that it was some falling out between the Highlanders the Irish thrust himselfe in amongst the thickest of them there he findes a most horrible murther newly committed for the noble Lord Kilpontin lay there basely sâ—aine The murtherer was a retainer of his owne 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 where upon the murtherer fearing he would discover him assaulted him unawares stabbed him with many wounds who little suspected any harme from his friend and creature The treacherous assassine by killing a Centinel escaped none being able to pursue him it being so darke that they could scarse see the ends of their Pikes Some say the traitor was hired by the Covenanters to doe this others onely that he was promised a reward if he did it Howsoever it was this is most certaine that he is very high in their favour unto this very day and that Argyle immediatelâ— 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 deare friend and one that had deserved very well both froÌ„ the King himself a maÌ„ famous for arts armes and honesty being a good Philosopher a good Divine a good Lawyer a good Souldier a good Subject a good man And embracing the breathlesse body againe againe with sighes teares 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 Towne 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 turnes away toward Eske for he hoped that many of his friends and kindred being men of greatest note in those parts and who used to talke as highly what they would doe for the King as any others would be ready to joyne with him But they having newes of his approach withdrew themselves onely the Lord Ogleby Airley a man of threescore yeares old with his two sons Sir Thomas and Sir David and some of his friends and clients men of experienced resolutions joyned himselfe unto him and with admirable constancy he went along with him through all fortunes unto the very end of the Warre 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 Burghly was the principall lay at Aberdene with an Army and laboured to assure unto themselves the Northerne parts upon which Montrose especially relyed either by faire meanes or foule He determines to fight these immediately before Argyle could come up to them therefore with long marches he hies thither and possessing himselfe of the bridge upon the river of Dee and drawing neare the City he found the enemy drawn up close beside it Burghley commanded two thousand Foot and five hundred Horse whom he placed in wings having chosen his ground planted his great Guns before his men he expected battell Montrose had fifteene 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 spoile and just foure 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 swifâ—nesse of body were almost as good as horsemen placed them on either wing to prevent the falling of the enemies Horse upon his rere which they performed most gallantly beyond the opinion or perhaps the beliefe of many He gave the command of the right flank to Iames 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 sonne to the Marquesse of Huntley a bold young man and hor spirited but haire brain'd and one that had forced out his fathers friends and clients to fight with Montrose against their wills He having gotten the plaine and most commodious ground for fighting on horsebacke 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 foure and forty beat backe 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 forborne by the great prudence of the Commanders and proved to be of great consequence towards the obtaining of the victory for the enemy charged Montrose's left Flanke vvhich had no Horse vvith their right Wing of Horse Montrose therefore in atrice now that Lewis Gordon and his men vvere fled conveighs the same Horse to the left Flanke vvho seeing they vvere not able to dravv themselves into a Body like the enemies fetch 't a compasse about so escaped their first charge then neatly vvheeling about they fall upon the Flanke of the enemy vvith their naked svvords beat and cut and vanquish and put them to flight They tooke prisoners on Forbes of Kragevar a Knight of great esteem vvith the enemy and another Forbes of Boindle Those that retreated got safe away because that so few could not safely persue them They that commanded the enemies Horse vvere not so much frighted vvith their losse as vexed vvith the disgrace of a double repulse therefore imputing their defeat to those light fierelockes that vvere mixed vvith Montrose's Horse they themselves call for Foot-men out of their maine Body intending to returne vvith greater courage Montrose suspected that vvas loath to engage those fevv gallant men againe vvhose Horses vvere spent already in tvvo sharp services vvith the enemy vvho vvas reinforced vvith fresh Foot Therefore observing the enemies Horse not yet railled since their nevv rout staÌ„ding at a sufficient distance froÌ„ their Foot hee rode about among his owne who had been sore galled already with the Enemies Ordnance and bespeaks them to this effect VVe doe no good my fellow Souldiers while we dispute the matter at thus much distance except we close up with them how shall we know
found them to be two thousand Foot and five hundred Horse hee commanded his men to march speedily away and following the course of the river Erne to make good the fords thereof hee with the few Horse that hee 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 18. of Aprill quartered at Logh-Erne and came the next day to Balwidir 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 Balwidir they advanced to Logh-Catrinet where they receive intelligence that Hurrey had raised great forces in the North 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 be able to over-master that gallant young Gentleman Therefore Montrose thought it necessary to oppose Hurrey assoon as was possible as well to secure so dear a friend from imminent danger as to be nibbling at the enemies Forces as he found them asunder and to cut off that power by peace-meal which he vvell knew if it vvere all in a body vvould be above his march Therefore by long and continued journeys passing by Balwidir and a Lake of four and tvventy miles long out of vvhich the river of Tay breaks forth through Athole and Angus and over Granshaine through a vale called Glenmuck hee came to the midst of Marre There he joyned vvith the Lord Gordon vvho had novv a thousand Foot and tvvo hundred Horse and marching straight to the Spey laboured to finde out and engage with the enemy Nor vvas he above six miles off vvhen Hurrey thought hee had not yet got over Gransbaine for vvith unvvearied 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 hast 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 te night hee 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 Suderland 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 ads some old souldiers of the Garrison of that Town and so drawes 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 minde to retire But not only Hurrey pressed so vehemently upon him that it was scarce possible for him to retreat but Baily also vvith a Southern Army much stronger then Hurrey's especially in Horse was novv got already a great vvay on that side Gransbaine and marched in great hast tovvards the Spey What should Montrose do in this condition Hee must of necessity either give Hurrey battell or undergo 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 chusing the best advantage of ground hee could finde there to expect the assault of the enemy There was a little Town that stood upon the height which shadowed the neighbouring valley some little hills that were higher then the Town behinde 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 hee commits to Alexander Mac-donel 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 hee on the left flank should take his best advantage against them And to that end drawing the rest of his Forces to the other side hee 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 battell whereas indeed hee had none And for Reserves in that scarcity of men they were not to be thought of The enemy as Montrose most wisely fore saw assoon as they savv the Kings Standard ordered the most part of their Horse and old Souldiers vvherein 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 do therefore hee 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 do there comes unto him one whom hee 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 faile them upon bad newes and cryes 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 wee stand by as idle spectatours whiles hee carries away the honour of the day And with that hee commands them to charge
ground But Baily turning aside some three miles to the left hand Montrose holds on his intended march to Alford where hee 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 Reare of their flying enemy for so those excellent Diviners prophesied to their owne destruction Montrose leaving that troop of Horse not farre from the Ford together with some select and understanding men who should give him perfect intelligence of all things hee returneth alone to order the battell And above all things he possesses himselfe of Alford hill where hee might receive the charge of the enemy if they fell on desperately Behinde him was a moorish place full of ditches and pits which would prevent Horse falling upon his Reare before him was a steep hill which kept his men from the enemies view so that they could hardly perceive the formost rankes Hee had scarce given order for the right managing of all things when those Horse whom hee 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 Commaunder was sore against his will drawne unto this battell nor had engaged had he not beene necessitated unto it by the rashnesse of the Lord Baâ—carise a Colonell of Horse who precipitated himselfe and the Horse under his command into that danger whether Baily would or no as that hee 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 Earle of Aboine to whom also was joyned Sir William Rollock And of the maine battell to two valiant men Glengar and Drumond of Ball the younger unto whom hee added George Graham master of the Camp an expert souldier also The Reserve which was altogether hid behinde 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 later to charge up the hill nor for the former to fall upon them that were surrounded with marshes and pooles The numbers of the Foot were in a manner even either side had about two thousand but Baily was much stronger in Horse for he had six hundred and Montrose but two hundred and fifty Only Montrose had this advantage that the enemy were for the most part hirelings raised from dunghills but those that served the King Gentlemen who fought for a good Cause and Honour gratis and not for gaine and such as esteem'd it more becoming to die then to be overcome Besides Montrose knew that the greatest part of the old souldiers were gone with Lindsey and the new ones would be so frighted with the shouts of the Armies and the noise of Trumpets that they would scarce stand the first charge Therefore in confidence of so just a cause and so valiant assertors of it he first drew downe his men and immediately the Lord Gordon giving a smart charge upon them was courageously receiv'd by the enemy who trusted to the multitude of their Horse and now being clos'd and come to handy blowes no one could advance a foot but over his vanquished enemy nor retreat by reason of the pressing on of those in the Rear The first that made way for themselves and their men by a great slaughter of their enemies were the two Gordons the Lord and the Colonell and Colonell Nathaniel called out unto those expert Firelocks who now lin'd the Horse as they were wont Come on my fellouw sonldiers throw downe your now uselesse guns draw your swords and sheat them in the Rebells Horse or hamstring them They instantly tooke the word of command and at the same time Montrose drawes up Napier with his Reserve which lay out of sight on the other side of the hill at whose sudden and unexpected coming the enemy afrighted betook himself to his heels Aboine with the left wing kept off nor did hee 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 of 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 Milton 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 a piece who throwing down their masters luggage mounting upon their nags sumpter-horse did not onely make a faire appearance of a body of Horse but as if they had bin Corrivalls in valour with their masters beyond what might be expected from their years 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 impression upon all mens affections that they had the face rather of a defeated then victorious army The first scene of their sorrovv vvas acted in a dull silence in the next the floud-gates vvere broke open and the army vvas full of sighes and sobs and vvailing and lamentation and then vvith bedevved 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
