ready in arms before them expecting if they should make down into the Plain 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 antient 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 arms and offered their service most chearfully to Montrose who having got this handfull of men and earnestly commending his most righteous Cause to the protection of Almighty God now desired nothing more than 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 news as that he might fall upon and amaze the Rebels unlook'd for before they should be able to joyn together who lay at distance Therefore passing by Weme a Castle of the Menises seeing they handled a Trumpeter whom he sent friendly unto them unworthily fell hotly upon the rear of his Army he wastes their fields and causes all their houses and corn to be fired this was at the very first onset of the War 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 have often to speak and never without honour at their earnest request the Command of the Athole-men and sent him with the nimblest of them he could pick out amongst them to scout before He brings word he saw some Souldiers drawn 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 Earl of Taith a man of ancient Nobility and descended of the Grahams and Sir John Drummond Son to the Earl of Perth a kinsman also of Montrose who were both of them summoned by the Covenanters to joyn 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 win them to his side or to crush them to pieces But they as soon 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 between them that they would not think much to do their best endeavours for the best of Kings Which as it was much becomming their high birth and would be very acceptable service to the King so it would be beneficiall to 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 Crown 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 arms at a Rendezvouz at Perth the second City to Edinburgh and there waited for their enemies falling down from Athole He knowing also that Argyle with his Army was upon his back 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 Town to the Kings obedience Marching therefore three miles from Buckinth and allowing the Souldiers but a short time of refreshment at the break of day he draws out his men Nor was he above three miles more from the City when 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 Earl of Tullibardin and the Lord Drummond but this latter as was conceived against his will for he and his fathers whole family favoured the King in their hearts Knights he had with him good store among whom Sir James Scot who heretofore had done good service under the State of Venice was the most noted souldier They had six thousand Foot and seven hundred Horse and in confidence of their numbers they had even devoured their enemies before they saw them It was on Sunday the first of September and it was given in charge to their Ministers that in set Speeches they should encourage the people to fight not forgetting to mind them of their most holy Covenant forsooth And to give them their due they plyed their lungs stoutly in the performance of that work they most freely promised them in the name of Almighty God an easie and unbloudy victory nay there was one Frederick Charmichael one very much cryed 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 James Scot the leâ—â— and the Earl of Tullibardin the battell To the right and left flanks were added wings of Horse with which they made no doubt on so fair a Plain 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 than three lean Horses and being carefull as it concerned him lest being incompassed with so great a number they should fall upon him in the Froâ—t Rear and Flank he caused his Army to be drawn out to as open oâ—der as could be possible and makes his Files only three deep He commands the Ranks all to discharge at once those in the first Rank kneeling in the second stooping and in the hindmâ—st where he placed the tallest men upright he chargeth them also to have a care of mis-spending their powder of which they had so small store and that they should not so much as make a shot till they came to the very teeth of their enemies and assoon as they had discharged their
any thing else These being stoln away in the night and copied out by the Kings own Bed-chamber-men men most endeared to the King of all the world were sent back by them to the Covenanters at Newcastle and it was the fashion with those very men to communicate unto the Covenanters from day to day the Kings most secret Counsels of which they themselves only were either authors or partakers And some of the forwarder sort of the Rebels were not ashamed to tax Montrose bitterly enough with those Letters and although 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 backbitings and slanders among the people For they had obliged unto themselves most of the Preachers throughout the Kingdome whose mercenary tongues they made use of to wind and turn the minds of the people which way they would Nor did they promote their Rebellion more effectually any other way nor doe yet than this to have those doughty Oratours in their popular preachments to rail bitterly against the King and all his Loyall Subjects as the enemies of Christ as they love to speak being themselves the while the very shame and scandall of Christianity Montrose returning into Scotland and thinking of nothing but how to preserve his Majestie from that storm of Rebellion hanging over his head at last resolved of this course He joyns many of the prime men for Nobility and Power in a League with himself in which they vowed to defend the Kings Majesty and all his Royall Privileges and antient and lawfull Prerogatives with the hazard of their lives and estates against all his enemies as well home-bred as forraign 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 cowardife which are bad keepers of counsell betrayed the whole businesse to the Covenanters Hence arose no small stirs and brauls but were pacified again in a while for neither 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 designs of any private man yet they seriously consult how they should take Montrose out of the way whose heroick spirit being fixt on high and honourable howsoever difficult at chievements they could not endure To make their way therefore unto so villanous an act by the assistance of some Courtiers whom with gifts and 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 Earl of Traquair The bearer was scarce entered the borders of Scotland but they apprehend him rip his saddle and find 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 and the ruine of the Kingdome were found out and discovered Nor yet neither durst they afford him a publike tryall but on a sudden 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 only 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 solemn 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 Gentlemen in prison unheard untill such time as the King was gone 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'd 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 awhile at hâ—s 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 and let us see more plainly what they meant to doe The Rebels in England began to vex the King with unjust unreasonable unseasonable Petitions and Complaints bespatter him with malicious slanders prophane his sacred Name in scurrilous songs and Ballads vilifie him in infamous Libells Pasquills or Pamphlets raise Tumults arm great numbers of the scum and rascally sort of the people and engage them upon the Kings Palace in a word threaten all extremity to him and his whom although he might have justly punished himself yet he chose rather to refer 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 and many things more to so ungracious so ingratefull 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 than all his Ancestors the Kings of England together from William the Conquerour downward Therefore at last that he might withdraw himself and 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 and betakes himself to York The States of Parliament as they call themselves forthwith and before the King take up arms and divert those very Forces which the King had appointed for Ireland which were then in a readiness and whose Officers had been of the Parliaments choosing hoping by them to overthrow the King himself The Rebells in Scotland who knew well enough the King would have strength sufficient to deal with the English Rebells resolved upon no termes to be wanting to their confederates in so apparent danger as they were And although our most gracious King had given them satisfaction as much as ever they could desirâ— in that Parliament at Edinburgh aforesaid
unfolded unto him the Kings Commands answered scornfully That he understood all the Kings businesse better than they or the Governour himself and neither he nor any of his children should have any thing to doe with him Moreover he sharply and threatningly reproved his friends and clients who had willingly assisted Montrose and dealt worse with them than with Rebels Neverthelesse the Lord Governour thought best to take no notice of any of these things but bear with them and whiles he treats with the Athole men for the setling of the Militia of that Country he sends again unto Huntley by Sir John Dalyel as a more fit mediator of friendship Who was to inform him of the danger the King and Kingdome was in and so of the present misery that hung over his and 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 supplyes 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 remained that had neer relations to Huntley himself and some also of the prime Nobility whom the Rebells would cut off after the same fashion unlesse they were now at last relieved And lastly to pray and beseech him that at least hee would grant the Kings Governour the favour of a friendly conference promising hee would give him abnndant 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 immediatly fled to Bogie a Castle of his situate upon the mouth of the Spey as if he intended to ferry over the river and to wage warre against the Rebells in Murray And now it comes into my mind briefly to enquire what might be the reason why Huntley bore such a spleen against Montrose who had never given him any distaste but had obliged him with courtesies many times undeserved Nor could I ever hear nor so much as ghesse at any other cause but a weak and impotent emulation I cannot call it but envy of his surpassing worth and honour For I should be loath to say that his mind was ever alienated from the King but onely averse unto Montrose with the unjust hatred of whom he was so possest that he precipitated himself into many unexcusable mistakes insomuch as he desired rather all things were lost than that Montrose should have the honour of saving them And now being already puffed up with an unbeseeming conceit of himself he was the more exceedingly enraged against him upon the remembrance of those injuries and disgraces he had heretofore thrown upon him and that was the chief reason as I take it that he so often avoyded the sight of him For besides what we have occasionally delivered both the father and the sons had put neither few nor smâ—ll affronts upon the Kings Vicegerent some few of which it will not be out of our way to relate The great guns which we told you Montrose had hid in the ground the last year they digging them up without his knowledge carried away in a kind of triumph and disposed of them in their own Castles as if they had been spoils taken from the enemy and would not restore them upon demand But those Montrose had got in the sights at Saint Johns-town and at Aberdene in the former of which there was never a man present of that Family and in the other Lewis Gordon and his men fought on the enemies side Besides they so converted unto their own use the Gunpowder and Arms and other necessaries of War which were gained from the enemy and only deposited in their Castles as in safe and convenient store-houses that they would never make any restitution of the least part of them when they were desired Moreover Abome upon his return home after the victory of Kilsythe set at liberty the Earl of Keith Lord Marshall of Scotland the Lord Viscount Arbuthnot and other men of quality of the enemies side who were within his custody without acquainting the Governour of the Kingdome and his brother-in-law young Drumme who by chance was present earnestly declaring his dislike of it Upon what termes he did it it is uncertain but this is evident that besides the affront done to the Lord Governour and the losse of Dunotter Castle which was of great strength and concernment in that War and other Military advantages they got by it the Rebells would never have had the boldness to fall so cruelly upon the Prisoners if he had but kept them in safe custody Yet more by his own private authority he exacted Tributes and Customes and Taxes which the Governour himself had never done upon pretence indeed of maintaining the War but in truth to far other uses and to the grievous prejudice of the Kings Cause Last of all which is most to be lamented either at the intreaty of the enemy or for small sums of money they had enlarged the prisoners that had been taken in the former battells in the North and committed to custody in their Castles Nor would they permit them to Montrose's disposall though being prisoners of Warre he had reserved them for that only purpose by exchanging them to save the lives of gallant and deserving men Huntley being pricked in his conscience about all these things was alwayes as afraid of Montrose's presence as of a Pest-house But Montrose for all that passing by injuries and laying aside all other matters bestowed his whole endeavours in the promoting of the Kings service And to that end he was resolved to intrude himself into his company though never so unwelcome to insinuate into his friendship upon any conditions to yeeld unto him in all things and to deny nothing so that hee might qualifie Huntley's imbitter'd spirit Therefore leaving his Forces in their quarters
