Aberdene he was taken prisoner by the Enemy was condemned unto death which he had not escaped except for fear of death he had harkened nto Argâ—yle who most unworthily set a price upoâ— Montroses head and promised great rewards honours and preferments to whomsoever should bring it in and had taken upon himself to commit that treason which he abhorred with all his soule By which shift having his life liberty giveÌ„ him he returned straight to Montrose and discovered all unto him beseeching him to be more carefull of himself for not he onely vvho heartily detested so high a villany but many more had been offered great matters most of whom would use their best endeavours to dispatch him The next was Alexander Ogleby of whom we also spake before eldest son to Sir Iohn Ogleby of Innercarit descended of an ancient family and much renowned in the Scottish Chronicles He was but yet a youth scarce twenty but valiant above his age and of a present and daring spirit Nor can I hear or so much as conjecture what they had to lay to his charge but that new and unheard of Treason to wit his bounded duty and loyalty to his King But there vvas no help for 't but Argâ—yle must needs sacrifice that hopeful youth if it had been for nothing but his names sake for he bare an implacable fewd to the Oglebyes The third vvas Sir Philip Nesbit of an ancient family also and Chief of it next his Father who had done honourable service in the Kings Army in England and had the command of a Regiment there Nor can I discover any reason they had to put him to death neither besides that which is used when they have nothing else to say that mad charge of the new high Treason except it was that their guilty consciences suggested unto them that that courageous and viglant man might take occasion sometime hereafter to be even with theÌ„ for the horrid injuries they had done his Father his Family However these men suffer'd a noble death with patience and constancy as became honest men and good Christians And unto these there are two brave Irish Gentlemen that deserve to be joyned Colonell O-Cahen Colonel Laghlin odious unto the Rebels only for this impardonable crime that they had had many experiments of their courage and gallantry These Irish Gentlemen were murthered indeed at Edinburgh but many more were doom'd to the like executioÌ„ at Glascow had not MoÌ„troses unexpected approach within a few miles of the City had so much influence that it repriev'd them till another time The Lord Governour was very much perplexed with the newes of these mens death it was a question whether he was more vex't at the cruelâ—y of the Rebells or the negligeÌ„ce if not treachety of his friends For besides Huntley whose Forces he had so long in vaine expected to come with his son Aboine Mac-donell also himself of whoÌ„ he entertained an exceeding good opinion being ofteÌ„ sent unto invited also by the nearnesse of the place although the time appointed by himself was already past gone made no appearance of his approach Six weeks had now passed since Aboine had engaged himself for the Northern Forces the winter then which our age never saw sharper was already deeply entred Besides the aids that the King had sent under the commaÌ„d of the Lord Digâ—y were defeated al which might easily have been salv'd and the Kingdome reduced againe if those great Professors of loyalty had not plaid loose in that good Cause Therefore at last on the 20. of November Montrose departing from Levin and passing over the Mountains of Taich now covered with deep snow through woods and bogges whose names I do not at this time well remember crossing also through Strath-Erne over the Tay returned into Athole There he met Captain Ogleby and Captain Nesbit whom he had formerly sent with the Kings instructions unto Huntley And they bring word the man was obstinate and inflexible who would beleeve nothing that they said when they unfolded unto him the Kings Commands answered scornfully That he understood all the Kings businesse better then they or the Gouvernour himself and neither he nor any of his Children should have any thing to doe with him Moreover he sharply threatningly reproved his friends clients who had willingly assisted Montrose and dealt worse with them then with Rebells Neverthelesse the Lord Governour thought best to take no notice of any of these things but bear with them whiles he treats with the Athole men for the setling of the Militia of that Countrey he sends again unto Huntley by Sir Iohn Dalyell as a more fit mediator of friendship Who was To informe him of the danger the King and Kingdome was in and so of the present misery that hung over his all faithfull Subjects heads and to make it appear unto him that it was no ones but his and his sons fault both that they had not brought in the supplies into Scotland which the King had sent and that the prisoners who were gallant and faithfull men had been so cruelly butchered and that yet there were many more remaining that had near relations to Huntley himself some also of the prime Nobility whom the Rebels would cut of after the same fashion unlesse they were now at last relieved And lastly to pray and beseech him that at least he would grant the Kings Governor the favour of a friendly conference promising he would give him abundant satisfaction Huntley although he answered Dalyel in all things according to his wonted peevishnesse yet he was most of all averse to a Conference as fearing seeing he should have nothing to answer to his arguments and reasons the presence the confidence and the wisdome of so excellent a man But Montrose assoon as things were setled in Athole that he might leave nothing unattempted that might possibly bring him to better thoughts resolved dissembling all injuries and obliging him by all good offices to surprise him and be friends with him whether he would or no and to treat with him concerning all things that concern'd his Majesties service Therefore in the moneth of December he forced his way very hardly through rivers and brooks that were frozen indeed but not so hard as to bear mens waight over the tops of hills and craggy rocks in a deep snow and passing through Angus and over Gransbaine drew his Forces into the North and almost before he was discover'd marched with a few men into Strathbogy where Huntley then liv'd But he being struck with his unexpected approach upon the first newes he heard of him lest he should be forced to a Conference against his will immediately fled to Bogie a Castle of his situated upon the mouth of the Spey as if he intended to ferry over the river and to wage war against the Rebelles in Murray And now it comes into my minde briefly to enquire what night be
