village called Kreif where Baily understood he quartered securely with a very small party who being diligent upon all occasions set out from Perth at the beginning of the night with all his Army that by a speedy march he might at break of day fall unexpected into Mentrose's quarters But he found Montrose carefull enough of his businesse and his Foot ready in arms either to march or fight but he with his Horse came up towards the enemy to discover their number and strength And when he found them to be two thousand Foot and five hundred Horse he commanded his men to march speedily away and following the course of the river Erne to make good the fords thereof he with the few Horse that he had was their Rear-guard lest they should have been troden in pieces by the enemies Cavalry And truly he so valiantly repulsed the fierce assault of the enemy that by killing some and routing others he forced them to a retreat till at last his Foot after six miles march had made themselves Masters of the passes of Erne So the enemy retreated with the losse of their labour and Montrose that same night being the Eighteenth of Aprill quartered at Loh-Erne and came the next dâ—y to Balwider where the Earl of Aboine met him who with some few more had escaped out of Carlisle and hearing tydings of Montrose's good successe had at last returned into his Country Leaving Balwider they advanced to Logh-Catrineâ— where they receive intelligence that Hurrey had raised great forces in the Noâ—th and was ready to engage with the Lord Gordon and therefore there was danger that he being an active Souldier and a good Commander should he able to over-master that gallant young gentleman Therefore Montrose thought it necessary to oppose Hurrey assoon aâ— was possible as welâ— to secâ—â—e so dear a friend from imminent danger as to be nibâ—ling at the enemies Forces as he found them asunder and to cut off that power by peece-meal which he well knew if it were all â—n a body would be above his match Therefore by long and continued journeys passing by Balwidir and a Lake of four and twenty miles long out of which the river of Tay breaks forth through Athole and Angus and over Gransbaine through a vale called Glenmuck he came to the midst of Marre There he joyned with the Lord Gordon who had now a thousand Foot and two hundred Horse and marching straight to the Spey laboured to find out and engage with the enemy Nor was he above six miles off when Hurrey thought he had not yet got over Gransbaine for with unwearied labour and incredible speed he had over-run the very report of himself Hurrey lest a battell should be forced upon him whether he would or no before he had received an addition of numerous Auxiliaries in all haste passeth over the Spey And because he had appointed the Rendezvouz of all his friends at Innernesse hyeth to Elgin nor did Montrose pursue him lazily to Elgine Thence with all speed he passeth to Forresse nor did Montrose make lesse haste to follow and overtake him too at Forresse and sat so close on his skirts for fourteen miles together that notwithstanding he had the advantage of the night he had much adoe to reach Innernesse The next day Montrose incamped at a Village called Alderne and Hurrey according to his hopes found the Earls of Seafort and Sunderland the whole sept of the Frasers and most of Murray and Cathnesse and the neighbouring parts to have assembled themselves to Innernesse well appointed To these Hurrey adds some old souldiers of the Garrison of that Town and so draws up against Montrose He now commanded three thousand and five hundred Foot and four hundred Horse but Montrose who had no more but fifteen hundred Foot and two hundred Horse had a great mind to retire But not only Hurrey pressed so vehemently upon him that it was scarce possible for him to retreat but Baily also with a Southern Army much stronger than Hurrey's especially in Horse waâ— now got already a great way on that side Gransbaine and marched in great haste towards the Spey What should Montrose doe in this condition He must of necessity either give Hurrey battell or undergoe a far greater hazard of being hemb'd in between two Armies Therefore he resolves to try the fortune of War without delay to commit the successe unto God and choosing the best advantage of ground he could find there to expect the assault of the enemy There was a little Town
his word and such as were obstinate in their rebellion he disposed of into severall prisons In this battell at Alderne the valour of young Napier did very much discover it self who being the son of the Lord Napier of Marchiston and Montrose's nephew by his sister had but a little before without the knowledge of his father or wife stoln away from Edinburgh to his uncle and did at this time give an excellent assay of his valour and laid down most firme principles of a most noble disposition Whereupon the chief of the Covenanters took his father a man almost threescore and ten years old and as good a man as ever Scotland bred in this age and his wife the daughter of the Earl of Marre Sir Sterling Keer his brother-in-law an excellent man also chief of his family and one that had suffered very much for his Loyalty together with his two sisters the one Sir Sterlings most vertuous Lady the other a virgin and cast them all into the dungeon from whence afterward they were to be delivered by Napier himself with the assistance of his uncle This battell was fought at Alderne on the 4. of May 1645. Chap. XI MOntrose allowing a few dayes of refreshment to his souldiers marched to Elgin which is the chief Town of the Province where for the sake of those that were wounded he made some longer stay because they had there the accommodation of good Chirurgeons and medicines which are sometimes scarce to be had in the field Afterward passing over the Spey he came to Keith from thence to Frendrackt and so to Strathbogy Here Baily meets him unto whom Hurrey with those that remained of his broken Troops at Alderne was joyned and provokes him to battell Montrose kept back his men who were spent with great travail and were far sewer both in Horse and Foot though very eager to fight till such time as hee had raised new forces and recruited them Therefore thinking it enough to maintain that ground which he had chosen as commodiously as he could for himself untill night passeth then to Balveny whither also the enemy followeth him but he passing by Strath-done and Strath-Spey went up to Badenoth The enemy getting to the other side of the water provokes him again to fight but in vain for he was very wary of giving them a set battell but nevertheless by frequent skirmishes and especially beating up quarters in the night did so much weaken their power and courage that they that were so haughtily daring but a while agoe as well Commanders as Souldiers hastily and disorderly betook themselves by night to Innerness when none pursued them Montrose