mean 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 break them yet they shall never effect that we shall contend with them in an emulation which shall be worse or any otherwise than upon honourable and vertuous termes Now Huntley who intended nothing lesse than 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 mind too much to prey and spoil after he had wasted the Countrey he heard a flying report that the inhabitants had hid their gold and silver and the best of their stuff in certain turrets and obscure Castles Which whiles he assaults in vain 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 relieved Innerness with all things that they wanted Which if he had hindered as he undertook unto Montrose the Garrison would have been shortly forced to yeeld And Montrose having now received intelligence that Major Generall Middleton was come with six hundred Horse and eight hundred Foot as farre as Aberdene and was like to lay waste Huntley's and the Gordons Countrey sent Collonel William Stuart unto Huntley to entreat him to return again unto the siege of Innerness according to his Engagement Or if he did not approve so well of that because the enemy was advanced so neer his Territories he should perswade him to joyn his Forces with his and to march immediatly towards the enemy whom he doubted not with an easie hazard to overthrow To which he answered scornfully that he would look to his own 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 forwardest of his men he was forced with dishonour to raise the siege when he was never the neerer 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 who began to come in thick and three-fold with great eagernesse unto the Kings partie Amongst whom the chiefest for wealth and power and multitudes of followers and dependant were the Earl of Seaford the Lord Rese and from the furthest Ilands Sir John Mac-donell Chief of a most powerfull and ancient family in the Highlands Macklen also and Glengar the Captain of the Mac-Renalds and many more who were some of them already in Montrose's Army with their Forces others had sent for theirs And by this means before the end of March Montrose might have fallen down into the Low-lands with a farre greater Army than 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 than 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 and steal away privatly and others to make excuses for their delay All which put together made Montrose to cast about another way For he resolved seeing he could doe no good with van light wavering and inconstant men by gentlenesse and good Offices to reduce them to his obedience by his authority backed with the strength of arms and severe penalties and to that end to force all the Highlanders and North-country-men to take up arms by marching in amongst them with a considing party of good souldiers For he well knew that many Governours and leading men in their respective Countries and Chiefs of Septs were of his side unto whom this course would be very acceptable Nor did he question but the chief and most powerfull of the Gordons being weary of their Lords miscartiage would doe him the best service they could if need was though it ran counter unto Huntleys designe However he was resolved to use all fair means if that would do before he would put them to the cost of that last and sharpest remedy But because Innernesse was the most considerable garrison of all the North and the haven there most commodious for intertaining forein Forces he desired nothing more than to reduce that therefore hee surrounded it with the Forces he had For the enemies Army under the Command of Middleton was above fourscore miles off and Huntley and the Gordons lay half way between them in a body Therefore Montrose dealt again with Huntley to perswade him not to lose his time but as they had agreed to joyn with him in the siege of Innernesse or at least to hover about the Spey over which the enemy was to passe and to hinder their passage if they advanced to raise the siege and if they chanced to get over to joyn their Forces together and fight them To all which he answered so disdainfully that the Vice-roy thought it high time to despair of any good from him and conceived himself engaged to look better to himself lest at last he should betray him So that putting no confidence in Huntley he sent back three Troops of Horse to lie at the Fords of the Spey to observe the motion of the enemy and if they came to send him often and certain intelligence And they quartering themselves in the most advantagious places for scouting were carefull enough to observe his command untill Lewis Gordon Huntleys son who then commanded the Castle of Rothes plaid a more shamefull prank than any he ever did before Hee assured those Captains of Horse whom Montrose had set to guard the Fords of the Spey that the enemy lay very far off and intended nothing lesse than to passe that river and raise the siegeâ— and therefore he perswaded them who took him for a most faithfull friend to let alone their needlesse guards to which they had been appointed and to come to his Castle to refresh themselves and with many complements invited them to a feast which he had provided for them and they had no more wit than to trust him and go He entertained them with a huge deal of courtesie and besides very dainty chear plyed them with good store of wine and strong waters And with a great deal of jollity and ceremonious courtesie detain'd them so long till Middleton with a great Army of Horse and Foot had got over the Spey and had gotten footing in Murray Which assoon as he had notice of he at length dismist them and that with these jeering termes Goe now to your Generall Montrose who will have a sharper bout now than he had at Selkirk Mean time the enemy march'd straight and eagerly towards Montrose and those Horse getting
MONTROSE REDIVIVUS OR THE Portraicture of James late Marquess of Montrose Earl of Kincardin c. 1. In his Actions in the years 1644. 1645. and 1646. for Charles the First 2. In his Passions in the years 1649. 1650. for Charles the Second K. of Scots LONDON Printed for Jo. Ridley at the Castle in Fleet-street neer Ram-alley 1652. Jaques Marquis de Montrose Counte de Kingcairne Seigneir de Graeme Baron du Mount dieue etc A Paris P Pontius sculpsit To the Reader THere are a few things courteous Reader of which I would not have them ignorant who shall chance to peruse this short Historie whereof some concern the Lord Marquesse of Montrose whose Actions in his Country for two years space are here published and others have relation to the Author of this work And first of all I desire thee to take notice that Montrose is the Chief of that antient and famous Family of the Grahams and is called in old Scotish Graham more the great Graham He derives his Pedegree from that famous Graham in the Histories of Scotland who was son-in-law to Fergus the second King of the Scots and was the first that with the assistance of his father-in-law cast down that Trench which Severus had made and set out for the utmost limit of the Roman Empire between the Scotish Frith and the River of Cluid at such a place where Great Britain was narrowest and by that means cut the power of the Romans shorter Whence it happens that some evident remains of that Trench retain his name amongst the Inhabitants to this day who call it Gremesdike The same Graham from whom this noble Family took its rise surviving his father-in-law Forgus and being a man as able for Civill as Military employment was made Protector unto his Nephew and Regent of the Kingdome and after he had fetched back the Doctors of the Christian Faith who had been vanished by the late wars and setled as well the Church as State with excellent Laws freely resigned the Government into the hands of his Nephew when he came to age He flourished in the time of the Emperours Arcadius and Honorius about the year of our Lord CCCC From whom hath descended in a fair and straight line a long and noble row of Posterity who imitating the vertue of their Ancestors have been famous in the succeeding generations Amongst whom that valiant Graham was eminent who with the help of Dumbarre so seasonably rescued his Country from the Danes who were then Masters of England and had frequently but with little successe invaded Scotland with mighty Armies And in after-times that noble John Graham came nothing behind his Ancestors in vertue and honour who after the death of Alexander the Third in that vacation of the Kingdome while Bruce and Bailiol disputed their titles was with that renowned Vice-roy William Walley a stout maintainer of his Countries Liberty against the unjust oppression and tyranny of Edward King of England and after many heroicall exploits fighting valiantly for his Nation dyed in the bed of Honour His Tomb is yet to be seen in a Chappell which hath the name of Folkirk from the aforesaid Gremesdike by which it stands Adjoyning unto which the Marquesse of Montrose hath large and plentifull possessions descended by inheritance unto him from that first Graham But lest I should seem to derive the Nobility of so illustrious a worthies extraxion only out of the rubbish of dusty and obscure Antiquity I must not omit that his Grandfather the Earl of Montrose was advanced unto places of the greatest honour in that Kingdome and discharged them most happily For being Lord Chancellour of Scotland at such time as King James the Sixth of blessed memory came to the Crown of England he was created by him Vice-roy of Scotland and enjoyed that highest Honour which a Subject is capable of with the love and good affection both of King and People to the day of his death And his Father was a man of singular indowments both of body and mind and so known to be both in Forraign Countries and at home who after he had performed many most honourable Embassages for King James was called to be Lord President of the Session by King Charles and being snatched away from his Countrey and all good men by an untimely death was extremely lamented and missed And what we may think or hope of the grandchild I leave unto thee to judge by what he hath done already seeing he is yet now a year and a half after his employment in his Country scarce entred upon the 36. year of year of his age One thing more I must adde for thy sake good Reader three Periods already have been very dangerous and almost fatall to the Kingdome of Scotland the first by the oppression of the Romans whose yoke our Ancestors cast off by the Conduct of that first Graham descended of the noble British Family of the Fulgentii The second by the Danes therepulse of whom is owing especially to the the prowesse of the second Graham aforesaid And the third by the English and Normans whom the third Graham twice expelled out of Scotland and gave them many and great defeats So that as it was of old spoken of the Scipioes in Africk it seems the name of Graham is something fatall to their enemies and lucky to their country at a dead lift and that it was not without the speciall providence of God Almighty that in these worst times One stood up who did his best endeavours to maintain the Kings just Rights and Authority the Peace Safety and Liberty of the Subjects and the Honour and antient splendour of his House And this is all I thought good at this time to premise concerning the Lord Marquesse of Montrose And for the Author of the Book take it briefly thus Hee professeth himself to have been but little conversant in these sort of studies and expecteth neither credit or commendation for the strength of his wit which he acknowledgeth to be little or none nor reward or profit for his Pains which two things are the chiefest incentives to most to Wet their pen but that he undertook the businesse meerly out of a desire to propagate the truth to other Nations and to posterity For hee saw by late and lamentable experience in such a Cause as this that prosperous Villany can find more Advocates than down-cast Truth and goodnesse For when the same Confederates in both Kingdomes had by their own arts that is by lying and slandering ruined the Church to fill their bags with its Revenues so sacrilegiously purloyned and enrich their posterity with plentifull Anathema's and accursed things there wanted no store of men that extolled them for it to the skies as men deserving highly from their Country from the Church it self and from all man-kind and reviled with all sort of reproaches and contumelies the most religious servants of God holy Martyrs and Confessors for withstanding them And therefore he
