if they would have fallen on with all their Power But a forlorne hope of Highlanders was sent before by Argyle to engage Montrose in a light skirmish who were manfully entertained and repulsed Then Montrose having possessed himselfe of the highest ground Argyle alters his resolution thinkes upon that which was more safe and lesse honourable He desires a Cessation proposes that engagements may be given on both sides for a Conference Treaty yet at the same time he did not onely tempt the Souldiers to forsake Montrose by promising them indemnity rewards to boot but which is a shame to say even of an enemy set a great price upon Montrose's head to be paid unto any assassine or murtherer that should bring it in Of which when Montrose was well assurred who well knew the disposition of the man to be more bent to overreach and betray then to fight with his enemy he thought nothing concerned him more then with all speed to bring of those small Forces he had as farre as he could both from Argyle's Hose and knavery Therefore calling a counsell of Warre he declares his opinion they all aprove his wisdome and promise to continue their fidelity and their best endeavours to serve him Therefore he resolveth upon a long march the next night as farre as Badenoth and that the Souldiers might be lighter for so great a journey he sent the Carriages before with a guard bid the souldiers make themselves ready against the next day as if they were to fight And now the Carriages were on the way when on a sudden newes came that Forbes of Cregaver a prisoner to whom upon the engagement of his Honour for his true imprisonment Montrose had given the liberty of the Camp and that Sibbalds who besides Rollock was onely of his counsell and company when he came out of England and some others had made an escape an run away to the enemy He was troubled at the perfidiousnesse of the men and justly suspected that they to ingratiate themselves with the enemy would betray his counsells Therefore he straight called bake the Convoy with the Carriages seemed as if he had wholly altered his resolutions But indeed he altered them not but thought it fit to delay them for a time that the intelligence which the Enemy received from his fugitives might appear unto them idle and uncertain But after four dayes he sent the Carriages away again before him making fires through all the Camp he placed all the Horse he had vvithin view of the Enemy as if they kept their guard there till such time as the Foot vvere marched farre enough from danger and then brought the Horse also safe off and all by break of day came to Balveny And novv being safe from having their quarters beaten up by the Enemies Horse and they no further pursuing it being also the very deep of vvinter he allovved a fevv dayes unto the refreshment of his Souldiers And at this time especially Argyle began to appear in his owne Colours and his subtilties vvere manifested For most of the Noblemen Gentlemen prime souldiers that were vvith Montrose vvho setting aside Irishmen and Highlanders had more Commanders then private Souldiers in his Army deserted him and fell off to Argyle Some of them pretended sicknesse others disability to make such long marches in winter time overmountains uninhabited unpassable full of nothing but stones bryars for the most part deep in snow and never travelled over by any man alive And therefore sore against their wills as they said and being compelled to depart by an extream necessity they disired his Passe which he denyed to none that ask't but yet look't upon them rather with a kinde of indignation scorn then approbation or compassion Nor can one easily say how much the example of such mē weakened his Forces howmuch it disheartned many that intended to have listed themselves under his Command But the old Lord Ogleby the Earl of Airly a man of threescore years old and no◠very healthy neither together with two of his Sons most worthy of such a Father Sir Thomas Sir David could never be perswaded even in the extreamest hazard of their lives to depart from him CHAP. VIII MOntrose returning from Balveny to Badenoth met a very faithful intelligencer who gave him notice that Argyle with his Foot for his Horse were gone to their Winter quarters lay at Dunkeldon and that from thence he used all his industry to perswade the Athole men to revolte He although he was assured of their loyalty neverthelesse vvith incredible hast goes down into Athole For in one night he marched with his Forces four and twenty Miles through vvayes untrodden untilled full of Snow vvaste and never inhabited by mortall man to the intent he might fall upon Argyle whiles he had not his Horse about him But he being frighted with the report of his coming when Montrose was yet sixteen Miles off bid his men shift for themselves and he himself fled as fast as he could into Perth wherein the Covenanters had a strong Garrison Mac-donell vvas by this time returned and brought along with him the Chief of the Mac-renald◠vvith his men to the number of five hundred and Montrose himself added to that number Patrick Graham vvith some choice men of Athole Being recruited with these he marcheth to the lake of which the river of Tay breaks forth to passe from thence through Bradalbaine into the Country of Argyle for he thought an enemy could never be so happily overthrown as in his own Countrey And truly he had many strong reasons for that resolution In the first place Argyle's power and authority among the Highlanders rendered him formidable to his Peers and neighbours and so conduced much both to raise and foment the whole Rebellion For assoon as any one adventured to oppose the Covenanters or dispute their Commands presently Argyle gathering a tumultuous army of five or six thousand Highlanders who for all that served him against their wils crush't him to pieces and therefore he had all the reason in the world to bring down the power of so seditious and covetous and cruell a man Moreover those Highlanders who did not only favour the Kings cause but hated Argyle heartily as having had sufficiēt experience of his Tyranny durst not appeare as they would till he was first subdued And lastly the Low-lands of the Kingdome were maintained by the Covenanters with strong Garrisons and great bodies of Horse so that except he had a minde utterly to undoe his friends he had no other place to winter his Souldiers in but that And being pressed with these reasons with long and foule journeys and incredible speed he cometh into Argyle The Earl at that time was listing souldiers in his Country and had appointed the day and place for a Rendezvouz He lived securely in the Castle of Innerare supposing no enemy to be within a hundred miles of him For he
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