for forraigne aides and armes the King sent Sir Iohn Cockeram his Embassadour about it with his Commission and Instructions And directions unto the Marquesse of Newcastle were carried by some of Montrose's own company Who receiving the Kings Letters and Commission to be Governour of Scotland and Generall of the Army there made himselfe ready for his journey In the interim newes comes on a sudden that Duke Hamilton with his brother the Earle of Lanericke were posting up to Oxford They that they might make their accesse easier to the King who had hitherto given eare unto their counsells and to continue or recover the good opinion the King had of them gave out all the way as they came especially unto Governours of Shires and Townes and Commanders oâ— the Army that they were banished their Countrey that they had been plundered of their estates by the Covenanters for their loyalty to the King and that for safety of their lives with which they had hardly escaped they fled to Oxford But Montrose and those of his minde saw plainly that these were but tales oâ— their own making of purpose to wipe off the suspicion of this new guilt and that by this meanes they in confidence of that esteeme they had lately with the King and of a strong faction they drove at Court doubted not but they should stand as fair in his opinion as ever if they were but once admitted into the Kings presence and that the onely businesse they haâ— thither was by defeating Montrose againe clearly to extinguish that little sparke of Loyalty that was noâ— yet quite out in Scotland And Montrose delivered himselfe freely that for his part he would never stand by to be witnese of so great an oversight anâ— therefore humbly besought the King that he would give him leave to seeke his fortune in some forraigne countrey if these men that had deceived him so of should be received againe into favour not that he desired any severyty should be used against them onely he wished the King might have a care that they should do him no more harme The King was drawne with much a doe that they should be forbiddenâ— the Court yet for all that he suffered the Earl of Lanericke to live in the City But he by whose instigations I cannot tell betakes himself from Oxford to Londen to the Parliament of England and not long after to the Scotch Army which had now entered England and never since hath failed to doe them the best service he could The escape of his brother so much moved the King that he saw it high time to secure the Duke himself There were severall Scots in the Kings Court and Army who were suspected and perhaps not without reason to favour the Covenanters too much and to give intelligence unto them of the Kings counsels Montrose that he might put these to the touch tooke this course He got a Protestation to be drawne up by the Kings authority unto which all Scots who would have the reputation of honest men were to set theirâ— hands Wherein they professed themselves heartily to detest the courses of the Covenanters condemned especially the bringing in of an army into England against the King and the Lawes of the Land as an act of high treason promised and vowed to acquit themselves of that scandall and to the utmost of their power with the hazard of their lives and fortunes to oppose those that were guilty of that crime This Protestation all men of honour and honesty readily tooke but there were two in whom the King â—rusted most of all Scotch men next to the Hamiltons to wit the Earle of Trequaire Mr. William Murray of the Bed chamber who were difficultly brought unto it at last with much reluctancy and fear of being discovered traitours yet even they engaged themselves by a solemne Oath at a certain day to be aiding assisting unto Montrose in Scotland which Oath of theirs afterward they most unworthily violated This being done and Montrose on his journey from Oxford towards Scotland those that were the Hamiltons creatures and other false-hearted Courtiers began to blast the Honour of Montrose to call him a vaine and ambitious man who had attempted an impossible thing to extoll above measure the power of the Covenanters and that they might deteâ—re every one from engaging himself in so noble an exploit gave out every where most maliciously that no good was ever to be expected from Montrose He being little troubled with the calumnies of unworthey men came forward to Yorke so to Durham where he sees that the Kings Instructions be sent to the Marquesse of Newcastle and the next day they met and conferred Newcastle discours't of nothing but the distresses and necessities of his Army how the Rebell Scots breaking in in the midst of winter had spoiled his Recruits and that now in farre greater numbers then he they quartered within five miles of him that he could not possibly spare any Horse without a manifest hazard to the whole Army Montrose urged on the other side that nothing could do Newcastle more service then to let him have a party of Horse in which he was very strong with him into Scotland that so he might either divert or at least divide the enemy and by kindling a fire in their owne houses fetch them home againe to defend themselves Newcastle courteously replyed that assoon as he had wound himself out of that present danger he would not be wanting in any service to Montrose which promise there is no doubt but a person of so much Honour and Loyalty would most surely have performed had he continued any while in the Command of those parts In the meane time all that he could do for the present was to afford him about one hundred Horse but lean ones and ill accoutred which was not the Generals fault but some mens private spleen with two brasse Field-pieces Moreover he sent his Orders unto the Kings Officers and Commanders in Cumberland and Westmorland that they should give Montrose all the succour and assistance they could make for his journey into Scotland Montrose going towards Carlisle was accordingly met by the Cumberland and Westmorland men consisting of eight hundred Foot and three troops of Horse who according to the Marquesse of Newcastles Command were to waite upon him into Scotland Montrose himselfe brought with him two hundred Horse most of them Noblemen and Gentlemen and such as had been Captaines either in Germany France or England With which small forces nor over trusty neither he entered Scotland on the 13. of Aprill for he made the more hast lest he should have been absent at the time appointed by the Earl of Antrim CHAP. IIII. MOntrose having entred Scotland had come to the river of Anan when upon a mutiny among the English occasioned by Richard Grahams Souldiers almost all of them flie their Colours and in all hast runne back to England Notwithstanding he with his own men came
they did nothing Besides the Lord Gordon Huntley's eldest sonne a man of singular worth and accomplishment was detained by Argyle his â—ncle by the Mothers side the Earle of Aboine the second Son was inclosed within the siege of Carlisle and Lewes another Son was of the Enemies side so that there was no one of Huntley's family under whose authority they should take up Armes Notwithstanding Montrose quartered there a great while in which time almost every other night marching seven or eight or ten miles with a party of light Foot for Horse he had few or none he used to give Alarmes to the Enemy beat up their quarters put them to flight and frequently to bring home Horse and Men Prisoners And because he alwayes brought his men safe off it was strange to see how cheerfull 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 Starthbogy 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 and Lothian had there two thousand five hundred Foot 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 drawes his Men up unto a higher hill vvhich over-look't the Castle The soile of the Hill vvas rough and there vvere hedges also and ditches cast up there by the Husbandmen for the sences of their Fields vvhich vvere almost as usefull as Breastvvorks But before he had appointed every one his ground to dravv up in those fevv of Huntley's dependants vvhich accompanied Montrose from Strathbogy in the sight of all people fairly betooke 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 vvhich if they had been able to maintaine vvith the same vigour that they had obtained it Montrose had been a lost man vvhose Souldiers discouraged both by the timorous flight of some of their owne and the multitude of their Enemies forces were wel neare ready to turne their backs them Montrose presently put life and courage into by his ovvn example and presence by putting them in minde of their former atchievements and their ovvne sence of their vvonted provvesse Moreover he thus bespake a young Irish Gentleman one Colonell O Kyan Go thy way O Kyan with such men as thou hast at hand and drive me those fellows out of yonder Ditches that we may 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 ferretted the Enemy out of the Ditches though they much out-numbred his men and vvere seconded vvith a party of Horse And not onely so but gained some bagges of Povvder vvhich the Enemy had left behinde them for haste a very seasonable pray of vvhich they had great need Nor doth a notable example of the forwardnesse of the Souldiers seem to me unvvorthy in this place to be remembred for one of them looking upon the bagges of Povvder What saith he have they given us no Bullets Mary but we must fetch Bullets too from those sparing distributors of Ammunition As if it had been altogether the Enemies duty to provide theÌ„ necessaries for the Warre In the meane time his Horse which were but fifty being disposed in a place of danger he timely secured them by lining them with Musketiers 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 hardly be kept of from falling on with a shout upon the whole body of the Enemy whom Montrose refraines rather with a kind of commendatioÌ„ of them as was meet then reproof only bids every one know his own duty and vvait his commands Towards night Argyle having done nothing to any purpose retreats two miles off and slept not that night But the next day vvhen he vvas told that Montrose's Souldiers had great scarcity of Powder and Bullet drawing his men into the same ground againe he made as though he vvould have charged up the hill and beaten Montrose out of his hold But vvhen his heart failed him in that enterprise besides some skirmishes between small parties while the main bodies kept their ground there vvas nothing done that day neither All this while Montroseâ—ends â—ends 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 Camerades As sure as can be I have broken one Traytors face with a Chamber-Pot Nor wil any one wonder if Montrose's men were oft in want of Powder and other necessaries for Warre when he considers they had no other vvay to supply themselves vvith them but out of their Enemies stocke And novv the second day being almost spent Argyle vvithdrawes his men over the river the way that they came three Scotch miles vvhich make sone dutch mile off The time was thus spent at Faivy for severall dayes Argyle carrying nothing away with that great Army but disgrace among his friends and contempt among his enemies for it was wholly imputed to his cowardise that there he had not made an absolute conquest At last Montrose least by marching away in the day time he might have some of his Rear cut of by the Enemies Horse takes the advantage of the night to returne to Strathbogy were he intended to make some stay both because the câ—agginesse of the Countrey was a good security to his Souldiers against the incursions of the Enemies Horse and because it was near those places from vvhence he dayly expected Mac-donell with vvhat Highlanders he could raise The next day the Enemy pursues him vvith an intention to force him to fight vvith them in the open Field and truly assoone as they came in sight of them drawing up their Men they made ready to Battell as