offering him authority and wealth even the greatest Honour Civill and Military Which offers he did not seem much to slight that by that means he might have an easier way to dive into their counsels The Covenanters that this growing 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 speak 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 took the Lords Napier and Ogleby and Sir Sterling Keere to be witnesses of the discourse and on the bank of the river Forth not far from Sterling they met Montrose made as though he accounted himself very happy and much honoured in the visit of so worthy a man upon whose faith honesty and judgement he so much relyed Told him That to give the ill opinion of his enemies leave to breath it self 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 losse how to behave himself 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 than 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 himself that by his example others if others there were that idolized the empty shadow of the Kings name would joyn themselves unto the Covenanters and for his own part he would give most bearty thanks unto his Lord God that he had vouchsafed to make use of him as the Minister and ever Mediatour of so great a work and at last entreated him to speak out his mind and commit all such things to his care and industrie as he should desire from the Parliament either in relation to his honour or profit assuring him he should be satisfied to his hearts desire Montrose having gotten out the knowledge of those things which he eagerly sought for now bethought himself how he should keep Henderson and his party in suspence awhile that they should not yet get within him For what answer could he give them If he should professe himself to be against their courses that would do the King no good and might bring a great deal of danger upon himself and on the other side to put them in greater hopes of him by promising those things he never meant to perform he scorned as being a stain unto his honour Therefore he takes this course there was present at that conference with Henderson one Sir James Rollock Chief of a very antient and flourishing Family his former wife had been Montrose his Sister after whose death he married the Sister of the Marquesse 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 asks him whether those things which had passed between them proceeded from the direction of the Parliament or out of their own 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 resolve upon nothing except he had the Publique faith to build upon especially the messengers disagreeing between themselves Whereupon as the fashion is on such occasions one of them layes the blame upon the other when both of them ought rather to have condemned their own carelesness and negligence The conference being thus ended Montrose having obtained his ends and they being no wiser than they came thither every one went his own way Chap. III. MOntrose being returned from this Conference related all things as they had passed unto some select friends whom he could safely trust and withall entreated them that for the greater confirmation of the businesse they would all goe along with him to the King that his Majesty receiving a full account of all things might lend hâ—s ear to sound counsell and yet if it was possible provide a remedy against so threatning evills Most of them were of opinion That the King and his authority were utterly ruined and irrecoverable that it was a thing pussing the power of man to reduce that Kingdome to obedience that for their parts they had acquitted themselves before God and the world and their own 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 allegiance hereafter they would be only lookers on and petitioners unto Almighty God for better times Montrose who câ—uld by no means be removed from so honest a resolution communicating his counsell to the Lord Ogleby whom of all men he especially loyed â—oes straight to Oxford The King was absent thence being gone to the siege of Glocester he imparts unto the Queen what designes the Scotish Covenanters had against his Majesty but he had as good have said nothing for she had determined not to believe a word by reason of the far greater confidence she reposed in Hamilton and his brother Montrose seeing no good was to be done with the Qeen goes to Glocester and declares all things to the King himself How there was a powerâ—ull Army to be raised in Scâ—tland and a day appointed on which it should be brought into England how their Counsels were manifestly known unto him and how to fetch him over to their side they had offered him very honourable commands in the Army but that he heartily detesting so horrid an employment had fled to his Majesty that he having notice thereof if he were not able to provide so timely and powerfull a remedy as could be wished at least might cast some blocks and rubs in their way untill such time as he had setled his affairs in England that the enemies of either Kingdome might be easily dealt withall by themselves but if they came once to joyn their forces they would be hardly supprest that there were very many in Scotland who would sacrifice themselves and all that they had for their dearest King whose good will
neither pâ—ocure any aid from the English nor expected any Forreigners suddenly nor had scarce any hopes of good from Ireland and found that the Earl of Calendar had raised a new Army in Scotland to second Generall Lesley who had by this time together with the English Covenanters besieged York he resolved lest he should spend his time idlely to engage himself among the Kings Forces in Northumberland and the Bishoprick nor was that resolution either unprofitable to them or dishonourable to himself For having ferreted a Garrison of the Covenanters out of the â—own 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 nevermore fight against the King he sent them away without any greater punishment He took a Foâ—t 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 plentifully victualled Newcastle with corn brought from Alâ—wick and other places thereabâ—uts When this was done he was sent for by Letters from Prince Rupert Câ—unt Palatine of Rhine who was then comming to raise the siege of York 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 Priâ—ce freely offered Montrose a thousand 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 hoâ—se to be had All things thus sailing 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 stuck close to him he sends away the Lord Ogleby and Sir William Rolluck into the heart of Scotland in mean disguise lest they should be discovered by the enemy Within a fortnight they returned and brought word that all things in Scotland were desperate all Passes Castles Towns possessed with Garrisons of the Covenanters nor could they find any one so hardy as to dare to speak reverently or affectionately of the King Most of those who had adhered to Montrose all this while being cast down with this sad news bethought themselves of bending their courses some other way especially when they were tampered with by that honest man the Earl Traquair to desert the service who forgetting all his vowes and imprecations he had made before the King undertooke 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 hâ— pretended And yet this man was greater in the Kings favour and more confided in than 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 repair to the King at Oxford and certifie him that his Scotch Affairs 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 Arms or aid from Forreign 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 along 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 himself only entertained far other thoughts in his high and undaunted spirit He conceived himself bound never to forsake his dearest Lord the King though in extremest hazards and that it was an unworthinesse to despair of so good a cause and if he should attempt some greater matter than came within the reach or apprehension of common men he conjectured it might prove much to his own Honour and something perhaps to the Kings good too For as it was dubious whether it might please God in his mercy to look upon the King with a more favourable eye and to turn his adversity into prosperity so it was most certain 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 himself and his successe to the disposall and protection of Almighty God he performed such Adventures without men without money without arms as were not only to the astonishment of us that were present and were eye and ear 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 designs unto him so he did this also and conjureth him withall to deal earnestly with his Majesty for hastening of some aid if not of Men yet of Arms 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 thither they never reached for most of them of whom were the Lord Ogleby himself Sir John Innes and Collonel Henry Graham his brother a most hopefull young Gentleman James John and Alexander Oglebyes Patrick Melvin and other gallant men and highly esteemed by Montrose fell into the enemies hands and endured a long and nasty imprisonment untill they were set at liberty by Montrose himself the next year after which they did him most faithfull service He returning to Carlisle imparts his design to the Earl of Aboine lest he should have any occasion to cavill afterwards that a matter of that consequence was done without his knowledge or advice who might have proved able to give a great stroke to the advancing of it But when he found something too much ficklenesse in that young man he was not over earnest to Engage him to adventure with him in so perillous a journey and therefore easily perswaded him to reside at Carlisle till he heard further news out of Scotland by which time it might be more seasonable for him to return into his Country And now being prepared for his