was not much displeased that he was so rid of this enemy especially for this reason the Earl of Lindsey the prime ringleader of the Covenanters next unto Argyle and his rivall too as being brother-in-law to Duke Hamilton used to give out that Argyle wanted either care or courage and howsoever it came to pass was still unfortunate And therefore he took upon himself the command of that Army which was newly raised as if he would assay to manage the business with better conduct And now he had passed over with his forces into Angus intending to be a reserve unto Baily and if any thing should happen otherwise than well at the worst he was ready to hinder Montrose's passage over Forth For they were alwaies very jealous lest Montrose should remove the seat of War to this side the Forth and nearer Edinburgh Therefore he resolved with all speed to quell Lindsey who lay yet in Angus at a Castle called Newtill both because the Generall was no souldier and the souldiers raw and unacquainted with the hardship of War In pursuit of which design departing from Badenoth he marcheth through the plains of Marre over Gransbaine and came by long and painfull journies unto the coast of the river of Airley intending to surprise the enemy on a sudden which was easie to be done for he had made such hast that the news of his approach was not so swift as himself And now Lindsey was not above seven miles from him and all things were ready for an assault when upon what occasion it is uncertain almost all the Northern men privately ran away from their colours and going back the way that they came return into their Country The Lord Gordon was in the Camp and there was none there that detested that villaay with greater indignation than he in so much that Montrose had much adoe to with-hold him from putting such of the fugitives to death as had any dependance upon him Some stick not to say that these men were inveigled away by the private directions of his father the Marquess of Huntley to the Earl of Aboine who by reason of his sickness was absent For it vext Huntley a haughty and envious man to hear of the success of Montrose nor could he endure that Inward friendship which was between his eldest son and him However it was Montrose being cast down with this unexpected misfortune was forced to put off that Expedition against Lindsey and to suffer patiently so great and easie a victory to be taken out of his hands Therefore taking up new resolutions he followeth after Collonel Nathaniel Gordon a valiant man and a trusty and welbeloved in his Country whom he had sent before And by this time Baily and Hurrey had returned from Innernesse and quartered in lower Marre by the side of Dee And Montrose came by the coasts of Eske and the plains of Marre into the heart of that Country commonly called Cromarre And whiles he passed through those plains aforesaid he dispatched Mac-donell with a party into the furthest part of the High-lands to conduct such Forces as were there raised with all speed unto the Army Afterward he sent away the Lord Gordon himself to hasten and promote that levy of men which Nathaniel Gordon was lifting by all the power and interests he had in those parts Which he most diligently performed and amongst others brought his brother the Earl of Aboine back with him Whilst these things passed in Cromarre Lindsey joyns his Forces with Baily in lower Marre With whom Montrose finding himself unable to deal the most part of his Forces being gone along with the Lord Gordon and Mac-donel he stept aside to the ruinated castle of Kargarf left the enemy should overlay him on the champain grounds with their multitudes both of Horse and Foot but when he was close unto the Mountains he feared them not Froâ—m hence Aboine falling sick again betook himself to Strathbogy and upon pretence of a guard carried along with him a considerable number of Horse whom his brother the Lord Gordon had much adoe afterward to draw back to their colours In the mean time Lindsey took a thousand old Souldiers from Baily and gave him as many raw and new rais'd men for them and as if hee intended to doe some famous exploit returning through Merne into
on of those in the Rear The first that made way for themselves and their men by a great flaughter 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 uselesse guns draw your swords and sheath them in the Rebells 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 comming the enemy afrighted 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 Their Foot being deserted by their Horse after they had desperately stood out a while and refused quarter were almost all cut off The fall â—f the Lord Gordon was no little advantage to the escape of their Horse who after the battell was won rushing fiercely into the thickest of them received a shot through 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 battell Montrose did not lose so much as one common souldier and of Gentlemen one Culchol and one Meâ—â—on 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 years 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 Corrivalls 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 But the losse of the Lord Gordon had so deep an impressiâ—n upon all mens affections that they had the face rather of a defeated than victorious Army The first seene of their sorrow was acted in a dull silence in the next the floud-gates were broke open and the Army was full of sighes and sobs and wailing and lamentation and then with bedewed cheeks assoon as their grief could get a tongue they blam'd Heaven and Earth and Fortune and every thing for depriving the King the Kingdome the Age themselves and their posterity of such a man Thus forgetting their victory and the spoil they fixt their eyes upon the lifelesse body kissed his face and hands commended the singular beauty of the corps compared the Nobilitie of his descent and the plentifulnesse of his fortune with the hopefulnesse of his pâ—rts and counted that an unfortunate victory that had stood them in so much And truly it was like to have happened that their excessive sorrow for the losse of this noble Gentleman had conquer'd the Conquerors had they not comforted themselves with the presence and safety of Montrose Nor could hee himself refrain himself from bewailing with salt tears the sad and bitter fate of his most dear and only friend but lamented much that the honour of his Nation the ornament of the Scotish Nobility the ablest assertor of the Royall Authority in the North and so intimate a friend unto himself should be thus cut ofâ— in the flowre of his age In the mean time hoping that reason and time between them would asswage that grief he commands Physicians to embalm his noble corps which afterwards being removed to Aberdene he saw brought forth with a sumptuous and Souldier-like Funerall and interâ—'d in the Monument of his Ancestors in the Cathedrall Church This battell was