refuge and not hastily to be made use of therefore as vve ought not to tempt Almighty God by our ovvn vvretchlesnesse 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 ovvn part and referre the successe to God and other things to his ovvn care and industry Immediately he sends out four hundred Foot before him and commands them that as much as they possibly could vvithout breaking their ranks they should make all speed Then he appoints two hundred of the activest men he had to follovv them he vvith his Horse brings up the Rear The Horse trooped on in so open order that if occasion vvere they might have room enough to receive light musquetiers He believed the enemies Foot vvere not able to overtake them and if their Horse only should charge them vvhich they vvould hardly adventure to do he conceived it vvas no matter of extream difficulty to make their part good against them besides the Sun vvas ready to set the darknesse of the night vvould be commodious for their retreat The enemy understanding the number of them that vvent avvay first by some prisoners they had taken and after that by their ovvn vievv assoon as they savv they vvere disposed rather for a journey then a battell divide their Forces into tvvo parts and so pursue them Wherein their intention vvas 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 Crownes 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 welcomed one and another and another of the forwardest of them with bullets in their sides with whose mischance the rest becoming more wary abated of the eagernesse of their 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 East-ward many miles by the seacoast However that was not their way but to go North-ward toward Grainsbaine and so to deliver themselves from their mischievous Horse But Baily had laid the greatest part of his Army between them and Grainsbaine that there might be no place for theÌ„ 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 passages straight into the Mountains might be laid by the enemies Horse he was not mistaken coÌ„mands 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 North-ward by the next morning at Sunrising 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 fight and their Foot being refresh't with victualls and sleep march't after them apace Montrose himself being now within three miles of the Mountains was not much afraid of them but his souldiers who had not slept for three dayes and two nights but had all that while been either on their march or in fight were overcome with so dead sleep that they could hardly be raised without pricks and wounds The enemy being at last entertained with a light skirmish suffered Montrose to possesse himselfe of the bottom 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 encountering all extremities with patience for for threescore miles together they had been often in fight alwayes upon their march without either meat or the least refreshment Which whether forraigne Nations or after times will beleeve 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 seldom 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 affaire of the war He sends the Lord Cordon 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 Whicâ— he cheerfully and courageously performed and though he spared none yet he was most severe with those that had been authours or accessaries to his brothers defection ad 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 then that noble Lord his brother As for Montrose he with a small party for he kept but five hundred Foot and fifty Horse with him marches through Angus into Perthshire that he might distract the enemy till such time as hee made up his Army with recruits from every side Neither was hee out in his aime 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 Mâ—ntrose's quarters But hee found Montrose carefull enough of his businesse and his Foot ready in armes either to march or fight buth he with his Horse came up towards the enemy to discover their number and strength And when he
all parts and by this time over-numbring him even in Foot labour'd not only to provoke but even compell him to fight Wherupon hee concluded to step aside a little into the neighbouring Mountains whither he knew either the enemy would not advance or if they dit it would be to their losse Therefore the enemy drawing near with all their Army to Methfyn he gives a private command for the Carriages to drive fast up the hills whiles he as if he intended to fight orders the battell makes good the passes with strong guards and drawes up the Horse into the Front Nor did the enemy expect any other then to try it out by battell which hee made as if hee 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 he had and his ablest Fire-locks to bring up the Reare to secure them from the enemies Horse The enemy providing for a present charge as they expected when they saw Montrose retreating first pursued eagerly though to no purpose for he making good all passes as he went easily repulsed them and without losse of so much as one private souldier came chearfully off into the heights and steep places that were unaccessible unto the enemies Horse and for their Foot they fear'd no assault from them It is remarkable that when Montrose's Horse were come up unto the passes and the enemy knew very well they were not able to pursue any further lest with all that paines 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 base language whom when Montrose saw he call'd for only twenty active bodied men of the Highlanders that were used to hunting very good marks-men and commanded them to check their insolence and they first of all creeping hither and thither and hiding their guns took their aimes so well that they knockt downe 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 contended to retreat But those good huntsmen being encouraged with their good successe assoon as they saw their enemies disorderâ—d came into the open plain and resolutely charged their Horse who in as much feare as Bucks or Does chased by Hunters set spurs to their Horses and fled back to their maine body as if the Divell 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 thy 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 then offered any affront one to the other And now at length Aboine and Colonell Nathaniell Gordon brought up their men out of the North to Dunkeldon men for their number indeed fewer then was expect but for their stoutnesse and true valour farre above their number The Horse they brought were only two hundred and some six score Firelocks whom they had mounted and made Dragoons other Foot they brought none Along with them came the Earl of Airley and Sir David his son with fourscore Horse most of them of the noble family of the Oglebyes amongst whom Alexander sonne and heir of Sir Iohn Ogleby of Innercarit was most eminent not onely for the rare accomplishments of his person and the splendor of his Ancestors but for the honour of his valiant and happy atchievements much above what his age could promise Montrose being thus well recruited thought it not good to lose any time but marched straight towards the enemy But assoon as he came to Amonde he thought it best to see in what condition the enemy was 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 somting 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 Hee 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 Shopkeepers Mariners and Husbandmen But so new fangled in their Religion and so bewitched both by the example and authority of the Nobility and by the Sermons of their seditious Ministers that all of them upon the matter were extremely addicted to the Covenanters The Country it self is almost an Iland being inviron'd towards the South with the Scottish Firth on the North with the Tay which carrieth ships of great burden all along on the East with the maine 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 forâ—ified themselves by the advantage of the ground and the narownesse of the passages that hee could by no means 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 Kinrosse as well to hinder the rising of that Country as to traine the enemy at last out of their fastnesse to come in unto the aid of their distressed friends They not so much as daring to fall upon his Rear turn'd another way and keeping close to the banke first of
the Erne afterwards of the Tay made speed towards the East-side of the Conntry As Montrose passed along he sent Colonell Nathaniell 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 meÌ„ 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 hee 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 bee easily perswaded to follow the Army further then 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 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 Warre was drawn so near them as the Forth were raising men with more eagernesse then ever before upon the Borders in the West of whom the chief were the Earls of Lanerick Cassils and Eglington Whose levies Montrose laboured either to hinder or draw themselves to his side before they came up to Baily and the Fife-men therefore hee marched from Kinrosse towards Sterling and lay that night some three miles from the City The next day sending the Foot before he followed softly after with the Horse because hee suspected that the enemy pursued him in the Rear Nor was he deceived in that suspition for some Espyals whom he left behinde 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 confidently 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 drawne 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 mean while by an easier and shorter cut got over the Forth at Sterling bridge and encamped at night some three miles from Kilsythe In the interim the Earl of Lanerick Duke Hamilton's brother had rais'd a thousand Foot and five hundred Horse of the friends and clients of the Hamiltons in Cluidsdale and the places adjacent anâ— 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 Militâ—a 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 then his own yet the danger was like to be greater of his side if he should be put to engage with them when Lanericks other parties were com up But moreover hee 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 beleevâ—d that Montrose had but made a running march the dayes before and had passed the Forth more out of fear then designe so that they counted it nothing to assault him in that ground and entrenchment which hee had chosen to his best advantage And above all their proud hopes were most carefull of this to block up all wayes of his escape and to prevent his return into the Mountains But there are some that say Baily himself thought it not best to give him battell but was over-sway'd by the authority and votes of the Earl of Lindsey especially and some other of the Nobility that were present in the Army which forc'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 hee 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 hee commands all his men as wel 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'g some few men and the first design of the enemy was to dislodge them But it took not for making a fierce assault and being as stoutly receiv'd 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 wich lay open to the whole strength of the enemy Montrose although hee 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 whetheâ— the quicknesse of his relief or the cowardlinesse oâ— the enemy