in regard of the great power he had with Kilpontin he conceived he might draw him in to be accessary to the villany therefore taking him aside into a private place he had discovered unto him his intentions which the Nobleman highly detested as was meet whereupon the murtherer fearing he would discover him assaulted him unawares and stabbed him with many wounds who little suspected any harm from his friend and creature The treacherous Assasine by killing a Centinoll escaped none being able to pursue him it being so dark that they could scarce see the ends of their Pikes Some say the traitour was hired by the Covenanters to doe this others only that he was promised a reward if he did it Howsoever it was this is most certain that he is very high in their favour unto this very day and that Argyle immediatly advanced him though he was no souldier to great commands in his Army Montrose was very much troubled with the losse of this Nobleman his dear friend and one that had deserved very well both from the King and himself a man famous for arts and arms and honesty being a good Philosopher a good Divine a good Lawyer a good Souldier a good Subject and a good man And embracing the breathlesse body again and again with sighes and tears 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 Town 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 turns away towards Eske for he hoped that many of his friends and kindred being men of greatest note in those parts and who used to talk as highly what they would doe for the King as any others would be ready to joyn with him But they having news of his approach withdrew themselves only the Lord Ogleby Earl of Airley a man of threescore years old with his two Sons Sir Thomas and Sir David and some of his friends and clients men of experienced resolutions joyned himself unto him and with admirable constancy he went along with him through all fortunes unto the very end of the War being in that almost 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 Burghley was the principall lay at Aberdene with an Army and laboured to assure unto themselves the Northern parts upon which Montrose especially relyed either by fair means or foul Hee determines to fight these immediatly before Argyle could come up to them therefore with long marches hee hies thither and possessing himselt of the bridge upon the river of Dee and drawing neer the Citie he found the enemy drawn up close beside it Burghley commanded two thousand Foot and five hundred Horse whom he placed in wings and having thosen his ground and planted his great Guns before his men hee expected battell Montrose had fifteen 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 spoil and just four and forty Horse of whom he made two divisions and mixing amongst them the best fire-men and Archers that he had who in nimblenesse and swiftnesse of body were almost as good as horsemen placed them on either wing to prevent the falling of the enemies Horse upon his rear which they performed most gallantly beyond the opinion or perhaps the belief of many He gave the command of the right flank to James Hay and Nathaniel Gordon and of the left to Sir William Rollock all valiant men The left wing of the enemy was commanded by Lewis Gordon Son to the Marquesse of Huntley a bold young man and hot spirited but hair-brain'd and one that had forced out his fathers friends and clients to fight with Montrose against their wills He having gotten the plain and most commodious ground for fighting on horse-back charged Montrose's right flank which when he perceived he commanded Rollock with his twenty Horse to their aid and they being backed with the gallantry of their Commanders and the activity and stoutnesse of the Foot amongst them received the charge with so much hardinesse that they four and forty beat back full three hundred of the enemy routing all and killing very many But because they were so few they durst not follow the chase which was forborn by the great prudence of the Commandets and proved to be of great consequence towards the obtaining of the victory for the enemy charged Montrose's left Flank which had no Horse with their right Wing of Horse Montrose therefore in a trice now that Lewis Gordon and his men were fled conveighs the same Horse to the left Flank who seeing they were not able to draw themselves into a Body like the enemies fetch'd a compasse about and so escaped their first charge then neatly wheeling about they fall upon the Flank of the enemy and with their naked swords beat and cut and vanquish and put them to flight They took prisoners one Forbes of Kragevar a Knight of great esteem with â—he enemy and another Forbes of Boindle Those that retreated got safe away because that so few could not safely pursue them They that commanded the enemies Horse were not so much frighted with their losse as vexed with the disgrace of a double repulse therefore imputing their defeat to those light fire-locks that were mixed with Montrose's Horse they themselves call for Foot-men out of their main Body intending to return with greater courage Montrose suspected that and was loath to engage those few gallant men again whose Horses were spent already â—n two shaâ—p services with the enemy who was reinforced with fresh Foot Therefore observing the enemies Horse not yet rallied since their new rout and standing at a sufficient distance from their Foot he rode about among his own Foot who had been sore galled already with the enemies Ordinance and bespeaks them to this effect We doe no good my fellow souldiâ—rs while we dispute the matter at thus much distance except we closo up with them how shall we know an able man from a weak a valiant man from a coward If ye would assail these timorous and brawnlesse shrimps with handy blows they will never be able to stand you Goe to therefore fall about them with your swords and butt-end of your Muskets beat them down drive them back and make them pay what is justly due for their treason and rebellion It was no sooner said than they fall to work break in upon the enemy defeat them rout
be altogether raw and unserviceable And now while he thought of nothing but fighting these a trusty Messenger overtakes him and informs him that Argyle having gathered forces out of the lower parts of the Kingdom and joyned unto them such Highlanders as yet adhered unto him had come down into Aber with three thousand Foot and staid at an old Castle called Innerlogh upon the bank of Logh-Aber Montrose who well understood the crafty and cowardly disposition of Argyle by that had a good ghesse at his design which was to follow after him at a good distance that he might be first engaged with those Northern men and then to make his own advantage of the event of that battell but by no means to fight himself if he could help it Therefore Montrose considered that it would be a matter of greater concernment and of lesse danger to let men see that Argyle was not invincible even in the Highlands where he was adored by the simple people like some great-little god and as for the Northern Army he conceived that upon the report of a victory obtained against Argyle it would moulder away and easily be brought into order Montrose was thirty miles absent from Innerlogh neither would he goe the high-way thither though he placed guards in it lest the enemy should have any intelligence of his moving but streighr over Logh-Aber hills in untroden paths and only known to Cowherds and Hunts-men for in those mountains there are great herds of Deer by a way that never man led an Army before and killing their Scouts was upon the back of the enemy ere he was aware They being but little affrighted with so unexpected an accident run to their arms and immediatly prepare themselves for battell When Montrose perceived them to be in a posture so quickly he stood still a little while till his Rear being tired with so hard a march could come up unto his Front It was night but the Moon-shone so clearly that it was almost as light as day all night they stood to their arms and making frequent fallies and skirmishes one with another neither gave the other leave to rest or retreat All others earnestly expected day only Argyle being more advised than the rest conveyed himself away at dead of the night and this second time taking boat saved himself from the perill of battell as if he intended to be Umpire between the two Armies and being himself out of gunshot stand spectatour of other mens valour and well too At the break of day Montrose ordered his men as he intended to fight and the enemy were as forward to doe the like For they did not yet thinke that Montrose was there as some prisoners afterwards confessed but some Collonel or Captain of his with a party only of his Forces When the Sun was up on the second of February which is Candlemas day a trumpet sounding stâ—uck no small terrour into the enemy For besides that a trumpet shewed they had Horse with them and therefore was a found with which those parts were little acquainted it discovered also that Montrose himself was there Neverthelesse the prime of the Camâ—bells that 's the sirname 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 eagerly 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 enemie were slain 1500. among whom were very many Gentlemen of the Campbells who were 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 Montrose extremely lamented and saved as many of them as he was able taking them into his protection whiles Argyle himself being gotten into a boat and rowed a little way off the shâ—re securely look'd on whiles his kindred and souldiers were knock'd in the head Some Collonels and Captains that Argyle had brought thither out of the Lowlands 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 and charity freely let them depart In this fight Montrose had many wounded but none slain saving three private soulders but the joy of this great victory was much abated by the wounds of that truly honourable Sir Thomas Ogleby Son 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-in-law the Lord Ruthein Earl oâ— Forth and Branceford a man known all the world over for his noble atchievements Nor was he lesse a scholar than a souldier being a new ornament to the family of the Oglebyes whose honourable deaths-wounds for his King 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 that place and those times could afford But the power of the Campbells in the Highland 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 thence forward 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 again 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 Spey Montrose hies towards these either to draw them to his side or to suppresse them but the very report of his advancing blew away that cloud for they in great amazement shifted for themselves every one whither he could Montrose nevertheless goes on his march and takes in Elgin by surrender on the fourteenth day of February At which time the Lord Gordon eldest Son to the Marquesse of Huntley a man who can never be 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 he 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 extremely addicted to the Covenanters 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 and 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 Maâ—â—e and encamped not far from Fettercarne At Brechin some seven miles from thence Sir John Hurrey a stout man and an active and famous also in forein parts for Military exploits being Generall of the Horse for the Covenanters had the Command over the whole Forces there He 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 but descend into the plain he 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 Musketiers Which Horse when Hurrey saw and observed they were so few he drâ—w 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 the 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 understood that Baily 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 old 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 hem'd in with their Horse in which their chief strength lay he chooseth his most convenient way by the foot of Grainsbaine towards the river of Tay intending also if it were possible to get over the Forth where he believed the King could not want assistance Which design of his was not unknown to the enemy therefore they send these Commanders against him with a powerfull Army who no sooner came in sight than Montrose offered theâ— battell But they intended nothing lesse then to try it our with him that way nor would adventure so much as â—ut to â—all upon the rear of Montrose as he maâ—â—ned off So he went to the Castle of Innercarity and the next day to a Village called Eliot And here again leaving the mountains behind him he descends into the plain and by a Trumpet sends a challenge unto Baily to sight Between their two Armies ran the river I le which neither could safely passe over without the others consent Montrose therefore desires Baily to give him leave safely to come over to that side which motion if Baily should not like of he offered him a safe and free passage on condition that he would engage his honour to fight without further delay Baily answered he would look to his own businesse himself and would not have other men teach him when to fight Thus the two armies fac'd one another many dayes neither the enemy endevouring to passe their Forces over the river against Montrose nor he hoping to make good his passe unto them by reason of his scarcity of Horse Marching therefore to Dunkeldon he thought to passe the Tay at which time by a sudden and unexpected mischief he was almost utterly ruined It was thus Lewis Gordon Son to Marquesse Huntly who had born arms against Montrose in the battell of Aberdene by the mediation of his noble brother the Lord Gordon had been received into favour He either by true or counterfeit Letters fâ—om the old fox in the hoâ—e his father tempted and carried away with him almost all the Gordons without the knowledge of his bâ—other and basely deserted Montrose and him when they were ready to be engaged with the enemy And truly it is hard to say to whether of both he bore lesse good will Montrose being fore afflicted with this unexpected revolt although he was of necessity to return into the North to gather new Forces yet made as if neverthelesse he went straight towards the Forth and his scouts came all with full cry that all the enemy were got over the Tay thaâ— by taking the fords of the Forth they might hinder his passage He lest he should seem all this while to have done nothing thought it well worth his labour if by the way he could take in Dundee a most seditious town for that being the securest haunt and receptacle of the Rebels in those parts and a place that had contributed a much as any other towardâ— the Râ—bellion was kept by no other garrison but of the Townsmen He therefore commanded the weakest and worst armed mâ—n to goe along by the bottome of the hills and to meet him at Brechin and he taking with him what Horse he had which were but one hundred and fifty in all and six hundred nimble Musquetiers departing from Dunkelden about twelve of the clock in the night made so great haste that he came to Dundee by ten of the clock in the morning on the fourth day of Aprill He summons the Townsmen to deliver the Town to the King which was the only way to preserve their own lives and itâ— safety if they woâ—ld not they must expect fire and sword They began to make delayes and first to give no answer at all afterward to câ—mmit the Trumpet to prison Which affront provoked Montrose so highly that he stormed the Town in three places at once The Townsmen stood out a while and maintained their Works but they had as good have done nothing for the Irish and Highlanders would take no repulse but with a resolute assault some beat them out of their sconces and pâ—ssessing themselves of thâ—ir ordnance turned it against the Town others beat open the gates and possesse themselves of the Church and