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
with them and therefore was a sound with which those parts were little acquainted it discovered also that Montrose himself was there Neverthelesse the prime of the Campbells that 's the syrname of Argyle's family being gallant men and stout and deserving to fight under a better Chieftain in a better cause cheerfully begin the battell But their souldiers that were in the Front having only once discharged their muskets and Montrose's men pressing on fiercely to come to the dint of sword began to run Whom they raising a great shout so eagerley pursued that as it were at one assault they routed them all and had the killing of them with a most horrible slaughter for nine miles together Of the enemy were slain fifteen hundred among whom were very many Gentlemen of the Campbells who where chief men of the family and of good account in their Country who fighting but too valiantly for their Chieftain had deaths answerable to their names and fell in Campo Belli in the Field of War I cannot say the bed of Honour Their fortune Montrâ—se extreamly lamented and saved as many of them as hee was able taking them into his protection whiles Argyle himself being gotten into a boat and rowed a little way off the shore securely look't on whiles his kindred and souldiers were knockt on the head Some Colonels and Captains that Argyle had brougt thither out of the Low-lands fled into the Castle whom when the Castle was surrendred and quarter was given unto them Montrose used courteously and after he had done them severall good offices of humanity charity freely let them depart In this fight Montrose had many wounded but none slain saving three private souldiers but the joy of this great victory was much abated by the wounds of that truly honourable Sir Thomas Ogleby sonne to the Earl of Airley of which after a few dayes he dyed He was one of Montrose's dearest friends one who had done very good service for the King in England under the Command of his Father-inlaw the Lord Ruthien Earl of Forth and Braineford a man known all the world over for his noble achievements Nor was he lesse a scholler then a souldier being a new ornament to the family of the Oglebyes whose honourable deaths-wounds for his King and Country had no small influence upon that dayes victory Montrose being very much afflicted with the losse of him causeth his body to be carried into Athole where he was interred with as sumptuous a funerall as thaâ— place and those times could afford But the power of the Campbelâ—â— in the Highlands which for these many ages past hath been formidable to their neighbours was by this overthrow clearly broken to pieces and by it also a way opened unto Montrose to do his businesse the more easily thenceforward For the Highlanders being warlike men and let loose from the hated tyranny of Argyle now began to offer themselves willingly unto the Kings service CHAP. IX THe souldier who was almost spent with this sore travell having refreshed himself for a few dayes Montrose measuring over againe Logh-Aber hills returneth to Logh-Nesse And from thence viewing by the way the coasts of Harrick Arne and Narne came to the river of Spey Here he is told that there was no small party of the enemy at Elgin which is the chief town of Murray a Country beyond the Spey Montrose hies towards these either to draw them to his side or to suppresse them but the very report of his advancing blevv avvay that cloud for they in great amazement shifted for themselves every one vvhither he could Montrose neverthelesse goes on his march and takes in Elgin by surrender on the 14. day of February At which time the Lord Gordon eldest son to the Marquesse of Huntley a man who can never bee sufficiently commended for his excellent endowments came off openly to the Kings side from his uncle by whom he had been detained against his will and with not many but very choise friends and clients voluntarily did his duty and offered his service to Montrose as the Kings Deputy and Vicegerent Montrose first welcomed him with all civility and gave him many thanks afterwards when hee came to understand him more inwardly joyned him unto himself in the entirest bonds of friendship and affection Now because the inhabitants of Murray were extreamly addicted to the Convenanters they hid themselves in their lurking places nor were any supplies to be expected from men so maliciously disposed Therefore he drew his Forces to this side the Spey to raise the Countries of Bamph and Aberdene by the presence example authority of the Lord Gordon So having got together what forces he could in those places with two thousand Foot and two hundred Horse passing the river of Dee he came into Marne and encamped not farre from Fettercarne At Brechin some seven miles from thence Sir Iohn Hurray a stout man and an active and famous also in forraigne parts for Military exploits being Generall of the Horse for the Covenanters had the Command over the whole Forces there Hee came out with six hundred Horse to discover the strength of Montrose he conceived Montrose had but very few Foot and no Horse and if he should