fought at Alford on the 2. of July 1645. Chap. XII MOntrose that same afternoon that hee had got this victory at Alsord marching to Clunie Castle allowed only two or three hours to his souldiers for their refreshment And going from thence to the bank of the river Dee sent away the Earl of Aboine who succeeded his deceased brother into Buchanshire and the places adjacent for recruits for many of them who were at the fight being Highlanders and not far from their own habitations had dropt home with their pillage And because Mac-donell was not yet returned hee kept his quarters at Cragston expecting both him and Aboine But when he perceived those Auxiliaries were dispatched unto him with lesse speed than he hoped and finding his expectation deluded impatient of so long and disadvantagious delay after he had got over the Dee and Gransbaine fell down into Merne and lay at Ferdon Chappell once famous for the See and Scpulchre of St. Palladius Thence he sends to the Earl of Aboine who was now come to Aberdene to hasten unto him into Merne with such Forces as he heard he had raised Aboine came indeed but brought no great store of Forces along with him therefore he sends him back into the North to raise as many men as he could possibly and bring them with all speed unto the Camp Hee himself going through Angus met his Cosen Patrick Graham with his Athole-men ready to live and die under his command and Mac-donell with a great power of Highlanders with him was Macklen the chief of his sept a valiant man and singularly loyall who brought some seven hundred choise Foot of his friends and clients Also the Chief of the Mac-ranolds a great man in the Highlands and one that entirely lov'd the King who had above five hundred men at his heels The Mac-gregories also and the Mac-nabies men inferiour to none in valour and hardinesse after the fashion of the Country followed their Commanders and Chiefs of their Families whose certain number I cannot easily assign And Glengar a man never sufficiently to be commended for his valour and loyaltie to the King and serviceablenesse and affection to Montrose seeing he in person almost from the Expedition into Argyle had never departed from him by his Uncles and others whom he employed brought in about five hundred more Besides out of the plains of Marre came a great number of the Ferkbarsons gallant men and of approved valour And some too out of Badenoin not many indeed but stout and able men of their hands Montrose being reinforced with such an Army resolves to make his way into the heart of the Kingdome as well to spoil the enemies levying of men in Fifeshire and the Country on this side the Forth as also to break up 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 any time but marched straight towards the enemy But assoon as he came to Amunde 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 of Towns and villages in all Scotland Its inhabitants are little martiall consisting most of Merchants Shop-keepers 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 Iland bein 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 thundred 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 battell with them before they encreas'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 narrownesse of the passages that he could by no meanes either make his way unto them or draw them out into plainer ground Having therefore made them severall fruitlesse offers of battell he resolved to march into the heart of the Country and came to Kinross as well to hinder the rising of that Country as to train the enemy at last out of their fastnesse to come in unto the aide of of their distressed friends They not so much as daring to fall upon his Reat 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 doubting 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 beleev'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 eagernesse than ever before upon the Borders and in the West of whom the chief were the Earls of Lane rick Cassils and Eglington Whose levies Montrose laboured either to hinder or draw themselves to his sidbefore they came up to Baily and the Fife-men therefore he marched from Kinross 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 Espyalls 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 freely and considently that he beleeved Baily and his party were resolved to march all that night to engage him to fight assoon as was possible before they dismist the Fife-men who being already tir'd he hardly beleev'd would be drawn over the Forth accounting their work at an end assoon as the enemy was gone out of their own Country Therefore Montrose that he might get speedily over the Forth bid 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 fatall 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 meane 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 Earle 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 Mililia 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 beleev'd that Montrose had but made a running march the dayes before and had passed the Forth more out of fear than designe so that they counted it nothing to assault him in that ground and entrenchment which he had chosen to his bâ—st 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 battell but was over-sway'd by the authority and votes of the Earl of Linsey especially and some other of the Nobility that were present in the Army which forc't him much against stomack to draw up his men and order the battell as he 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 happen'd 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 designe of the enemy was to dislodge them But it took not for making a fierce assault and being as stoutly receiv'd assoon 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 successe 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 quicknesse of his relief or the cowardlinesse 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 or 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's Which when Montrose saw after others had too dishonourably shifted off that service he thus bespeaks the Earle of Airley You see my noble Lord how yonder men of ours by their unadvisednesse 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 disercet 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 Iohn Ogleby 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 Ogleby's disputed it sharply with them for a while but at last being no longer able to withstand their courage fac'd about whom the Ogleby's pursued so hotly that they made them fall foul upon their own Foot and charging them furiously thorough and thorough routed them and trode them under foot By this gallant example of Airley and the Ogleby's Montrose's souldiers being enrag'd 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 Rebells Horse long abide their charge but deserting their Foot fell a running as fast 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 Ordinance their Arms their Spoils came clearly to the Conquerours who lost only six of their side whereof three were Oglebyes valiant Gentlemen who fighting like themselves scald 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 swiftnesse of their Horses got to the Town and strong Castle of Sterling others escaping to the Scotish Fyrth shipt themselves in some vessels that lay at anchor near the shore 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 Of prisoners the chief were Sir William Murray of Blebe James Arnot brother to the Lord Burghley one Collonel Dice and Collonel Wallies besides many more whom Montrose after quarter given used courteously and upon the engagement of their Honours set at liberty And this is that famous victory of Kilsythe obtained on the 15 day of September 1645. in which it is beleev'd no fewer than 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 Barwicke some to Carâ—â—le some