his word and such as were obstinate in their rebellion he disposed of into severall prisons In this battell at Alderne the valour of young Napier did very much discover it self who being the son of the Lord Napier of Marchiston and Montrose's nephew by his sister had but a little before without the knowledge of his father or wife stoln away from Edinburgh to his uncle and did at this time give an excellent assay of his valour and laid down most firme principles of a most noble disposition Whereupon the chief of the Covenanters took his father a man almost threescore and ten years old and as good a man as ever Scotland bred in this age and his wife the daughter of the Earl of Marre Sir Sterling Keer his brother-in-law an excellent man also chief of his family and one that had suffered very much for his Loyalty together with his two sisters the one Sir Sterlings most vertuous Lady the other a virgin and cast them all into the dungeon from whence afterward they were to be delivered by Napier himself with the assistance of his uncle This battell was fought at Alderne on the 4. of May 1645. Chap. XI MOntrose allowing a few dayes of refreshment to his souldiers marched to Elgin which is the chief Town of the Province where for the sake of those that were wounded he made some longer stay because they had there the accommodation of good Chirurgeons and medicines which are sometimes scarce to be had in the field Afterward passing over the Spey he came to Keith from thence to Frendrackt and so to Strathbogy Here Baily meets him unto whom Hurrey with those that remained of his broken Troops at Alderne was joyned and provokes him to battell Montrose kept back his men who were spent with great travail and were far sewer both in Horse and Foot though very eager to fight till such time as hee had raised new forces and recruited them Therefore thinking it enough to maintain that ground which he had chosen as commodiously as he could for himself untill night passeth then to Balveny whither also the enemy followeth him but he passing by Strath-done and Strath-Spey went up to Badenoth The enemy getting to the other side of the water provokes him again to fight but in vain for he was very wary of giving them a set battell but nevertheless by frequent skirmishes and especially beating up quarters in the night did so much weaken their power and courage that they that were so haughtily daring but a while agoe as well Commanders as Souldiers hastily and disorderly betook themselves by night to Innerness when none pursued them Montrose was not much displeased that he was so rid of this enemy especially for this reason the Earl of Lindsey the prime ringleader of the Covenanters next unto Argyle and his rivall too as being brother-in-law to Duke Hamilton used to give out that Argyle wanted either care or courage and howsoever it came to pass was still unfortunate And therefore he took upon himself the command of that Army which was newly raised as if he would assay to manage the business with better conduct And now he had passed over with his forces into Angus intending to be a reserve unto Baily and if any thing should happen otherwise than well at the worst he was ready to hinder Montrose's passage over Forth For they were alwaies very jealous lest Montrose should remove the seat of War to this side the Forth and nearer Edinburgh Therefore he resolved with all speed to quell Lindsey who lay yet in Angus at a Castle called Newtill both because the Generall was no souldier and the souldiers raw and unacquainted with the hardship of War In pursuit of which design departing from Badenoth he marcheth through the plains of Marre over Gransbaine and came by long and painfull journies unto the coast of the river of Airley intending to surprise the enemy on a sudden which was easie to be done for he had made such hast that the news of his approach was not so swift as himself And now Lindsey was not above seven miles from him and all things were ready for an assault when upon what occasion it is uncertain almost all the Northern men privately ran away from their colours and going back the way that they came return into their Country The Lord Gordon was in the Camp and there was none there that detested that villaay with greater indignation than he in so much that Montrose had much adoe to with-hold him from putting such of the fugitives to death as had any dependance upon him Some stick not to say that these men were inveigled away by the private directions of his father the Marquess of Huntley to the Earl of Aboine who by reason of his sickness was absent For it vext Huntley a haughty and envious man to hear of the success of Montrose nor could he endure that Inward friendship which was between his eldest son and him However it was Montrose being cast down with this unexpected misfortune was forced to put off that Expedition against Lindsey and to suffer patiently so great and easie a victory to be taken out of his hands Therefore taking up new resolutions he followeth after Collonel Nathaniel Gordon a valiant man and a trusty and welbeloved in his Country whom he had sent before And by this time Baily and Hurrey had returned from Innernesse and quartered in lower Marre by the side of Dee And Montrose came by the coasts of Eske and the plains of Marre into the heart of that Country commonly called Cromarre And whiles he passed through those plains aforesaid he dispatched Mac-donell with a party into the furthest part of the High-lands to conduct such Forces as were there raised with all speed unto the Army Afterward he sent away the Lord Gordon himself to hasten and promote that levy of men which Nathaniel Gordon was lifting by all the power and interests he had in those parts Which he most diligently performed and amongst others brought his brother the Earl of Aboine back with him Whilst these things passed in Cromarre Lindsey joyns his Forces with Baily in lower Marre With whom Montrose finding himself unable to deal the most part of his Forces being gone along with the Lord Gordon and Mac-donel he stept aside to the ruinated castle of Kargarf left the enemy should overlay him on the champain grounds with their multitudes both of Horse and Foot but when he was close unto the Mountains he feared them not Froâ—m hence Aboine falling sick again betook himself to Strathbogy and upon pretence of a guard carried along with him a considerable number of Horse whom his brother the Lord Gordon had much adoe afterward to draw back to their colours In the mean time Lindsey took a thousand old Souldiers from Baily and gave him as many raw and new rais'd men for them and as if hee intended to doe some famous exploit returning through Merne into
Angus with all the pains he took he did only this he ranged with his Army up and down Athole and after he had robbed and spoiled all the Countrey he set it on fire In this imitating Argyle who was the first that in this age introduced that cruell and dreadfull president of destroying houses and corn being better at fire than sword when they came into empty fields and towns unmann'd Baily at that time went to Bogy to besiege the fairest castle that belonged to the Marquesse of Huntly and indeed of all the North and in case he failed to take it in to waste and fire all the Country of the Gordons thereabouts Montrose although Mac-donel was absent with a great party thought it necessary to relieve Huntley and his friends whom he laboured to assure unto himself by all good offices and hied thither Where having notice that Baily's souldiers though not all yet a great part were new rais'd men for he had parted with so many old souldiers to Lindsey desired nothing more than without delay to fight him and marcheth straight towards him He had not gone above three miles before he discovered the enemies Scouts He therefore sent before some of his readiest men that knew the wayes to view the strength the rendezvouz and the order of the enemy They immediatly bring word that the Foot stood on the top of a hill some two miles off and the Horse had possessed themselves of a narrow and troublesome passe which lay almost in the middle between the two Armies and were come on this side it Against them Montrose sent such Horse as he had in a readiness with some nimble Firelocks whom they first entertained with light skirmishes afar-of and after retreated behind the pass which they had strongly mann'd with musquetiers Montrose sends for the Foot that if it were possible they might dislodge the enemy from thence but it could not be done for they were parted by the fall of the night which both sides passed over waking and in their arms The next day Montrose sends a Trumpet to offer a set battell but Baily answers he would not receive order to fight from an enemy He therefore seeing he could not drive the enemy from those passes without manifest loss and danger that he might draw him out thence in some time marcheth off to Pithlurge and from thence to a Castle of the Lord Forbeses called Druminore where he staid two dayes And at last he understands the enemy had quitted the passes and was marching toward Strathbogy so he at break of day sets forth towards a village called Alford But Baily when he had gotten certain notice that Mac-donell with a considerable part of those Force was absent in the Highlands he voluntarily pursues Montrose conceiving him to be stealing away and about noon began to face him Montrose determines to wait for the enemy who as seemed to him came towards him upon the higer ground but Baily turning aside some three miles to the left hand Montrose holds on his intended march to Alford where he 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 Rear of their flying enemy for so those excellent Diviners prophesied to their destruction Montrose leaving that troop of Horse not far from the Ford together with some select and understanding men who should give him perfect intelligence of all things he returneth alone to order the battell And above all things he possesses himself of Alford hill where he might receive the charge of the enemy if they fell on desperately Behind him was a moorish place full of ditches and pits which would prevent Horse falling upon his Rear before him was a steep hill which kept his men from the enemies view so that they could hardly perceive the formost ranks He had scarce given order for the right managing of all things when those Horse whom he 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 Commander was sore against his will drawn unto this battell nor had engaged had he not been necessitated unto it by the rashness of the Lord Balcarise a Collonel of Horse who precipitated himself and the Horse under his command into that danger whether Baily would or no as that he 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 Earl of Aboine to whom also was joyned Sir William Rollock And of the main battel to two valiant men Glengar and Drumond of Ball the younger unto whom he added George Graham Master oâ— the Camp an expert Souldier also The Reserve which was altogether hid behind 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 latter to charge up the hill not for the former to fall upon them that were surrounded with marshes and pools 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 dunghils but those that served the King Gentlemen who fought for a good Cause and Honour gratis and not for gain and such as esteem'd it more becomming to die than to be overcome Besides Montrose knew that the greatest part of the old souldiers were gone with Lindsey and the now 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 down his men and immediatly 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 blows no one could advance a foot but over his vanquished enemy nor retreat by reason of the pressing