ground But Baily turning aside some three miles to the left hand Montrose holds on his intended march to Alford where hee staid that night the enemy lying about four miles off The next day after Montrose commands his men very early in the morning to stand to their armes and make ready to battell and placed them on a hill that stands over Alford And as he with a Troop of Horse was observing the motion and order of the enemy and viewing the fords of the Done a river which runs by Alford it was told him that the enemy Horse and Foot were making unto a ford which lay a mile from Alford to the intent that they might cut off the Reare of their flying enemy for so those excellent Diviners prophesied to their owne destruction Montrose leaving that troop of Horse not farre from the Ford together with some select and understanding men who should give him perfect intelligence of all things hee returneth alone to order the battell And above all things he possesses himselfe of Alford hill where hee might receive the charge of the enemy if they fell on desperately Behinde him was a moorish place full of ditches and pits which would prevent Horse falling upon his Reare before him was a steep hill which kept his men from the enemies view so that they could hardly perceive the formost rankes Hee had scarce given order for the right managing of all things when those Horse whom hee had left at the Ford returned with a full cariere and bring word that the enemy had passed the River And now it was no more safe for either of them to retreat without the apparent ruine of their party It is reported that Baily like a skilfull and wary Commaunder was sore against his will drawne unto this battell nor had engaged had he not beene necessitated unto it by the rashnesse of the Lord Baâ—carise a Colonell of Horse who precipitated himselfe and the Horse under his command into that danger whether Baily would or no as that hee could not be brought off without the hazard of the whole Army Montrose gave the command of his right wing on which side the enemies Horse were most strong unto the Lord Gordon and appointed Nathaniel Gordon an old Commander to his assistance The command of the left wing was given to the Earle of Aboine to whom also was joyned Sir William Rollock And of the maine battell to two valiant men Glengar and Drumond of Ball the younger unto whom hee added George Graham master of the Camp an expert souldier also The Reserve which was altogether hid behinde the hill was commanded by his nephew Napier And for a while Montrose kept himself upon the height and the enemy in the valley being fortified with pits and ditches for it was neither safe for the later to charge up the hill nor for the former to fall upon them that were surrounded with marshes and pooles The numbers of the Foot were in a manner even either side had about two thousand but Baily was much stronger in Horse for he had six hundred and Montrose but two hundred and fifty Only Montrose had this advantage that the enemy were for the most part hirelings raised from dunghills but those that served the King Gentlemen who fought for a good Cause and Honour gratis and not for gaine and such as esteem'd it more becoming to die then to be overcome Besides Montrose knew that the greatest part of the old souldiers were gone with Lindsey and the new ones would be so frighted with the shouts of the Armies and the noise of Trumpets that they would scarce stand the first charge Therefore in confidence of so just a cause and so valiant assertors of it he first drew downe his men and immediately the Lord Gordon giving a smart charge upon them was courageously receiv'd by the enemy who trusted to the multitude of their Horse and now being clos'd and come to handy blowes no one could advance a foot but over his vanquished enemy nor retreat by reason of the pressing on of those in the Rear The first that made way for themselves and their men by a great slaughter of their enemies were the two Gordons the Lord and the Colonell and Colonell Nathaniel called out unto those expert Firelocks who now lin'd the Horse as they were wont Come on my fellouw sonldiers throw downe your now uselesse guns draw your swords and sheat them in the Rebells Horse or hamstring them They instantly tooke the word of command and at the same time Montrose drawes up Napier with his Reserve which lay out of sight on the other side of the hill at whose sudden and unexpected coming the enemy afrighted betook himself to his heels Aboine with the left wing kept off nor did hee attempt the enemy but by light skirmishes in small parties who when they saw their own men on their left wing routed and put to flight made their retreat with little losse Their Foot being deserted by their Horse after they had desperately stood out a while and refused quarter were almost all cut off The fall of the Lord Gordon was no little advantage to the escape of their Horse who after the battell was won rushing fiercely into the thickest of them received a shot through his body by the conquered and flying enemy and fell down dead Whom also Aboine did not hotly pursue being much troubled with the losse of his brother In this battell Montrose did not lose so much as one common souldier and of Gentlemen one Culchol and one Milton whose names and families I should most willingly have inserted had I been so happy as to have knowledge of them because they died gallantly in the bed of Honour fighting for their King their Liberty and the Laws Nor are some Pedees as well Scotch as Irish to be forgotten boyes scarce fourteen years of age a piece who throwing down their masters luggage mounting upon their nags sumpter-horse did not onely make a faire appearance of a body of Horse but as if they had bin Corrivalls in valour with their masters beyond what might be expected from their years strength fell in among the thickest of their enemies Of whom some but very few were slain nor did they sell their lives for nothing and by that they gave an ample testimony of their towardnesse and of so manly a spirit in children as might prescribe to riper years But the losse of the Lord Gordon had so deep an impression upon all mens affections that they had the face rather of a defeated then victorious army The first scene of their sorrovv vvas acted in a dull silence in the next the floud-gates vvere broke open and the army vvas full of sighes and sobs and vvailing and lamentation and then vvith bedevved cheeks assoon as their grief could get a tongue they blam'd Heaven and Earth and Fortune and every thing for depriving the King the Kingdome the Age themselves and their posterity
expecting other reward but meerly moved by a good conscience and faith and pietie towards their most Gracious Soveraigne have suffered for him greater losse according to the condition of their fortunes and done the rebells greater harm and obtained more noble victories over them then others who having drained and exausted the Kings Exchequer reduced him to that extream penury want of al things that in the end he was necessitated to render up his Sacred Person into the hands of the conspiratours But ô how much better had it been in our weak judgments if it had pleased God that his Majestie had retired himself to his own Scots not those who then were armed against him for the English rebells out these loyall trusty faithful and valiant ones who fought for him under the conduct of Montrose Assuredly to those who under the command but of his Lieutenant and Leader of his Armies durst so gallantly attempt and did so happilie atcheive what in this book we have most faithfully recorded nothing could have appeared too arduous and difficult to compasse had they been encouraged and animated with the presence of so dear a pledge Nor can any doubt unlesse he be altogether ignorant of the Scottish affairs but that if his Majestie had come among them he would have easily drawn to his party the hearts and affections of his native subjects who wholly enclined to him of their own accord But this being too to well known to the leaders of the rebellion their speciall care was that he should find no entrance to his native countrie when he was in their hands not fourtie miles distant from the borders of it And truly the Scots in generall though cheifly at that time sorely opprest with the heavie yoke of those usurping tyrants yet were they not afraid to curse with bitter maledictions the authours and