but descend into the plain hee made account to make short work with him and howsoever it should happen he made no question but to secure himself Montrose to draw him on hid the rest of his men in a bottome and made shew only of his two hundred horse but lined them as he used with his nimblest Musquetiers Which Horse when Hurrey saw and observed they were so few he drew up his men and charged But when he perceived too late the Foot that ran close after Montrose's Horse he sounded a retreat and Hurrey himself turning his men before him behaved himself stoutly in the rear When they turned their backs Montrose's souldiers drive on let fly and lay about them untill being got over te river of Eske the enemy scarce safe under the protection of Night betook themselves to shelter nor did they think themselves secure till after a race of four and twenty miles long they came to Dundee Then they that had pursued them so far returned to Fethercarne and thence the next day to Brechin Here Montrose understod that Batly a Commander of great account had been fetched out of England to be Generall of the enemies Forces that Hurrey with his Horse was joyned unto him and that they had in their Army many olde souldiers brought back out of England and Ireland so that now the Covenanters going about their businesse in so great sadnesse Montrose must expect not only other kind of souldiers but also most expert Commanders to deal with Therefore lest he should chance to be hemb'd in with their Horse in which their chief strength lay he chuseth his most convenient way by the foot of Grainsbaine towards the river of Tay intending also if it were possible to get over the
therefore who saw the king was like to be ruined by his own authority and saw to that he was too weake to oppose himself both against the strength of the Covenanters the Kings abused Commission in a melancholy mood made as if he took no notice of any thing And the Covenanters supposing that he had received some distaste from the King by reason of the affront he received at York and Hamiltons over-povvering him they set upon him yet againe privately and by friends to see if by intreaty or interest they could draw him to their side offering him authority and wealth even the greatest Honour Civill and Military Which offers he did not seem much to slight that by that meanes he might have an easier vvay to dive into their counsells The Covenanters that this groving friendship might be the better cemented and sanctified God blesse us send unto him that great Apostle of their Covenant Alexander Henderson who should give him full satisfaction in all his scruples Montrose heartily desired to speake with that fellow out of whom he doubted not to pump all the secrets of the Covenanters and lest a private meeting with such a man should give a scandall to the Kings friends he tooke the Lords Napier and Ogleby Sir Sterling Keere to be witnesses of the discourse and on the bank of the river Forth not far from Sterling theâ— met Montrose made as though he accounted himselfâ— very happy and much honoured in the visit of so worthy a man upon vvhose faith honesty and judgement he so much relied Told him That tâ— give the ill opinion of his enemies leave to breath it selfe after some late mistakes he was content to stay at home that he knew nothing of what was done in Parliament that he was almost at a losse how to behave himselfe in that ticklish condition the Common-wealth stood and therefore beseeched him for old acquaintance sake to let him freely know what they intended Henderson taking it for granted by these expressions that he was wheeling about towards the Covenanters that he might the more oblige the Marquesse unto him answered him flatly and without more adoe That it was resolved to send as strong an army as they could raise in aid of their brethren of England against the Kings forces that the Covenanters of both Kingdomes had unanimously agreed upon this either to dye or bring the King to their lure that nothing could fall out more happily then that he should renew his friendship with his Peers of the Nobility and the rest of the Kingdome that so doing he would give great content to all men besides the honour and profit that would redound to himselfe that by his example others if others there were that idolized the empty shadow of the Kings name would give most hearty thanks unto his Lord God that he had vouchsafed to make use of him as the Minister and ever Mediatour of so great a worke and at last entreated him to speake out his minde and commit all such things to his care and industry as he should desire from the Parliaments either in relation to his honour or profit assuring him he satisfied his hearts desire Montrose having gotten out the knowledge of those things which he eagerly sought for now bethought himselfe how he should keep Henderson and his party in suspence a while that they should not yet get within him For what answere could he give them If he should professe himselfe to be against their courses that would doe the King no good and might bring a great deale of danger upon himselfe and on the other side to put them in greater hopes of him by promising those things he never meant to performe as being a staine unto his honour Therefore he takes this course there was present at that conference with Hinderson one Sir Iames Rollock Chiefe of a very ancient and flourishing family his former wife had been Montrose his sister after whose death he married the sister of the Marques of Argyle the ring-leader of the Covenanters in Scotland thus being allied unto them both he seemed to be a very fit mediatour of friendship between them Montrose askes him whether those things which had passed between them proceeded from the direction of the Parliament or out of their owne good wills He answered he conceived that Master Henderson had received Commission from the Parliament to that purpose but