was loath to engage those few gallant men again whose Horses were spent already in two sharp services with the enemy who was reinforced with fresh Foot Therefore observing the enemies Horse not yet rallied since their new rout and standing at a sufficient distance from their Foot he rode about among his own Foot who had been sore galled already with the enemies Ordnance and bespeaks them to this effect We do no good my fellow souldiers while we dispute the matter at thus much distance except we cloze up with them how shall we know an able man from a weak a valiant man from a coward If ye would assail these timorous and brawnelesse shrimps with handy-blows they will never be able to stand you Goe to therefore fall about them with your swords and but-ends of your muskets beat them down drive them back and make them pay what is justly due for their treason and rebellion It was no sooner said than they fall to work break in upon the enemy defeat them rout them Their Horse who expected Foot to come and line them seeing them all run away ran faster than they whom the Conquerours were not able to follow much lesse to overtake so they scap'd scot-free but the Foot paid for all few of which escaped the Victors hands For having no other place to fly unto but into the City Montrose's men came in thronging amongst them through the gates and posterns and laid them on heaps all over the streets They fought four hours upon such equal terms that it was an even lay whether had the odds At this Battell Montrose had some great Guns but they were unserviceable because all advantages of ground were possessed by the enemy but the enemies Guns made no small havock of his men Among others there was an Irishman that had his legg shot off with a Cannon bullet only it hung by a little skin he seeing his fellow-souldiers something sad at his mischance with a loud and cheerfull voyce cryes out Come on my Comrades this is but the fortune of Warr and neither you nor I have reason to be sorry for it Do you stand to it as becomes you and as for me I am sure my Lord Marquesse seeing I can no longer serve on foot will mount me on horse-back So drawing out his knife being nothing altered nor troubled he cut asunder the skin with his own hand and gave his legg to one of his fellow souldiers to bury And truly when he was well again and made a Trooper he often did very faithfull and gallant service This battell was fought at Aberdeen on the twelfth day of September 1644. Then Montrose calling his souldiers back to their Colours entred the City and allowed them two dayes rest CHAP. VII IN the mean time news was brought that Argyle was hard by with much greater forces than those they dealt with last the Earle of Lothian accompanying him with fifteen hundred Horse Therefore Montrose removes from Aberdeen to Kintor a Village ten miles off that he might make an easier accesse unto him for the Gordons the friends and dependents of the Marquesse of Huntley and others that were supposed much to favour the Kings cause From thence he sends Sir William Rollock to Oxford to acquaint his Majesty with the good successe he had hitherto obtained and to desire supplies out of England or some place else That he had fought twice indeed very prosperously but it could not be expected that seeing he was so beset on all sides with great and numerous Armies he should be able to hold out alwayes without timely relief Still nothing troubled Montrose more than that none of the Gordons of whom he conceived great hopes came in unto him And there wanted not some of them who testified their great affection to the service but that Huntley the chief of the Family being a back-friend to Montrose had with-held them all either by his own example or private directions and that himself being forced ro sculk in the utmost border of the Kingdome envied that honour to another of which he had missed himself and had forbidden even with threats all those with whom he had any power to have any thing to do with Montrose or to assist him either with their power or counsell Which when he understood he resolved to withdraw his Forces into the Mountains and Fastnesses where he knew the enemies horse wherein their great strength consisted could do them little service and of their Foot if they were never so many relying upon the justice of his cause and the valour of his souldiers he made but little reckoning Therefore he hid his Ordnance in a bogg and quitted all his troublesome and heavy carriages And comming to the side of the river Spey not farr from an old castle called Rothmurk he incamped there with an Army if one respect the number but very small but it was an expert and cheerfull one and now also something accquainted with victory On the other side of the Spey he finds the men of Cathnes and Suderland and Rosse and Murray and others to the number of five thousand up in arms to hinder his passage over the swiftest River in all Scotland till such time as Argyle who marched after him was upon his back Being oppressed and as it were besieged with so many enemies on every side that at least he might save himself from their Horse the turned into Badenoth a rocky and mountainous Countrey and scarce passable for Horse There for certain dayes he was very sick which occasioned so immoderate joy to the Covenanters that they doubted not to give out he was quite dead and to ordain a day of publique Thankesgiving to Almighty God for that great deliverance Nor were their Levites you may be sure backward in that employment in their Pulpits for as if they had been of counsell at the Decree and stood by at the execution they assured the people that it was as true as Gospel that the Lord of Hostes had slain Montrose with his own hands But this joy did not last them long for he recovered in a short space and as if he had been risen from the dead he frighted his enemies much more than he had done before For assoon as his disease would give him leave he returned into Athole and sent away Mac-donald with a party unto the Highlanders to invite them to take up arms with him and if they would not be invited to force them He himself goes into Angus hoping it might happen that he should either force Argyle with his tyred Horse unto his Winter quarters or at least leave him far enough behind him For Argyle had pursued him slowly and at such distance that it was apparent he thought of nothing lesse than of giving him battail Therefore going through Angus and getting over the Grainsbain which going along with a continued ridge from East to West divideth Scotland into two equal parts he returned into the North of the Kingdome
and Trequaire and confide in their advice and endeavours of whose fidelity and industry no question was to be made Moreover that he should make haste towards the Tweed where he should meet a party of Horse which the King would instantly dispatch out of England to be commanded by him with whom he might safely give battel to David Lesley if as was 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 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-donald and the Highlanders were gone Sir Robert spotswood making an humble obeysance under the Kings Standard delivered his Majesties Commission under the Great Seal unto Montrose which he again gave unto Archibald Primrose Clerk of the Supreme Councill 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-donald he not only extoll'd his gallantry in the head of the Army but by vertue 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 friend Montrose following his intended journey came the second night to Calder 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 inveighled to desert the service Nor would he be perswaded either by reason or the intreaty of his friends who heartily detested that shameful act to stay but so much as one week and then he might depart not only with the Generals licence 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 Lothianshire and in Strathgale joyned with Douglasse and the other Commanders whose Forces being much diminished were dayly mouldring more and more In that coast Traquaire himself came unto him more chearful and merry than he used to be who pretended himself to be a most faithful 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 Traquaire plaid the Covenanters Scout-Master that ungratefullest piece of mankind intending to betray unto them Montrose and in him the King himself Now when he was not above twelve miles from the Lords Hume and Roxburgh 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 fair means or foul But they prevented him by a singular device They sent unto David Lesley whom they well knew by that time was