by how much they had lesse felt the miseries of Warre Which things being well considered Montrose thought it best to fight with those Forces which Baily had at present For although they were more numerous than his own yet the danger was like to be greater of his side if he should be put to engage with them when Lanericks and other parties were come up But moreover he was either obliged to take this course or do nothing and return back into the Highlands with the blemish of that Honour which by so many victories he had atchiev'd The enemy on the other side being arrogant and confiding in the multitude of their men beleev'd that Montrose had but made a running march the dayes before and had passed the Forth more out of fear than designe so that they counted it nothing to assault him in that ground and entrenchment which he had chosen to his bâ—st advantage And above all their proud hopes were most carefull of this to block up all wayes of his escape and to prevent his return into the Mountains But there are some that say Baily himself thought it not best to give him battell but was over-sway'd by the authority and votes of the Earl of Linsey especially and some other of the Nobility that were present in the Army which forc't him much against stomack to draw up his men and order the battell as he could However it was early in the morning they led their men straight upon Montrose which when he saw he told the standers by that that was happen'd which he most desired for now he could supply his want of men by the advantage of the ground and therefore he made haste to possesse himself of the fastnesses before them Moreover he commands all his men as well Horse as Foot to throw off their doublets and to affront the enemy all in white being naked unto the waste all but their shirts which when they had chearfully performed they stood there provided and ready to fight resolved certainly either to conquer or die In the field where they intended to fight there were some Cottages and Country-gardens where Montrose had conveniently lodg'd some few men and the first designe of the enemy was to dislodge them But it took not for making a fierce assault and being as stoutly receiv'd assoon as they were observ'd to cool something of their first heat those that mann'd the places beat them off drave them away and slew them without resistance The Highlanders being animated with this happy successe those that were next those places not expecting the word of Command ran rashly up the hill which lay open to the whole strength of the enemy Montrose although he was something troubled at the unseasonable boldnesse of his men yet thought it not good to leave them engaged nor was it easie to say whether the quicknesse of his relief or the cowardlinesse of the enemy conduc'd more to their safety Montrose had in all four thousand four hundred Foot and five hundred Horse a thousand of his Foot or more had now by their own fault so engaged themselves with the enemy that they could not come off or the enemy encounter'd them with six thousand Foot and eight hundred Horse But the enemies Rear came up but slowly and while the Van made a stand expecting their advance Montrose had opportunity to bring timely aid to his engaged men But at last they send out three troops of Horse and after them two thousand Foot against those rash and almost lost men of Montrose's Which when Montrose saw after others had too dishonourably shifted off that service he thus bespeaks the Earle of Airley You see my noble Lord how yonder men of ours by their unadvisednesse have brought themselves into a most desperate hazard and will presently be trampled to dirt by the enemies Horse except we relieve them with all speed Now all mens eyes and hearts are fixt upon your Lordship they think you only worthy so great an honour as to repell the enemy and bring off our fellow souldiers Besides it seemes most proper for you that the errour which hath been committed by the fool hardinesse of youth may be corrected by your Lordships grave and disercet valour And he undertook the service as dangerous as it was with all his heart and being guarded with a troop of Horse in which rode Iohn Ogleby of Baldeby who had formerly been a Collonel in Swethland a stout man and a skilfull souldier led them on straight upon the enemy And they giving the charge upon the Ogleby's disputed it sharply with them for a while but at last being no longer able to withstand their courage fac'd about whom the Ogleby's pursued so hotly that they made them fall foul upon their own Foot and charging them furiously thorough and thorough routed them and trode them under foot By this gallant example of Airley and the Ogleby's Montrose's souldiers being enrag'd more and more could no longer be kept back from raising a great shout as if they had already got the day and falling on upon the enemy Nor would the Rebells Horse long abide their charge but deserting their Foot fell a running as fast as ever they could Nor did their Foot after they were so deserted stand it out long but throwing down their arms sought to save their lives by flight Which proved unserviceable for the victorious pursuers had the killing of them for fourteen miles So that of all the enemies foot that were present at that battell it is thought there did not an hundred come off Nor did their Horse escape very well of whom some were killed some taken the rest disperst Their Ordinance their Arms their Spoils came clearly to the Conquerours who lost only six of their side whereof three were Oglebyes valiant Gentlemen who fighting like themselves scald the victory with their own bloud The rebellious sort of the Nobility of whom many were in the fight some of them by their timous running and swiftnesse of their Horses got to the Town and strong Castle of Sterling others escaping to the Scotish Fyrth shipt themselves in some vessels that lay at anchor near the shore amongst whom Argyle having now this third time been fortunate to a boat escaped into a ship and thought himself scarce safe enough so till weighing anchor he got into the main Of prisoners the chief were Sir William Murray of Blebe James Arnot brother to the Lord Burghley one Collonel Dice and Collonel Wallies besides many more whom Montrose after quarter given used courteously and upon the engagement of their Honours set at liberty And this is that famous victory of Kilsythe obtained on the 15 day of September 1645. in which it is beleev'd no fewer than six thousand Rebells were slain Chap. XIV THere was a great alteration all the Kingdome over after this battell at Kilsythe those of the Rebell-Nobility were all of them sore affrighted some of them fled to Barwicke some to Carâ—â—le some
to Newcastle others into Ireland And such as before only privately wisht well unto the King now did no longer fear to shew themselves to expresse their loyalty to pray openly for his prosperity and to offer their service But those that before had sided with the Covenanters began to ask forgivenesse to plead they were constrain'd to take up armes by the violence and tyranny of the Rebells to submit their persons and estates to the Conquerour humbly to beseech his protection and implore his wonted clemency And Cities and Countries that were furthest off began to dispatch their Commissioners to professe in their names their Allegiance to their King their duty and service to his Vicegerent and freely to offer him men arms provision and other necessaries of War The Nobility of the Realm and the Chiefs of Septs came in thick unto the Lord Governour welcomed him tendred their service unto him extoll'd his high and honourable atchievements and thank't him for them All whom he pardoned for what was past receiv'd them with liberty and indempnity into his protection and encouraged them to be of good chear Nor did he lay any greater burden upon them than to change that covetous and cruell slavery which they were manacled with by the Rebels for the sweet and gentle government and protection of a most gracious Prince and by laying aside all former grudges and fewds hereafter more religiously to observe their duty and loyalty to the good King and thence forward never more to have to doe with the counsells of seditious men who by endeavouring to satisfie their own lusts had engaged King and Subject one against the other and upon the matter ruin'd both For his part he never had any other intention than to restore their Religion their King their Liberty his Peers and Countrymen by Armes when no other means was left out of the tyranny of Rebels unto their antient peace happinesse and glory Which if he should effect he would give Almighty God the authour of all good things everlasting praise but if he failed however he should by these his honest endeavours acquit himself before God and Gods Vicegerent his Majesty before all good men and his posterity his honour and his conscience At this time the whole Kingdom sounded nothing but Montrose's praise Men of all sorts every where extolling the ingenuity of his disposition in which he out went all his Equalls the gallantry of his person in Warre his patience in travels his evennesse of spirit in dangers his wisdome in counsels his faithfulnesse to such as submitted his quicknesse in dispatches his courtesie to such as he took prisoners in a word his truly heroick vertue in all things and towards all men And this honour most men gave him in good carnest and out of a sincere affection but some in craft and dissimulation and as every one had wit or skil they set forth his Encomiums or Panegyricks in Vetse or Prose Yea such is the volubility or humane things and the inconstancy of the whirling multitude that they were not affraid openly to curse and rail at the ringleaders and prime men of the Covenanters Faction such as Argyle Lindsey Loudon and other whom a while agoe they honoured and adored for Saints as authors of all the mischiefs that had befaln them All things going on thus happily the Northern parts of the Kingdome being secured on his back the way being opened unto him into the South the power of the Rebells every where quash'd their chief leaders who in conscience of their guilt despaired of mercy driven out of the Kingdome and no considerable party remaining in armes yet in the West there were some stirres For the Earls of Cassils and Eglington and some other promoters of the Covenanters Cause laboured to engage the Countries in a new War and were said to have rais'd in a tumultuary way the number of four thousand men Therefore Montrose the next day after the battell of Kilsythe drew his men into Cluidsdale from whence the Earle of Lancrick being struck with the news of their late overthrow disbanding those men that he had rais'd was fled Montrose chose that quarter as lying most commodiously for his affaires in the South and West and matched to Glascow which is the principall city of that Countrey He receiv'd the Town into his protection and entring into it with the joyfull acclamations of the people first of all he restrained his souldiers from plunder and then being severe against the delinquents for the terrour of others he put some of the chiefest incendiaries of them to death After that in favour of the Citizens the next day after he came he departed the Town and quartered at Bothwell Where because it was but six miles from the City lest the Citizens should be prejudiced by the insolence of the souldiers he gave them leave to stand upon their guard and defend the City with a Garrison of the inhabitants Hoping with such acts of clemency to engage not only the men of Glascow unto himself but the inhabitants of other Cities also by good offices more than by force and armes At Boihwell he stand many dayes where he received the personall addresses of some of the Nobility and of others by their Trustees Friends and Messengers and setled the peace of Towns and Countries thereabouts who all willingly submitted themselves The chief of the inhabitants of those parts who came to wellcome him and offer their service were the Marquesse of Douglasse a man of a most noble family and chief of the Douglasses the Earls of Limmuck Annandale and Hortfield the Lord Barons of Seton Drummond Fleming Maderty Carnegy and Jonston Hamelton of Orbeston Charter of Hempssield Toures of Innerleigh a most deserving man who afterwards lost his life gallantly in battell Stuart of Resyth Dalyel a brother of the Earle of carnwarth Knights and many more whose names I can either not rightly call to mind or else think sit to forbear at present lest by giving them an unseasonable and thanklesse commendation now whiles they lie under intolerable tyranny I should doc them more harm than honour After the victory of Kilsythe no thoughts had higher place in Montrose's noble breast than the enlargement of such prisoners as for no other fault but the sin of Loyalty had been most basely used and still expected death in the grievous and filthy gaole of Edinburgh Therefore he sends his nephew Napier with Collonel Nathaniel Gordon and a commanded party of Horse to Edinburgh to summon the City and receive it upon surrender to sot the prisoners at liberty and to settle the Town in peace and loyalty but in case they stood out and refused to submit to threaten them with fire and sword They assoon as they came within four miles of the Town made a stand and intended to come no nearer unlesse they chanced to be forced unto it by the obstinacy of the Citizens as well that at that distance they might the more easily
