evidently known by good tokens of the Earl of Seaford and others As for Huntley Aboine they did not only professe themselves open enemies to Montrose but also threatned to fall upon him by force of armes if he did not immedaitely submit to the Kings authority And Antrim being newly arrived out of Ireland in the HighlaÌ„ds without either men or arms busied himself to draw away all the Highlanders as his kindred and allies to himself from Montroses Army whom in scorn he call'd the Governour of the Low-lands making by this means an unseasonable fraction and apernicious one to his friends in those parts All which Montrose having well considered he was forced according to the Kings Command to disband his Army And truly that was amost sad day in which having solemnly prais'd and encourag'd his souldies as well as the occasion permitted he took his leave of them For although he bid theÌ„ to be of good comfort however and told them he saw some day-light of a blessed peace and that he did as much service to the King by his present submission as he had done before by his Martiall atchievements Yet notwithstanding they all conceiv'd that that was the last day of the Kings Authority in Scotland and all of theÌ„ beleeved for certaine that those Commands from the King were wrested from him upon the apprehension of greater dangers to his person if he had not given them And although some provision had been made by Articles in writing for their Indempnity yet they had rather have undergone the worst that could fall then survive idle unserviceable spectators of the miserable condition of their dearest King And it was no little vexation to those generous spirits to think what an unworthy opinion forraign Nations and their own posterity must needs have of them as if all the Scottish Nation had been unanimously guilty of Rebellion desertion of so good a King Besides their sorrow was much augmented with the consideration that their Generall who was most valiant most successefull and therefore most beloved should be taken off so unhappily from the King from his Country from themselves and all good men So that his souldiers falling down at his feet entreated him with tears in their eyes that seeing the safety of the Kings person depended so much upon it and he must of necessity depart the Kingdom he would be pleased to take them along with him into what part of the world soever he went Professing their readinesse to live and fight any where under his command and if God would have it so to die too And truly many of them were resolved though to the certain hazard of their lives and estates to follow him even against his will and knowledge and to offer him that service in an unknown land that they were able to afford him no longer in their miserable Country By the Articles to which the King had consented according to the desires of the Covenanters it was especially provided that Montrose should depart Scotland before the first of September and that they should finde him shipping vvith provision and all things necessary vvhen he went These things were transacted the first of August and a Port in Angus designed for Montrose whither they were to send shipping from whence he vvas to imbark And Montrose to prevent and remove all occasions of exception or suspition being accompanied only with his own servants a very few frieÌ„ds betook himself thither and waited for the shipping About this time his most implacable Enemies set abroad crafty feigned reports by their fit instruments wherein they confidently averred that the States of the Kingdome as they call'd themselves would by no means suffer that so gallant a Subject should be banished the Country For they knew not how great need they might have of a man of his worth especially if the King who had cast himself freely upon the affections of the Scots could not get any right of the English but should be put to seek it by force and armes and if it came to that no age had afforded a better Generall then Montrose And truly that was the earnest desire and expectation of most men who were not able to dive into the bottom of the Rebels plots but they had farre other designes in hand and another game to play For what their thoughts were tovvards the King the sad event made too manifest and for Montrose they laid very unconscionable unworthy traps to catch him For they did this that if they could flatter him up with such vain hopes entice him to stay in the Kingdome beyond his time appointed they might take hold of him upon the Articles cut him of with more credit August vvas almost spent and no news at all vvas to be had about the shipping or safe conduct therefore Montrose although he was resolved to be gone by the day the King had limited that he might the more fully grope the intentions of the Covenanters gave leave to some of his friends to deale with them for further time But when they brought him nought but uncertain doubtfull answers he had reason to think they intended nothing but to delude intrap him Besides vvhich made his suspition so much the greater there came a ship upon the very last day allowed for his stay to wit on the last of August into the haven of Montrose The Master of it was not only a stranger to him but a most rude and violent abettor of the Rebels the Sea-men and Souldiers men of the same temper malicious dogged ill-condition'd the ship it self neither victualled nor fit to goe to Sea So that vvhen Montrose shew'd himself ready to depart and bad them hoise their Sailes assoon as they could the Master of the ship told him that he must have some dayes allowed him to pitch and rigge his ship before he durst aduenture himself to the winde and vvaves And then making great brags of himself and his ship he drew forth a Commission vvhich the Covenanters had given him vvherein he vvas required to transport the passengers to certain places assigned by themselves and to carry no body else Moreover there lay great English ships and men of war every day in sight about the month of the River of Eâ—k vvhich makes the haven of Montrose attending there in favour of the Rebels for their much desired booty that by no means he might escape their hands But Montrose had sufficient notice of these treacheries and wanted not some friends of the Covenanters themselves who informed him by frequent messages that the Sea was sore pester'd with the English Navy and he could not escape safely either into France or the Low-Countries that the haven was upon the matter block't up in which he was to take shipping and therefore it was very perillous for him to go to Sea that his Enemies look't for nothing else then that either by making too long stay in his own Country he should fall into the hands of the Scottish Covenanters or by going he should be surprised unarm'd unawares by the English Rebells Montroses friends that were with him were of opinion that it was best for him in so apparant a danger to return into the Highlands draw his men together again conceiving that he had better trust the fortune of war then so perfidious a peace But be forbore to take that course especially because of his most ardent affection to the King For he was assured if the war brake forth again it would be laid upon the King though undeservedly and so he should bring his Person into present danger perhaps as much as his life was worth Therefore being straightned on every side one vvay vvith treachery plotted against his ovvne another against the Kings anointed head he determined with an unalterable resolution to bearall the burden upon his own shoulders And therefore he vvithdrevv himself not out of rashnesse as if he despair'd of safety at the worst but out of sage discreet deliberation For when he had smelt out the plots of the Rebels before-hand he had sent some a good while agoe to search diligently the Havens in the North and if they chanced to finde any outlandish-vessell to agree with the Master for the fraught and to appoint him to be ready to put to Sea at such a day and to