come to Berwick with all the Scotch Horse and many English Voluntiers for they were privy to all their counsels and intreated 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 Roxburgh who had Hume under his girdle conceiv'd that they might both ingratiate themselves with the Covenanters as freely committing themselves into their Protection and 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 and marched into the East-side of Lothian Montrose assoon as he perceived the King and himself betray'd by these men and saw no hopes of that party of Horse which was come from the King and that the too powerful enemy would block up his passage into the North and Highlands resolved to march with those few men he had into Niddisdale and Anandale and the Countrey of Ayre that he might there raise what Horse he could For although he had no certain intelligence concerning the strength of the enemy yet he conjectured that it consisted especially in Horse CHAP. XVI MOntrose arising from Kelsoe marched to Jedburgh 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 he should be forced to fight with an enemy of whose strength he knew nothing upon uneven terms Then he commands the Captains of Horse to set out good store of faithful and active Scouts and to place Horse-guards in convenient places on every side and look well to their watch All which he in person as he used to do could not see done at present because that night he was dispatching letters to the King and to send away a trusty messenger that he had light upon before break of day therefore he was earrest 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 he slept not all that night And sending ever and anon to the Captains of Guards men that were skilful Souldiers and so known to be in Forein 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 accquainted with the Country were sent out again to Scout they also brought word they had been ten miles about and diligently examined all by-ways and rashly wisht damnation to themselvs if they could find an enemy in arms 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 lain there all that night in their arms Lesley that day that Montrose departed from Jedburgh mustered his men upon Gladesmore a plain in Lothianshire where holding a councill of War with the chief of the Covenanters the result was that he should march to Edinburgh and so to the Forth that he 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
and Confessors for withstanding them And therefore he might well imagine that these men who by the same devises laboured to render his Majesty himself odious and so to destroy Him to enjoy his Honours and Revenues so traiterously and perfidiously purloyned would easily find men who should out of the like railing humor bespatter as much as in them lay this most excellent man and all his honourable atchievments and as it is said of wasps poyson with their tongues or pens the juice of most sweet and wholesome flowers and leave the lesse knowing or lesse wary to suck it up He was therefore pleased to offer this short and faithful Narrative as a seasonable antidote against that evill to all that loved truth and plain de aling of which he would needs be so obstinate a maintainre that although he saw well enough how much envy and hatred it would derive upon himself he resolved he would neither basely flatter any one nor lap up that truth which they would not like to bear in obscure and doubtfull Expressions For he professes that as he is a Free-man born and bred so he will never part with his Freedome till with his life And although he be ambitious of no other commendable quality of a good Historian neither of wit nor art nor eloquence yet he seems to challenge in his own right the honour of sincere and exact truth for the defence and propagation whereof he hath set at nought all that was dear in this world having been thrice plundered of all that he had thrice imprisoned in a nasty and filthy Fail and now the third time lives in banishment for the Truths sake Yet he is merry and chearfull that being conscious to himself of no wrong as towards men he is counted worthy of the Lord to suffer these things for Truths and Righteousnesse sake And thou good Reader make much of him at least for his truths sake excuse him for other things and Farewell ON THE Death of the Noble and Valiant Marquess of Montross NOr shall He sleep nor can His valour lie Rak'd in His ashes to Eternity His glories shall out-blaze each puny plot Of th' accurst Rebel and the perjur'd Scot That Slavish Kirk too late now wish indeed Their guilt wash'd off with their high-swelling Tweed Too late alas that generous blood shall be A brand on their despis'd Posterity Brave Soul whose learn'd sword's point could strain Rare lines upon thy murther'd Soveraign Thy self hast grav'd thine Epitaph beyond Th' impressions of a pointed Diamond Thy prowess and Thy Loyalty shall burn In pure bright flames from Thy renowned Um Clear as the beams of Heav'n Thy cruel Fare Scaffold and Gibbet shall Thy Fame dilate That when in after ages Death shall bid A man go home and die upon his Bed He shall reply to Death I scorn 't be gone Meet me at th' Place of Execution Ther 's glory in the Scandal of the Cross Let me be Hang'd for so fell stout MOMTROSS T. F The affairs of the King in SCOTLAND under the Conduct of the most Honourable James Marquesse of Montrose Earl of Kinkardin c. And General Governour for His Majesty in that Kingdome In the Years 1644 1645 1646. SOmetime James Marquesse of Montrose sided with the Covenanters in Scotland and very forwardly bestowed his unhappily happy endeavours in their behoof They pretended to nothing then lesse than the preservation of Religion the Honour and Dignity of the King the Laws of the Land and the freedome of that antient Realm so happily so valiantly defended in time of yore from such powerfull 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 aim of the Court of England than that that free people being reduced to a kind of Province should be eternally enflaved under the power of their old enemies Yet all this while they engaged themselves by their publique attestations and even a solemn Oath that they would never go to work by force and armes nor sollicite the King any other way than by Petition That he would be pleased graciously to accept the supplications of his humblest Subjects and to take order that his dearest Country should suffer nothing in matter of Religion or the Liberty of the Subject But at last in the year 1639. Montrose found out that these fair tales were coyn'd of purpose to steal the hearts of the silly and superstitious multitude and to alienate them from the King as an enemy to Religion and Liberty For the Covenanters did not dissemble to him but spoke out that Scotland had been too long governed by Kings nor could it ever be well with them as long as one Stuart that 's the sirname 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 he 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 between force and craft the Covenanters had drawn in almost all the Kingdom to their side he saw himself alone too weak to check their power and therefore thought not good to open himself too suddainly 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 mind to draw off from them and bring them with him to the King and by this means conceived he should be able to gather no small power which would conduce much both to the Kings safety and his own Mean time the Covenanters raise a strong Army against the King and in a solemn Convention at Duns they determine to invade England Montrose was absent then Which resolution of theirs the chief of the Covenanters had taken up in their cabinet counsels more than six weeks before and to that purpose had been busie in divulging through all Great Britain their Apologetical Pamphlets whereby they laboured to set a good glosse upon the reasons of their Expedition This resolution of theirs Montrose being returned seeing he could not binder would not seem to disapprove Montrose 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 endeavours in the Kings service had the command of five thousand more And truly if a great part of them had not been worse than their words they had either brought the whole Army along with them to the King or at least had broken the neck of the Covenanters designs When the