Henderson said no but he made no question but the Parliament would make good any thing that he promised Montrose told them he could resolue upon nothing except he had the Publque Faith to build upon especialy the messengers disâ—greing between themselves Where upon as thâ— fashion is on such occasions one of them layes thâ— blame upon the other when both of them ought râ—ther to have condemned their owne carlesnesse anâ— negligence The conference being thus ended Moâ—trose having obtained his ends and they being no wâ—â—ser then they came thither every one went his owâ— way CHAP. III. MOntrose being returned from this Conference related all things as they had passed unto some select friends whom hee could safely trust and withaâ— entreated them that for the greater confirmation oâ— the businesse they would all goe along with him to the King that his Majesty receiving a full account oâ— all things might lend his eare to sound counsell and yet if it was possible provide a remedy against so threatning evils Most of them were of opinion Thaâ— the King and his authority were utterly ruined and irrecoverable that is was a thing passing the power of man to reduce thaâ— Kingdome to obedience that for their parts they had acquiâ—ted themselves before God and the world and their owne consciences that hitherto with the disgrace of their persons the losse of their estates and the hazard of their lives they had continued in their allegeance hereafter they would be onely lookers on and petitioners unto Almighty God for better times Montrose who could by no meanes be removed from so honest a resolution communicating his counsell to the Lord Ogiléy whom of all men he especially loved goes straight to Oxford The King was absent thence being gone to the siege of Glocester He imparts unto the Queen what designes the Scottish Covenanters had against his Majesty but he had as good have said nothing for she had determined not to beleeve a word by reason of the farre greater confidence she reposed in Hamilton his brother Montrose seeing no good was to be done with the Queen goes to Glocester and declares all things to the King himselfe How there was a powerfull army to be raised in Scotland a day appointed on which it should be brought into England how their counsels were manifestly knowne unto him how to fetch him over to their side they had offered him very honourable Commands in the army but that he heartily detesting so horrid an employment had fled to his Majesty that he having notice thereof if he were
to Dunfrise and took the Towne into protection upon surrender and there he staid a while that he might be ready to entertaine Antrim and his Irish but the day appointed being already pass'd there came not so much as a Messenger from them nor the least report of them into Scotland And the Covenanters gathering themselves together on every side there was no staying there any longer for Montrose without being surprised therefore he returns safe to Carlisle with his men And seeing he could neither procure any aid from the English nor expect any Forraigners suddenly nor had scarse any hopes of good from Ireland and found that the Earle of Calendar had raised a new Army in Scotland to second General Lesly who had by this time together with the English Covenanters besiged Yorke he resolved lest he should spend his time idlely to engage himselfe among the Kings Forces in Northumberland the Bishoprick nor was that resolution either unprofitable to them or dishonorable to himself For having ferretted a Garrison of the Covenanters out of the towne of Morpet he took in the Castle permitted all the pillage unto the English and taking an Oath of them that had held it that they should never more fight against the King he sent them away without any greater punishment He tooke a Fort at the mouth of the river of Tine from the Covenanters who had not long before turned out an English Garrison from thence and dismist the prisoners upon the same termes with those of Morpet He pleÌ„tifully victualled Newcastle with corne brought from Alnwicke and other places thereabouts When this was done he was sent for by letters from Prince Rupert Count Palatine of Rhine who was then coming to raise the siege of Yorke And although he made all the haste he could yet he met not the Prince till he was upon his retreat the day after that unfortunate battell And truly the Prince freely offered Montrose a thouâ—aÌ„d Horse to take along with him into Scotland but some that were too powerfull with him dealt so with the good Prince that the next day after that promise was made there was not one horse to be had All things thus failing Montrose from which he expected any assistance yet his spirit never failed him therefore returning to Carlisle with those few but faithfull and gallant men that strucke close to him he sends away the Lord Ogleby and Sir William Rollock into the heart of Scotland in meane disguise lest they should be discovered by the enemy Within a fortnight they returned brought word that all things in Scotland were desperate all Passes Castles Townes possessed with Garrisons of the Covenanters nor could they finde any one so hardy as to dare to speake reverently or affectionately of the King Most of those who had adhered to Montrose all this while being cast downe with this sad newes bethought themselves of bending their courses some other way especially when they were tampered with by that honest man the Earle Traquair to desert the service who forgetting all his vowes and imprecations he had made before the King undertook in the name of the Covenanters not only for Indemnity to all that should fall off unto them but rewards and preferments too as if he had been all this while an Agent for the Rebells and not for the King as he pretended And yet this man was greater in the Kings favour and more confided in then any one except the Hamiltons Montrose calling his friends to