abetters of that shamefull deed of delivering up their King to the hands of the English And even those who formerly went along with the conspiratours in all things else did openly and not without danger of life talke thus aloud That the single Kingdom of Scotland had of old sufficed his Majesties ancestours to mantain their just rights and Royall dignities That their own forefathers had been sufficiently able to defend and fight for thē against their fiercest enemies cheifly the English of whom they had purchased manie great and glorious triumphs while they opposed them for their Kings That though they had warred often and long with sundries as well inhabitants of the same Island as of other countreys with various successe of uncertain warre yet could they never be reducted to those straights so sleightly and as it were perforce to deliver up their Kings to the arbitriment of others And that they should not now consent to doe it the verie ghosts of their fathers they said the most sacred name and Majestie of a King their faith alleagiance loyaltie reputation among stangers example to be derived to posteritie all right all lawes of God and man did withstand And moreover they added that it did plainly contradict and fight against their own verie covenant wherein they had invoked as both witnes and judge the immortal God that they would maintaine and defend their King the safetie of his person his dignitie crowne and greatnes against all men living with their lives and fortunes to their last breath So that beside those seditious and sacrilegious persons who first raised that armie by wicked means and then got the command of it in their own hands and with the dreadful terrour therof overawed their poor countreymen unarmed unprovided for warre without any head or cheistaine beleeve it most of all the Scots desire no greater happines then an occasion to testifie their fidelitie obedience and love to their drearest King and to seal it with their blood Nor is it to be questioned but that they being now so trampled on by most barbarous tyrannie would gladly return to their wonted subjection under the just and easie government of their most Gracious Lord and King so soone as ever Your Royall Fathers most wished for presence or Your own shall appeare or shine in their Horrizon like a blessed starre or influence from heaven It behoveth You then most Gracious Sir to employ all the power and force You can of body and mind to succour Your countrey and Father both in extream danger at this instant All to this end pray implore expect Your help and promise theirs This undertaking by the law of God and nature and prerogative of birth belongs unto You and the eyes and thoughts not only of Your owne but of all the world are upon You. And all men of honour and honestie heartily desire that by Gods help and with their best wishes and assistance You may goe about this glorious enterprise of restoring the Church of God now sunck and drowned in the stinking puddle of so manie vile and odious sects to her former luster and puritie of re-establishing Your Fathers throne and Kingdome of recovering Your countreyes wonted felicite and happie conclusion of all in a solid lasting and much desired order and peace And so in a good time may that most ancient Kingdom of Europe acknowledge fear love and adore You as their only highest Lord and Soveraign and so may this happines befal from time to time world without end To You and to Your offspring evermore To them and those who from them shall be bore VVherfore Most High and Mightie Prince vouchsafe to raise up Your Montrose in Your thoughts to cherish him with Your countenance to employ him in peace or warre as a counsellour or Captaine a worthie of whom I hope and dare promise so Great a Prince shall never be ashamed The first of October In the yeare of our Lord. 1647. To the Courteous READER THer be some few things courteous Reader wherewith I would have them acquainted who shal come to reade this breife Commentarie whereof some concerne the Lord Marquis of Montrose himself whose actions at home in his native Countrey by the space of two yeares are heirin described and others the Authour of this worke And first I would have thee understand that Montrose is the Cheife of the Graemis a most auntient renowned family in Scotland and that in the language of the auntient Scots He is called Graeme the Greate He deryues the first known source of his pedegree from that most famous Graeme so often and so honorably mentioned in the monuments of that Kingdome father in Law to Ferguse the second of that name Who first under the command of his Sonne in Law the King overcame the Romans and overthrew Severus Wall the furthermost border of the Roman Empire built all along from Forth where it is navigable to the mouthe of the River Clyde where the Isle of Greate Britaine is narrowest and so closed up the Roman Province in straiter bounds Whence it comes to passe that the ruins of that Wall yet evidently
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
therefore who saw the king was like to be ruined by his own authority and saw to that he was too weake to oppose himself both against the strength of the Covenanters the Kings abused Commission in a melancholy mood made as if he took no notice of any thing And the Covenanters supposing that he had received some distaste from the King by reason of the affront he received at York and Hamiltons over-povvering him they set upon him yet againe privately and by friends to see if by intreaty or interest they could draw him to their side offering him authority and wealth even the greatest Honour Civill and Military Which offers he did not seem much to slight that by that meanes he might have an easier vvay to dive into their counsells The Covenanters that this groving friendship might be the better cemented and sanctified God blesse us send unto him that great Apostle of their Covenant Alexander Henderson who should give him full satisfaction in all his scruples Montrose heartily desired to speake with that fellow out of whom he doubted not to pump all the secrets of the Covenanters and lest a private meeting with such a man should give a scandall to the Kings friends he tooke the Lords Napier and Ogleby Sir Sterling Keere to be witnesses of the discourse and on the bank of the river Forth not far from Sterling theâ— met Montrose made as though he accounted himselfâ— very happy and much honoured in the visit of so worthy a man upon vvhose faith honesty and judgement he so much relied Told him That tâ— give the ill opinion of his enemies leave to breath it selfe after some late mistakes he was content to stay at home that he knew nothing of what was done in Parliament that he was almost at a losse how to behave himselfe in that ticklish condition the Common-wealth stood and therefore beseeched him for old acquaintance sake to let him freely know what they intended Henderson taking it for granted by these expressions that he was wheeling about towards the Covenanters that he might the more oblige the Marquesse unto him answered him flatly and without more adoe That it was resolved to send as strong an army as they could raise in aid of their brethren of England against the Kings forces that the Covenanters of both Kingdomes had unanimously agreed upon this either to dye or bring the King to their lure that nothing could fall out more happily then that he should renew his friendship with his Peers of the Nobility and the rest of the Kingdome that so doing he would give great content to all men besides the honour and profit that would redound to