unfolded unto him the Kings Commands answered scornfully That he understood all the Kings businesse better than they or the Governour himself and neither he nor any of his children should have any thing to doe 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 Neverthelesse the Lord Governour 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 Kingdome was in and so of the present misery that hung over his and all faithfull 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 supplyes into Scotland which the King had sent and that the prisoners who were gallant and faithfull men had been so cruelly butchered and that yet there were many more remained that had neer relations to Huntley himself and some also of the prime Nobility whom the Rebells would cut off after the same fashion unlesse they were now at last relieved And lastly to pray and beseech him that at least hee would grant the Kings Governour the favour of a friendly conference promising hee would give him abnndant satisfaction Huntley although he answered Dalyel in all things according to his wonted peevishnesse 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 wisdome of so excellent a man But Montrose assoon 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 surprise him and be friends with him whether he would or no and to treat with him concerning all things that concern'd his Majesties service Therefore in the moneth of December he forced his way very hardly through rivers and brooks that were frozen indeed but not so hard as to bear mens waight over the tops of hills and craggy rocks in a deep snow and passing through Angus and over Gransbaine drew his Forces into the North and almost before he was discover'd marched with a few men into Strathbogy where Huntley then liv'd But he being struck with his unexpected approach upon the first newes he heard of him lest he should be forced to a Conference against his will immediatly fled to Bogie a Castle of his situate upon the mouth of the Spey as if he intended to ferry over the river and to wage warre against the Rebells in Murray And now it comes into my mind briefly to enquire what might be the reason why Huntley bore such a spleen against Montrose who had never given him any distaste but had obliged him with courtesies many times undeserved Nor could I ever hear nor so much as ghesse at any other cause but a weak and impotent emulation I cannot call it but envy of his surpassing worth and honour For I should be loath to say that his mind was ever alienated from the King but onely averse unto Montrose with the unjust hatred of whom he was so possest that he precipitated himself into many unexcusable mistakes insomuch as he desired rather all things were lost than that Montrose should have the honour of saving them And now being already puffed up with an unbeseeming conceit of himself he was the more exceedingly enraged against him upon the remembrance of those injuries and disgraces he had heretofore thrown upon him and that was the chief reason as I take it that he so often avoyded the sight of him For besides what we have occasionally delivered both the father and the sons had put neither few nor smâ—ll affronts upon the Kings Vicegerent some few of which it will not be out of our way to relate The great guns which we told you Montrose had hid in the ground the last year they digging them up without his knowledge carried away in a kind of triumph and disposed of them in their own Castles as if they had been spoils taken from the enemy and would not restore them upon demand But those Montrose had got in the sights at Saint Johns-town and at Aberdene in the former of which there was never a man present of that Family and in the other Lewis Gordon and his men fought on the enemies side Besides they so converted unto their own use the Gunpowder and Arms and other necessaries of War which were gained from the enemy and only deposited in their Castles as in safe and convenient store-houses that they would never make any restitution of the least part of them when they were desired Moreover Abome upon his return home after the victory of Kilsythe set at liberty the Earl of Keith Lord Marshall of Scotland the Lord Viscount Arbuthnot and other men of quality of the enemies side who were within his custody without acquainting the Governour of the Kingdome and his brother-in-law young Drumme who by chance was present earnestly declaring his dislike of it Upon what termes he did it it is uncertain but this is evident that besides the affront done to the Lord Governour and the losse of Dunotter Castle which was of great strength and concernment in that War and other Military advantages they got by it the Rebells would never have had the boldness to fall so cruelly upon the Prisoners if he had but kept them in safe custody Yet more by his own private authority he exacted Tributes and Customes and Taxes which the Governour himself had never done upon pretence indeed of maintaining the War but in truth to far other uses and to the grievous prejudice of the Kings Cause Last of all which is most to be lamented either at the intreaty of the enemy or for small sums of money they had enlarged the prisoners that had been taken in the former battells in the North and committed to custody in their Castles Nor would they permit them to Montrose's disposall though being prisoners of Warre he had reserved them for that only purpose by exchanging them to save the lives of gallant and deserving men Huntley being pricked in his conscience about all these things was alwayes as afraid of Montrose's presence as of a Pest-house But Montrose for all that passing by injuries and laying aside all other matters bestowed his whole endeavours in the promoting of the Kings service And to that end he was resolved to intrude himself into his company though never so unwelcome to insinuate into his friendship upon any conditions to yeeld unto him in all things and to deny nothing so that hee might qualifie Huntley's imbitter'd spirit Therefore leaving his Forces in their quarters