counsell desires them to deliver their opinions what they conceived was fittest to be done in this sad face of things Some advise him to repaire to the King at Oxford and certifie him that his Scotch Affaires were past recovery that Antrim came not with his Irish Forces nor was there any appearance of them that little or no assistance had been obtained from the English and as for Armes or aid from Forraigne parts he had not so much as heard a word of them so that it was none of his fault that his service had no better successe Others were of opinion that it was better for him to excuse himself by Letters unto the King and to send up his Commission a long with them and that he himself should step a while aside into some other Countrey till such time as it should please God to send better opportunities But all agreed in this that nothing more was to be attempted or thought of in Scotland But he himselfe onely entertained farre other thoughts in his high and undaunted spirit He conceived himselfe bound never to forsake his dearest Lord the King though in extreamest hazards and that it was an unworthinesse to despaire of so good a cause and if he should attempt some greater matter then came within the reach or apprehension of common men he conjectured it might prove much to his owne Honour and some thing perhaps to the Kings good too For as it was dubious whether it might please God in his mercy to looke upon the King with a more favourable eye and to turne his adversity into prosperity so it was most certaine that if he should not be able to goe thorough with it but perish in the enterprise he should die with Honour and his fall should be much lamented So resolved and commending himselfe and his successe to the disposall and protection of Almighty God he performed such Adventures without men without money without armes as were not onely to the astonishment of us that were present and were eye and eare witnesses of them but also the example and envy both of all great Commanders hereafter What those were we shall declare by and by Montrose delivers those few Gentlemen that had been constant unto him to the Lord Ogleby to be conducted unto the King for as he had communicated all his former designes unto him so he did this also and conjureth him withall to deale earnestly with his Majesty for hastening of some aid if not of Men yet of Armes at least from beyond seas So he accompanying them two dayes on their journey and leaving with them his Horses his Servants and his Carriages conveyed himself privily away from them and with what speed he could came back to Carlisle The company suspecting nothing of his departure because Ogleby and other his dearest friends were still with them marched on straight towards Oxford but theither they never reached for most of them of whom were the Lord Ogleby himself Sir Iohn Innes Colonell Henry Graham his brother a most hopefull young Gentleman Iames Iohn and Alexander Oglebyes Patricke Melvin and other gallant men and highly esteemed by Montrose fell into the enemies hands endured a long nasty imprisonment untill they were set at liberty by Montrose himself the next yeare after which they did him most faithfull service He returning to Carlisle imparts his designe to the Earle of Aboine least he should have any occasion to cavill afterwards that a matter of that
Expresses And Montrose being now over born with the Kings absolute Commands takes up his resolution to march to the side of Tweed But the day before he went the souldiers being drawn up to a Rendezvouz before that Mac-donell and the Highlanders were gone Sir Robert Spotswood making an humble obeysance under the Kings Standard delivered his Majesties Commission under the Greaâ— Seal unto Montrose which he again gave unto Archiâ—bald Primrose Clerk of the Supreme Counsell to be read aloud That being ended in a short but stately Oration he commended the Valour and Loyalty of the Souldiers and the great affection he bore them And for Mac-donell he not only extoll'd his gallantry in the head of the Army but by virtue of that authority that he had received from the King gave him the honour of Knighthood For not only Montrose but all the Kings friends were confident of the integrity of the man whose good opinion he deceiv'd not only to the undoing of the Kings Cause but the utter ruine of himself and his friends Montrose following his intended journey came the second night to Caâ—der Castle at which time the Earl of Aboine whether the Lord Governour would or no carried away with him not only his own men but all the rest of the Northern Forces whom he had iâ—veighled to desert the service Nor would he be perswaded either by reason or the intreaty of his friends who heartly detested that shamefull act to stay but so much as one week and then he might depart not only with the Generals license but with honour and the good esteem of honest men Seeing it would be no better Montrose passing by Edinburgh led his small Army through Lothainshire in Strathgale joyned with Douglasse and the other Commanders whose Forces being much diminished were daily mouldring more more In that coast Trequair himself came unto him more chearfull and merry then he used to be who pretended himself to be a most faithfull servant not only to his Majesty but also to Montrose and the next day sent him his son the Lord Linton with a gallant party of Horse as if they were to be under his command that by so likely a pledge he might make Montrose more secure and so more easily ruine him For this was not the first time that Trequaire plaid the Covenanters Scout-master that ungratefullest piece of mankind intending to betray unto theÌ„ Montrose in him the King himself Now when he was not above twelve miles from the Lord Hume and Roxborough and they sent not so much as a Messenger to him nor offered him the smallest courtesie Montrose being much troubled at it resolved to march into their