transport the passengers which should be ready with him by the help of God into Norway By good fortune there was found in the haven of Stanhyve a small bark of Bergen in Norway and the Master was soon agreed with for he was very glad of the opportunity having hopes for getting Thither Montrose sent away Sir Iohn Hurrey Iohn Drummond of Ball Henry Graham his brother Iohn Spotswoad nephew to that great Sir Robert Iohn Lily a Captain of approved skill and courage Patrick Melvin such another George Wischeart Docter of Divinity David Guttherey a stout young Gentleman Pardus Lasound a French-man once a servant to the noble Lord Gordon after wards entertained for his Masters sake by Montrose himself one Rodolph a German an honest trusty young man a few servants more And these he had pick't out to carty a long with him whithersoever he vvent for this reason especially because he knevv the Rebels to be so maliciously bent against most of them then they could not be safe for never so little a vvhile in that Country And they on the third of September having a good vvinde put forth to sea for Norway And the same evening Montrose himself accompanied only with one Iames Wood a worthy Preacher by a small cock-boat got into a Bark which lay at anchot without the Haven of Montrose and being clad in a course suit the Lord and Patron passed for his Chaplains servant This was in the year of our Lord 1646. the 34. year of his age FINIS
the same libertie of calumniating and reproaching would backbite this most excellent worthie and his Heroicall actions And what men say of the waspes that they sucke the juice from most fragrant wholesome flowers which by their own stings or tongues they empoyson so would these Harpyes strive to deâ—ile his most noble exploits convert them to poyson and gall by their venimous tongues pens and as such offer and present them to the ignorant and unwarie world Against this Mischiefe the Author thought good to offer this short plaine discourse as a timely antidote to all that love sinceritie and truth whose so faithful constant a maintainer he professeth and avoucheth himself that though he did well foresee that he should derive upon himself no small hatred and envy of many mightie men yet he resolved neither servilly to flatter them nor to envolue the truthe in obscure doubtfull or ambiguous termes For as he was borne and bred a freeman so hath he vowed never to forsake his libertie but with his life And though he be ambitious of no other commendation of a good Historian either of wit or art or eloquence yet this he thinks he may boldly challenge as his due that he hath sette down the simple and naked truth which to assert and publish to the world he hath foresaken undervalued all those things which this world holds dearest thrice robd and ploundered of all his goods thrice cast in vilest and ugliest dungeons or prisons and now the third time banished for the same yet is he cheerfull and gladd in heart that being guiltie of no crime before men the Lord hath counpted him worthie to suffer these things for truth and righteousnes sake Love him then at least for his truths sake Courteous Reader of what rests make the best you can by a faire and candid interpretation Farwell Courteous Reader Be pleased to Correct these Faults which by reason of the compositors not understanding the English Language is committed with some few more in the live nature Page 2. Line 18. for firname read surname Page 4. L 20. for professin ghis read professing his Page 32. L 28. for wat read what Page 64. L 6. for know read known Page 70. L 21. for Cordon read Gordon Page 79. L 20. for march read match Page 109. L 20. for Lodg'g read Lodg'd Page 171. L 14. for hig read high The Affaires of the King in SCOTLAND under the Conduct of the most Honourable Iames Marquesse of Montrose Earle of Kinkardin c. and Generall Gouvernour for his Majesty in that KINGDOME In the years 1644 1645 1646. IAmes Marques of Montrosse having at first sided with the Covenanters in Scotland very actiuely bestowed his too too Succesful endeavors in their behalfe For at that time they Pretended to nothing else but the preservation of Religion the Honour and Dignity of the King the Lawes of the Land and the freedome of that ancient Realme so happily so valiantly defended in time of yore from such powerful enemies as the Romans Saxons Danes Normans by the sweat and bloud with the lives and estates of their Ancestours And the tales they made they never wanted fitting instruments to tell and spread among the people It was given out that there was nothing more in the aime of the Court of England then that that free people being reduced to a kind of Province should be eternally enslaved unâ—der the power of their old enemies Yet all thiâ— while they engaged themselves by their publique atâ—testationes and even a solemne Oath that they woulâ— never goe to worke by force and armes nor solliâ—cite the King any other way then by Petition Thaâ— he would be pleased graciously to accept the supplications of his humblest Subjects and to take ordeâ— that his dearest Countrey should suffer nothing iâ— matter of Religion or the liberty of the Subject But at last in the yeare 1639. Montrose found ouâ— that these faire tales were coyn'd of purpose to steale the hearts of the silly and supperstitious multitude and to alienate them from the King as an enemy to Religion and Liberty For the Covenanters did noâ— dissemble to him but spoke out that Scotland had been too long governed by Kings nor could it ever bâ— well with them as long as one Stuart that 's the firname of the Kings family in Scotland was alive and in the extirpation of them they were first to strike at the head so that Montrose easily perceived the Kings Majesty and Person was levelled at Therefore vehemently detesting so horrible a crime hee resolved to desert the Conspirators side to frustrate their counsels to impoverish their store to weaken their strength and with all his might to preserve His Majesty and his Authority entire and inviolate But because betweene force and craft the Covenanters had drawâ— in almost all the kingdome to their side he saw himselfe alone to weak to check their power and thereforee thought not good to open himself too suddenly or rashly Amongst them he had many friends men very considerable as well in regard of their numerous retinues and clients as of their wealth and authority these he had a minde to draw off from them and bring them with him to the Kings and by this meanes conceived he should be able to gather no small power which would conduce much both to the Kings safety and his owne Meane time the Covenanters raise a strong army against the King and in a solemne Convention at Duns they determine to invade England Montrose was absent then Which resolution of theirs the chiefe of the Covenanters had taken up in their cabinet counsels more then six weeks before and to that purpose had been busie in divulging through al Great Britain their Apologeticall Pamphlets whereby they laboured to set a good gloosse upon the reasons of their Expedition This resolution of theirs Montrose being returned seeing he could not hinder would not seem to disaprove Montrosse commanded in this army two thousand foot and five hundred horse his friends who were most obliged unto him and had religiously promised their best endeavouâ—s in the Kings service had the command of five thousand more And truly if a great part of them had not beene worse then their words they had either brought the whol Army along with them to the King or at least had broken the neck of the Covenanters designes When the army came to the river of Tweed which 〈◊〉 the border of the two Kingdomes dice were cast aâ—mongst the Noblemen and Commanders and it waâ— Montrose's his chance to passe first over the river which he cheerfully performed on his feet his own foot soulâ—diers following him that he might more easily conâ—ceale his own resolution and take off all occasion oâ— suspition For as well his authority in the Army aâ— the integrity of his noble spirit began to be looked oâ— with a jealous eye by the guilty-conscienced Rebells so that they diligently