easily be surprised on the borders of Tweed if Lesly would make use of that opportunity was offered him to doe his businesse Therefore Lesley upon this intelligence made haste thither and as I said lodg'd within four miles of Selkirk That Trequaire sent those letters unto Lesley although it was the generall report I cannot certainly affirm but it cannot be denied that that same night he sent his Commands to his son the Lord Linton that he should immediately withdraw himself from the Royall party which with much jollity he did This was like themselves being the ungratefullest of all men deserting their King of whom none had better deserved and staining their posterity And truly that morning being very misty gave no small advantage to the treachery of the enemy whom at last Montroses frighted Scouts discover'd to march towards him in a full body at such time as they were not above half a mile off Montrose mounting the first Horse he could light on gallops into the field appointed for the Rendezvouz that morning where he finds a great deal of noise but no order The Cavalry being little acquainted with their duty lying already disperst in their quarters where they dream't more of baiting their horses then maintaining their lives and honours upon the first alarme which they received from the enemies Trumpet ran disorderly up and down they knew not whither but never came in the fight Yet there were a few and those were for the most part Noblemen or Knights who made all speed thither and gallantly undertook to make good the right wing and they were not above sixscore in all Nor did the Foot who were about five hundred make agood appearance for many of them looking about their private businesses among the Carriages by that unseasonable care of saving lost themselves and all they had And which spoiled the matter which was bad enough before most of the Commanders were absent never came in the field Besides the enemy coming on so speedily left them no time for deliberation The enemy therefore who were six thousand whereof most were Horse out of England furiously charging Montrose's right wing were twice gallantly received and repulsed with no small losse Nor could they make that noble Troop give any ground or break through it untill at last laying along those few Foot that withstood them they broke in upon the left flank vvhere there vvas no Horse By this tvvo thousand Horse whom the enemy had sent over to the other side of the river vvere gotten on the Rear of those noble Gentlemen who lest being hemb'd in on every side gall'd with the enemies shot at distance they should fal for nothing and unreveng'd withdrew themselves every one the best way he could But the Foot who could have little security by flight fighting a good while stoutly resolutely at last upon quarter ask't and given for their lives threw down their armes and yeelded themselves prisoners Every one of whom being naked and unarm'd without any regard to quarter given Lesley caused to be most unhumanely butcher'd The staine of which perfidious cruelty by which he hath so filthily blurr'd his hononr if any he got in forraign service he shal never be able to wipe away As for those that escaped out of the battell the enemy pursued them no further being busie in plundering the Carriages where they made a lamentable slaughter of Women Pedees and Cook-boyes no pity vvas shovvn to sex nor age they vvent to the pot altogether The number of the slain is not easie to be given almost no Horse and very fevv Foot besides those that yeelded themselves and had quarter fell in that battell vvhich may appear by this that they vvere no more then five hundred in all before the next day tvvo hundred and fifty of them came safe to Montrose of all them vvith their svvords by their sides so that there could not be as many more missing and very fevv vvere taken prisoners and not untill their horses being tired and themselves ignorant of the vvay they became a prey to the country people Whom they forgetting all the benefits protection they had but nevvly received from Montrose to do the Covenanters a favour delivered up unto their cruell enemies to be made by them acceptable sacrifices to Baal-Berith the god of the Covenant For all that the Rebell conquerours missed of the Kings Standards The one of them vvhich vvas carried before the Foot vvas preserved by an Irish soldier a stout man of a present spirit vvhen others vvere almost beside themselves vvho vvhen he savv that the enemy had got the day stript it off the staffe and vvrapped it about his body and being othervvise naked made his vvay vvith his dravvn svvord through the thickest of the enemy and brought it to Montrose at night Whom he received into his Life-guard and gave it him to carry in token of his valour and loyalty And the other of them William Hie brother to the Earl of Kinoule a hopefull young Gentleman vvho succeeded his uncle by the mothers side Douglasse son to the Earl of Morton vvho having receiv'd many and grievous vvounds at the battell of Alford vvas rendred unable for that burden stript from off the staffe too and carried it avvay vvith him And conveighing himself into the borders of England skulked there a vvhile till the coast was a little clearer about Tweed and then through by-wayes and night journies for the most part being accompanied couducted by his faithfull friend Robert Toures a stout man and a good souldier who had been a Captain in France a good while ago returned into the North and presented that same Royall Standard unto the Generall And now at last Montrose when he saw his men totally routed and put to flight which he never savv before thought of nothing more for a good space then to die honourably and not unrevenged therefore rallying about thirty Horse vvhom he had gathered up in that confusion he resolved by fair and honourable death to prevent his falling alive into the enemies hands And seeing he vvas not able to break through the enemies Troops vvho stood thick round about him he gall'd them on the Front and Rear and Flanks and of such as vvere so hardy as to adventure out of their ranks many he slevv others he beat back But vvhen all that he could do vvould not do his businesse as God vvould have it this consideration possessed his resolute and noble spirit That the losse of that day was but small and easily regained because but an inconsiderable part of his Forces were there That the Highlanders were the very nerves and sinewes of the Kingdome and all the North was sound and untouch't That many of the prime Nobility and men of power many Knights too and Chiefs of their Sepâ—s had entered into an association with him who if he should miscarry would be suddenly ruined or corrupted and by that means the Kings party
men of Nobility and Eminency as long as they had an enemy in the Field and the victory was uncertaine And truly they being doubtfull and solicitous what might be the successe of so great warlike preparations they knew were in providing did deferre the execution of the prisoners Montrose upon his journey found the Lord Areskin very sick but his clients whose fidelity and valour hee had had sundry experiences of even in the absence of their Lord all in a readinesse if Aboine did but doe his part for they depended much upon his example and authority And now the Marquesse of Huntley after he had plaid least in sight for a year and some moneths it is hard to say whether awaken'd with the newes of so many victories obtain'd by Montrose and the reducing of the Kingdome or by the deceitfull influence of some bad starre was returned home An unfortunate man unadvised who howsoever hee would seem most affectionate unto the Kings Cause perhaps was so yet he endeavoured by a close and dishonourable envy rather to extenuate Montroses glory then to out-vie it Which seeing it was not for his credit openly to professe even before his own men who were sufficient witnesses of Montrose's admirable virtues lest by that he should discover some symptomes of a heart alienated from the King yet he gave out that for the time to come he would take upon himself the conduct of that War against the Rebells therefore he commanded his Tenants and advised his friends and neighbours scarce without threats to fight under no command but his own And when they replyed What shall wee then answer to the Commands of the Marquesse of Montrose whom the King hath declared Generall Governour of the Kingdome and Generall of the Army He made ansvver That he himself would not be wanting to the Kings service but however it concerned much both his and their honour that the King and all men should knovv vvhat assistance they had given him which could not otherwise be done then by serving in a body by thē selves Moreover he fell to magnifie his own povver and to undervalue Montrose's to extoll unto the skies the noble Acts of his Ancestors men indeed vvorthy of all honour to tell them That the Gordons power had been formidable to their neighbours for many Ages by gone and was so yet That it was most unjust that the atchievements gotten with their bloud and prowesse should be accounted upon another mans meaning Montrose's score but for the future he would take a course that neither the King should be defrauded of the service of the Gordons nor the Gordons of their deserved honour favour and reward All these things the simpler sort tooke to bee spoken upon all the grounds of equity honour in the world but as many as were understanding men and knew better the disposition of the person saw through those expressions a minde too rancorous altogether indispos'd towards Montrose and that his aime was to fetch off as many as he could from him not only to the utter ruine of the King and Kingdome but even to his own destruction which God knowes the sad event made too manifest Nor were there wanting amongst them desperate men and of good fore-sight who condemned this counsell of his as unwise unseasonable and pernicious even to himself For they considered with themselves that he never had any designe that did not miscarry either by bad play or bad luck That businesses were better carried by Montrose and it was ill to make a faction◠upon the poore pretence of his carrying away the honour of it For if Huntley joyned his Forces and communicated his counsels unto Montrose he should not be onely able to defend himself but subdue his enemies and gaine unto himself the everlasting honour of being one of the Kings Champions but if he should make a breach in that manner it would prove not onely dishonourable but destructive to him That Montrose it could not be denyed had got many and eminent victories with the assistance of the Huntleys but they had done nothing of note without him Therefore they earnestly desired him constantly to adhere unto the Kings Lieutenant which as it would be both acceptable and advantageous to the King so it would be well taken with