their accusers and judges both to condemn the innocent men who were destitute of all patronage and protection But Ogleby who was not onely the most eminent of them for Nobilâ—ty and power but also was a Hamilton by his mothers side and cousen-german to Lindsey pretending himself sick with much adoe got so much favour as to have his mother wife and sisters suffered to visit him in prison Which when he had obtain'd whilst his keepers in reverence to the honourable Ladies withdrew out of his chamber he immediatly puts on his sisters gown which she had put off and was dressed in all her attire She also put on his cap in which he used to lie sick in bed and lay down instead of her brother At last many salutations and some tears passing on both sides at eight of the clock in the night in the habite and likeness of his sister hee deceived his keepers who lighted him out with candles and torches And immediately departing the City he took horse which he had laid for him with two of his followers and before morning was got out of danger But when the next day his observant keepers hand found out their mistake Argyle was so unable to contain his wrath and revenge that he would needs have the noble Ladies and the more noble for this their compassion and adventure brought in question for it But he could not effect it for by reason of the equity of their cause they found much stronger friends than he could of the Hamiltons and Lindsey by whose connivence it is conceived by many that all this Comedy was acted but in a thing that is uncertain I shall determine nothing This cleanly conveyance of Ogleby out of their hands vext the Rebells exceedingly and made them almost wilde whence it happened that they made a quick dispatch of the rest And the first that suffered was Collonel Nathaniel Gordon a man of excellent endowments both of body and mind Who being neer unto his death bitterly lamented with many tears that the carriage of his youth had been much otherwise than it ought to have been And when being ready to die they offered him an Instrument to signe wherein he was to testifie his repentance he subscribed it without any more adoe and withall call'd God and his Angels and the men there present to witnesse that if any thing was contained in that 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 bloud of Collonel Gordon was a man worthy of everlasting memory Sir Robert Spotswood one rais'd by the favour of King James and King Charles unto great honours as his singular vertues did merit King James made him a Knight and a privy Counsellour King Charles advanced him to be Lord President of the Session and now but of late Principall 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 belong'd to drawing of a sword This was therefore the onely 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 Kingdome and generall of the Army Neverthelesse he proved at large that he had done nothing in that but according to the custome 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 Rebells had pick'd out from amongst his most malicious enemies that sought his death so that questionlesse they would never have pronounc'd that dolefull sentence if they had but the least tincture of justice or honesty But to speak the truth a more powerfull envy than his Innocency was able to struggle with undid the good man For the Earl of Lanerick having been heretofore Principall Secretary of the Kingdome of Scotland by his revolt unto the Rebells forced the most gracious and bountifull King to the whole family of the Hamiltons to take that Office from so unthankfull 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 happened 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 custome 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 undauntednesse 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 insolem and more than ordinary discourtesie he took no notice of but letting his Speech unto the people alone he wholly bestowed himself in devotions and prayers to Almighty God Being interrupted again and that very importunatly 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 desir'd not to trouble him And added moreover That of all the plagues with which the offended Majesty of God hath scourged that Nation this was much the greatest greater then 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 Blaire 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 voyce nor countenance when he laid down his neck to the fat all stroke these were his last words Mercifull Jesu gather my soul unto thy Saints and Martyrs who have run
mean time saith he let them set a price upon our heads let them hire Assassines let them send in their instruments amongst us to murther us let them make promises and break them yet they shall never effect that we shall contend with them in an emulation which shall be worse or any otherwise than upon honourable and vertuous termes Now Huntley who intended nothing lesse than what he promised Montrose before his face having passed over the Spey and entred into Murray trifled away his time and wasted his strength without either honour or profit a good way off Innernesse For giving his mind too much to prey and spoil after he had wasted the Countrey he heard a flying report that the inhabitants had hid their gold and silver and the best of their stuff in certain turrets and obscure Castles Which whiles he assaults in vain and could neither by commands nor intreaties be taken off from his resolution the enemy sending in provision on that side which he had undertaken to block up relieved Innerness with all things that they wanted Which if he had hindered as he undertook unto Montrose the Garrison would have been shortly forced to yeeld And Montrose having now received intelligence that Major Generall Middleton was come with six hundred Horse and eight hundred Foot as farre as Aberdene and was like to lay waste Huntley's and the Gordons Countrey sent Collonel William Stuart unto Huntley to entreat him to return again unto the siege of Innerness according to his Engagement Or if he did not approve so well of that because the enemy was advanced so neer his Territories he should perswade him to joyn his Forces with his and to march immediatly towards the enemy whom he doubted not with an easie hazard to overthrow To which he answered scornfully that he would look to his own businesse himself nor did he need the help and assistance of Montrose to drive the enemy out of his borders At last after ten weeks spent in the siege of a small inconsiderable Castle and the losse of all the forwardest of his men he was forced with dishonour to raise the siege when he was never the neerer And in contempt not so much of Montrose as of the Kings Majesty he retreated to the Spey without the consent or Knowledge of the Vice-roy giving