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
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
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
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
observed all his behaviour words and deeds After this marching over the river of Tine fourâ— miles above Newcastle by the treachery of the Englisâ— Commanders who had retreated to York with a potenâ— Army of the Kings the Scots possesse themselves oâ— that Towne and thereupon Commissioners being appointed on either side to treat of a Peacâ— a Trucâ— was presently made In the time of this Truce Monâ— trose had sent letters unto the King professin ghis fideâ—lity and most dutifull and ready obediency to hiâ— Majesty nor did the Letters contain any thing else These being stoln away in the night and coppied ouâ— by the Kings own Bed-chambermen men most endeaâ—red to the King of all the world were sent back by theâ— to the Covenanters at Newcastle and it was the fashioâ— with those very men to communicate unto the Coâ—venanters from day to day the Kings most secret counâ—sels of which they themselves onely were either auâ—thors or partakers And some of the forwarder sort oâ— the Rebels were not ashamed to taxe Montrosse bitterly enough with those letters and all though they durst not make an open quarrell of it or call him publiquely to account because he was so powerfull and welbeloved in the Army yet they loaded him with back bitings slanders among the people For they had obliged unto themselves most of the Preachers through out the Kingdome whose mercenary tongues they made use of to winde and turn the mindes of the people which way they would Nor did they promote their Rebellion more effectually any other way nor do yet then this to have those doughty Oratours in their popular preachments to raile bitterly against the King and all his loyall Subjects as the enemies of Christ as they love to speake being themselves the while the very shame and scandall of Christianity Montrose returning into Scotland and thinking of nothing but how to preserve his Majesty from that storm of Rebellion hanging over his head at last resolved of this course He joynes many of the prime men for Nobility and Power in a League with himselfe in which they vowed to defend the Kings Majesty and all his royall priviledges and ancient and lawfull Prerogatives with the hazard of their lives and estates against all his enemies as well home-bred as foraign unto the last breath in their bodies And truly it came to that passe that there had been an open division in the Army which was his aim had not some for fear levity or cowardise which are bad keepers of counsell betrayed the whole businesse to the Covenanters Heare arose no small stirres and braules but were pacified againe in a while for neyther yet durst they offer any open violence to Montrose But afterward the confederates having given a new oath made sure the Army at their devotion and joyning themselves to the Parliament of England in a strict Covenant although they saw themselves secure enough from the subtlest designes of any private man yet they seriously consult how they should take Montrose out of the way whose Heroick spirit being fixt on high honourable howsoever difficult atchievements they could not endure To make their way therefore unto so villanous an act by the assistance of some Courtiers whom with gifts promises they had corrupted they understood that the King had written letters to Montrose and that they were quilted in the saddle of the bearer one Stuart belonging to the Earle of Traquair The beater was scarce entered the borders of Scotland but they apprehend him rip his saddle finde the letters There was nothing at all written in them which did not become the best of Kings to command the best of Subjects to obey Neverthelesse those most exact crafts-masters in the arts of Lying and Slandering set about horrible and tragicall reports by their apt Ministers that at last all the Kings plots with Montrose for the overthrow of Religion the ruine of the Kingdome were found out and discovered Nor yet neither durst they afford him a publique tryall but on a suddain when he suspected nothing thrust him with Napier Lord of Marchiston and Sir Sterling Keer Knight two both of his neer kindred and intimate familiars into the castle of Edinburgh At length a Pacification being made between the people of both Kingdomes between whom there had been no war onely they laid their heads together against their most just and gracious King a Parliament was called at Edinburgh where the King in person was present Montrose desires most earnestly to be tryed before the King and that solemne Assembly but to no purpose for the Covenanters being conscious enough of his innocency and their own guilt applyed their speciall endeavours to detain the Gentleman in prison unheard untill such time as the King was got out of Scotland and they had concluded all things with the King in Parliament according to their hearts desire And certainly they were much afraid lest by his wisdome and courage and the esteem he was in as well with his Peers of the Nobility as with the people he should have fetch 't off the greatest number of either sort to his own resolution for the preservation of his Majesties Power and Authority At last the King returning into England Montrose and his friends are set at liberty and because it was ordered in Parliament that he should not come into conference with the King he sat still a while at his own house This was towards the end of the year 1641. CHAP. II. IN the year 1642. the Covenanters of both Kingdomes began to unmask themselves let us see more plainly what they meant to do The Rebells in Eng-England began to vexe the King with unjust unreasonable unseasonable Petitions and Complaints bespatter him with malitious slanders prophane his sacred Name in scurâ—ilous songs and Ballads villifie him in infamous Libells Pasquiâ—ls or Pamphlets raise Tumults arme great numbers of the scumme and rascally sort of the people and engage them upon the Kings palace in a word threaten all extremity to him his whom although he might have justly punished himself yet he chose rather to reser them to the Parliament that he might the more oblige it unto himself But it was to no end for so gracious a King to gratifie that many things more to so ungracious so ingrateful men who were the very authors and abettors of these villanies For he had already granted more and greater Graces to his Subjects for the ease of their grievances which they pretended and the security of their persons and estates then all his ancestors the Kings of England together from William the conquerour downward Therefore at last that he might withdraw himself his family from present danger he is forced sore against his mind to depart London He sends the Queen out of the way into Holland for the safety of her life betakes himself to York The States of Parliament as they call themselves forthwith before the King take up armes