Territories and to bring them in either by faire means or foule But they prevented him by a singular device They sent unto David Lesley whom they well knew by that time was come to Berwicke with all the Scotch Horse and many English Voluntiers for they were privy to all their counsells and entreated him to send a party and carry them away in the condition of prisoners which he did the day before Montrose came thither For by this means that crafty old fox Roxborough who had Hume under his girdle conceiv'd that they might both ingratiate theÌ„selves with the Covenanters as freely committing themselves into their protection yet keep in the Kings favour whiles they made as if they fell into Lesley's hands sore against their wills And this being Lesley's first noble exploit he passed over Tweed marched into the East-side of Lothian Montrose assoon as he perceived the King and himself betrai'd by these men and saw no hopes of that party of Horse which was come from the King and that the too powerfull enemy would block up his passage into the North and Highlands resolved to march with those few men he had into Niddisdale and Annandale and the Countrey of Ayre that he might there raise what Horse he could for although hee had no certain intelligence concerning the strength of the enemy yet hee conjectured that it consisted especially in Horse CHAP. XVI MOntrose arising from Kelsow marched to Iedburgh and so to Selkirk where he quartered his Horse in a Village and his Foot in a wood close by For he was resolved to make sure of all advantages of ground lest hee should be forced to fight with an enemy of vvhose strength he knevv nothing upon uneven termes Then he commands the Captains of Horse to set out good store of faithfull and active Scouts and to place Horse-guards in convenient places on every side and look vvell to their vvatch All vvhich he in person as he used to do could not see done at present because that night he was dispatching letters to the King to send away a trusty messenger that he had light upon before break of day therefore he was earnest with them to have the more care lest the enemy who were very strong in Horse should surprise them unawares And the Commanders promising all care and diligence he was so taken up with writing of Letters that hee slept not all that night And sending ever and anon to the Captains of Guards men that were skilfull Souldiers and so known to be in forraign Countries such uncertain noises as were brought unto him of the enemies approach they being deceiv'd either by the negligence of their Scouts or their own misfortune very confidently sent him back word there was no enemy in those parts nor in the Country thereabouts At the break of day some of the best Horse and most acquainted with the Country were sent out again to Scout they also brought word they had been ten miles about and diligently examined all by-wayes and rashly wisht damnation to themselves if they could finde an enemy in armes within ten miles But afterward it appeared when it was too late that the enemy with all their Forces were then scarce four miles from Selkirk and had lien there all that night in their arms Lesley that day that Montrose departed from Iedburgh mustered his men upon Gladesmore a plain in Lothianshire were holding a Counsell of War with the chief of the Covenanters the refult was that he should march to Edinburgh so to the Forth that hee might hinder Montrose's retreat into the North and force him to fight whether he would or no before he joyned with his Highlanders But Lesley contrary to that resolution gives order on a sudden to his whole Forces to wheel to the left hand and to march away apace every one wondering that knew not the mistery of the businesse what should be the meaning of that change of his resolution and his intention in that sudden expedition for they marched streight to Strathgale But the matter was as they afterward gathered from the enemies themselves hee had received letters by which he had perfect notice that Montrose being attended only with five hundred Foot and those Irish and a very weak party of new-rais'd Horse might very
in Scotland utterly subdued Therefore he thought himself bound never to despaire of a good Cause and the rather lest the King his Master should apprehend the losse of Him to be greater then the losse of the battell And vvhile these thoughts vvere in his head by good hap came in the Marquesse Douglasse and Sir Iohn Dalyell vvith some other friēds not many but fatihfull gallant men vvho vvith tears in their eyes out of the abundance of their affection beseech intreat implore him for his former atchievements for his friends sakes for his Ancestors for his sweet wife childrens sakes nay for his Kings his Countries and the Churches peace and safeties sake that hee would look to the preservation of his person considering that all their hopes depended on him alone under God and that their lives were so bound up with his that they must all live or die together At last Montrose overcom with their intreaties charging through the enemy who vvere by this time more taken up vvith ransacking the Carriages then follovving the chase made his escape of those that vvere so hardy as to pursue him some hee slevv others among vvhom vvas one Bruce a Captaine of Horse and tvvo Cornets vvith their Standards he carried avvay prisoners Whom he entertained courteously and after a fevv dayes dismist them upon their Parole that they should exchange as many Officers of his of the like quality vvhich Parole they did not over-punctually perform Montrose vvas gotten scarce three miles from Selkirk vvhen hee having overtaken a great number of his ovvn men that vvent that vvay he made a pretty considerable party so that being novv secure from being fallen upon by the Country people he march't avvay by leisure And as he vvent by the Earl of Trequaires Castle by vvhose dishonesty he did not yet knovv