of whom were the Lord Ogilby himself Sir Iohn Innes and Colonel Henry Graham his brother a most hopefull young Gentleman Iames Iohn and Alexander Ogilbyes Patrick Melvin and other gallant men and highly esteemed by Montrose fell into the enemies hands and endured a long and nasty imprisonment untill they were set at liberty by Montrose himself the next year after which they did him most faithful service He returning to Carlisle imparts his design to the Earl of Aboine lest he should have any occasion to cavil afterwards that a matter of that consequence was done without his knowledge or advice who might have proved able to give a great stroke to the advancing of it But when he found something too much sicklenesse in that young man he was not over earnest to engage him to adventure with him in so perillous a journey and therefore easily perswaded him to reside at Carlisle till he heard further news out of Scotland by which time it might be more seasonable for him to return into his Country And now being prepared for his journey he selected only two men for his companions and guides one was Sir William Rollock a Gentleman of most known honesty and an able man both of his head and hands The other was one Sibbald whom for the report of his valour and gallantry Montrose did equally love and honour but the latter afterwards deserted him in his greatest need Montrose passing as Sibbalds man and being disguis'd in the habit of a Groom rode along upon a lean jade and led another horse in his hand And so he came to the borders where he found all ordinary and safe passes guarded by the enemy There was a chance happened which put them in a greater fright than all that and it was this not farr from the borders they hit by chance upon a servant of Sir Richard Grahams who taking them for Covenanters and to be of Lesley's Army who used to range about those parts told them freely and confidently that his Master had made his peace with the Covenanters and had undertaken as if he were their Centinel to discover unto them all such as came that way whom he suspected to favour the King An unworthy act it was of a shamelesse villain of whom not only Montrose had a very high esteem but his Majesty also whose mistaken bounty had raised him out of the dunghill to say no worse unto the honour of Knighthood and an estate even to the envy of his neighbours Having not passed much further they met a Souldier a Scotchman but one that had served under the Marquesse of Newcastle in England who taking no notice of the other two Gentlemen came to Montrose and saluted him by his name Montrose giving no heed unto him as if he were no such man the too officious souldier would not be so put off but with a voyce and countenance full of humility and duty began to cry out What Doe not I know my Lord Marquesse of Montrose well enough Goe your way and God be with you whithersoever you goe When he saw it was in vain to conceal himself from the man he gave him a few crowns and sent him away nor did he discover him afterwards But Montrose conceiving himself much concerned in these speeches thought it the best course to make all the haste he could and to run faster than the news of him could flie nor did he spare any horse-flesh or scarce draw a bridle till after four dayes travell he came to the house of his cosen Patrick Graham of Innisbrake not far from the river of Tay on that side of the Sherifdome of Perth which is next the Mountains This Patrick being descended of the Noble family of Montrose and not unworthy of so noble parentage was deservedly in very great esteem with the Marquesse who sojourned besides him for a little while in the day time in a mean cottage and passed the nights alone in the neighbouring mountains For hee had sent away his companions unto his friends that they might inform themselves exactly of the whole state of the Kingdome and bring him word in what condition they found it After a few dayes having examined the matter with all the industry they could use they return with nothing but sad and tragical news That all the Subjects that were honest and loyal lay under the tyranny of the Rebells and of such as had been so hardy as to endeavour to recover their freedome with their swords some were put to death others fined others being yet in prison dayly expected the worst their enemies could doe That the Marquesse of Huntley had laid down the arms which too unadvisedly he had taken up at the first summons of the enemy that indeed he had had no contemptible number of men but the men wanted a good Commander that his friends and dependents were exposed to the implacable malice and revenge of their enemies and that he himself had fled to the utmost corner of the Iland and sculked upon another mans land Montrose was very much troubled as he had reason at this news especially at Huntley's errour and the ruine of the Gordons who were men of singular loyalty and valour and expert souldiers therefore much lamented by him that for no fault of theirs they should come to so great misfortune And now he began to cast about how hee might draw them to himself that they might try again the fortune of War under another General in the behalf of his most excellent Majesty CHAP. V. IN the mean time there were some uncertain reports spread abroad among the Shepheards who kept their flocks in the Mountains of certain Irish who were landed in the North of Scotland and canged about the Mountains Montrose conceived it not unlikely that these might be part of those Auxiliaries which the Earl of Antrim had promised should have been there four months before but he had no certainty what they were till at last some Letters came from some intimate friends of his Highlanders and from Alexander Mac-donald a Scotchman also to whom Antrim had given the Command in chief of those few Irish directed to Montrose These they had taken care to send to a certain friend of his a sure man that he might convey them if it were possible to Carlisle where Montrose was believed still to remain He who never dreamed of Montrose's return into Scotland though he sojourned by him by chance acquainted Master Patrick Graham with the businesse he promiseth to take charge of them and undertaketh to see them safely dilivered to Montrose though be made a journey as far as Carlisle a purpose and so by the good providence of God they came into his hands much sooner than could be expected And he writes back as from Carlisle that they should be of good comfort for they should not stay long either for sufficient assistance to joyn with them or a General to command them and withall requires them forthwith to come
stood but now lies on the ground Here a brave young gentleman Sir Thomas Ogilby Son to the Earl of Airley with others of the Gentry of Angus met him and readily offered him their service whom he curteously entertained and sent them a way with thanks they pretending they only went to fit themselves for a march neverthelesse few of them returned besides the Ogilbies Next morning by break of-day before the Revellier was beat there was a great tumult in the Camp the Souldiers ran to their armes and sell to be wild and raging Montrose guessing that it was some falling out between the Highlanders and the Irish thrust himself amongst the thickest of them there he finds a horrible murther newly committed for the noble Lord Kilpont lay there basely slain The murtherer was a retainer of his own one Stuart whom he had treated with much friendship and familiarity in somuch that that same night they lay both in a bed It is reported that the base slave bad a plot to dispatch Montrose and in regard of the great power he had with Kilpontin he conceived he might draw him in to be accessary to the villany therefore taking him aside into a private place he had discovered unto him his intentions which the Nobleman highly detested as was meet whereupon the murtherer fearing he would discover him assaulted him unawares and stabbed him with many wounds who little suspected any harm from his friend and creature The treacherous assassine by killing a Centinel escaped none being able to pursue him it being so dark that they could scarce see the ends of their Pikes Some say the traitor was hired by the Covenanters to do this others only that he was promised a reward if he did it Howsoever it was this is most certain that he is very high in their favour unto this very day and that Argyle immediately advanced him though he was no souldier to great commands in his Army Montrose was very much troubled with the losse of this Nobleman his dear friend and one that had deserved very well both from the King and himself a man famous for Arts and arms and honesty being a good Philosopher a good Divine a good Lawyer a good Souldier a good Subject and a good man And embracing the breathlesse body again and again with sighes and teares he delivers it to his sorrowfull friends and servants to be carried to his parents to receive its funeral Obsequies as became