and divert those very Forces which the King had appointed for Ireland which were then in a readinesse and whose Officers had been of the Parliaments chusing hoping by theÌ„ to overthâ—ow the King himself The Rebells in Scotland who knew wel enough the King would have strength sufficent to deale with the English Rebells resolved upon no termes to be wanting to their confederates in so apparent danger as they were in And al though our most gracious King had given them satisfaction as much as ever they could desire in that Parliament at Edinburgh aforesaid which also they have recorded among their publique Acts neverthelesse they provide themselves for a march into England Now that they might the better secure their affaires at home they labour tooth and naile to draw Montrose of whom almost onely they were afraid againe to their side They offer him of their own accord the office of Lievenant Generall in the Army and what ever else he could desire and they bestow He seeing a mighty storm hovering over the Kings head that he might give him an account of it whereby it might be timely prevented undertakes a journey into England taking the Lord Ogilby into his counsell and company At Newcastle he received newes that the Queen being newly returned out of Holland was landed at Birdlington in Yorkeshire thither he makes haste and relates unto the Queen all things in order She having had a rough passage and being not wel recovered from the distempers at sea told him she would advise further with him about that businesse after they came to York Thither being come the Queen of her own accord calls for Montrose he opens the whole story over againe makes it appeare that there was no lesse danger from the Scotch then from the English Covenanters if they were not timely suppressed And being asked his opinion what was best to be done answered To resist force with force told her the King wanted not Subjects in Scotland faithfull men and â—â—out nor did they want hearts or wealth or power to oppose against the Covenanters if they durst enterprise any thing against the King all that they wanted was the Kings Commission without which they durst doe nothing with which any thing and all the danger that was was in delay That the Covenanters when they had once got their army on foot would be able to grinde any one to pieces that should offer to stirre therefore the beginnings of so great an evill were to be withstood and the cockatrice bruised in the egge that physicke being too late that comes when the disease hath over-runne the whole body Wholesome counsell it was and seasonable which doubtlesse the most prudent Queen had approved of But while things were going on in so good a posture al things were quash't by the coming of the Duke Hamilton out of Scotland upon pretence of kissing the Queens hand and gratulating her happy returne but in very deed that he might overthrow Montrose his counsels for he had posted thither with the knowledge consent of the Covenanters Nor did he himself dissemble that there was some danger from the Scottish Covenanters but he laboured to extenuate it and condemned the counsel of Montrose as rash unadvised and unseasonable That stout and warlike nation was not to be reduced with force and armes but with gentlenesse and courtesies Warre especially Civill warre should be the last remedy and used many times to be repented of even by the Conquerous The fortune of warre was uncertaine if the King should get the best it would be but a sorry triumph he could enjoy over his own Subjects but if he had the worst on 't he must expect what hîs soule goodman abhorred to speake All meanes were to be tryed to preserve peace with that Nation nor were things yet come to that passe that the King should despaire of amity and reconciliation with them He would be ready to take the whole businesse upoÌ„ himself if the King pleased to commit it to his paines and trust to authorise him sufficiently thereunto Montrose replyed nothing would come of that but the delay of time untill the Traitors having raised an Army should prevent the King of any meanes to deliver himself and his party from their tyranny The sad event proved al this to be too true but in this debate Montrose was faine to suffer himself to be overborn being not so great a Courtier as the other nor were those vertues which the world now admires discovered then unto the Queen Hamilton returning into Scotland seemed to be as active for the King as was possible The Covenanters mean while by their owne authority contrary to the known Lawes of the Kingdome summon a Parliament at Edinburgh which all understanding men that wished well unto the King foresaw would be of very dangerous consequence to his affaires therefore abhorred it so much that they intended not to honour it with their presence But Hamilton interposing the name and authority of of the King invited theÌ„ by his letters that they would not faile to be all there and that they should not doubt but they would be able to out-vote the Covenanters if at this time they were not wanting to the Kings cause And if it should happen otherwise he would be ready with his friends to protest against the Covenanters immediately to leave them Abundance of the Nobility incited by the name of the King those hopes were present at that Parliament onely Montrose and a few of his adherents staid away And with Montrose to the Duke had dealt by his friends that as he loved honoured the King he would joyn himself unto them But he who had reason to suspect all motions that came that way answered that he was ready to grapple with any difficulty especially under his command who had so great an honour as to be the Kings supreme Commissioner onely on this condition that the Duke should engage his honour that if they could not bring up that Parliament to righteous things he would endeavour to enforce them by the dint of the sword He answered he would protest he would not fight Which passage considered Montrose to preserve his integrity expecting the issue betooke himself to his own home In that Parliament the Covenanters out-voted the Loyall party by seventy voyces or there abouts trampled upon the Royall authority arrogated unto themselves the power of calling of Paliaments pressing Souldiers sending Embassadours and other things hitherto unattempted without the Kings knowledge or tonsent And to make up the measure of their presumption and treason ordaine that a powerfull Army shall be raied against the King and in the aid or their confederates of England To which purpose they taxe the people with new subsidies levies much heavier then if al the Impositions which upoÌ„ never so much necessity for two thousand years space by one hundred nine Kings have been charged upon theÌ„ were put together Montrose
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
not able to provide so timely powerful a remedy as could be wished at least might cast some blocks rubs in their way untill such time as he had settled his affaires in England that the traitours of either Kingdome might be easily dealt withall by themselves but if they came once to joyne their forces they would be hardly supprest that there were very many in Scotland who would sacrifice themselves and all that they had for their dearest King whose good will would be of no use unto his Majesty after the Covenanters had raised their army but destructive unto themselves that the haughty spirits of the Traitors were to be sneap't in time their strength broken before it grew too big lest the beginnings bâ—ing neglected repentance should prove the onely opposition that could be made afterward These things and to this effect did Montrose continually presse unto the King but in vaine for he had not onely the strong and deeply rooted confidence his Majesty had of the Hamiltons to struggle with but the devices of a set of desperate Courtiers beside who daily buzzed in the Kings eares Montrose's youth his rashnesse his ambition the envy and hatred he bare unto the Hamiltons and what not on the other side the Hamiltons fidelity their honesty their discretion their power Thus Montrose nothing prevailes the King returnes to his winter quarters at Oxford And al though his Majesty saw very well reports coming thick and threefold of the Scottish army that all was true that Montrose had told him yet the most religious King determined upon no termes to give any occasion of quarrell to the Scots till first they entered England resolving that he for his part would perfectly observe the Articles of Pacification he had made with them which if they should violate he doubted noâ— but they should highly answer it both to God him While these things were discussed at Oxford the Covenanters in Scotland bring their businesse about according to their desires no one opposing them