himselfe that by his example others if others there were that idolized the empty shadow of the Kings name would give most hearty thanks unto his Lord God that he had vouchsafed to make use of him as the Minister and ever Mediatour of so great a worke and at last entreated him to speake out his minde and commit all such things to his care and industry as he should desire from the Parliaments either in relation to his honour or profit assuring him he satisfied his hearts desire Montrose having gotten out the knowledge of those things which he eagerly sought for now bethought himselfe how he should keep Henderson and his party in suspence a while that they should not yet get within him For what answere could he give them If he should professe himselfe to be against their courses that would doe the King no good and might bring a great deale of danger upon himselfe and on the other side to put them in greater hopes of him by promising those things he never meant to performe as being a staine unto his honour Therefore he takes this course there was present at that conference with Hinderson one Sir Iames Rollock Chiefe of a very ancient and flourishing family his former wife had been Montrose his sister after whose death he married the sister of the Marques of Argyle the ring-leader of the Covenanters in Scotland thus being allied unto them both he seemed to be a very fit mediatour of friendship between them Montrose askes him whether those things which had passed between them proceeded from the direction of the Parliament or out of their owne good wills He answered he conceived that Master Henderson had received Commission from the Parliament to that purpose but Henderson said no but he made no question but the Parliament would make good any thing that he promised Montrose told them he could resolue upon nothing except he had the Publque Faith to build upon especialy the messengers disâ—greing between themselves Where upon as thâ— fashion is on such occasions one of them layes thâ— blame upon the other when both of them ought râ—ther to have condemned their owne carlesnesse anâ— negligence The conference being thus ended Moâ—trose having obtained his ends and they being no wâ—â—ser then they came thither every one went his owâ— way CHAP. III. MOntrose being returned from this Conference related all things as they had passed unto some select friends whom hee could safely trust and withaâ— entreated them that for the greater confirmation oâ— the businesse they would all goe along with him to the King that his Majesty receiving a full account oâ— all things might lend his eare to sound counsell and yet if it was possible provide a remedy against so threatning evils Most of them were of opinion Thaâ— the King and his authority were utterly ruined and irrecoverable that is was a thing passing the power of man to reduce thaâ— Kingdome to obedience that for their parts they had acquiâ—ted themselves before God and the world and their owne consciences that hitherto with the disgrace of their persons the losse of their estates and the hazard of their lives they had continued in their allegeance hereafter they would be onely lookers on and petitioners unto Almighty God for better times Montrose who could by no meanes be removed from so honest a resolution communicating his counsell to the Lord Ogiléy whom of all men he especially loved goes straight to Oxford The King was absent thence being gone to the siege of Glocester He imparts unto the Queen what designes the Scottish Covenanters had against his Majesty but he had as good have said nothing for she had determined not to beleeve a word by reason of the farre greater confidence she reposed in Hamilton his brother Montrose seeing no good was to be done with the Queen goes to Glocester and declares all things to the King himselfe How there was a powerfull army to be raised in Scotland a day appointed on which it should be brought into England how their counsels were manifestly knowne unto him how to fetch him over to their side they had offered him very honourable Commands in the army but that he heartily detesting so horrid an employment had fled to his Majesty that he having notice thereof if he were
to Dunfrise and took the Towne into protection upon surrender and there he staid a while that he might be ready to entertaine Antrim and his Irish but the day appointed being already pass'd there came not so much as a Messenger from them nor the least report of them into Scotland And the Covenanters gathering themselves together on every side there was no staying there any longer for Montrose without being surprised therefore he returns safe to Carlisle with his men And seeing he could neither procure any aid from the English nor expect any Forraigners suddenly nor had scarse any hopes of good from Ireland and found that the Earle of Calendar had raised a new Army in Scotland to second General Lesly who had by this time together with the English Covenanters besiged Yorke he resolved lest he should spend his time idlely to engage himselfe among the Kings Forces in Northumberland the Bishoprick nor was that resolution either unprofitable to them or dishonorable to himself For having ferretted a Garrison of the Covenanters out of the towne of Morpet he took in the Castle permitted all the pillage unto the English and taking an Oath of them that had held it that they should never more fight against the King he sent them away without any greater punishment He tooke a Fort at the mouth of the river of Tine from the Covenanters who had not long before turned out an English Garrison from thence and dismist the prisoners upon the same termes with those of Morpet He pleÌ„tifully victualled Newcastle with corne brought from Alnwicke and other places thereabouts When this was done he was sent for by letters from Prince Rupert Count Palatine of Rhine who was then coming to raise the siege of Yorke And although he made all the haste he could yet he met not the Prince till he was upon his retreat the day after that unfortunate battell And truly the Prince freely offered Montrose a thouâ—aÌ„d Horse to take along with him into Scotland but some that were too powerfull with him dealt so with the good Prince that the next day after that promise was made there was not one horse to be had All things thus failing Montrose from which he expected any assistance yet his spirit never failed him therefore returning to Carlisle with those few but faithfull and gallant men that strucke close to him he sends away the Lord Ogleby and Sir William Rollock into the heart of Scotland in meane disguise lest they should be discovered by the enemy Within a fortnight they returned brought word that all things in Scotland were desperate all Passes Castles Townes possessed with Garrisons of the Covenanters nor could they finde any one so hardy as to dare to speake reverently or affectionately of the King Most of those who had adhered to Montrose all this while being cast downe with this sad newes bethought themselves of bending their courses some other way especially when they were tampered with by that honest man the Earle Traquair to desert the service who forgetting all his vowes and imprecations he had made before the King undertook in the name of the Covenanters not only for Indemnity to all that should fall off unto them but rewards and preferments too as if he had been all this while an Agent for the Rebells and not for the King as he pretended And yet this man was greater in the Kings favour and more confided in then any one except the Hamiltons Montrose calling his friends to counsell