that Kingdome and therefore their service for the present might well be spâ—â—ed besides they complained that their houses and corn in and with which their parents wives and children were to be sustained that winter were fired by the enemy and no provision made for them so that they humbly desired to be excused for a few weeks in which they might take care to secure their families from hunger and cold Also they solemnly and voluntarily engaged their words that they would return many more than they went and much refreshed within forty dayes These Montrose seeing he could not hold them as being Voluntiers and fighting without pay that he might the more engage them thought fit to dismisse them not only with Licences but Commissions And giving publick commendations to the souldiers and thankes in his Majestics name to the Commanders exhorting them to follow their businesse closely and vigorously he appoints Alexander Mac-donell their Countryman and Kinsman who was but too ambitious of that employment to be their companion and guide who should bring them back to the Camp by the day appointed Who in a set speech gave thanks in all their names to the Lord Governour for his so noble favour and as if he had been their Bail or surety with a solemn oath undertook for their sudden return yet he never saw Montrose after Not was he contented to carry away with him the whole Forces of the Highlanders who were more than three thousand stout men but he privily drew away sixscore of the best 〈…〉 ish as if forsooth he had pick't them out for his Life-guard About this very time many messengers came severall ways to Bothwell from the King at Oxford Amongst whom one was Andrew Sandiland a Scotch-man but bred in England and entred into holy Orders there a very upright man faithfull to the King and much respected by Montrose who continued constantly with him unto the end of the War Another was Sir Robert Spotswood once the most deserving President of the highest Court in Scotland and now his Majestâ—es Secretary for that Kingdome who passed from Oxford through Wales into Anglesey and thence getting a passage into Loghaber came into Athole and was conducted by the men of Athole unto Montrose Almost all the Agents that came brought this Instruction amongst the rest That it was his Majesties pleasure that he should joyn unto himself the Earls of Roxburough and Trequair and confide in their advice and endeavours of whose sidelity and industry no question was to be made Moreover that hee should make haste towards the Tweed where he should meet a party of Horse which the King would instantly dispatch out of England to be commanded by him with whom he might safely give battell to David Lesly if as was suspected he marched that way with the Covenanters Horse All this the respective bearers unanimously delivered and his most excellent Majesty being over-credulous signified by his Expresses And Montrose being now over-born with the Kings absolute Commands takes up his resolution to march to the side of Tweed But the day before he went the souldiers being drawn up to a Rendezvouz before that Mac-donell and the Highlanders were gone Sir Robert Spotswood making an humble obeysance under the Kings Standard delivered his Majesties Commission under the Great Seale unto Montrose which he again gave unto Archibald Primrose Clerk of the Supreme Councell to be read aloud That being ended in a short but stately Oration he commended the Valour and Loyalty of the Souldiers and the great affection he bore them And for Mac-donell he not only extoll'd his gallantry in the head of the Army but by vertue of that authority that he had received from the King gave him the honour of Knighthood For not only Montrose but all the Kings friends were confident of the integrity of the man whose good opinion he deceiv'd not only to the undoing of the Kings cause but the utter ruine of himself and his friend Montrose following his intended journey came the second night to Calder Castle at which time the Earl of Aboine whether the Lord Governour would or no carried away with him not only his own men but all the rest of the Northern Forces whom he had inveighled to desert the service Nor would he be perswaded either by reason or the intreaty of his friends who heartily detested that shamefull act to stay but so much as one week and then he might depart not only with the Generalls license but with honour and the good esteem of honest men Seeing it would be no better Montrose passing by Edinburgh led his small Army through Lothainshire and in Strathgale joyned with Douglasse and the other Commanders whose Forces being much diminished were daily mouldring more and more In that coast Trequaire himself came unto him more chearfull and merry than he used to be who pretended himself to be a most faithfull servant not only to his Majesty but also to Montrose and the next day sent him his Son the Lord Linton with a gallant party of Horse as if they were to be under his command that by so likely a pledge he might make Montrose more secure and so more easily ruine him For this was not the first time that Trequaire plaid the Covenanters Scout-Master that ungratefullest piece of mankind intending to betray unto them Montrose and in him the King himself Now when he was not above twelve miles from the Lords Hume and Roxborough and they sent not so much as a Messenger to him nor offered him the smallest courtesie Montrose being much troubled at it resolved to march into their Territories and to bring them in either by fair means or soul But they prevented him by a singular device They sent unto David Lesley whom they well knew by that time was come to Berwicke with all the Scotch Horse and many English Voluntiers for they were privy to all their counsells and entreated him to send a party and carry them away in the condition of prisoners which he did the day before Montrose came thither For by this means that crasty old fox Roxborough who had Hume under his girdle conceiv'd that they might both ingratiate themselves with the Covenanters as freely committing themselves into their protection and yet keep in the Kings favour whiles they made as if they fell into Lestey's hands sore against their wills And this being Lesley's first noble exploit he passed over Tweed and marched into the Eastside of Lothian Montrose assoon as he perceived the King and himself betray'd by these men and saw no hopes of that party of Horse which was come from the King and that the too powerfull enemy would block up his passage into the North and Highlands resolved to march with those few men he had into Niddisdale and Annandale and the Countrey of Ayre that he might there raise what Horse he could For although he had no certain intelligence concerning the strength of the enemy yet he conjectured that it
and themselves ignorant of the way they became a prey to the Country people Whom they forgeting all the benefits and protection they had but newly received from Montrose to do the Covenanters a favour delivered up unto their cruell enemies to be made by them acceptable sacrifices unto Baal-Berith the God of the Covenant For all that the rebell conquerours missed of the Kings Standards The one of them which was carried before the Foot was preserved by an Irish souldier a stout man and of a present spirit when others were almost beside themselves who when he saw that the enemy had got the day stript it off the staffe and wrapped it about his body and being otherwise naked made his way with his drawn sword through the thickest of the enemie and brought it to Montrose at night Whom he received into his life-guard and gave it him to cary intoken of his valour loyalty And the other of them William Hie brother to the Earle of Kinoule a hopefull young Gentleman who succeeded his uncle by the mothers side Douglasse son to the Earle of Morton who having received many and grievous wounds at the battell of Alford was render'd unable for that burden stript from of the staff too and carried it away with him and conveighing himself into the borders of England skulked there a while till the coast was a little clearer about Tweed and then through by-waies and night-journies for the most part being accompanied and conducted by his faithfull friend Robert Toures a stout man and a good souldier who had bin a Captian in France a good while ago returned into the North and presented that same Royall Standard unto the Generall And now at last Montrose when he saw his men totally routed and put to flight which he never saw before thought of nothing more for a good space than to die honourably and not unrevenged therefore rallying about thirty Horse whom he had gatherred up in that confusion he resolved by fair and honourable death to prevent his falling alive into the enemies hands And seeing he was not able to break through the enemies Troops who stood thick round about him he gall'd them on the Front and Reare and Flanks and of such as were so hardy as to adventure out of their Ranks many he slew others he beat back But when all that he could do would not doe his busines as God would have it this consideration posessed his resolute and noble spirit That the loss of that day was but small and easily regayned because bâ— an inconsiderable part of his Forces were there That the Highlanders were the very Nerves and Sinewes of the Kingdom and all the North was sound and untouchte That many of the prime Nobility and men of power many Knights too and cheifs of their Septs had entered into anâ— Association with him who if he should miscarry would be suddenly ruin'd or corrupted and by that means the Kings party in Scotland utterly subdned Therefore he thought himself bound never to despair of a good Cause and the rather lest the King his Master should apprehend the loss of him to be greater than the loss of the battell And while these thoughts were in his head by good haâ— came in the Marquesse Douglas and Sir John Dalyell with some other friends not many but faithfull and gallant men who with teares in their eyes out of the abundance of their assections beseech intreat implore him for the honour of his former atchievements for his friends sakes for his Ancestors for his sweet wife and childrens sakes nay for his KINGS his Countries and the Churches Peace and Safties 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 dye together At last Montrose overcome with their intreaties charging thorough the enemy who were by this time more taken up with ransacking the Carriages than following the chase made his escape of those that were so hardy as to pursue him some he slew others among whom was one Bruce a Captain of Horse and two Corners with their Standards he carried away prisoners Whom he entertained curteously and after a few daies dismist them upon their Paâ—ole that they should exchange as many Officers of his of the like quality which Parole they did not over-punctually perform Montrose was gotten scarce three miles from Selkirk when he