They raise as big an army as they can which consisted of eighteen thousand Foot and two thousand Horse and at last when they had marched unto the very borders the Hamiltons were not ashamed to give the King notice by letters of the approach of that formidable Army making this their excuse that according to their engagement they had prevented an invasion the summer before but now that winter was come on they were able to keep them out no longer but they would come in immediately with a powerfull Army The King when he saw himselfe thus grosly abused sends for Montrose shewes him the Hamiltons letters and at last when it was even too late askes his advice what was best to be done Montrose tells him that his Majesty might now see that what he had before given him notice of had neither proceeded from ambition nor malice nor any self-ends but from his bounden duty and allegeance that for above a twelve-month hee had been continually pressing both their Majesties to prevent this that he accounted himselfe very unhappy that all that while so faithfull a servant could not be credited by so good a Master that the case seemed now desperate but if the King had a minde he might trust them againe who by pretence of his authority had bound some of his frieÌ„ds hands that they could not assist him drawn in others who intended nothing lesse under colour of Loyalâ—y to fight against him given up unto the Rebells now that they had got an army all that they had without striking a stroke The King complaining that he was most abominably betrayed by them with whom he had entrusted his Crowne his Secrets his Life earnestly demanded his advice He repeating againe the lamentablenesse of the condition in which things novv stood neverthelesse offered that if his Majesty so thought good he vvould either lose his life vvhich if he did he would be sure it should seeme rather sold then lost or else vvhich he did not despaire of he vvould reduce his Country men and bring the Rebels there into subjection The King being no little pleased vvith the confidence undauntednesse and gallantry of the man that he might more advisedly contrive his designe desired him to take two or three dayes to consider of and so dismist him Montrose returning at the time appointed shewes his Majesty how desperate an adventure he was vndertaking that al Scotland was under the Covenanters coÌ„mand that they had garrisoned al places of strength that they were plentifully provided both of men and money and armes and ammunition and victuall alâ— things necessarâ— for a Warre that the English Rebells were joyned with them in a most strict Covenant to defend one another against all the world But for his owne part he had nothing to set up with neither men nor armes nor pay yet he would not distrust Gods Assistance in a righteous cause and if the King would lay his Commands upon him he would undertake to doe his best The King should be in no worse case theâ— he was He himself would take what malice envy oâ— danger should fall upon himselfe so that his Majestâ— were graciously pleased to condescend to a few reasonable requests And first that the businesse might gâ— on more successefully it seemed to him very necessary that the King should send some souldiers out of Irelanâ— into the west of Scotland Next that he should give oâ—der to the Marquesse of Newcastle who was the General of the Kings forces towards Scotland that he shouâ—â— assist Montrose with a party of horse to enter the souâ— of Scotland by which meanes he might convey himseâ— into the heart of the Kingdome Then that he shoulâ— deale with the King of Denmarke for some troops oâ— Germane horse And lastly that his Majesty should takâ— some course to procure and transport some armes out of some forraigne countrey into Scotland nothing needed more but humane industry the successe was Gods part and to be referred to his providence The King commending his counsell giving him thankes that he apprehended some life in the businesse encourageth him to fit himselfe cheerfully for so great a worke wished him to leave the care of those things he had requested unto him And truly for the matter of aid out of Ireland the King sends for the Earle of Antrim and acquaints him with Montrose's design This Antrim is of Scottish extraction descended of the noble and ancient Family of the Mac-Donalds a man of great estate and power in Ireland allyed to the prime Nobility of England by matching with the Duchesse of Buckingham He being driven out of his own countrey lived at Oxford and cheerfully undertooke the negotiation with the Irish upon himself and engaged himselfe also voluntarily unto Montrose that he would be in Argyle a part of Scotland bordering upon Ireland with ten thousand meÌ„ by the first of Aprill 1644. this passed in December 1643. And as
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
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
an able man from a weake a valiant man from a coward If ye would assaile these timorous and brawnelesse shrimps with handy blowes they will never beâ— able to stand you Goe to therefore fall about them with your Swords and butt-end of your Muskets beat them downe drive them backe and make them pay what is justly due for their treason and rebellion It was not sooner said then they fall to worke breake in upon the Enemy defeate them rout them Their Horse who expected Foot to come and line them seeing them all run away ran faster then they whom the conquerours were not able to follow much lesse to overtake so they scap't scot-free but the Foot paid for all few of which escaped the Victors hands For having no other place to fly unto but into the City Montrose's meÌ„ came in thronging amongst them through the gates and posternes and laid them on heaps all over the streets They fought foure houres upon such equall termes that it was an even lay whether had the oddes At this Battell Montrose had some great Guns but they were unserviceable because all advantages of ground were possessed by the enemy but the enemies Guns made no small havock of his men Among others there was an Irishman that had his legge shot off with a Cannon bullet onely it hung by a little skin he seeing his fellow-souldiers something sad at his mischance with a loud and cheerfull voyce cryes out Come on my Camerades this is but the fortune of Warre and neither you nor I have reason to be sorry for it Doe you stand to it as becomes you and as for me I am sure my Lord Marquesse seeing I can no longer serve on foot will mount me on horsebacke So dravving out his knife being nothing altered nor troubled he cut asunder the skin with his owne hand and gave his legge to one of his fellow-souldiers to bury And truly when he was well againe and made a Trooper he often did very faithfull and gallant service This battell was fought at Aberdene on the twelfth day of September 1644. Then Montrose calling his souldiers back to their Colours entered the City and allowed them two dayes rest CHAP. VII IN the meane time newes is brought that Argyle was hard by with much greater forces then those they dealt with last the Earle of Lothion accoÌ„panying him with fifteen hundred Horse Therefore Montrose removes from Aâ—erdene to Kintor a Village ten miles off that he might make an easier accesse unto him for the Gordons the friends and dependants of the Marquesse of Huntley and others that were supposed much to favour the Kings cause From thence he sends Sir William Rollocke to Oxford to acquaint his Majesty with the good successe he had hitherto obtained and to desire supplies out of England or some place else That he had fought twice indeed very prosperously but it could not be expected that seeing he was so beset on all sides with great and numerous Armies he should be able to hold out alwayes without timely reliefe Still nothing troubled Montrose more then that none of the Gordons of whom he conceived great hopes came in unto him And there wanted not some of them who testified their great affection