thereby a very bad example to all men who began to come in thick and three-fold with great eagernesse unto the Kings partie Amongst whom the chiefest for wealth and power and multitudes of followers and dependant were the Earl of Seaford the Lord Rese and from the furthest Ilands Sir John Mac-donell Chief of a most powerfull and ancient family in the Highlands Macklen also and Glengar the Captain of the Mac-Renalds and many more who were some of them already in Montrose's Army with their Forces others had sent for theirs And by this means before the end of March Montrose might have fallen down into the Low-lands with a farre greater Army than ever the Scots produc'd in the memory of man But the unexpected revolt of so great a personage did not lesse encourage the Rebells to persevere in their course than scandalize and discourage honest and loyall hearts Whence it happened that those whose men were already come up to the Army began to draw off and steal away privatly and others to make excuses for their delay All which put together made Montrose to cast about another way For he resolved seeing he could doe no good with van light wavering and inconstant men by gentlenesse and good Offices to reduce them to his obedience by his authority backed with the strength of arms and severe penalties and to that end to force all the Highlanders and North-country-men to take up arms by marching in amongst them with a considing party of good souldiers For he well knew that many Governours and leading men in their respective Countries and Chiefs of Septs were of his side unto whom this course would be very acceptable Nor did he question but the chief and most powerfull of the Gordons being weary of their Lords miscartiage would doe him the best service they could if need was though it ran counter unto Huntleys designe However he was resolved to use all fair means if that would do before he would put them to the cost of that last and sharpest remedy But because Innernesse was the most considerable garrison of all the North and the haven there most commodious for intertaining forein Forces he desired nothing more than to reduce that therefore hee surrounded it with the Forces he had For the enemies Army under the Command of Middleton was above fourscore miles off and Huntley and the Gordons lay half way between them in a body Therefore Montrose dealt again with Huntley to perswade him not to lose his time but as they had agreed to joyn with him in the siege of Innernesse or at least to hover about the Spey over which the enemy was to passe and to hinder their passage if they advanced to raise the siege and if they chanced to get over to joyn their Forces together and fight them To all which he answered so disdainfully that the Vice-roy thought it high time to despair of any good from him and conceived himself engaged to look better to himself lest at last he should betray him So that putting no confidence in Huntley he sent back three Troops of Horse to lie at the Fords of the Spey to observe the motion of the enemy and if they came to send him often and certain intelligence And they quartering themselves in the most advantagious places for scouting were carefull enough to observe his command untill Lewis Gordon Huntleys son who then commanded the Castle of Rothes plaid a more shamefull prank than any he ever did before Hee assured those Captains of Horse whom Montrose had set to guard the Fords of the Spey that the enemy lay very far off and intended nothing lesse than to passe that river and raise the siegeâ— and therefore he perswaded them who took him for a most faithfull friend to let alone their needlesse guards to which they had been appointed and to come to his Castle to refresh themselves and with many complements invited them to a feast which he had provided for them and they had no more wit than to trust him and go He entertained them with a huge deal of courtesie and besides very dainty chear plyed them with good store of wine and strong waters And with a great deal of jollity and ceremonious courtesie detain'd them so long till Middleton with a great Army of Horse and Foot had got over the Spey and had gotten footing in Murray Which assoon as he had notice of he at length dismist them and that with these jeering termes Goe now to your Generall Montrose who will have a sharper bout now than he had at Selkirk Mean time the enemy march'd straight and eagerly towards Montrose and those Horse getting
past them with much ado came not much before them to Innernesse insomuch as they seem'd to be but the Van of the enemie and Middletons whole Army followed within Cannot-shot But as the providence of God would have it Montrose had notice of their approach another way and having drawn off his Forces a little way from the Town had got them all into a Body And when he perceiv'd the enemy to be much too strong for him in Horse avoiding the plain he retreated with his men beyond the Nesse The enemy falling upon the Rear and being handsomly repuls'd kept themselves also close The losse on both sides was very little and almost equall Montrose passed by Bawly into Rosse whither the enemy pursued him that taking him in the champain ground which was disadvantageous to him they might compell him to fight whether he would or no. But besides that the enemy was much stronger than he the Country people being faithlesse and rotten and Seafords new raised men running away by companies from their Colours moved him with all the speed he could to save himself from the enemies Horse Therefore passing by Logh-Nesse and through Strath-Glasse and Harrage he advanced unto the bank of the Spey Montrose was resolved to proceed against Huntley as a publick enemy unlesse he repented but would try all fair means first to see whether it was possible to bring him into a better mind To which end taking with him only one Troop of Horse for his life-guard in all speed he rid twenty miles unto him to his Castle at Bogy And as he was on his way he sent one before to give him notice of his approach and to tell him that he came thither alone and without his Forces to no other end than to kisse his hand and to be advised by him concerning such things as concerned the Kings service and he was the more earnest to speak with him because he had newly received Letters from the King from Oxford which he would let him see But Huntley being affrighted with the first news of Montrose's approach was so averse from the presence of so gallant a man that in a trice he leapt on horse-back and with one man along with him ran away any way he car'd not whither nor vouch safed the Kings Vice-roy the favour of a conference or entertainment Which assoon as Montrose understood he returned back those twenty miles the same day being the 27 of May and was as carefull as he could possibly to conceal this frowardnesse and unrulinesse of Huntleys lest it should be a bad president But all would