the splendor of that honourable Family With the rest of his Forces Montrose marcheth to Dundee the Town being proud of the number of its inhabitants and having a Garrison out of Eife beside refused to submit And he thinking it no wisdome to hazard the honour he had gotten by his late victory upon the doubtful successe of a siege turns away toward Esk for he hoped that many of his friends and kindred being men of greatest note in those parts and who used to talk as highly what they would do for the King as any others would be ready to joyn with him But they having news of his approach withdrew themselves only the Lord Ogilby Earl of Airley a man of threescore years old with his two Sons Sir Thomas and Sir David and some of his friends and clients men of experienced resolutions joyned himself unto him and with admirable constancy he went along with him through all fortunes unto the very end of the War being in that almost universal defection the other honour and ornament of the Nobility of Scotland besides Montrose While Montrose was hereabouts he receives intelligence that some Commissioners from the Covenanters of whom the Lord Burghly was the principal lay at Aberdene with an Army and laboured to assure unto themselves the Northern parts upon which Montrose especially relyed either by fair means or foul He determines to fight these immediately before Argyle could come up to them therefore with long marches he hies thither and possessing himself of the bridge upon the river of Dee and drawing near the City he found the enemy drawn up close beside it Burghley commanded two thousand Foot and five hundred Horse whom he placed in wings and having chosen his ground and planted his great Guns before his men he expected battel Montrose had fifteen hundred Foot for the Lord Kilponts souldiers were gone to convey their Lords dead body to his parents and most of the Athole-men after the victory of Perth were gone home from whence they were not farr laden with spoil and just four and forty Horse of whom he made two divisions and mixing amongst them the best fire-men and Archers that he had who in nimblenesse and swiftnesse of body were almost as good as Horsemen placed them on either wing to prevent the falling of the enimies horse upon his rear which they performed most gallantly beyond the opinion or perhaps the belief of many He gave the command of the right flank to James Hay and Nathaniel Gordon and of the left to Sir William Rollock all valiant men The left wing of the enemy was commanded by Lewis Gordon Son to the Marquesse of Huntley a bold young man and hot spirited but hair brain'd and one that had forced out his fathers friends and clients to fight with Montrose against their wills He having gotten the plain and most commodious ground for fighting on horse-back charged Montrose's right flank which when he perceived he commanded Rollock with his twenty Horse to their aid and they being backed with the gallantry of their Commanders and the activity and stoutnesse of the Foot amongst them received the charge with so much hardinesse that they four and forty beat back full three hundred of the enemy routing all and killing very many But because they were so few they durst not follow the chase which was forborn by the great prudence of the Commanders and proved to be of great consequence towards the obtaining of the victory for the enemy charged Montrose's left Flank which had no Horse with their right Wing of Horse Montrose therefore in a trice now that Lewis Gordon and his men were fled conveighs the same Horse to the left Flank who seeing they were not able to draw themselves into a Body like the enemies fetch'd a compasse about and so escaped their first charge then neatly wheeling about they fell upon the Flank of the enemy and with their naked swords beat and cut and vanquisht and put them to flight They took prisoners one Forbes of Kragevar a Knight of great esteem with the enemy and another Forbes of Boindle Those that retreated got safe away because that so few could not safely pursue them They that commanded the enemies Horse were not so much frighted with their losse as vexed with the disgrace of a double repulse therfore imputing their defeat to those light firelocks that were mixed with Montroses Horse they themselves call for Foot-men out of their main Body intending to return with greater courage Montrose suspected that and
And now that he had left Argyle so far behind him that he might safely take some time to recruit he went to Strathbogy that he might meet with the Gordons and perswade them to engage with him But he lost his labour for they were forestalled by Huntley and after his example plaid least in sight For such as were generous and daring spirits though they were loath to provoke the indignation of their Chief yet they could not but be ashamed that at a time when there might be so much use of them they did nothing Besides the Lord Gordon Huntley's eldest Son a man of singular worth and accomplishment was detained by Argyle his Uncle by the Mothers side the Earl of Alboin the second Son was inclosed within the siege of Carlisle and Lewis another Son was of the enemies side so that there was no one of Huntley's family under whose authority they should take up Armes Notwithstanding Montrose quartered there a great while in which time almost every other night marching seven or eight or ten miles with a party of light Foot for Horse he had few or none he used to give alarms to the enemy beat up their quarters put them to flight and frequently to bring home horse and men prisoners And because he alwayes brought his men safe off it was strange to see how cheerfull and daring his souldiers were so that though their number was not great there was nothing that he would lead them on unto that seemed great to them At last when he despaired of any good to be done with the Gordons at the end of October he removed from Strathbogy and came to Faivy Castle and possest it There he was like to have been utterly undone by the bad and false intelligence his Scouts in whom he put great confidence brought unto him concerning the enemy for those whom they perswaded him were scarce got over Grainsbain were on a sudden encamped within two miles of him Argyle and Lothian had there two thousand five hundred Foot and twelve hundred Horse Montrose now when Mac-donald was absent with a party had fifteen hundred Foot and about fifty Horse If he should have descended into the Plain with so small strength it had been madnesse and to keep a Castle and no strong one neither he thought dishonourable and derogatory to the credit of his late victories Therefore he bethought himself of another course he drawes his men up unto a higher hill which over-look'd the Castle The soil of the hill was rough and there were hedges also and ditches cast up there by the Husbandmen for the fences of their fields which were almost as usefull as Brest-works But before he had appointed every one his ground to draw up in those few of Huntley's dependents which accompanied Montrose from Strathbogy in the sight of all people fairly betook them to their heels And on the other side the enemy driving fiercely up the hill made themselves masters of no small part of it which if they had been able to maintain with the same vigour that they had obtained it Montrose had been a lost man whose Souldiers discouraged both by the timorous flight of some of their own and the multitude of their enemies forces were well near ready to turn their backs them Montrose presently put life and courage into by his own example and presence by putting them in mind of their former atchievements and their own sense of their wonted prowesse Moreover he thus bespake a young Irish Gentleman one Collonel O Kyan Go thy way O Kyan with such men as thou hast at hand and drive me those fellows out of yonder ditches that we may no more be troubled with them The gallantry of O Kyan Montrose had often seen and commended nor did that truly valiant man deceive the Generals opinion of him for he quickly firretted the enemy out of the ditches though they much out-numbred his men and were seconded with a party of Horse And not only so but gained some baggs of powder which the enemy had left behind them for haste a very seasonable prey of which they had great need Nor doth a notable example of the forwardnesse of the Souldiers seem to me unworthy in this place to be remembred for one of them looking upon the baggs of powder What saith he have they given us no bullets Marry but wee must fetch bullets too from those sparing distributors of Ammunition As if it had been altogether the enemies duty to provide them necessaries