good men and honourable to himself Nor did some of them fear to professe openly that they would yeeld their duty and service to Montrose if Huntley should stand out in his humour and they were as good as their words But he refusing the advice of his friends resolved what ever came on 't to run counter too Montrose nor did Montrose ever propose any thing though never so just or honourable or advantageous which he would not crosse or reject And if at any time Montrose condescended to his opinion which he did often of purpose he would presently change his minde seeming to comply with him sometimes before his face but alwayes averse unto him behinde his backe and indeed scarce wel agreeing with his own self For all this Aboine being at that time solicited by many expresses from Montrose and the importunity of his own friends that he might be some way as good as his word met him with a considerable party at Druminore a Castle of the Lord Forbeses He brought with him fifteen hundred Foot and three hundred Horse all chearfull and ready to undergoe any hazard under the command of Montrose And truly assoon as ever they met Aboine freely protested hee would carry those men that hee had whithersoever the Lord Governour should lead him but there were many more behinde which for his scantnesse of time he had not got together which his brother Lewis would bring after him Montrose extolling highly his fidelity and pains turned back again almost the same way he came that taking up the Lord Areskins and the Marre Forces by the way and climbing over Gransbaine hee might fall dovvn into Athole and Angus not doubting vvithin a fortnight to be able to passe over the Forth with a great Army The first dayes journey Aboine and his men marched with a good will but the next night his brother Lewis whom Montrose had placed under the command of the Earl of Crawford conveighed himself homewards with a strong party of Horse making as if he meant to encounter some Troops of the Enemy and carried along with him as many Souldiers as he could get upon pretence of a guard Crawford returning brought word that Lewis was gone home but would be back again next day for so he had made him beleeve though he intended nothing lesse then to come back A youth liable to sensure for more feats then that But when upon the third day they came to Alford it was observed that Aboines men were slow to stand to their colours that they loytered in their march that their ranks were thin and disorder'd and that they ran away by whole Companies almost every night and at last their
which put together made Montrose to cast about another way For he resolved seeing he could doe no good with vain light wavering and inconstant men by gentlenesse good offices to reduce theÌ„ to his obedieÌ„ce by his authority backed vvith the strength of armes and severe penalties and to that end to force all the Highlanders and North countrimen to take up armes by marching in amongst theÌ„ with a confiding party of good souldiers For he vvel knew that many Governours 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 miscarriage would doe him the best service they could if need was though it ran counter unto Huntleys designe However he was resolved to use al fair means if that would doe before he would put them to the cost of that last and sharpest remedy But because Innâ—rnesse was the most considerable garrison of all the North and the haven there most commodious for intertaining forraigne Forces he desired nothing more then to reduce that therefore he surrounded it with the Forces he had For the Enemies Army under the Command of Middelton was above fourscore miles off Huntley and the Gordons 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 joyne with him in the siege of Innernesse or at least to hover about the Spey over which the Enemy was to passe 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 theÌ„ To all which he answered so disdainfully that the Vice-roy thought it hig time to despair of any good froÌ„ him and conceived himself engaged to look better to himself lest at last he should betray him So that putting no confideÌ„ce in Huntley he sent back three Troops of Horse to lie at the Fords of the Spey to observe the motioÌ„ of the Enemy if they came to send him often certain intelligence And they quartering theÌ„selves in the most advantageous places for scouting were carefull enough to observe his commands untill Lewes Gordon Huntleys son who then commanded the Castle of Lothes plaid a more shamefull prank then any he ever did before He 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 then to passe that river raise the siege therefore he perswaded theÌ„ who took him for a most faithful 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 theÌ„â— and they had no more wit then to trust him and go He entertained them with a huge deal of courtesie besides very dainty chear plyed them with good stoâ—â— of wine and strong waters And with a great deal of jollity and ceremonious courtesie detain'd them so long till Middelton with a great Army of Horse and Foot had got over the Spey and had gotten footing in Murray Which assooÌ„ as he had notice of he at length dismist them and that with these jeering termes Goâ— now to your Generall Montrose who will have a sharper boâ—â— now then he had at Selkirk Meane time the enemy march straight and eagerly towards Montrose 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 enemy and Middeltons whole Army followed within cannon 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 al 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 his Rear and being handsomly repulâ—sed kept theÌ„selves also close The losse on both sid's was very little and a most equall Montrose passed by Bewly into Rosse whither the Enemy pursued him that taking him in the Champain ground which was disadvantageous to him they might compel him to fight whether he would or no. But besides thaâ— the enemy was much stronger then he the Country people being faithlesse rotten and Seafords new raised men running a way 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 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 minde To which end taking with him only one Troop of Horse for his life-guard in al 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 to tell him that he came thither alone without his Forces to no other end then then to kisse his hand and to be advised by him concerning such things as concerned the Kings service 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 Montroses approach was so averse froÌ„ the presence of so gallant a maÌ„ that in a trice he leapt on horse-back with one man along with him ran a way any way he car'd not whither nor vouchsafed the Kings Viceroy 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 conceale this frovvasrdnesse unrulinesse of Huntleys lest it should be a bad president 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 detestatioÌ„ of Huntley that by that means they might acquit theÌ„selves 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 Seaford who had beeÌ„ but lately 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 invitation made nothing but sleevelesse excuses and put-offs
Mountanier without any man along with him save the abovesaid Patricke Graham his guide and companion And indeed the Irish would hardly be perswaded that that was Montrose but wen they saw him so saluted and onely not adored like some great Deity by the men of Athole and others that knew him well they were overjoyed for his coming to them was in exceeding good time they being then in extreame danger to be cut off For Argyle was in their reare with a strong and well ordered Army the champaine countrey were ready in armes before them expecting if they should make downe into the Plaine to trample them to dirt with their horses hoofes the vessels that brought them◠over were burnt by Argyle that they might have no way to retreat nor would the Athole men or any other that favoured the King venture any hazard with them because they were strangers and came not by the Kings open and known Authority nor had they any Commander of ancient Nobility a thing by the Highlanders much set by who would not fight under the command of Alexander Mac-donell a man of no account with them lastly their number was inconsiderable being not above eleven hundred though ten thousand had been promised The next day the Athole men to the number of eight hundred put themselves in armes offered their service most cheerfully to Montrose who having got his handfull of men and earnestly commending his most righteous Cause to the protection of Almighty God now desired nothing more then to be among the thickest of the enemy Impatient therefore of further delay that very day he marches through the Plains of Athole towards Ern as well to make way for his friends and assistants easier accesse unto him if any should rise upon the newes as that he might fall upon and amaze the Rebels unlook't for before they should be able to joyne together who lay at distance Therefore passing by Weme a castle of the Menises seeing they handled a Trumpeter whom he sent friēdly unto them unworthily and fell hotly upon the reare of his Army he wastes their fields and causes all their houses and corne to be fired this was at the very first onset of the Warre to strike terrour into the enemy The same night he passed over Tay the greatest river in Scotland with part of his Forces the rest follow him very early the next day When they were ready to march on he gave Patrick Graham of whom I shall haue often to speak never without honour at their earnest request the Command of the Athole men sent him with the nimblest of them he could pick out amongst them to scout before He brings word he saw some souldiers drawne up on the top of an hill at Buckinth towards them Montrose makes straight These proved to be commanded by the Lord Kilpont son to the Earle of Taith a man of ancient Nobility and descended of the Grahams and Sir Iohn Drummond sonne to the Earl of Perth a kinsman also of Montrose◠who were both of them summoned by the Covenanters to joyne against the Irish as the Common enemy and had with them five hundred Foot and no more nor had they heard any certainty at all of Montrose's being in those parts He resolveth with all speed to surprise them and either to winne them to his side or to crush them to pieces But they as soone as they heard that Montrose was Generall of those Forces send unto him some of their chiefest friends to understand from him what he intended to doe He tells them he had the Kings Authority for what he did and was resolved to assert that Authority to the utmost of his power against a most horrid Rebellion conjuring them by all the obligations that were betweene them that they would not thinke much to doe their best endeavours for the best of Kings Which as it was much becoming their high birth and would be very acceptable service to the King so it would be beneficiall unto them for the present and much to their honour with posterity and strangers if they of all others should be the first that put to their helping hands to hold up a tottering Crowne They most readily without any delay came in unto him for both of them though underhand favoured the King exceedingly From them Montrose understood that the Covenanters were thick in armes at a Rendezvouz at Perth the second City to Edinburgh and there waited for their enemies falling down from Athole He knowing also that Argile with his Army was upon his backe lest he should be hem'd in on both sides determines to goe forward to Perth that there he might either force the enemy to fight or reduce the Towne to the Kings obedience Marching therefore three miles from Buckinth and allowing the Souldiers but a short time of refreshment at the breake of day he drawes out