desires them to deliver their opinions what they conceived was fittest to be done in this sad face of things Some advise him to repaire to the King at Oxford and certifie him that his Scotch Affaires were past recovery that Antrim came not with his Irish Forces nor was there any appearance of them that little or no assistance had been obtained from the English and as for Armes or aid from Forraigne parts he had not so much as heard a word of them so that it was none of his fault that his service had no better successe Others were of opinion that it was better for him to excuse himself by Letters unto the King and to send up his Commission a long with them and that he himself should step a while aside into some other Countrey till such time as it should please God to send better opportunities But all agreed in this that nothing more was to be attempted or thought of in Scotland But he himselfe onely entertained farre other thoughts in his high and undaunted spirit He conceived himselfe bound never to forsake his dearest Lord the King though in extreamest hazards and that it was an unworthinesse to despaire of so good a cause and if he should attempt some greater matter then came within the reach or apprehension of common men he conjectured it might prove much to his owne Honour and some thing perhaps to the Kings good too For as it was dubious whether it might please God in his mercy to looke upon the King with a more favourable eye and to turne his adversity into prosperity so it was most certaine that if he should not be able to goe thorough with it but perish in the enterprise he should die with Honour and his fall should be much lamented So resolved and commending himselfe and his successe to the disposall and protection of Almighty God he performed such Adventures without men without money without armes as were not onely to the astonishment of us that were present and were eye and eare witnesses of them but also the example and envy both of all great Commanders hereafter What those were we shall declare by and by Montrose delivers those few Gentlemen that had been constant unto him to the Lord Ogleby to be conducted unto the King for as he had communicated all his former designes unto him so he did this also and conjureth him withall to deale earnestly with his Majesty for hastening of some aid if not of Men yet of Armes at least from beyond seas So he accompanying them two dayes on their journey and leaving with them his Horses his Servants and his Carriages conveyed himself privily away from them and with what speed he could came back to Carlisle The company suspecting nothing of his departure because Ogleby and other his dearest friends were still with them marched on straight towards Oxford but theither they never reached for most of them of whom were the Lord Ogleby himself Sir Iohn Innes Colonell Henry Graham his brother a most hopefull young Gentleman Iames Iohn and Alexander Oglebyes Patricke Melvin and other gallant men and highly esteemed by Montrose fell into the enemies hands endured a long nasty imprisonment untill they were set at liberty by Montrose himself the next yeare after which they did him most faithfull service He returning to Carlisle imparts his designe to the Earle of Aboine least he should have any occasion to cavill afterwards that a matter of that
that it was some falling out between the Highlanders the Irish thrust himselfe in amongst the thickest of them there he findes a most horrible murther newly committed for the noble Lord Kilpontin lay there basely sâ—aine The murtherer was a retainer of his owne one Stuart whom he had treated with much friendship and familiarity in so much that that same night they lay both in a bed It is reported that the base slave had a plot to dispatch Montrose and in regard of the great power he had with Kilpontin he conceived he might draw him in to be accessary to the villany therefore taking him aside into a private place he had discovered unto him his intentions which the Nobleman highly detested as was meet where upon the murtherer fearing he would discover him assaulted him unawares stabbed him with many wounds who little suspected any harme from his friend and creature The treacherous assassine by killing a Centinel escaped none being able to pursue him it being so darke that they could scarse see the ends of their Pikes Some say the traitor was hired by the Covenanters to doe this others onely that he was promised a reward if he did it Howsoever it was this is most certaine that he is very high in their favour unto this very day and that Argyle immediatelâ— advanced him though he was no souldier to great commands in his Army Montrose was very much troubled with the losse of this Nobleman his deare friend and one that had deserved very well both froÌ„ the King himself a maÌ„ famous for arts armes and honesty being a good Philosopher a good Divine a good Lawyer a good Souldier a good Subject a good man And embracing the breathlesse body againe againe with sighes teares he delivers it to his sorrowfull friends and servants to be carried to his parents to receive its funerall Obsequies as became the splendor of that honourable Family With the rest of his Forces Montrose marcheth to Dundee the Towne being proud of the number of its inhabitants and having a Garrison out of Fife beside refused to submit And he thinking it no wisdome to hazard the honour he had gotten by his late victory upon the doubtfull successe of a siege turnes away toward Eske for he hoped that many of his friends and kindred being men of greatest note in those parts and who used to talke as highly what they would doe for the King as any others would be ready to joyne with him But they having newes of his approach withdrew themselves onely the Lord Ogleby Airley a man of threescore yeares old with his two sons Sir Thomas and Sir David and some of his friends and clients men of experienced resolutions joyned himselfe unto him and with admirable constancy he went along with him through all fortunes unto the very end of the Warre being in that almost universall defection the other honour and ornament of the Nobility of Scotland besides Montrose While Montrose was hereabouts he receives intelligence that some Commissioners from the Covenanters of whom the Lord Burghly was the principall lay at Aberdene with an Army and laboured to assure unto themselves the Northerne parts upon which Montrose especially relyed either by faire meanes or foule He determines to fight these immediately before Argyle could come up to them therefore with long marches he hies thither and possessing himselfe of the bridge upon the river of Dee and drawing neare the City he found the enemy drawn up close beside it Burghley commanded two thousand Foot and five hundred Horse whom he placed in wings having chosen his ground planted his great Guns before his men he expected battell Montrose had fifteene hundred Foot for the Lord Kilpontins souldiers were gone to convey their Lords dead body to his parents and most of the Athole men after the victory of Perth were gone home from whence they were not farre laden with spoile and just foure and forty Horse of whom he made two divisions and mixing amongst them the best fire-men and Archers that he had who in nimblenesse and swifâ—nesse of body were almost as good as horsemen placed them on either wing to prevent the falling of the enemies Horse upon his rere which they performed most gallantly beyond the opinion or perhaps the beliefe of many He gave the command of the right flank to Iames Hay and Nathaniel Gordon and of the left to Sir William