for the Warr. In the mean time his Horse which were but fifty being disposed in a place of danger he timely secured them by lining them with musketiers For Lothian charged them with five whole troops who before they had crossed over half a field that lay between them being scared with our shot wheel'd about and returned to the place from whence they came Montrose's men being encouraged with these two successes could hardly be kept off from falling on with a shout upon the whole body of the enemy whom Montrose refrains rather with a kind of commendation of them as was meet than reproof only bids every one know his own duty and wait his commands Towards night Argyle having done nothing to any purpose retreats two miles off and slept not that night But the next day when he was told that Montrose's souldiers had great scarcity of powder and bullet drawing his men into the same ground again he made as though he would have charged up the Hill and beaten Montrose out of his hold But when his heart failed him in that enterprise besides some skirmishes between small parties while the main bodies kept their ground there was nothing done that day neither All this while Montrose sends for all dishes and flaggons and chamber-pots and what other pewter vessels could be had and caused them to be melted into bullet yet when that was done the souldiers had not enough With which great inconvenience the souldiers were so little troubled that one as often as he made a shot which he presumed never missed he would say merrily to his Comerades As sure as can be I have broken one Traytors face with a chamber-pot Nor wil any one wonder if Montrose's men were oft in want of powder and other necessaries for War when he considers they had no other way to supply themselves with them but out of their enemies stock And now the second day being almost spent Argyle withdraws his men over the river the way that they came three Scotch miles which make one Dutch mile off The time was thus spent at Faivy for several dayes Argyle carrying nothing away with that great Army but disgrace among his friends and contempt among his enemies for it was wholly imputed to his cowardise that there he had not made an absolute conquest At last Montrose lest by marching away in the day time he might have some of his Rear cut off by the enemies Horse takes the advantage of the night to
that he could by no means either make his way unto them or draw them out into plainer ground Having therefore made them several fruitlesse offers of battell he resolved to march into the heart of the Country and came to Kinrosse as well to hinder the rising of that Country as to train the enemy at last out of their fastness to come in unto the aid of their distressed friends They not so much as daring to fall upon his Rear turn'd another way and keeping close to the bank first of the Erne afterwards of the Tay made speed towards the East-side of the Country As Montrose passed along he sent Collonel Nathaniel Gordon and Sir William Rollock before him with a small party These sending the rest of their party up and down to scout kept only ten men in their company on a sudden they happened upon two hundred of the enemy who were raising men in those parts and being not able to retreat they twelve encountred the two hundred put them to flight kill'd some and took other some prisoners Montrose that night came to Kinrosse not doubtting but they of Fife who were exceedingly out of love with the King most firm to the Covenanters and wholly given to the new superstition were generally up in armes Therefore thinking it not safe rashly to engage with so great a multitude of Horse and Foot he determin'd to passe over the Forth and that upon this ground that he having wearied out the Fife-men whom he believ'd would not be easily perswaded to follow the Army further than their own borders with long marches might vanquish them without a blow For he accounted that most of them being born or brought up in shops or ships or taverns and not acquainted with the hardship of Souldiers would presently give out and be weary Besides such of the Nobility as were in rebellion after they saw with sorrow that the seat of the War was drawn so near them as the Forth were raising men with more eagerness than ever before upon the Borders and in the West of whom the chief were the Earls of Lanerick Cassils and Eglington Whose levies Montrose laboured either to hinder or draw themselves to his side before they came up to Baily and the Fife-men therefore he marched from Kinrosse towards Sterling and lay that night some three miles from the City The next day sending the Foot before he followed softly after with the Horse because he suspected that the enemy pursued him in the Rear Nor was he deceived in that suspition for some Espyals whom he left behind him brought word that Baily was hard by with the greatest Army that ever he had And immediately the enemies Scouts came within view one of whom having been too forward was brought prisoner to Montrose by some of his Horse He being examined told them free and confidently that he believed Baily and his party were resolved to march all that night to engage him to fight as soon as was possible before they dismist the Fife-men who being already tir'd he hardly believ'd would be drawn over the Forth accounting their work at an end as soon as the enemy was gone out of their own Country Therefore Montrose that he might get speedily over the Forth bids his men march apace and going on the other side of Sterling a good Town and one of the Kings strongest Castles in which the enemy had now a great Garrison that same night passed over the river at a Ford about four miles above the Town And at break of day next morning made a halt a while about six miles from Sterling where he had intelligence that the enemy the night before had not come over the Forth but quartered three miles from Sterling on the other side of the river Therefore Montrose holding on his intended journey encamped himself in that fatal place the Field of Kilsythe He bids the Souldiers to refresh themselves but however to be in a readinesse either to fight or march as occasion should serve The enemy the mean while by an easier and shorter cut got over the Forth at Sterling-bridge and encamped at night some three miles from Kilsythe In the interim the Earl of Lanerick Duke Hamilton's brother had rais'd a thousand Foot and five hundred Horse of the friends and clients of the Hamiltons in Cluidsdale and the places adjacent and was not at present above twelve miles from Kilsythe And the Earls of Cassils Eglington and Glencarne with others of the Covenanting Nobility were engaging the West unto the same impious Militia who were so much the readier to take up armes by how much they had lesse felt the miseries of Warre Which things being well considered Montrose thought it best to fight with those Forces which Baily had at present For although they were more numerous than his own yet the danger was like to be greater of his side if he should be put to engage with them when Lanericks and other parties were come up But moreover he was either obliged to take this course or do nothing and return back into the Highlands with the blemish of that Honour which by so many victories he had atchiev'd The enemy on the other side being arrogant and confiding in the multitude of their men believ'd that Montrose had but made a running march the dayes before and had passed the Forth more out of fear than design so that they counted it nothing to assault him in that ground and entrenchment which he had chosen to his best advantage And above all their proud hopes were most carefull of this to block up all wayes of his escape and to prevent his return into the Mountains But there are some that say Baily himself thought it not best to give him battel but was over-sway'd by the authority and votes of the Earl of Lindsey especially and some other of the Nobility that were present in the Army which forc'd him much against stomack to draw up his men and order the battel as be could However it was early in the morning they led their men straight upon Montrose which when he saw he told the standers by that that was happened which he most desired for now he could supply his want of men by the advantage of the ground and therefore he made haste to possesse himself of the fastnesses before them Moreover he commands all his men as well Horse as Foot to throw off their doublets and to affront the enemy all in white being naked unto the waste all but their shirts which when they had chearfully performed they stood there provided and ready to fight resolved certainly either to conquer or die In the field where they intended to fight there were some Cottages and Country-gardens where Montrose had conveniently lodg'd some few men and the first design of the enemy was to dislodge them But it took not for making a fierce assault and being as stoutly receiv'd as soon as they were observ'd to cool something of their