his men Nor was he above three miles more from the City whem the enemy was in view in a large and open Plain called Tippermore providing to fight They were commanded by the Lord Elchoe one that was taken for no great souldier there were with him the Earle of Tullibardin and the Lord Drummond but this latter as was conceived against his will for he his fathers whole family favoured the King in their hearts Knights he had with him good store among whom Sir Iames Scot who heretofore had done good service under the State of Venice was the most noted souldier They had six thousand Foot seven hundred Horse and in confidence of their numbres they had even devoured their enemies before they saw them It was on Sunday the first of September it was given in charge to their Ministers that in set Speeches they should encourage the people to fight not forgetting to minde them of their most holy Covenant forsooth And to give them their due they plyed their lungs stoutly in the performance of that worke they most freely promised them in the name of Almighty God an easie and unbloudy victory nay there was one Frederick Carmiohael one very much cryrd up for learning and holinesse by the silly people who was not afraid to deliver this passage in his Sermon If ever God spake word of truth out of my mouth I promise you in his name assured victory this day Gods service being thus finely performed as they thought they put their men in Battalia Elchoe himself commanded the right flank Sir Iames Scot the left and the Eare of Tullebardin the battell To the right and left flanks were added wings of horse with which they made no doubt on so faire a Plaine to hemme in the enemy Montrose perceiving the great body of the enemy and especially their strength in Horse for he had not so much as one Horse-man nor more then three leane horses and being carefull as it concerned him lest being incompassed with so great a number they should fall upon him in the Front Reare and Flanke he caused his
Army to be drawne out to as open order as could be possible and makes his Files onely three deep He commands the Ranks all to discharge at once those in the first Ranke kneeling in the second stooping and in the hindmost where he placed the tallest men upright he chargeth them also to have a care of mis-spending their powder of which they had so small store and that they should not so much as make a shot till they came to the very teeth of their enemies assoone as they had discharged their muskets once a piece immediately to breake in upon the enemy with their swords musket ends which if they did he was very confident the enemy would never endure the charge Montrose undertakes the Command of the right Flanke over against Sir Iames Scot appoints the left to the Lord Kilpont the maine Battell to Mac donell with his Irish vvhich vvas very providently ordered lest the Irish vvho vvere neither used to fight vvith long Pikes nor vvere furnis-with swords if they had been placed on either flank should haue beene exposed to the fury of the Scotch Horse Montrose had sent unto the Commanders of the enemy Drummond sonne and heire to the Lord Maderty a noble Gentleman and accomplished with all kinde of vertues who declared in his name That Montrose aswell as the Kings Majesty from whom he had received his Commission was most tender of shedding his Countreyes bloud and had nothing more in his devotions then that his victories might he written without a red Letter And such a victory they might obtaine as well as he if they should please but to have the honour to conquer themselves and before a stroke were stâ—ucke to returne â—nto their Allegeance That for his part he was covetous of no mans wealth 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 them grace and protection of so good a King who as he had hitherto condescended unto all things either for matter of Religion or anything else which they thought good to aske though to the exceeding great prejudice of his Prerogative so still they might finde him like an indulgent Father ready to embrace his penitent children in his armes although he had been provoked with unspeakable injuries But if they should continue still obstinate in their Rebellion he called God to witnesse that it was their own stubbornesse that forced him to the present encounter The Commanders of the enemies answered nothing at all to all this but against the Law of Nations sent the Messenger who out of meere love to his Countrey had undertaken the employment prisoner with a company of rude souldiers unto Perth vowing assoone as they had got the victory to cut off his head But God was more mercifull to him and provided otherwise then 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 forlorne-hope to provoke Montrose to a light skirmish he sends a few to meet them who at the first onset disorder and rout them sending them backe to their maine body in no small fright Montrose thought now was his opportunity and that nothing could conduce more either to the encouragement of his owne souldiers or the terrour of the enemy then immediately 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 seâ—ting up a great shout he lets loose his whole Army upon them The enemy first at distance discharge their Ordnance which made more noise then they did harme afterwards marching forward their Horse labour to breake in upon Montrose's Souldiers those when their powder was spent and many of them had neither Pikes nor scarse Swords they stoutly entertaine with such weapons as the place would afford good stones of which they poured in such number amongst them with so great strength and courage that they forced them to retreat and to trouble them no more For the Irish and Highlanders striving bravely whetâ—er should out vie the other in valour bore up so eagerly when they gave ground that at last they betooke themselves to the nimblenesse of their Horses heeles There was something more to do a little while longer in the right Flanke Sir Iames Scot disputed some time for the higher ground but Montrose's men being stronger bodied especially swifter footmen obtained the Hill from thence the Athole meÌ„ rushed downe with their drawne swords upon the enemy and making little account of the musquetiers who sent their bullets amongst them as thicke as haile closing with them as they lik't best to fight they slash't and beat them downe At last the enemy not able to abide their fury fairely 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 forsooke him afterwards The rest taking a solemn Protestation that they would never after beare armes against the King he set at liberty He tooke in Perth the same day without doing the least harme unto the City although most of the Citizens had fought against him in this battell thinking by so great clemency to turne the hearts of the people towards their King vvhich vvas the onely end to vvhich he directed all his designes 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 Earle 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 owne supplies of Horse were joyned with him out of the South parts therefore Montrose passing over Tay tooke up his Quarters in the field for other quarters he seldom had near Couper a little village in Angus where a famous Monastery once stood but now lies on the ground Here a brave young gentleman Sir Thomas Ogilby sonne to the Earle of Arley with others of the Gentry of Angus met him readily offered him their service whom he courteously entertained and sent them away with thankes they pretending they onely went to fit themselves for a march neverthelesse few of them returned besides the Ogilbies Next morning by breake of day before the Revellier was beat there was a great tumult in the Camp the Souldiers ranne to their armes fell to be wilde and raging Montrose guessing
could never before be brought to beleeve that an Army could get into Argyle on foot in the midst of summer many times heretofore he has beâ— heard to bragge that he had rather lose a hundred thou sand Crownes then any mortall man should know the way by which an Army could enter into his Countrey When he therefore suspected nothing lesse the trembling Cow-herds came downe from the hills told him the enemy was within two miles He not knowing what to do and almost besides himself for fear at last commits himself to a fisher-boat and flies away leaving his friends and servants and the whole Countrey to their fortunes and the mercy of an enemy â—t is a rough and mountainous Countrey barren of corn for little or none is sown there but very commodious for pasture the chief riches of the inhabitants consisting in cattell Montrose divides his Army into three Brigades and sends theÌ„ about the Countrey one Brigade was commanded by the Chief of the Mac-renalds another by Mac-donel and the third by himself They range about all the Country and lay it waste as many as they finde in armes going to the Rendezvous appointed by their Lord they slay and spare no man that was fit for warre nor do they give over till they had driven al serviceable men out of that Territory or at least into holes knowne to none but themselves Then they fire the villages and Cottes lay them levell with the ground in that retaliating Argyle with the same measure he had meted unto others who was the first in all the Kingdome that prosecuted his Country-men with fire and sword Lastly they drive their cattell Nor did they deal more gently with others who lived in Lorn and the neighbour parts that acknowledged Argyle's power These things lasted from the 13. of December 1644. to the 28. or 29. of Ianuary following And indeed he used never more to acknowledge thâ— singular providence fatherly mercy of Almighty Goâ— then in bringing him his men safe out of those places for if but two hundred Souldiers had handsomeâ— kept those Passes they might easily either have cut off or at least driven back all his Forces Besides if thâ— Cow-herds had but driven away their cattell which they might easily have done in those barren places he must have starved for hunger Or thirdly if it had beeâ— a sharp and stormy winter and it seldome chances tâ— be otherwise there they had either been drowned iâ— snowdrifts or starv'd and benumb'd with cold Buâ— merciful God took away both courage from the enemy and its ordinary temper from the air supplyed their want of bread with great abundance of flesh Aâ— length departing out of Argyle and passing through Lorn-Glencow Aber he came to Logh-Nesse And now he expected that al the Highlanders being either frighted with the example of Argyle or freed froÌ„ the fear oâ— him should be ready to assist the Kings most righteouâ— cause vindicate it with their armes against the rebelâ— But now least Montrose's heroicall spirit should eveâ— want matter to work upon he is advertised that the Earl of Seafort a very powerfull man in those partâ— and one of whom he had entertained a better opinioÌ„ with the Garrison of Innernesse which were old Souldiers the whole strength of Murray Rosse Sutherland Cathnes and the sept of the Frasers were ready to meet him with a desperate army of five thousand Horse and Foot Montrose had only fifteen hundred for those of Clanrenald and most of the Atholemen suspecting no such need of them being laden with the spoils of Argyle had got leave to go home on condition they should return when they were sent for But for al that Montrose was not afraid to give battell to that disorderly Army for although he knew those of the Garrison to be old Souldiers yet he accounted of the rest of the multitude which were newly raised out of Husbandmen Cow-herds Pedees Tavern-boyes Kitchin-boyes to be altogether raw and unserviceable And now while he thought of nothing but fighting these a trusty Messenger overtakes him and informs him that Argyle having gathered forces out of the lower parts of the Kingdom and