that he had been betrai'd he sent one before him to call forth him and his son that he might speak vvith them but his servants bring vvord that they vvere both from home Notwithstanding there are Gentlemen of credit that testifie that they were both within nor did that gallant Courtier only bid the Rebells joy of their victory but was not ashamed to tell abroad not without profuse and ill becoming laughter that Montrose the Kings forces in Scotland vvere at last totally routed his ovvn daughter the Countesse of Queensborough as far as modestly she might blaming him for it Montrose after he had made a halt a vvhile near a Tovvn called Peblis untill the souldiers had refresh't themselves vvere fit to march many flocking to them from every side at Sun-set they all stoutly entered the Town and by break of day next morning by the conduct of Sir Iohn Dalyell especially passed over Cluid at a ford Where the Earls of Crawford and Airley having escaped another vvay met vvith him making nothing of the losse of the battell assoon as they savv him out of danger Nor vvas he lesse joyfull at the safety of his friends then that he had sav'd pick't up by the vvay almost two hundred Horse But although hee vvas already secure enough from the pursuit of the enemy neverthelesse he resolved to make vvhat haste hee could into Athole that taking his rise there he might dravv vvhat forces he could raise of the Highlanders other friends into the North. Therefore passing first over the Forth and then the Ern having marched through the Sherifdome of Perth by the foot of the Mountains he came thither As he was on his vvay he had sent before him Douglasse and Airley vvith a party of Horse into Angus and the Lord Areskin into Marre that they might speedily raise their friends and dependents in those parts and had also sent Sir Iohn Dalyell unto the Lord Carnegy with whom he had lately contracted affinity with Commissions to that purpose Moreover he sent letters to Mac-donell to require him according to his promise to return with the Highlanders by the day appointed But above all he sollicited Aboine both by letters and speciall messengers that he would bring back his friends and clients who were willing enough of themselves and wanted no other encouragement then his authority and example CHAP. XVII IT was towards the latter end of Harvest nor was the corn reap't in that cold Country nor their houses and cottages which the enemy had burnt repaired against the approaching winter which is for the most part very sharp thereabouts which made the Athole-men to abate some thing of their wonted forwardnesse Yet Montrose prevailed so far with them that they furnished him with four hundred good Foot to wait upon him into the North where there was lesse danger and faithfully promised him upon his return when he was to march Southward hee should command the whole power of the Country Mean time frequent expresses came from Aboine that hee would wait upon him immediately with his Forces and Mac-donell promised no lesse for himself and some other Highlanders Areskin signified also unto him that his men vvere in a readinesse and vvaited for nothing but either Aboines company vvho vvas not far off or Montrose's commands About this time there vvere very hot but uncertain report of a strong party of Horse that vvere sent him from the King whom many conceived not to be far from the South-borders But other nevves they had which was too certain to wit that there was a most cruell butchery of what prisoners the Rebells had without any distinction of sex or age some falling into the hands of the Country people were basely murthered by them others who escap't them and found some pity in them that had so little being gathered together were by order from the Rebell Lords throwne head-long from off a high bridge and the men together with their wives and sucking children down'd in the river beneath and if any chanced to swim towards the side they were beaten of with pikes and staves and thrust down again into the water The Noble men and Knights were kept up in nasty prisons to be exposed to the scorne of the vulgar and certainly doom'd at last to lose their heads Montrose was never so much troubled as at this sad newes Therefore to the end he might some way relieve his distressed friends being impatient of all delay with wonderfull speed he climbes over Gransbaine and passing through the plains of Marre and Strath-done maketh unto the Lord of Aboine that he might encourage him by his presence to make more hast into the South For his design was assoon as hee had joyned his forces with Areskins and Airleys and sent for Mac-donell and other Highlanders taken up the Athole men by the way to march in a great body straight over the Forth and so both to meet the Kings Horse and to fright the enemy upon their apprehension of an imminent danger to themselves from putting the prisoners to death For he conceived they durst not be so bold as to execute their malice upon
men of Nobility and Eminency as long as they had an enemy in the Field and the victory was 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