consideration possessed his resolute and noble spirit That the losse of that day was but small and easily regained because but an inconsiderable part of his Forces were there That the Highlanders were the very Nerves and sinewes of the Kingdome and all the North was sound and untouch'd That many of the prime Nobility and men of power many Knights too and Chiefs of their Septs had entred into an association with him who if he should miscarry would be suddenly ruined or corrupted and by that means the Kings party in Scotland utterly subdued Therefore he thought himself bound never to despair of a good cause and the rather lest the King his Master should apprehend the losse of him to be greater than the losse of the battell And while these thoughts were in his head by good hap came in the Marquesse Douglasse and Sir Iohn Dalâ—ell with some other friends not many but faithfull and gallant men who with tears in their eyes out of the abundance of their affection beseech intreat implore him for the honour of his former atchievements for his friends sakes for his Ancestors for his sweet wife and childrens sakes nay for his Kings his Countries and the Churches peace and safeties sake that he 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 overcome with their intreaties charging thorow the enemy who were by this time more taken up with ransacking the Carriages than following the chase made his escape of those that were so hardy to pursue him some he slew others among whom was one Bruce a Captain of Horse and two Cornets with their Standards he carried away prisoners Whom he entertained curteously and after a few dayes dismist them upon their Parole that they should exchange as many Officers of his of the like quality which Parole they did not over-punctually perform Montrose was gotten scarce three miles from Selkirk when he having overtaken a great number of his own men that went that way he made a pretty considerable party so that being now secure from being fallen upon by the Country people he march'd away by leisure And as he went by the Earl of Traquaires Castle by whose dishonesty he did not yet know that he had been betray'd he sent one before him to call forth him and his Son that he might speak with them but his servants bring word that they were 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 and the Kings forces in Scotland were at last totally routed his own daughter the Countesse of Queensbrig as far as modestly she might blaming him for it Montrose after he had made a holt a while near a Town called Plebis untill the souldiers had refresh'd themselvs and were 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 Dalyel especially passed over Cluid at a ford Where the Earls of Crawford and Airley having escaped another way met with him making nothing of the losse of the battell assoon as they saw him out of danger Nor was he lesse joyfull at the safety of his friends than that he had sav'd and pick'd up by the way almost two hundred Horse But although he was already secure enough from the pursute of the enemy neverthelesse he resolved to make what haste he could into Athole that taking his rise there he might draw what forces he could raise of the Highlanders and 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 way he had sent before him Douglasse and Airley with 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 Dalyel unto the Lord Carnegy with whom he had lately contracted affinity with Commissions to that purpose Moreover he sent Letters to Mac-donald 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 special messengers that he would bring back his friends and clients who were willing enough of themselves and wanted no other encouragement than his authority and example CHAP. XVII IT was towards the latter end of Harvest nor was he corn reap'd in that cold Country nor their houses and cottages which the enemy had butnt repaired against the approaching winter which is for the most part very sharp thereabouts which made the Athole men to abate something 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 South-ward he should command the whole power of the Country Mean time frequent expresses came from Aboine that he would wait upon him immediately with his Forces and Mac-donald promised no lesse for himself and some other Highlanders Areskin signified also unto him that his men were in readinesse and waited for nothing but either Aboines company who was not far off or Montrose's commands About this time there were very hot but uncertain reports of a strong party of Horse that were sent him from the King whom many conceived not to be far from the South borders But other news they had which was too certain to wit that there was a most cruel butchery of what prisoners the Rebels 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'd them and found some pity in them that had so little being gathered together were by order from the Rebel Lords thrown head-long from off a high bridge and the men together with their wives and sucking children drown'd in the River beneath and if any chanced to swim towards the side they were beaten off 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 scorn of the vulgar and certainly doom'd at last to lose their heads Montrose was never so much troubled as at this sad news Therefore to the end he might some way relieve his distressed friends being impatient of all delay with wonderfull speed he climbs over Gransbaine and passing through the plains of Marre and Strath-done maketh unto the Lord of Aboine that he might encourage
men had deserted him in upper Marre as a Prologue to the ensuing Tragedy had beheaded three stout and gallant Gentlemen The first was Sir William Rollock one of whom we have had often occasion to make honourable mention a valiant and expert man dear unto Montrose from a Child and faithful unto him to his last breath The chief of his Crimes was That he would not pollute his hands with a most abominable murder For being sent from Montrose with an express to the King after the battel of Aberdeen he was taken prisoner by the Enemy and was condemned unto death which he had not escaped except for fear of death he had harkened unto Argyle who most unworthily set a price upon Montroses head and promised great rewards honours and preferments to whomsoever should bring it in and had taken upon himself to commit that Treason which he abhorred with all his soul By which shift having his life and liberty given him he returned straight to Montrose and discovered all unto him beseeching him to be more careful of himself for not he only who heartily detested so high a villany but many more had been offered great matters most of whom would use their best endeavours to dispatch him The next was Alexander Ogilby of whom we also spake before eldest Son to Sir John Ogilby of Innerwharite descended of an antient Family and much renowned in the Scotish Chronicles He was but yet a youth scarce twenty but valiant above his age and of a present and daring spirit Nor can I hear or so much as conjecture what they had to lay to his charge but that new and unheard-of Treason to wit his bounden duty and loyalty to his King But there was no help for 't but Argyle must needs sacrifice that hopeful youth if it had been for nothing but his names sake for he bare an implacable fewd to the Ogilbies The third was Sir Philip Nesbit of on antient Family also and chief of it next his Father who had done honourable service in the Kings Army in England and had the command of a Regiment there Nor can I discover any reason they had to put him to death neither besides that which is used when they have nothing else to say that mad charge of the new High Treason except it was that their guilty consciences suggested unto them that that couragious and vigilant man might take occasion some time hereafter to be even with them for the horrid injuries they had done his Father and his Family However these men suffered a Noble death with patience and constancy as became honest men and good Christians And unto these there are two brave Irish Gentlemen that deserve to be joined Colonel O-Chaen and Colonel Laghlin odious unto the Rebels only for this impardonable crime that they had had many experiments of their courage and gallantry These Irish Gentlemen were murdered indeed at Edinbourgh