joyned unto them such Highlanders as yet adhered unto him had come down into Aber with three thousand Foot and staid at an old Castle called Innerlogh upon the bank of Logh-Aber Montrose who wel understood the crafty cowardly dispositioÌ„ of Argyle by that had a good guesse at his designe which was to follow after him at a good distance that he might be first engaged with those Northern men then to make his ovvn advantage of the event of that battel but by no means to fight himself if he could help it Therefore Montrose considered that it vvould be a matter of greater concernment and of lesse danger to let men see that Argyle was not invincible even in the Highlands vvere 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 a way 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 streight over Logh-Aber hills in untroden pathes and onely know to Cow-herds 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 upoâ— the back of the enemy ere he was aware They being but little affrighted with so unexpected an accident run to their arms and immediately prepare themselves for battel 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 â—allies skirmishes one with another neither gave the other leave to rest or retreat All others earnestly expected day only Argyle being more advised then the rest conveied himself away at dead of the night and this second time taking boat saved himself from the peril of battel as if he intended to be Vmpire between the two Armies being himself out of gunshot stand spectatour of other mens valour wel too At the break of day Montrose ordered his men as he intended to fight and the enemy were as forward to do the like For they did not yet think that Montrose was there as some prisoners afterwards confessed but some Colonell 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 struck no small terrour into the enemy For besides that a trumpet shewed they had Horse
Forth where hee believed the King could not want assistance Which designe of his was not unknown to the enemy therefore they send these Commanders against him with a powerfull Army who no sooner came in sight then Montrose offered them battell But they intended nothing lesse then to try it out with him that way nor would adventure so much as but to fall upon the rear of Montrose as he marched off So he went to the Castle of Innercarity and the next day to a village called Eliot And here again leaving the mountains behinde him hee descends into the plain and by a Trumpet sends a challenge unto Baily to fight Between their two Armies ran the river I le which neither could safely passe over without the others consent Montrose therefore desires Baily to give him leave safely to come over to that side which motion if Baily should not like of he offered him a safe and free passage on condition that he would engage his honour to fight without further delay Baily answered he would look to his own businesse himself and would not have other men teach him when to fight Thus the two Armies fac't one another many dayes neither the enemy endeavouring to passe their Forces over the river against Montrose nor he hoping to make good his passe unto them by reason of his scarcity of Horse Marching therefore to 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 Cordon sonne 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 bin received into favour He either by true or counterfeit letters from the old fox in the hole his father tempred and carried away with him almost all the Gordens without the knowledge of his brother and basely deserted Montrose and him when they were ready to be engaged with the enemy And truly it is hard to say to whether of both he bore lesse good will Montrose being sore afflicted with this unexpected revolt although he was of necessity to return into the North to gather new Forces yet made as if neverthelesse hee went straight towards the Forth and his Scouts came all with full cry that all the enemy were got over the Tay that by taking the fords of the Forth they might hinder this passage Hee lest he should seem all this while to have done nothing thought it wel worth his labour if by the way he could take in Dundee a most seditious town for that being the securest haunt and receptacle of the Rebels in those parts and a place that had contributed as much as any other towards the Rebellion was kept by no other garrison but of the Townsmen He therefore commanded the weakest and worst armed men to go along by the bottom 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 hee came to Dundee by ten of the clock in the morning on the 4. day of Aprill He summons the Townsmen to deliver the Town to the King Which Was the only vvay to preserve their ovvn lives and its safety if they would not they must expect fire and svvord They began to make delayes and first to give no ansâ—er at all aftervvard to commit the Trumpet to prison Which affront provoked Montrose so highly that hee stormed the Town in three places at once the Townsmen stood out a vvhile 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 possessing themselves of their ordinance turned it against the Town others beat open the gates and possesse themselves of the Church and Market-place and others set the Town on fire in 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 on fire But as it happened it was better both for the conquerours and the conquered that it was not for all the intelligence that the Scouts had brought in concerning the enemies coming over te Tay was absolutely false it may be they saw a few Troops and many they dit not see passe over it which they beleeved to have been the wole 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 hil close unto Dundee loocking upon this onslaught when his almost breathlesse Scouts brought him newes that Baily and Hurrey with three thousand Foot and eight hundred Horse were scarce a mile off He immediately calls his men out of the Town vvhich he had much to do to perswade them for the souldiers counting themselves secure of the victory and thinking they had done a good dayes work already and besides being a little heated in drink and much taken with so rich a booty could hardly be brought to leave the Town they had so newly taken And truly before they could be beaten off from the spoile the enemy was come within musket-shot of them And now as it uses to happen in great dangers Montrose's counsell of War were of different opinions some perswaded that Montrose should shift for himself with te 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 where spent in a hot fight at noon and now were over-loaden either with drink or prey especially seing he was to march twenty or perhaps thirty miles from Dundee before they could rest in safety That this was the fortune of War and to be patiently undergone especially since he had given oft times far greater overthrowes to the enemy then 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 miscaried 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 courageously 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 extramest 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 vvere to dash out their ovvn brains against the stones vvas the very last
of such a man Thus forgetting their victory and the spoile they fixt their eyes upon the lifelesse body kissed his face and hands commended the singular beauty of the corps compared the Nobility of his descent and the plentifulnesse of his fortune vvith the hopefulnesse of his parts and counted that an unfortunate victory that had stood them in so much And truly it vvas 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 vvith the presence and safety of Montrose Nor could he himself refrain himself from bewailing vvith 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 Scottish Nobility the ablest assertor of the Royall Authority in the North and so intimate a friend unto himself should be thus cut off in the flowre of his age In the mean time hoping that reason and time between them would asswage that grief hee commands Physicians to embalme his noble corps which afterwards being removed to Aberdene he saw brought forth with a sumptuous and Souldier-like Funerall and interr'd in the Monument of his Ancestors in the Cathedrall Church This battell was fought at Alford on the 2. of Iuly 1645. CHAP. XII MOntrose that same afternoon that hee had got this victory at Alford marching to Clunie Castle allowed onely two or three houres to his souldiers for their refreshment And going from thence to the banke 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 not farre from their own habitations had dropt home with their pillage And because Macdonell was not yet returned hee kept his quarters at Cragston expecting both him and Aboine But when hee perceived those Auxiliaries were dispatched unto him with lesse speed then he hoped and finding his expectation deluded impatient of so long and disadvantageous delay after he had got over the Dee and Gransbaine fell down into Merne and lay at Ferdon Chapell once famous for the See and Sepulchre of St. Palladius Thence hee 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 hee sends him backe 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 Patricke 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 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 assigne And Glengar a man never sufficiently to be commended for his valour and loyalty to the King and serviceablenesse 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 imployed brought in about five hundred more Besides out of the plaines of Marre came a great number of the Fercbarsons gallant men and of approved valour And some too out of Badenoth 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 wel to spoile the enemies levying of men in Fifeshire and the Country on this side the Forth as also to break up the Parliament which the Covenanters had not without solemnity and ostentation summoned at Saint Iohns-tovvne Nor did any thing hinder him but want of Horse of which alwayes he had such scarcity that it was never or very seldome safe for him to fall down into the plain Country But because hee daily expected Aboine and Airley to come unto him with a considerable party of Horse he passed over the Tay at Dunkeldon and lying near Amunde struck no small terrour into the enemy who held Saint Iohns tovvn and from thence approaching nearer unto them he encamped in Methfyn Forrest The enemies Foot all but the garrison souldiers in the Towne 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 hee 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 they wer four hundred But he the next day the more to encrease their terrour drew nearer unto the Town with those Horse hee had and about the same number of ready Fire-lockes 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 Duplin hee 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 tooke 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 hee should offer to passe over the Forth But hee finding it not safe for himself neither to descend into the champian Country they both kept their stations for many dayes the enemy 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 least they should lose the opportunity of doing their businesse Hee 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