not do for the Gordons themselves and others of Huntleys friends being most of them very honest men and complete Gentlemen told all with a great deal of indignation and detestation of Huntley that by that means they might acquit themselves from the aspersion of so unworthy an act Nor can one easily say how great influence that mans example had upon other Northern men The Earl of Scaford 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-donell 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 slaid at home and looked only upon the preservation of the Mac-donells 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 Lawes and condign punishment and to deal with them as men use to doe with sick children make them to take physick whether they will or no. And he wanted not fitting instruments to promote this design 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 Aberdene 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 Highlander leave to pillage the City But what fault those poor innocent Aberdene-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 loyaltie But for the enemy whom he took in Arms who were both many and of very good account amongst their own party he 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 qualitie who by chance were found in Aberdene 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 whereby 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 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 Rebells 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 Rebels 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 generall consent To which end after he had received so many injuries from him he
dangerous Sea Oâ— because they knowing his strength expected a better opportunitie of him as they found indeed within the Countrie After this poor rabble of silly creatures was amaz'd He resolves at last to embarque and to that purpose gathers all the boats he could find ships his men and in a short space lands them all upon the point of Cathanes which is the farthest land to the Northwest of Scotland The people having some experience of the carriage of his former Souldierie and now farre more dreading the name of Forreigners partly by the terrible reports which were constantly given out of him fled away in heaps many of them not stopping till they came to the chief City Edinburgh and there gave the terrible Alarm to the Parliament then sitting The Commanders were immediatly summond and charg'd with all possible hast to get the standing Forces in readiness and a rendezvous in order to the States command was hereupon presently enjoyn'd at Breithen Northward Collonel Straughan who was then in high esteem with the great ones for his valour lately expressed in the English service and his zeal to the Presbyterian cause much extoll'd at that time had an ample and a particular Commission granted to him by the Parliament to command a â—hoyce party of Horse which should not be subject to David Lesleys orders but might engage and fight with the enemy at his best advantage With these being not above three hundred he advanced before the Armie David Leslie with the rest of the Horse and Holborn with the Foot marching after him In the mean time the Marquesse advanc'd but very slowly and that he might not be mistaken since all the world was much astonish'd at this Invasion now whilst the King was upon a Treatie he published a Declaration Wherein he labour'd to clear himself of any aspersion of sinister ends That his intention was only against some particular persons who had against the Laws of the kingdome rais'd and maintain'd a warre against the Kings Father and did now by their subtile practices endeavour to destroy the Son also That he intended nothing against the Generalitie of the Kingdome Lastly exhorting all subjects of that Nation to endeavour to free themselves from the Tyrannie of those who for the present ruled the State and the oppression of the Ministrie But the Country for severall causes did not come to second him as hee expected For the Earl of Sunderland a potent man in those parts his lands being next to the place where the Marquesse then was rais'd a great power of his Tenants and friends and did his best to terrifie and hinder all that were willing to joyn with him And though he found himself unable to deal with the Marquesses forces yet did he stop all entercourse betwixt him and his friends And those Gentlemen who had heretofore followed him and yet enclined to assist him knowing the danger of the enterprise considering the 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 suspition 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 partie 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 ancient Familie but no friend of the Marquesses This Gentleman having left his house in the keeping of his Lady and some servants fled to Edinburgh The Lady though the place were naturally fortified yet upon summons delivered it to Collonel Hurry who was sent thither by the Marquesse with a partie of Foot to reduce it Upon condition her goods and estate might be secur'd and she with her servants suffor'd to march away Hurry having plac'd a Governour and a Garrison as hee thought sufficient for the defence of the place return'd to the Marquesse 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 farre from when he himself in the vanguard discover'd the first partie which was Straughans Forlorn hope advancing very fast upon him So that these with their hast and the souldiers running found them both out of breath and order The second Partie was commanded by Straughan himself and the â—ereguard as I remember by Collonel Ker for he had divided them in three bodies But now the first party being very neer 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 immediatly seconded by Straughans partie they made good their charge and so terrified the Islanders with that breach that most of them threw down their Arms and call'd 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 themselves awhile but were all taken at last There were kill'd in this businesse to the number of two hundred twelve hundred taken very few escaped For the whole Countrie being in Arms especially Sunderlands men who came not to the fight but to the execution they kill'd or took Prisoners all such aâ— 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 severall times refus'd quarter There was Collonel Hurrey taken the Lord Frenderick Sir Francis Hay of Dalgetie Collonel Hay of Naughton Collonel Gray and most of the Officers and two Ministers The Marquesse after he saw the day was absolutely lost threw away his cloak which had the Starre on it having receiv'd the order of the Garter a little while before his Sword was likewise found and not very farre off his horse which he had forsaken For so soon as he had gâ—t 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 souldâ—ers I know not whether took his Highland apparell from him and so in that habite 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 dayes without any notice gotten of him At last the Lord of Aston being in Arms with some of his Tenants and aboard in that search happened on him He had been one