to the service but that Huntley the Chief of the Family being a backe-Friend to Montrose had with held them all either by his owne example or private directions and that himselfe being forced to sculk in the utmost border of the Kingdom envied that honour to another of which he had missed himselfe and had forbidden even with threats all those with vvhom he had any power to have any thing to doe vvith Montrose or to assist him either vvith their power or counsell Which when he understood he resolved to withdraw his Forces into the Mountains Fastnesses vvhere he knew the enemies Horse wherein their great strength consisted could doe them little service and of their Foot if they were never so many relying upon the Iustice of his cause and the valour of his Souldiers he made but little reckoning Therefore he hid his Ordnance in a bogge and quitted all his troublesome and heavy carriages And coming to the side of the River of Spey not farre from an old Castle called Rothmurke he incamped there with an Army if one respected the number but very smal but it was an expert cheerfulâ— one now also some thing acquainted with victory On the other side of the Spey he findes the men oâ— Cathnes and Suderland and Rosse and Murray and others to the number of five thousand up in Armes to hinder his passage over the swiftest River in all Scotland till such time as Argyle who marched after him was upon his backe Being oppressed and as it were besieged with so many enemies on every side that at least he might save himselfe from their Horse he turned into Badenoth a rocky and mountainous Countrey and scarce passable for Horse There for certaine dayes he was very sicke which occasioned so immoderate joy to the Covenanters that they doubted not to give out he was quite dead and to ordaine a day of publique Thankesgiving to Almighty God for that great deliverance Nor were their Levites you may be sure backward in that employment in their Pulpits for as if they had been of counsell at the Decree and stood by at the execution they assured the people that it was as true as Gospell that the Lord of Hostes had slaine Montrose with his owne hands But this joy did not last them long for he recovered in a short space and as if he had been risen from the dead he frighted his Enemies much more then he had done before For assoon as his disease would give him leave he returned into Athole and sent away Mac-donell with a party unto the Highlanders to invite them to take up Armes with him and if they would not be invited to force them He himselfe goes into Angus hoping it might happen that he should either force Argyle with his tyred Horse unto his Winter quarters or at least leave him farre enough behinde him For Argyle had pursued him so slowly and at such distance that it was appareâ—t he thought of nothing lesse then of giving him Battell Therefore going through Angus getting over the Grainsbaine which going along with a perpetual ridge from East to West divideth Scotland into two equall parts he returned into the North of the Kingdome And now that he had left Argyle so farre behinde him that he might safely take some time to recruit he went to Strathbogy that he might meet with the Gordons perswade them to engage with him But he lost his labour for they were forestalled by Huntley and after his example plaid least in sight For such as were generous daring spirits though they were loath to provoke the indignation of their Chief yet they could not but be ashamed that at a time when there might be so much use of them
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
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
Lindsey who because hee was greedy of the honour and title of the Earl of Crawford was greedy also of his life was designed by the Covenanters to be put to death Nor was it for any other crime but for being a Souldier and an expert man one that had done faithfull service for his Master the King and it was feared hee would doe so againe if hee should be suffered to live There was also Iames Lord Ogleby son to the Earl of Airley one singularly beloved by Montrose who was formidable both for his fathers and his own vertue and authority Hee also being an enemy to Argyle both upon old fewds and some freshe◠wrongs was just as deep in sin and danger as Cravvford These therefore the Common Counsell of Edinburgh chose out of the rest of the prisoners and immediately setting them at liberty they earnestly pray and beseech them to assist their Delegates to the uttermost of the power they had with the Lord Governour and to labour to hold his hands off that miserable City upon which the hand of God himself lay so heavy already And they curse themselves theyr posterity to the pit of hell if they should ever prove unmindful of so great a favour or unthankfull to them that did it They were not backward to undertake a busines which was so universally désired but taking the Delegates along with thē went forth to Napier He having by the way delivered his dear father his wife his brother-in-law Sir Sterling Keer and his sisters out of the prison at Limnuch whither the Covenanters had removed them from Edinburgh Castle marched backe unto his uncle with his Forces and those prisoners now at liberty the Delegates of the City as having done his businesse Montrose embracing Crawford and Ogleby his dearest friends whom he had long longed for and rejoycing to see them safe and sound useth them with all honour and accommodation after their long restraint and they on the other side magnified their deliverer and avenger with high praises and thanks as became them to do on both sides affording a spectacle of great joy to the beholders Afterwards the Delegates of Edinburgh were admitted to audience and delivered their Message from the Provost and City The summe was They would freely surrender the Town unto the Governor humbly desired his pardon promised to be more dutifull and loyall for the time to come committed themselves and all that they had to his patronage and protection for which they earnestly besought him Moreover they undertooke forthwith to set the rest of the prisoners at liberty according to his appointment and to doe any thing else that he should enjoyne them And although the City was so wasted with a grievous contagion that no men could be raised out of it yet they were ready as far as their share came to pay contribution to such as should be raised in other places And above all things they humbly begged at his hands that hee would labour to mitigate the anger of their most gracious Lord the King that hee might not be too severe with that City which by the cunning authority and example of a seditious and prevailing party had been engaged in Rebellion Montrose bade them be confidens of the rest and required no more at their hands then to bee hereafter more observant of their loyalty to the King and faithfully to renounce all correspondence with the Rebells in armes against him either vvithout or vvithin the Kingdome To restore the Castle of Edinburgh vvhich it vvas evident vvas in their Custody at that time unto the King and his officers Lastly assoon as the Delegates came home to set the prisoners at liberty and send them to him And truly as for the prisoners they sent them away upon their return but as to other Articles they were perfidious and perjured and if they doe not repent must one day give an account unto God the assertor of truth and justice for their high ingratitude and reiterated disloyalty Whiles these things passed concerning Edinburgh Montrose sent away Alexander Mac-donell to whom hee joyned Iohn Drummond of Bail a stout Gentleman into the Western coasts to allay the tumults there and to spoile the designes of Cassils and Eglington But they receiving the alarme of Mac-donells approach were immediately disperst in a great fright Some of the Earls and other Nobles made straight into Ireland others plaid least in sight in I know not what lurking places All the Western Countries the Town of