These were fair words and a first hearing seem'd to carry an honest meaning along with them but were promised with that kind of faith that the Creatures and Favourites of the too indulgent King are used to keep And perhaps upon that score he Earl of Lanerick Duke Hamiltons brother is more to be commended whom Montrose having earnestly sollicited by friends to come off to the Kings side although that way he might very likely expect his pardon for what was past and the releasement of his brother yet without any dissimulation he gave this peremptory answer That he would have nothing te doe with that side and that he would never pretend that friendship which he intended not to preserve And I would to God all they on whom the good King has too much relied had delivered themselves with the same candor and plain dealing ever since the beginning of those troubles About the same time Montrose sent the Marquess of Douglasse and the Lord Ogilby over into Anandale and Niddisdale that there with the assistance of the Earls of Anandale and Hartfield they might list a many souldiers Horse especially as they could And gives them orders withall to march with such as they should so raised towards Trequaire Roxborough and Hume that they might engage them without any further put offs in an association with them For Montrose understood a little what Court-holy-water meant and therefore was something suspitious of the delayes which they fram'd the rather having had some experience of their cunning and slipperinesse especially of Trequaires And truly Douglasse by the chearfull endeavours of the Earls of Anandale and Hartfield had quickly raised a considerable party if one count them by the head but they were new men taken from their plowes and flocks and but raw soldiers forward enough at the first charge but by and by their hearts faile them and they can by no means be kept to their colours When Douglasse and the rest of the Commanders considered this they write againe and againe to Montrose that he would make haste after them with his old souldiers towards Tweed for by his presence and authority and the company and example of the old souldiers they might be brought either willingly or whether they would or no to know their duties In the meane time according to his command they go on to Strathgale freely offering an opportunity and their service if it needed to Roxborough and Trequaire to draw out their men the more easily and timely But they good men who well enough understood the secretest counsels of the Covenanters and knew that all their Horse would be there immediately out of England under the command of David Lesley intended nothing more then to over-reach the King with their old tricks and to deliver Montrose whose glory they envied into the hands of his enemies though not by armes for that they could not yet by treachery To that end they insinuate againe and againe not only unto Douglasse and his party but to Montrose himself by their friends and frequent messengers that for their parts they were ready to expose their persons to the utmost hazard but they could never be able to draw together their friends clients and Trained bands except they were animated and couraged with Montrose his presence And that they might be the better beleeved they curse themselves to the pit of hell if they did not stand stifly and unalterably to their promise Montrose notwithstanding was not taken with all this but staid still at Bothvvell conceiving that if there were any truth or honesty in their words Douglasse and his party who still lay in the Country adjacent would be sufficient for the raising and encouraging of their friends and dependents At length when Montrose had quartered a great while at Bothvvell most of the Highlanders being loaden with spoile ran privily away from their colours and returned home Presently after their very Commanders desired Furloghs for a little while pretending that the enemy had not an Army in the field within the borders of that Kingdom and therefore their service for the present might well be spared besides they complained that their houses and corn in and with which their parents wives children were to be sustained that winter were fired by the enemy and no provision made for them so that they humbly desired to be excused for a few weeks in which they might take care to secure their families from hunger and cold Also they solemnly and voluntarily engaged their words that they would return many more then they went and much refreshed within forty dayes These Montrose seeing he could not hold them as being Voluntiers fighting without pay that he might the more engage them thought fit to dismisse them not only with Licences but Commissions And giving publick commendations to the souldiers and thanks in his Majesties name to the Commanders exhorting them to follow their businesse closely vigorously he appoints Alexander Mac-donell their Countriman and Kinsman who was but too ambitious of that employment to be their companion and guide who should bring them back to the Camp by the day appointed Who in a set speech gave thanks in all their names to the Lord Governour for his so noble favour and as if he had been their Baile or surety with a solemne oath ondertook for their sudden return yet hee never saw Montrose after Nor was he contended to carry away with him the whole Forces of the Highlanders who were more then three thousand stout mē but he privily drew away sixscore of the best Irish as if forsooth he had pick't thē out for his Live guard About this very time many messengers came severall wayes to Bothwell from the King at Oxford Amongst whom one was Andrevv Sandiland a Scotch-man but bred in England entred into holy Orders there a very upright man faithfull to the King and much respected by Montrose who continued constantly with him unto the end of the War Another was Sir Robert Spotswood once the most deserving President of the highest Court in Scotland and now his Majesties Secretary for that Kingdome who passed from Oxford through Wales into Anglesey and thence getting a passage into Loghaber came into Athole and was conducted by the men of Athole unto Montrose Almost all the Agents that came brought this Instruction amongst the rest That it was his Majesties pleasure that hee should joyne unto himself the Earls of Roxbourogh and Trequaire and consider in their advice and endeavours of whose fidelity and industry no question vvas to be made Moreover that he should make haste towards the Tweed vvhere hee should meet a party of Horse vvhich the King vvould instantly dispatch out of England to bee commanded by him with vvhom hee might safely give battell to David Lesly if as vvas suspected he marched that way with the Covenanters Horse All this the respective bearers unanimously delivered and his most excellent Majesty being over-credulous signified by his
from day to day Which carriage of his gave occasion of strange reports of him as if he although he was a bitter enemy 〈◊〉 Arg yle yet had great correspondence with and relations unto the Hameltons and therefore staid at home and looked only upon the preservation of the Mac-donells not medling with publique affaires Which wheÌ„ 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 condigne punishment to deal with them as men use to do with sick children make them take physick whether they wil or no. And he wanted not fitting instrumnets to promore this designe who had earnestly labored 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 then to the Enemy For besides the losse of many valiant Souldiers he gave his Highlanders leave to pillage the City But what fault those poore innocent Aberdene-meÌ„ had made either against the King or Huntley let them judge who know that almost all of them were eminent and observed for their loyalty But for the enemy whoÌ„ he took in Armes who were both many and of very good account amongst their own party he dismist them freely without any conditions and look't fawningly upon them rather like a Petitioner then a Conquerour Nor vvhen he had many Colonels Knights and others of quality 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 then his friends CHAP. XXI MOntrose being busie about his designe on the last of May there came unto him a Herald with CoÌ„mands from the King who by I know not what misfortune had cast himself upon the Scotch Covenanters Army at Newcastle whereby he was required forth with to lay dovvn his Armes and disband and to depart into France and there to waite his Majesties further pleasure He being astonished with this unexpected message bitterly bewailed the sad condition of the King that had forced him to cast himself upon the mercy of his most deadly enemies And doubted not but that that command which was given him for disbanding was extorted from him by the craft or force or threats of the 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 their lives to death if he stood in arms against the Kings commad 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 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 Knights 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 dispatcheth Sir Iohn Hurrey and Sir Iohn Innes being men of greatest account in his Army as he conceived most in Huntleys favour unto him to desire him to be present at that so serious Consultation referr'd unto him the appointment of the time and place And to tell him moreover that Montrose was willing to come to his Castle if he thought fit Huntley answer'd That the King had sent him letters also to the same effect which he was resolved to obey that the Kings commands were of that nature as not to admit of second thoughts and after them nothing was left for consultation When they replyed that that likely was Montroses opinion too and that he was as ready as any other to give obedience to the Kings Commands if they were not forced however it concern'd them all to provide in time for the safety of them and theirs And that the credit aud authority of what they resolved upon would be greater even in the opinion of the enemies themselves if they made a joynt and unanimous resolution He made no other answer then that he had resolved for himself and would have nothing to doe with any body else Montrose there fore sends his answer to the King by letters wherein he was very inquisitive of the condition he was in amongst the Covenanters and whether he conceiv'd himself safe in their hands and also whether his service could be beneficiall unto him any further And if he was fully determin'd to have that Army disbanded which fought for him whiles the enemy in both Kingdomes were in a military posture and crow'd over them more more what course should be taken for the security of the lives and fortunes of his most gallant and faithfull Subjects who had spent their bloud and all that was deare unto them for his sake For it was a lamentable case if so excellent mâ—n should be left to the mercy of them that had none not only to be undone but to be murthered To this he received no open answer besides some Articles which the messenger brought which were signed by the Rebells with wich Montrose was to be content But he in great anger rejected those conditions which the enemy had made being so unconsionable as they were and not vouchsafing so much as to treat with the enemy sent back the bearer to the King professing that as he had not taken up armes but by the Kings Commission so he would have no condition prescribed him to lay them down by any mortall man but the King himself Therefore he humbly besought the King if he thought it fit that he should disband his Army that he would not think much to make and signe the conditions himself to which though they prov'd perhaps very harsh he promised absolutely to submit but he scorn'd the Commands of any one else whosoever they were The messenger returning at last brought with him Articles signed by the Kings hand with Injunctions now the third time wherein he was required to disband without further delay and the same messenger charged him in the Kings name under pain of high Treason to give obedience forth with unto the Kings Command And besides his Majesties pleasure there was another thing which hastened him which was that those that had engaged with him had most of theÌ„ pâ—ivately and by their friends laboured to make their peace with the Rebells which was