stood with the King his Royall Master Which being reported unto the Parliament they ceased proceeding against him untill Monday and allowed their Commissioners to tell him that the King and they were agreed He desired to be at rest for he was weary with a long journey and he said The Complement they had put upon him that day was somewhat tedious The next day being Sunday he was constantly attended by Ministers and Parliament-men who still persued him with threatnings but they got no advantage of him he told them They thought they had afronted him the day before by carrying him in a cart but they were much mistaken For he thought it the most Honourable and joyful'st journey that ever he made God having all the while most comfortably manifested his presence to him and furnishing him with resolution to ever-look the reproches of men and to behold him for whose cause he suffered Upon Monday in the forenoon he was brought before the Parliament and after the deliverie of a long penned discourse by the Chancellour wherein he was pleased to take notice of his miscarriages against the first Covenant the League and Covenant his Invasion and joyning with the Irish Rebells and blood-guiltiness and that now how God had brought him to just punishment Hee desired to know if he might be allowed to speak for himself which being granted he said Since you have declared unto me that you have agreed with the King I look upon you as if his Majestie were sitting amongst you and in that Relation I appear with this reverence bareheaded My care hath been alwaies to walk as became a good Christian and a loyall Subject I engaged in the first Covenant and was faithfull to it untill I perceived some private persons under colour of Religion intended to wring the Authoritie from the King and to seize on it for themselves and when it was thought fit for the clearing of honest men that a bond should be subscribed wherein the securitie of Religion was sufficiently provided for I subscribed For the League and Covenant I thank God I was never in it and so could not break it but how farre Religion hath been advanced by it and the sad consequences that have followed on it these poore distressed Kingdomes can witness for when his late Majestie had by the blessing of God almost subdued those enemies that rose against him in England and that a faction of this Kingdome went in to the assistance of them His Majesty gave Commission to me to come into this Kingdome and to make a diversion of those forces that were going from hence against Him I acknowledged the command most just and I conceiv'd my self bound in conscience and duty to obey it what my carriage was in this Countrey many of you may bear witnesse Disorders in any Army cannot be prevented but they were no sooner known then punished never was any mans blood spilt but in Battell and even then many thousand lives have I preserved and as I came in upon his Majesties Warrant so upon his Letters did I lay aside all interest and retreat And for my comming in at this time it was by his Majesties commands in order to the accelerating of the Treaty betwixt him and you His Majestie knowing that when ever he had ended with you I was ready to retire upon his call I may justly say that never subject acted upon more Honourable grounds nor by so lawfull a power as I did in this service and therefore I desire you to lay aside prejudice and consider me as a Christian in relation to the justice of the quarrell as a Subject in relation to my Royal Masters commands and as your Neighbour in relation to the many of your lives I have preserved in battell and be not too rash but let me be judged by the Lawes of God the Lawes of Nature and Nations and the Lawes of this Land if you doe otherwise I do hear appeal from you to the Righteous judge of the world who one day must be both your Judge and mine and who alwayes gives Righteous Judgement This he delivered with such Gravitie and without Passion as was much admired even of his enemies After which the Chancellour commanded the Sentence to be read which he heard with a setled and an unmoved countenance and desiring to be futher heard was presently stopt by the Chancellour who commanded he should be presently removed back again to prison where being no sooner come but the Ministers assault him afresh agravating the terrour of the Sentence thereby to affright him he acknowledged himself much beholding to the Parliament for the Honour they put upon him saying Hee took it for a greater honour to have his head stand upon the prison Gate for this quarrell than to have his picture in the Kings Bed-chamber And lest his Loyaltie should be forgotten they had highly honoured him in designing lasting monuments to four of the chiefest Cities to bear up his memoriall to all posteritie wishing he had had flesh enough to have sent a piece to every city in Christendome to witnesse his loyalty to his King and Countrie His Friends were not suffered to come neer him but a guard was alwayes in the Chamber with him insomuch as he had neither time nor place for his Private devotion but in their hearing The next day being the 21. Cloathed in a Scarlet cloak richly laced with Gold lace he was brought to the Scaffold He came along the streets with so great state and there appeared in his countenance so much Beautie Majestie and Gravitie as amazed the beholders and many even of his Enemies did acknowledge him to be the gallentest subject in the world but because all his Friends and well-willers were debar'd from comming neer him there was a boy designed for that purpose on the Scaffold who took his Last speech Which was to this Effect I am sorry if this manner of my End be scandalous to any good Christian Doth it not often happen to the righteous according to the waies of the wicked and to the wicked according to the waies of the righteous doth not sometime a just man perish in his righteousness and a wicked man prosper in his malice They who know me should not disesteem me for this many greater then I have been dealt with in this kind yet I must not say but that all Gods Judgements are Just For my private sins I acknowledge this to be Just with God I submit my self to him but in regard of man I may say they are but instruments God forgive them I forgive them they have oppressed the poor and violently perverted Judgement and Justice but he that is higher then they will reward them What I did in this Kingdome was in obedience to the most just Commands of my Soveraign For his defence in the day of his distresse against those that rose up against him I acknowledge nothing but fear God and Honour the King according to the commandements of God