Aire Irvvin and others strove which should first submit freely offering their fidelity and service Neither which was more then hee expected did Montrose ever finde men better affected to the King then in those Western parts For most of the Gentry Knights and Chiefs of Families and some also of the prime Nobility came off chearfully to his side Whose names which otherwise ought to have been registred with honour at the present I shal passe by if not in an acceptable perhaps yet certainly in an advantageous silence for I should be loath so honest and loyall soules should be questioned by their cruell enemies for their good affections upon my information CHAP. XV. MOntrose had now taken into his thoughts the setling of the South-borders and send unto the Earls of Hume Rosburough and Trequaire to invite them to associate with him for matter of Peace and War and all things that were to be done in the name and by the authority of the King These were not only the powerfullest men in those parts by reason of the multitude of their friends and their great retinue but also made as though they were most cordiall assertors of the Kings authority For besides the bond of Allegeance which was common to them with others they were engaged unto him by extraordinary benefits Nor were they only advanced unto great Honours by him as being raised from the order of Knighthood to a high pitch of Nobility but were made Governours of the most gainfull Countries and by that means being enriched above their equalls and their own condition heaped up wealth indeed unto themselves but envy and hatred upon the King They againe dispatch some of their friends of the best quality to assure him That they were ready to undergoe any hazard under his conduct and command in the behalf of their most bountifull King They promise moreover to raise a world of men and nothing hindred their coming up unto the Camp if he would but be pleased to draw that way with never so small a party of his forces And so it would come to passe that not onely their friends and clients but the whole Country being animated with his presence and authority would cheerfully take up armes as one man and if they stood out they might be compelled or a course taken with them Therefore they earnestly besought him to afford them his assistance in this and in all the rest he should finde them his most faithfull and ready servants
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
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
Commander Aboine himself was not ashamed to disire to be excused and to have leave to depart When all men wondred and desired to know what might be the reason of that sudden alteration of his resolution he pleaded his fathers Commands which he was obliged in no case to disobey and that his father had not sent him such directions without just occasion for the Enemies Forces lay in lower Marre and would be presently upon their backs if they were deprived of the protection of their own men and that it was unexcusable folly for him to carry his men another way when his own Country was in so much danger Montrose reply'd That it was most certaine that onely a few Troops of Horse kept within Aberdene that they had no Footat at all those few Horse now durst nor could doe the Country any harme and there was no doubt but upon the first Alarme of his Aproach their Commanders would senâ— for those also to secure the Low-lands Besides that it would be much more to the Marquesse of Huntleys advantage if the seat of warre were removed into the Enemieâ— Country then be kept up in his own and vpon that score theâ—â— was more need to make haste into the South that they might save the North for the burden of the Armies He added moreover That he daily expected aids out of England which could by no means joyne with them except they meâ— them on the South-side of the Forth And at last with much resentment he represented unto him the condition of the prisoners who were many of them Huntley's own kindred allyes or friends who would all be únhumanely murthered except they timely prevented it To all this when Aboine had nothing to answer he desired his Father might be acquainted with the whole matter and 't was granted Such were made choise of to treat with Huntley as were conceived to be highest in his favouâ— to wit Donald Lord Rese in whose Country he had â—ojourned and Alexander Irwin the younger of Drumme who had but the other day married Huntleys daughter and both of them were also much obliged to Montrose for their newly recovered liberties Rese being ashamed of receiving the repulse had not the confidence to return and Irwin a noble young Gentleman and a stout who stuck to Montrose to thâ— last brought no answer but his father-in-lawes ambiguous Letters of which no hold could be taken Being desired to deliver what he conceived his fatheâ— in lavves resolution vvas he professed ingenuously he knevv not vvhat to make of him he could get no certain ansvver but doubted he vvas obstinate in his fond conceit Aboine first declaring hovv sore against his vvill it vvas to part vvith Montrose urged hovv necessary it vvas for him to please his dear father vvho vvas sickly too and therefore more earnestly desired the Lord Governour to dispence vvith him for a fevv dayes till he could pacifie his father made an absolute promise that within a fornight he vvould follow him with much stronger forces And wheÌ„ he had ofteÌ„ and freely engaged his honour to do as he said he extorted with much adoe a Furlogh from Montrose sore against his stomach to be absent for the time aforesaid Aboine being returned home Montrose marched over the planes of Marre Scharschioch came down into Athole and thence having a little increased his Army into the Sherifdome of Perth where receiving an expresse out of the North he is put into new hopes Aboine having sent him word he would be with him with his men before the day appointed At the same time came unto him by severall wayes Captain Thomas Ogleby of Pourie the younger and Captain Robert Nesbit both of them sent unto him from his Majesty with Commands that if he could possibly he should make all speed towards the Borders to meet the Lord George Digby son to the Earl of Bristoll who was sent unto him with a party of Horse The same bearers Montrose dispatcheth to Huntley and Aboine to communicate unto them those Instructions from the King hoping by that means that being quickened with his Majesties authority and the approach of aid they would make more haste with their forces in the vain expectation of whom he had trifled away too much time in Strath-Erne About this time the Lord Napier of Marchiston departed this life in Athole a man of a most innocent life and happy parts a truly noble Gentleman and Chief of an ancient family one who equalled his father grandfather Napiers Philosophers and Mathematicians famous through all the world in other things but far exceeded them in his dexterity in civill businesse a man as fatihfull and as highly esteemed by King Iames and King Charles sometime he was Lord Treasurer and was deservedly advanced into the rank of the higher Nobility and since these times had expressed so much loyalty and love to the King that he was a large partaker of the rewards which Rebells bestow upon vertue often imprisonment sequestration and plunder This man Montrose when he was a boy look'd upon as a most tender father when he vvas a youth as a most â—age admoniter when he was a man as a most faithfull friend and now that he died was no otherwise affected withhis death then as if it had been his fathers Whose most elaborate discourses Of the Right of Kings and Of the Originall of the turmoiles in Great Britaine I heartily wish may sometime come to light CHAP. XVIII MOntrose when he had waited for Aboine with his forces out of the North now three weeks either on his march or in Strath-Erne and perceived that the Râ—bels began to grow more outrageous towards the prisoners being impatient of further delay