the reason why Huntley bore such a spleen against MoÌ„trose who had never giveÌ„ him any distaste but had obliged him with courtesies many times undeserved Nor could I ever hear nor so much as guesse at any other cause but a weak and impotent emulatioÌ„ I cannot call it but envy of his surpassing worth honour For I should be loath to say that his minde was ever alienated from the King but onely averse unto Montrose with the unjust hatred of whom he was so possest that he precipitated himself into many unexcusable mistakes insomuch as he desired rather al things were lost then that Montrose should have the honour of saving them And now being alreadyâ— puffed up with an unbeseeming conceit of himself he was the more exceedingly enraged against him upon the remembrance of those injuries and disgraces he had heretofore throwne upon him that was the chief reason as I take it that he so often avoided the sight of him For besides what we have occasionally delivered both the father and the sons had put neither few nor small affronts upon the Kings Vicegerent some few of which it will not be out of our way to relate The great guns which we told you Montrose had hid in the ground the last year they digging them up without his knowledge carried away in a kinde of triumph and disposed of them in their owne Castles as if they had been spoiles taken from the Enemy and would not restore them upon demand But those Montrose had got in the fights at Saint Iohan towne and at Aberdene in the former of which there was never a man present of that Family and in the other Lewis Gordon and his men fought on the enemies side Besides they so converted unto their own use the Gunpowder and Arms and other necessaries of War which were gained from the enemy and only deposited in their Castles as in safe and convenient store-houses that they would never make any restitution of the least part of them when they were desired Moreover Aboine upon his returne home after the victory of Kilfythe set at liberty the Earle of Keith Lord Marshall of Scotland aâ—d the Lord Viscount Arbuthnot other men of quality of the Enemies side who were within his custody without acquainting the Governour of the Kingdome and his brother-in-law young Drumme who by chance was present earnestly declaring his dislike of it Vpon what termes he did it it is uncertain but this is evident that besides the affront done to the Lord Gouvernour and the losse of Dunotter Castle which was of great strength and concernment in that Warre other Military advantages they got by it the Rebells would never have had the boldnesse to fall so cruelly upon the Prisoners if he had but kept them in safe custody Yet more by his own private authority he exacted Tributes and Customes and Taxes which the Governour himself had never done upon pretence indeed of maintaining the War but in truth to far other uses and to the grievous prejudice of the Kings cause Last of all which is most to be lamented either at the intreaty of the enemy or for smal sums of money they had enlarged the prisonners that had been taken in the former Battells in the North and committed to custody in their Castles Nor would they permit them to Montroses disposall though being prisoners of Warre he had reserved theÌ„ for that only purpose by exchanging them to save the lives of Gallant and deserving men Huntley being pricked in his conscience about all these things was alwayes as afraid of Montroses presence as of a Pest-house But Montrose for all that passing by injuries and laying aside all other matters bestowed his whole endeavours in the promoting of the Kings service And to that end he was resolved to intrude himself into his company though never so unwelcome to insinuate into his friendship upon any conditions to yeeld unto him in all things and to deny nothing so that he might qualifie Huntleys imbitr'd spirit Therefore leaving his Forces in their quarters he posted early in the morning with a few Horse unto Bogie and by his unâ— dream't of approach prevented Huntley of any oppoâ—â—tunity of flying or hiding himself Assoon as theâ— met Montrose forgetting all that was past invited him in smooth and gentle language to associate with him in the War for the safety of the King Kingdome gave him so full satisfaction in all things that as being at last overcome he seem'd to give him his hand Anâ— promised that not only all his men but he himseâ—â— would come in person in the head of them and beâ— with him with all possible speed Afterward they laiâ— their heads together concerning the manner of managing the War and agreed that Huntley waâ—ting over the Spey should make his way on the right hand by the seâ—â— coast of Murray and Montrose was to go round abouâ— on the left hand through Strath-Spey which was at thaâ— time of the year a very tedious and difficult march anâ— so the design was to besiege Innernes a Garrison of thâ— Enemies on both sides and in the mean time to draâ— the Earl of Seaford either by fairemeans or foule tâ— their side That Garrison however it might appearâ—â— to be othervvise strong and and vvel fortified yet 〈◊〉 very ill provided for victuall and other requisites which in that sharp Winter tempestuous Sea coulâ— hardly be had And so novv they seem'd to be agreeâ— in all things so that Aboine and his brother Lewis vvishâ—â— damnatioÌ„ to themselves if they did not continue constant in their fidelity service to Montrose to their 〈◊〉 most breath And the rest of the Gordons the Marqueâ—â— ses friends were surprised with incredible joy mad as much of their Lord and Chief as if he had been returned from the dead CHAP XIX MOntrose supposing Huntleys spirit at last pacified and seriously inclined to joyne with him in the prosecution of the Warre marched with his Forces through Strath-Spey towards Innernesse And the more to a muse the Enemy on every side he lent his cosen Patrick Graham of whose worth I have had often occasion to speak and Iohan Drummond of Ball the younger a Gentleman of approved trust and valour who had often done excellent service with authority and Commission unto the Athole-men that if any should offer to strirre in those parts they should neglect no opportunity to suppresse them The Athole-men being encouraged by their authority example shewed themselves very ready and chearfull And they wanted not long an occasion to shew it for the remainder of the Arg ylian party either by reason of a Generall scarcity of all things in their own Country or being driven out of their Country for fear of Mac-donell who was very strong and threatned their runie fell upon the Mac-gregories and Mac-nabis who sided with Montrose And afterward joyning unto themselves the Stuart which inhabite Balwidir and the