Rollock all valiant men The left wing of the enemy was commanded by Lewis Gordon sonne to the Marquesse of Huntley a bold young man and hor spirited but haire brain'd and one that had forced out his fathers friends and clients to fight with Montrose against their wills He having gotten the plaine and most commodious ground for fighting on horsebacke charged Montrose's right flank which when he perceived he commanded Rollock with his twenty Horse to their aid and they being backed with the gallantry of their Commanders and the activity and stoutnesse of the Foot amongst them received the charge with so much hardinesse that they foure and forty beat backe full three hundred of the enemy routing all and killing very many But because they were so few they durst not follow the chase which was forborne by the great prudence of the Commanders and proved to be of great consequence towards the obtaining of the victory for the enemy charged Montrose's left Flanke vvhich had no Horse vvith their right Wing of Horse Montrose therefore in atrice now that Lewis Gordon and his men vvere fled conveighs the same Horse to the left Flanke vvho seeing they vvere not able to dravv themselves into a Body like the enemies fetch 't a compasse about so escaped their first charge then neatly vvheeling about they fall upon the Flanke of the enemy vvith their naked svvords beat and cut and vanquish and put them to flight They tooke prisoners on Forbes of Kragevar a Knight of great esteem vvith the enemy and another Forbes of Boindle Those that retreated got safe away because that so few could not safely persue them They that commanded the enemies Horse vvere not so much frighted vvith their losse as vexed vvith the disgrace of a double repulse therefore imputing their defeat to those light fierelockes that vvere mixed vvith Montrose's Horse they themselves call for Foot-men out of their maine Body intending to returne vvith greater courage Montrose suspected that vvas loath to engage those fevv gallant men againe vvhose Horses vvere spent already in tvvo sharp services vvith the enemy vvho vvas reinforced vvith fresh Foot Therefore observing the enemies Horse not yet railled since their nevv rout staÌ„ding at a sufficient distance froÌ„ their Foot hee rode about among his owne who had been sore galled already with the Enemies Ordnance and bespeaks them to this effect VVe doe no good my fellow Souldiers while we dispute the matter at thus much distance except we close up with them how shall we know
with them and therefore was a sound with which those parts were little acquainted it discovered also that Montrose himself was there Neverthelesse the prime of the Campbells that 's the syrname of Argyle's family being gallant men and stout and deserving to fight under a better Chieftain in a better cause cheerfully begin the battell But their souldiers that were in the Front having only once discharged their muskets and Montrose's men pressing on fiercely to come to the dint of sword began to run Whom they raising a great shout so eagerley pursued that as it were at one assault they routed them all and had the killing of them with a most horrible slaughter for nine miles together Of the enemy were slain fifteen hundred among whom were very many Gentlemen of the Campbells who where chief men of the family and of good account in their Country who fighting but too valiantly for their Chieftain had deaths answerable to their names and fell in Campo Belli in the Field of War I cannot say the bed of Honour Their fortune Montrâ—se extreamly lamented and saved as many of them as hee was able taking them into his protection whiles Argyle himself being gotten into a boat and rowed a little way off the shore securely look't on whiles his kindred and souldiers were knockt on the head Some Colonels and Captains that Argyle had brougt thither out of the Low-lands fled into the Castle whom when the Castle was surrendred and quarter was given unto them Montrose used courteously and after he had done them severall good offices of humanity charity freely let them depart In this fight Montrose had many wounded but none slain saving three private souldiers but the joy of this great victory was much abated by the wounds of that truly honourable Sir Thomas Ogleby sonne to the Earl of Airley of which after a few dayes he dyed He was one of Montrose's dearest friends one who had done very good service for the King in England under the Command of his Father-inlaw the Lord Ruthien Earl of Forth and Braineford a man known all the world over for his noble achievements Nor was he lesse a scholler then a souldier being a new ornament to the family of the Oglebyes whose honourable deaths-wounds for his King and Country had no small influence upon that dayes victory Montrose being very much afflicted with the losse of him causeth his body to be carried into Athole where he was interred with as sumptuous a funerall as thaâ— place and those times could afford But the power of the Campbelâ—â— in the Highlands which for these many ages past hath been formidable to their neighbours was by this overthrow clearly broken to pieces and by it also a way opened unto Montrose to do his businesse the more easily thenceforward For the Highlanders being warlike men and let loose from the hated tyranny of Argyle now began to offer themselves willingly unto the Kings service CHAP. IX THe souldier who was almost spent with this sore travell having refreshed himself for a few dayes Montrose measuring over againe Logh-Aber hills returneth to Logh-Nesse And from thence viewing by the way the coasts of Harrick Arne and Narne came to the river of Spey Here he is told that there was no small party of the enemy at Elgin which is the chief town of Murray a Country beyond the Spey Montrose hies towards these either to draw them to his side or to suppresse them but the very report of his advancing blevv avvay that cloud for they in great amazement shifted for themselves every one vvhither he could Montrose neverthelesse goes on his march and takes in Elgin by surrender on the 14. day of February At which time the Lord Gordon eldest son to the Marquesse of Huntley a man who can never bee sufficiently commended for his excellent endowments came off openly to the Kings side from his uncle by whom he had been detained against his will and with not many but very choise friends and clients voluntarily did his duty and offered his service to Montrose as the Kings Deputy and Vicegerent Montrose first welcomed him with all civility and gave him many thanks afterwards when hee came to understand him more inwardly joyned him unto himself in the entirest bonds of friendship and affection Now because the inhabitants of Murray were extreamly addicted to the Convenanters they hid themselves in their lurking places nor were any supplies to be expected from men so maliciously disposed Therefore he drew his Forces to this side the Spey to raise the Countries of Bamph and Aberdene by the presence example authority of the Lord Gordon So having got together what forces he could in those places with two thousand Foot and two hundred Horse passing the river of Dee he came into Marne and encamped not farre from Fettercarne At Brechin some seven miles from thence Sir Iohn Hurray a stout man and an active and famous also in forraigne parts for Military exploits being Generall of the Horse for the Covenanters had the Command over the whole Forces there Hee came out with six hundred Horse to discover the strength of Montrose he conceived Montrose had but very few Foot and no Horse and if he should but