but many more were doom'd to the like execution at Glascow had not Montrose's unexpected approch within a few miles of the City had so much influence that it repriev'd them till another time The Lord Governor was very much perplexed with the news of these mens death and it was a question whether he was more vext at the cruelty of the Rebels or the negligence if not treachery of his friends For besides Huntley whose Forces he had so long in vain expected to come with his Son Aboine Mac-donald also himself of whom he entertained an exceeding good opinion being often sent unto and invited also by the nearness of the place although the time appointed by himself was already past and gone made no appearance of his approach Six weeks had now passed since Aboine had engaged himself for the Northern Forces and the Winter than which our age never saw sharper was already deeply entred Besides the aids that the King had sent under the Command of the Lord Digby were defeated all which might easily have been salved and the Kingdom reduced again if those great Professors of Loyalty had not plaid fast and loose in that good Cause Therefore at last on the 20. of November Montrose deâ—arting from Levin and passing over the Mountains of Taich now covered with deep snow through woods and loghes whose names I do not at this time well remember crossing also through Strath-Erne and over the Tay returned into Athole There he met Captain Ogilby and Captain Nesbit whom he had formerly sent with the Kings instructions unto Huntley And they bring word the man was obstinate and inflexible who would believe nothing that they said and when they unfolded unto him the Kings Commands answered scornfully That he understood all the Kings business better than they or the Governor himself and neither he nor any of his children should have any thing to do with him Moreover he sharply and threatningly reproved his friends and clients who had willingly assisted Montrose and dealt worse with them than with Rebels Nevertheless the Lord Governor thought best to take no notice of any of these things but bear with them and whiles he treats with the Athole-men for the setling of the Militia of that Country he sends again unto Huntley by Sir John Dalyel as a more fit Mediator of friendship Who was to inform him of the danger the King and Kingdom was in and so of the present misery that hung over his and all faithful Subjects heads and to make it appear unto him that it was no ones but his and his sons fault both that they had not brought in the supplies into Scotland which the King had sent and that the prisoners who were gallant and faithful men had been so cruelly butchered and that yet there were many more remaining that had near relations to Huntley himself and some also of the prime Nobility whom the Rebels would cut off after the same fashion unless they were now at last relieved And lastly to pray and beseech him that at least he would grant the Kings Governor the favour of a friendly conference promising he would give him abundant satisfaction Huntley although he answered Dalyel in all things according ro his wonted peevishness yet he was most of all averse to a Conference as fearing seeing he should have nothing to answer to his Arguments and Reasons the Presence the Confidence and the Wisdom of so excellent a Man But Montrose as soon as things were setled in Athole that he might leave nothing unattempted that might possibly bring him to better thoughts resolved dissembling all injuries and obliging him by all good offices to surprize him and be friends with him whether he would or no and to treat with him concerning all things that concerned His Majesties service Therefore in the month of December he forced his way very hardly thorow Rivers and Brooks that were frozen indeed but not so hard as to bear mens weight over the tops of Hills and craggy Rocks in a deep Snow and passing through Angus and over Gransbaine
Articles signed by the Kings hand with Injunctions now the third time wherein he was required to disband without further delay and the same messenger charged him in the Kings name under pain of high Treason to give obedience forthwith to the Kings Command And besides his Majesties pleasure there was another thing which hastened him which was that those that had engaged with him had most of them privately and by their friends laboured to make their peace with the Rebels which was evidently known by good tokens of the Earl of Seaforth and others As for Huntley and Aboine they did not only professe themselvs open enemies to Montrose but also threatned to fall upon him by force of arms if he did not immediately submit to the Kings authority And Antrim being newly arrived out of Ireland in the Highlands without either men or arms busied himself to draw away all the Highlanders as his kindred allies to himself from Montrose's Army whom in scorn he call'd the Governour of the Low-lands making by this means an unseasonable fraction and a pernitious one to his friends in those parts All which Montrose having well considered he was forced according to the Kings command to disband his Army And truly that was a most sad day in which having sollemnly prais'd and encourag'd his souldiers as well as the occasion permitted he took his leave of them For althuogh he bid them to be of good comfort however and told them he saw some day-light of a blessed peace and that he did as much service to the King by his present submission as he had done before by his Martial atchievements Yet notwithstanding they all conceiv'd that that was the last day of the Kings authority in Scotland and all of them beleeved for certain that those Commands from the King were wrested from him upon the apprehension of greater dangers to his person if he had not given them And although some provision had been made by Articles in writing for their Indemnity yet they had raher have undergone the worst that could fall than survive idle and unserviceable spectators of the miserable dition of their dearest King And it was no little vexconation to those generous spirits to think what an unworthy opinion forein Nations and their own posterity must needs have of them as if the Scotish Nation had been unanimously guilty of Rebellion and desertion of so good a King Besides their sorow was much augmented with the consideration that their General who was most valiant most successfull and therefore most beloved should be taken off so unhappily from the King from his Country from themselvs and all good men So that his souldiers falling down at his feet entreated him with tears in their eyes that seeing the safety of the Kings person depended so much upon it and he must of necessity depart the Kingdome he would be pleased to take them along with him into what part of the world soever he went Professing their readinesse to live and fight any where under his command and if God would have it so to die too And truly many of them were resolved though to the certain hazard of their lives and estates to follow him even against his will and knowledge and to offer him that service in an unknown land that they were able to afford him no longer in their miserable Country By the Articles to which the King had consented according to the desires of the Covenanters it was especially provided that Montrose should depart Scotland before the first of September and that they should find him shipping with provision and all things necessary when he went These things were transacted the first of August and a Port in Angus designed for Monrose whither they were to send shipping from whence 〈◊〉 was to imbark And Montrose to prevent and remove all occasions of exception or suspition being accompanied only with his own servants and a very few friends betook himself thither and waited for the shipping About this time his most implacable enemies set abroad crafty and feigned reports by their fit instruments wherein they confidently averted that the States of the Kingdome as they call'd themselvs would by no means suffer that so gallant a Subject should be banished the Country For they knew not how great need they might have of a man of his worth especially if the King who had cast himself freely upon the affections of the Scots could not get any right of the English but should be put to seek it by force and arms and if it came to that no age had afforded a better General than Montrose And truly that was the earnest desire and expectation of most men who were not able to dive into the bottome of the Rebells plots but they had far other designs in hand and another game to play For what their thoughts were towards the King the sad event made too manifest