crosseth over the Forth and came into Leven he encamped upon the land of Sir Iohn Buchanan the Ringleader of the Covenanters in those parts expecting that by that meanes lying so near Glascow he might fright the Rebells who then kept a Convention of Estates there from the murther of the prisoners To which end facing the City every day with his Horse he wasted the enemies Country without any resistances although at that time for the guard of the Estates and City they had three thousand Horse in their quarters and he not full three hundred twelve hundred Foot Notwithstanding before his coming down into Leven the Covenanters assoon as they understood that Huntley Montrose agreed not and that Aboine and his men had deserted him in upper Marre as a prologue to the ensuing Tragedy had beheaded three stout and gallant Gentlemen The first was Sir William Rollock one of whom we have had often occasion to make hononrable mention a valiant expert man dear unto Montrose from a childe and faithfull unto him to his last breath The chief of his crimes was that he would not pollute his hands with a most abominable murder For being sent from Montrose with an expresse to the King afteâ— the battell of
brother Some imputed it to his floth others to his covetounesse as gaping after his brothers estate others to his stupid superstitious zeale to the Cause but even all the very Covenanters themselves condemned his silence in such a case as dishonourable and mis-becoming a Noble spirit But the Youth himself being not above nineteen years old purchased unto himself everlasting renovvn with posterity for so honest and honourable an end Amongst those few-things which he spake to the people those that heard him told me these words which he spake with a higher voyce then the rest Account O my Countrimen that a new and high addition of honour is this day atcheived to the house of Tullibardin and the whole Nation of the Murrays that a young man descended of that ancient stock willingly and chearfully delivered up his innocent soule as unto men in the very flower of his youth for his King the Father of his Country and the most munificent Patron of our Family Nor let my most honoured mother my dear sisters my kindred or any of my friends be sorry for the shortnesse of my life which is abundantly recompenced with the honourablenesse of my death Pray for my soule and God be with you CHAP. XX. THe death of his friends troubled Montrose exceedingly as it had reason but yet it was not able to break or shake his firm and setled resolution Nor did his noble and more then ordinarily elevated spirit ever give greater evidences of it self then now For there were many who being enraged with the unworthy murder of their friends egg'd him on being already sufficiently discontended to a present revenge And whiles they too much favoured their grief although it wast just and seem'd to desire nothing but was fit to wit to render them like for like they wearied out the Generall with their many and troublesome and unseasonable complaints For they must needs be angry that their companions their friends their kindred noble and gallant Gentlemen vvel deserving of their King their Country and the Generall himself should be murther'd contrary to their faith promised them the custome of vvar the Law of the Land of Nations and of Nature and all unreveng'd and on the other side such Rebells as had been taken by him to be kept rather as in their friends houses then in prisons to rejoyce to triumph tolaugh at their sorrow And therefore they humbly desired such prisoners might be tryed as Malefactors nor would the Enemy be otherwise frighted from their unheard of cruelty nor the minds of his own men otherwise satisfied and raised up Whom he entertained with a courteous Speech commended them for the love they bare their frieÌ„ds told theÌ„ That the bloud of those honourable and innocent Subjects ought to be reveng'd endeed but such a way as became honest and valiant men not by basenesse and mischief as the Rebells doe but by true valour in a Soldier-like way It concerned them so to tame as not to imitate the wickednesse of their Enemies Nor if they considered matters well was it conscience that those that were prisoners with them and so could not be accessary unto the murther of their frinds should suffer for those sins of which they were innocent The faith that they had passed uuto them was a most sacred things and to be kept inviolate even by Enemies VVhy should they make themselves guilty of that which they so much abhorred in their Enemies The time would come when they must give a severe account of it 〈◊〉 the â—ost righteâ—us God and to his Vice-gerent the King In the meane time saith he let them set a price upon our heads let them hire Assassines let them send in their instruments amongst us to murther us let them make promises and breake them yet they shall never effect that we shall contend with them in an emulation which shall be worse or any otherwise then upon honourable and virtuous termes Now Huntley who intended nothing lesse theÌ„ what he promised Montrose before his face having passed over the Spey and entred into Murray trifled away his time and wasted his strength without either honour or profit a good way off Innernesse For giving his minde too much to prey and spoile after he had wasted the Country he heard a flying report that the inhabitants had hid their Gold and Silver and the best of their stuffe in certaine 〈◊〉 and obscure Castles Which willes he assaults in vaine and could neither by commands nor intreaties be taken off from his resolution the Enemy sending in provision on that side which he had undertaken to block up relived Innernesse vvith all things that they wanted Which if he had hindered as he undertook unto Montrose the garrison vvould have been shortly forced to yeeld And Montrose having now received intelligence that Major Generall Middelton was come with six hundred Horse and eight hundred Foot as far as Aberdene and was like to lay waste Huntleys and the Gordons Country sent Colonell William Stuart unto Huntley to entreat him to return again unto the siege of Innernesse according to his engagement Or if he did not aprove so well of that because the Enemy was advanced so near his Territories he should perswade him to joyne his Forces with his and to march immediately towards the Enemy whom he doubted not with an easie hazard to overthrow To which he answered scornfully that he vvould look to his ovvn businesse himself nor did he need the help and assistance of Montrose to drive the Enemy out of his borders At last after ten weeks spent in the siege of a small inconsiderable Castle and the losse of all the forvvardest of his men he was forced vvith dishonour to raise the siege when he vvas never the nearer And in contempt not so much of Montrose as of the Kings Majesty he retreated to the Spey without the consent or Knowledge of the Vice-roy giving thereby a very bad example to all men vvho began to come in thick and three-fold with great eargernesse unto the Kings party Amongst whom the chiefest for vvealth povver and multitudes of followers dependants were the Earl of Seaford the Lord Rose and from the furthest Ilands Sir Iames Mac-donell Chief of a most povverful and ancient family in the Highlands Macklen also Glenger the Captain of the Mac-Renalds many more who were some of them already in Montroses Army with their Forces others had sent for theirs And by this means before the end of March Montrose might have falleÌ„ down into the Low-lands with a farre greater Army then ever the Scots produc'd in the memory of man But the unexpected revolt of so great a personage did not lesse encourage the Rebells to persevere in their course then scandalize and discourage honest and loyall hearts Whence it happened that those whose men were already come up to the Army began to draw off steal away privately and others to make excuses for their delay All
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