descend into the plain hee made account to make short work with him and howsoever it should happen he made no question but to secure himself Montrose to draw him on hid the rest of his men in a bottome and made shew only of his two hundred horse but lined them as he used with his nimblest Musquetiers Which Horse when Hurrey saw and observed they were so few he drew up his men and charged But when he perceived too late the Foot that ran close after Montrose's Horse he sounded a retreat and Hurrey himself turning his men before him behaved himself stoutly in the rear When they turned their backs Montrose's souldiers drive on let fly and lay about them untill being got over te river of Eske the enemy scarce safe under the protection of Night betook themselves to shelter nor did they think themselves secure till after a race of four and twenty miles long they came to Dundee Then they that had pursued them so far returned to Fethercarne and thence the next day to Brechin Here Montrose understod that Batly a Commander of great account had been fetched out of England to be Generall of the enemies Forces that Hurrey with his Horse was joyned unto him and that they had in their Army many olde souldiers brought back out of England and Ireland so that now the Covenanters going about their businesse in so great sadnesse Montrose must expect not only other kind of souldiers but also most expert Commanders to deal with Therefore lest he should chance to be hemb'd in with their Horse in which their chief strength lay he chuseth his most convenient way by the foot of Grainsbaine towards the river of Tay intending also if it were possible to get over the
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
Aberdene he was taken prisoner by the Enemy was condemned unto death which he had not escaped except for fear of death he had harkened nto Argâ—yle who most unworthily set a price upoâ— Montroses head and promised great rewards honours and preferments to whomsoever should bring it in and had taken upon himself to commit that treason which he abhorred with all his soule By which shift having his life liberty giveÌ„ him he returned straight to Montrose and discovered all unto him beseeching him to be more carefull of himself for not he onely vvho heartily detested so high a villany but many more had been offered great matters most of whom would use their best endeavours to dispatch him The next was Alexander Ogleby of whom we also spake before eldest son to Sir Iohn Ogleby of Innercarit descended of an ancient family and much renowned in the Scottish Chronicles He was but yet a youth scarce twenty but valiant above his age and of a present and daring spirit Nor can I hear or so much as conjecture what they had to lay to his charge but that new and unheard of Treason to wit his bounded duty and loyalty to his King But there vvas no help for 't but Argâ—yle must needs sacrifice that hopeful youth if it had been for nothing but his names sake for he bare an implacable fewd to the Oglebyes The third vvas Sir Philip Nesbit of an ancient family also and Chief of it next his Father who had done honourable service in the Kings Army in England and had the command of a Regiment there Nor can I discover any reason they had to put him to death neither besides that which is used when they have nothing else to say that mad charge of the new high Treason except it was that their guilty consciences suggested unto them that that courageous and viglant man might take occasion sometime hereafter to be even with theÌ„ for the horrid injuries they had done his Father his Family However these men suffer'd a noble death with patience and constancy as became honest men and good Christians And unto these there are two brave Irish Gentlemen that deserve to be joyned Colonell O-Cahen Colonel Laghlin odious unto the Rebels only for this impardonable crime that they had had many experiments of their courage and gallantry These Irish Gentlemen were murthered indeed at Edinburgh but many more were doom'd to the like executioÌ„ at Glascow had not MoÌ„troses unexpected approach within a few miles of the City had so much influence that it repriev'd them till another time The Lord Governour was very much perplexed with the newes of these mens death it was a question whether he was more vex't at the cruelâ—y of the Rebells or the negligeÌ„ce if not treachety of his friends For besides Huntley whose Forces he had so long in vaine expected to come with his son Aboine Mac-donell also himself of whoÌ„ he entertained an exceeding good opinion being ofteÌ„ sent unto invited also by the nearnesse of the place although the time appointed by himself was already past gone made no appearance of his approach Six weeks had now passed since Aboine had engaged himself for the Northern Forces the winter then which our age never saw sharper was already deeply entred Besides the aids that the King had sent under the commaÌ„d of the Lord Digâ—y were defeated al which might easily have been salv'd and the Kingdome reduced againe if those great Professors of loyalty had not plaid loose in that good Cause Therefore at last on the 20. of November Montrose departing from Levin and passing over the Mountains of Taich now covered with deep snow through woods and bogges whose names I do not at this time well remember crossing also through Strath-Erne over the Tay returned into Athole There he met Captain Ogleby and Captain Nesbit whom he had formerly sent with the Kings instructions unto Huntley And they bring word the man was obstinate and inflexible who would beleeve nothing that they said when they unfolded unto him the Kings Commands answered scornfully That he understood all the Kings businesse better then they or the Gouvernour himself and neither he nor any of his Children should have any thing to doe with him Moreover he sharply threatningly reproved his friends clients who had willingly assisted Montrose and dealt worse with them then with Rebells Neverthelesse the Lord Governour thought best to take no notice of any of these things but bear with them whiles he treats with the Athole men for the setling of the Militia of that Countrey he sends again unto Huntley by Sir Iohn Dalyell as a more fit mediator of friendship Who was To informe him of the danger the King and Kingdome was in and so of the present misery that hung over his all faithfull Subjects heads and to make it appear unto him that it was no ones but his and his sons fault both that they had not brought in the supplies into Scotland which the King had sent and that the prisoners who were gallant and faithfull men had been so cruelly butchered and that yet there were many more remaining that had near relations to Huntley himself some also of the prime Nobility whom the Rebels would cut of after the same fashion unlesse they were now at last relieved And lastly to pray and beseech him that at least he would grant the Kings Governor the favour of a friendly conference promising he would give him abundant satisfaction Huntley although he answered Dalyel in all things according to his wonted peevishnesse yet he was most of all averse to a Conference as fearing seeing he should have nothing to answer to his arguments and reasons the presence the confidence and the wisdome of so excellent a man But Montrose assoon as things were setled in Athole that he might leave nothing unattempted that might possibly bring him to better thoughts resolved dissembling all injuries and obliging him by all good offices to surprise him and be friends with him whether he would or no and to treat with him concerning all things that concern'd his Majesties service Therefore in the moneth of December he forced his way very hardly through rivers and brooks that were frozen indeed but not so hard as to bear mens waight over the tops of hills and craggy rocks in a deep snow and passing through Angus and over Gransbaine drew his Forces into the North and almost before he was discover'd marched with a few men into Strathbogy where Huntley then liv'd But he being struck with his unexpected approach upon the first newes he heard of him lest he should be forced to a Conference against his will immediately fled to Bogie a Castle of his situated upon the mouth of the Spey as if he intended to ferry over the river and to wage war against the Rebelles in Murray And now it comes into my minde briefly to enquire what night be