and for Montrose they laid very unconscionable and unworthy traps to catch him For they did this that if they could flatter him up with such vain hopes and entice him to stay in the Kingdome beyond his time appointed they might take hold of him upon the Articles and cut him off with more credit August was almost spent and no news at all was to be had about the shipping or safe conduct therefore Montrose although he was resolved to be gon by the day the King had limited that he might more fully grope the intentions of the Covenanters gave leave to some of his friends to deal with them for further time But when they brought him nought but uncertain and doubtfull answers he had reason to think they intended nothing but to delude and intrap him Besides which made his suspition so much the greater there came a ship upon the very last day allowed for his stay to wit on the last of August into the haven of Montrose The master of it was not only a stranger to him but a most rude and violent abettor of the Rebells the Seamen and Souldiers men of the same temper malicious dogged and ill-condition'd the ship it self neither victualled not fit to go to Sea So that when Montrose shew'd himself ready to depart and bad them hoise their sailes assoon as they could the Master of the ship told him that he must have some dayes allowed him to pitch and rigge his ship before he durst adventure himself to the wind and waves And then making great brags of himself and his ship he drew forth a Commission which the Covenanters had given him wherein he was required to transport the passengers to certain places assigned by themselvs and to carry no body else Moreover there lay great English ships and men of War every day in sight about the mouth of the river Eske which makes the haven of Montrose attending there in favour of the Rebells for their much-desired booty that by no means he might escape their hands But Montrose had sufficient notice of their treacheries
fewnesse of his number and that his souldiers were much undisciplin'd and unlike to the former with whom he had done so great things began to be averse and have a suspicion of the event Yet have I heard some say which knew well enough the situation of that Country that if he had not been oppressed in the nick he might have gain'd such strengths amongst the hills as might have given him leisure enough to have strengthned his own party and tyred out the enemy Howsoever he was not altogether unmindfull of a retreat there is in that Country a Castle call'd Dumbath the Lord or Laird thereof is the head of a very antient Family but no friend of the Marquesses This Gentleman having left his house in the keeping of his Lady and some servants â—ed to Edinburgh The Lady though the place were naturally fortified yet upon summons delivered it to Colonel Hurry who was sent thither by the Marquess with a party of Foot to reduce it upon condition her goods and estate might be secur'd and she with her servants suffer'd to march away Hurrey having plac'd a Governour and a Garrison as he thought sufficient for the defence of the place return'd to the Marquess who was now advanc'd to the place or neer it where he was to lose at one throw both his life and fortune The Marquesse hearing of the enemies approach made his whole Forces march at a great trot to recover a passe which they were not very far from when he himself in the vanguard discover'd the first party which was Straughans Forlorn hope advancing very fast upon him So that these with their haste and the souldiers running found them both out of breath and order The second Party was commanded by Straughan himself and the Rear-guard as I remember by Colonel Ker for he had divided them in three bodies But now the first party being very near there was a Forlorn hope of a hundred Foot drawn out to meet them who giving fire upon them put them to a disorderly retreat but being immediately seconded by Straughans party they made good their charge and so terrified the Islanders with that breach that most of them threw down their Arms and called for quarter Only the Dutch Companies after they had bestowed a volley or two amongst the Horse retreated into some shrubbs hard by and there very valiantly defended themselvs awhile but were all taken at last There were kill'd in this business to the number of two hundred twelve hundred taken very few escaped For the whole Country being in Arms especially Sunderlands men who came not to the fight but to the execution they kill'd or took Prisoners all such as fled In that skirmish was taken the Standard which he had caus'd to be made of purpose to move the affections of the people with this Motto Judge and revenge my cause O Lord and the portraict of the late King beheaded exactly well done The Standard-bearer a very gallant young Gentleman was kill'd after he had several times refused quarter There was Colonel Hurrey taken the Lord Frenderick Sir Francis Hay of Dalgetie Colonel Hay of Naughton Colonel Gray and most of the Officers and two Ministers The Marquess after he saw the day was absolutely lost threw away his cloak which had the Star on it having receiv'd the order of the Garter a little while before his Sword was likewise found and not very far off his horse which he had forsaken For so soon as he had got clear off that ground where the skirmish was he betook himself to foot and lighting upon one of that Country or one of his own souldiers I know not whether took his Highland apparel from him and so in that habit conveighed himself away But such narrow search being made for him he could not long escape yet he continued in the open fields three or four days without any notice gotten of him At last the Lord of Aston being in arms with some of his Tenants aboard in that search happned on him He had been one of his followers before In that place he had continued three or four dayes without meat or drink with one only man in his company The Marquesse knowing him and believing to find friendship at his hands willingly discover'd himself But Aston not daring to conceal him and being greedy of the reward which was promised to the apprehender by the Councel of State seiz'd upon him and disarm'd him 't is said he profered great summs for his liberty which being in vain he desired to dye by the hands of those who took him rather than be made an object of misery and shame as he knew very well he should by his enraged enemies But neither of his desires was granted but in place of them a strong guard set over him and so conveyed to David Lesley Sraughan having atchieved his business with great expedition and freed the State from this much-fear'd danger returned to Edinburgh leaving the rest of the businesse to Lesley and Holborn where he receiv'd great rewards and thanks for his eminent service not without the great heart-burning of David Lesley who seeing a rivall risen up to his honour and one whom he lookt upon as an upstart souldier have so great successe fretted not a little Howsoever forwards he moves to accomplish the rest of the work which was now of no great consequence for there rested nothing within the Country but only the Castle of Dumbath which being out of all hopes of relief after the defeat so soon as they were perfectly assur'd by some Prisoners whom they knew yielded the Garrison The Governour was Prisoner at mercy The souldiers being Dutch were upon terms to return homewards There was nothing else to be done save the reducing of the Islands and the town of Kirkwall in Orkney where Colonel Johnson and Colonel Harry Graham were left when the Marquesse pass'd over to Cathanes but Montrose either because he could not spare any souldiers or because he expected better successe had left them almost naked though there were several places in those Isles which might have been made very renable Colonel Johnson having understoost of the defeat with those that were with him took shipping and returned from whence he came so did Harry Graham likewise else both of them had casted of the same sawce which their General did Thus Lesteys Forces entred without any resistance seiz'd upon the Arms which Montrose had brought thither together with two pieces of Ordnance The Queen of Sweden had given him a little Friggot of sixteen Guns which lay in the Harbour the Master of which being gone ashore into one of the Islands the Company seeing the event of the businesse revolted and brought in that likewise The victorie being now compleat there was a solemn day of thanksgiving appointed through the whole Kingdome Bonfires shooting of Ordnance and other testimonies of joy But many of the Gentry who had been under his command before having now engaged