Menises and other Highlanders who still followed Arg yles fortune were reported to make up some fifteen hundred men and were ready to invade Athole â—nlesse timely opposed And truly they had already 〈◊〉 red an Iland in Logh-Torchet after they had taken it bâ— force pillaged it had besieged Ample Castle whicâ— lyeth on the side of the river of that name Which aâ— soon as they had intelligence of the Athole-men being only seven hundred in all under the command 〈◊〉 the aforesaid Graham Drummond thought best to oppose them before they brake in into their Countrey They upon the alarme of the advance of the Athole 〈◊〉 raised the siege of Ample retreated toward Taich Thâ— Athole-men pursued them hotly finde them in battell-aray not farre from Kalendar a Castle of Taich Foâ— they had possessed a ford and manned the bank on the other side which was fortified with a steep hill with a number of musquetiers Which when the Athole-men saw perceived that their Forces were not so strong as was reported for they had not above twelve hundred men although they themselves were scarce seven hundred strong yet being heartned by the gallantry and encouragement of their Commanders they were resolved not to stay to receive the enemies charge but to charge them Therefore they place a hundred good souldiers over against the enemy as it were to make good the Ford on the other side the rest marched away unto another Ford near the Castle that they might get over the river there The Arg ylians when they perceived the Athole-men so resolute retreat straight towards Sterling Then first of all those Athole-men that were left below at the Ford possesse themselves of the bank which the enemy had quit after that they fall upon the Rear of the retreaters cut off som scatter others drive others forward the rest of the Athole-men following hard after put them all to flight Fourscore of them were slain the rest escaped by flight who fared the better because that same morning the Athole meÌ„ had had a foule â—edious march of ten miles long had no horse at all to help theÌ„selves So they having come of with credit returned home At that time the Rebells held their Convention of Estates at Saint Andrews which they polluted with the Innocent and I feare crying bloud of men never sufficiently to be commended They had amongst their priâ—oners some very eminent men as appeared by the hatred the Rebells bare them for they scarce sought the bloud of any but the best of men but for others of whom they were not so much affraid they satisfied themselves only with their Sequestration Plunder amongst whoÌ„ were the Lord Ogleby Sir William Spotswood William Murray a noble young Gentleman and Andrew Gutherey a stout Gentleman an active whom they determied to put to death in that City to appease the Ghosts of the meÌ„ of that Province with their bloud of whom it is reported above five thousand had been slaine in severall battells Now because they intended not to proceed against them by Law but according to their own lusts they have recourse to their old shifts make Religion draw the curtaine over their cruelty To which purpose they set up their Prophets Kant and Blaire others that were possessed with the same spirit who â—oar'd out of their Pulpits bloudy Oracles before the people That God required the bloud of those men nor could the sins of the Nation be otherwise expiated or the revenge of heaven diverted And by this art especially they provoked the hearts of the people otherwise inclined to pity to thinke upon them as accursed things and own'd and devoted to destruction perswading them that they oughâ— to have no protection of humane Lawes nor any Advocate to plead for them whom God himself indited and accus'd Nor did those excellent interpreters and deciders of Gods secret will make any scruple to sentence the soules and bodies and all of so great Delinquents unto hell and damnation And having by this means blinded the people it was easie for them who were their accusers judges both to condemne the innocent men who were destitute of al patronage and protection But Ogleby who was not onely the most eminent of them for Nobility and powr but also was a Hamilton by his mothers side and cousen-german to Lindsey pretending himself sick with much adoe got so much favour as to have his mother wife and sisters suffered to visite him in prison Which when he had obtain'd whilst his keepers in reverence to the honourable Ladies vvithdrevv out of his chamber he immediately puts on his sisters govvne vvhich she had put off and vvas dressed in all her attire She also put on his cap in vvhich he used to lie sick in bed and lay dovvn instead of her brother At last many salutations and some tears passing on both sides at eight of the clock in the night in the habite and likenesse of his sister he deceived his keepers vvho lighted him out vvith caÌ„dles and torches And immediately departing the City he took a horse vvhich he had laid for him vvith tvvo of his followers and before morning was got out of danger But when the next day his observant keepers had found out their mistake Arg yle was so unable to containe his wrath and revenge that he would needs have the noble Ladies and the more noble for this their compassion and adventure brought in question for it But he could not effect it for by reason of the equity of their cause they found much stronger frieÌ„ds then he could of the Hamiltons and Lindsey by whose connivence it is conceived by many that all this Comedy was acted but in a thing that is uncertaine I shall determine nothing This cleanly conveiance of Ogleby out of their hands vext the Rebells exceedingly and made them almost wilde whence it happened that they made a quick dispatch of the rest And the first that suffered was Colonell Natâ—aniel Gordon a man of excellent endowments both of body and minde Who being near unto his death bitterly lamented with many tears that the carriage of his youth had been much otherwise then it ought to have been And when being ready to die they offered him an Instrument to signe wherein he vvas to testifie his repentance he subscribed it without any more adoe and withall call'd God and his Angels and the men there present to witnesse that if any thing was contained in that paper which vvas contrary to the King his Crown or authority he utterly disavovved it Then being absolved from the sentence of Excommunication under vvhich he lay for adultery long since committed to the great grief of the beholders he laid down his neck upoÌ„ the block A man subject indeed to that fault but famous for his valour souldiership both in forraign Countries and at home The next that was brought upon the Scaffold yet reeking with the bloud 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
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