having overtaken a great number of his own men that went that way he made a pretty considerable party so that being now secured from being fallen upon by the Country people he marcht away by leisure And as he went by the Earl of Trequaires Castle by whose dishonesty he did not yet know that he had bin betrayed he sent one before him to call forth him and his son that he might speak with them but his servants bring word that they are both from home Notwithstanding there are Gentlemen of credit that testify they were both within nor did that gallant Courtier only bid the Rebells joy of their victory but was not ashamed to tell abroad not without profuse and ill becoming laughter that Montrose and the Kings Forces in Scotland were at last totally routed his own daughter the Countesse of Queensborough as far as modestly the might blaming him for it Montrose after he had made a hault a while neer a town called Peblis untill the Souldiers had refresht themselves and were fit to march many flocking to them from every side at Sun-set they all stoutly entered the town and by break of day next morning by the conduct of Sir John Dalyel especially passed over Cluid at a Ford. Where the Earls of Crawford and Airley having escaped an other way met with him making nothing of the loss of Battell as soon as they saw him out of danger Nor was he less joyfull at the safty of his friends than that he had sav'd and pickt up by the way almost two hundred Horse But although he was already secure enough from the pursuit of the enemy nevertheles he resolved to make what hast he could into Athole that taking his rise there he might draw what forces he could raise of the Highlanders and other friends into the North. Therefore passing first over the Forth and then the Erne having marched thorough the Sherifdom of Perth by the foot of the Mountains he came thither As he was on his way he had sent before him Douglasse and Airley with a party of Horse into Angus and the Lord Areskin into Marre that they might speedily raise their friends and dependants in those parts and had also sent Sir John Dalyel 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 retuurn with the Highlanders by the day appointed But above all he solicited Aboine both by
he posted early in the morning with a few Horse unto Bogie and by his undream'd-of aproach prevented Huntley of any opportunity of flying or hiding himself Assoon as they met Montrose forgetting all that was past invited him in smooth and gentle language to associate with him in the War for the safety of the King and Kingdome and gave him so full satisfaction in all things that as being at last overcome hee seem'd to give him his hand And promised that not only all his men but he himself would come in person in the head of them and be with him with all possible speed Afterward they layd their heads together concerning the manner of managing the War and agreed that Huntley wafting over the Spey should make his way on the right hand by the Sea-coast of Murrey and Montrose was to goe round about on the left hand through Strath-Spey which was at that time of the year a very tedious and difficult march and so the designe was to besâ—ege Innernes a Garrison of the enemies on both sides and in the mean time to draw the Earl of Seaford either by fair means or foul to their side That Garrison however it might appear to be otherwise strong and well fortified yet was very ill provided for victuall and other requisites which in that sharp Winter and tempestuous Sea could hardly be had And so now they seem'd to be agreed in all things so that Aboine and his brother Lewis wish't damnation to themselves if they did not continue constant in their fidelity and service to Montrose to their utmost breath And the rest of the Gordons the Marquesses friends were surprized with incredible joy and made as much of their Lord and Chief as if he had been returned from the dead Chap. XIX MOntrose supposing Huntley's spirit at last pacified and seriously inclined to joyn with him in the prosecution of the Warre marched with his Forces through Strath-Spey towards Innernesse And the more to amuse the enemy on every side he sent his cosen Patrick Graham of whose worth I have had often occasion to speak and John Drummond of Ball the younger a Gentleman of approved trust and valour who had often done excellent service with authority and Commissions unto the Athole-men that if any should offer to stirre in those parts they should neglect no opportunity to suppresse them The Athole-men being encouraged by their authority and example shewed themselves very ready and chearfull And they wanted not long an occasion to shew it for the remainder of the Argylian party either by reason of a generall scarcity of all things in their own Country or being driven out of their Country for fear of Macdonnell who was very strong and threatned their ruine fell upon the Mac-Gregories and Mac-nabies who sided with Montrose And afterward joyning unto themselves the Stuarts which inhabite Balwiddir and the Menises and other highlanders who still followed Argyles fortune were reported to make up some fifteen hundred men and were ready to invade Athole unlesse timely opposed And truly they had already fired an Iland in Logh-Torchet after they had taken it by force and pillaged it and had besieged Ample Castle which lyeth on the side of the river of that name Which assoon as they had intelligence of the Athole-men being only seven hundred in all under the Command of the aforesaid Graham and Drummond thought best to oppose them before they brake in into their Country They upon the alarm of the advance of the Athole-men raised the siege of Ample and retreated toward Taich The Athole-men pursued them hotly and find them in battell-array not farre from Kalandar a Castle of Taich For they had possessed a ford and manned the bank on the other side which was fortified with a steep hill with a number of Musquettiers Which men the Athole men saw and 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 and the rest marched away unto another Ford neer the Castle that they might get over the river there The Argylcans when they perceived the Athole-men so resolute retreat strait 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 some scatter others drive others forward and the rest of the Athole-men following hard after put them all to slight Fourscore of them were slain the rest escaped by flight who fared the better because that same morning the Athole-men had had a foul and tedious march of ten miles long and had no Horse at all to help themselves So they having come off 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 fear crying bloud of men never sufficiently to be commended They had amongst their prisoners 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 thy satisfied themselves only with their Sequestration and Plunder amongst whom were the Lord Ogleby Sir William Spotswood William Murray a noble young Gentleman and Andrew Guthery a stout Gentleman and an active whom they determined to put to death in that City to appease the Ghoste of the men of that Province with their bloud of whom it is reported above five thousand had been slain 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 and make Religion draw the curtain over their cruelty To which purpose they set up their Prophets Kant and Blaire and others that were possessed with the same spirit who roar'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 think upon them as accursed things and own'd and devoted to destruction perswading them that they ought to have no protection of humane Laws 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 souls 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
partie though farre more powerfull For besides those which had been disbanded by the Earl of Lanerick and Major Generall Munroe at the bridge of Striveling there flock'd daily out of England great companies of those who had escaped out of Prison who finding their estates Sequestred and seiz'd upon and withall most tyrannically proceeded against by the hot-spirited Ministerie desired nothing more than an opportunitie of revenge Besides these he had a considerable number of his own name and faction in the North. The Gordons the Athole-men who if he had not been crush'd at his first entrie would certainly have assisted him This conditiun of the kingdome made the Marquesse appear like a prodigious Mereor hanging over their heads which awak'd those who sate at the helm of the State whom it did indeed most concern to endeavour the defeating of his attempts both at home and abroad For this purpose was there a folemn Message dispatch'd to the Prince then Resident at the Hague whom presently upon the News of his Fathers death they had proclam'd King inviting him home upon certain conditions which were publish'd in this kingdome and need not therefore be inferted In the mean time the Marquesse who had now gathered together a companie of gallant Gentlemen aswell English as Scots makes all possible hast Dispatches Collonel John Oglebie to Amsterdam to entertain such strangers as might be for his purpose But he forgeting his Commission bestowed both moneys and pains in entertaining himself suffering those who upon any termes would have engaged to shift for themselves There being a great number who had fled out of England and more who had lately deserted the French or been cashier'd from the Hollanders service Thus were these goodly Vessells sufficiently provided for service lost by his neglect and a limb of the design broken There happen'd about this time another businesse which did much retard the Marquesses affairs Collonel Cochran who had been dispatch'd Commissioner into Poland to the Scotish Merchants there to require their assistance having procur'd very considerable summs of money upon that score and other provision for the furthering of that expedition dispos'd of the money for his own uses made sale of the corn and provision together with the vessell which was provided for the transportation of it and did himself turn tayl to the quarrell This was another disappointment Generall King likewise whom the Marquesse expected out of Sweden with a considerable party of Horse either could not be ready so soon as was expected or else delayd the time of purpose But the Marquesse as is supposed fearing lest he should have an expresse command to desist from his purpose because the Treaty betwixt the Prince and the Scotish Commissioners was now very neer a conclusion did precipitate himself and those that were with him into most inevitable ruine Now all those great leavies and aydes Those mighty preparations for the invasion of a kingdome settled in a posture of warre and well forwarn'd of his intentions amounted not above the number of six or seven hundred at the most strangers and all The common souldiers which adventur'd over with him most of them Holsteyners or Hamburgers He had sent him by the Queen of Sweden for the arming of such Gentlemen as should upon his arrivall betake themselves to his partie fifteen hundred arms compleat for Horse back brest head-piece Carrabines Pistolls and Swords all which after his defeat in Cathanes were taken untouch'd With this small preparation it was a desperate action to attempt so mightie a businesse And although his touching first upon the Islands did encrease his number and gave him almost the beginning of an Armie Yet were those barbarous people so raw and unacquainted with discipline that they prov'd in a manner uselesse and unserviceable 'T is true the Inhabitants of those Isles were a people in former times very fierce and warlike and have under their own Captains made many great Impressions into the very heart of the kingdome But whether it was the Policie of the late Kings to leave them untrain'd of purpose to break their naturall fiercenesse or because their own Captains being quell'd or cut off they cared not much to engage under any another certain it is That kingdome for two hundred years last past hath not made lesse use of any they had under their jurisdiction nor have they at this present lesse opinion of any Scots for Military courage and valour And this may be alleged as a great cause of their remissnesse and unwieldinesse whilst they were in the Marquesses service I told you a little before of Montrose's whole Strength which did accompany him from Germanie whereof two ships with neer upon a third part were sent before but by storm of weather which is both frequent and dangerous amongst those Northern Islands they were lost with all the men and arms nothing sav'd This was another check and as it were a warning a fore-runner of the sad event which followed But the businesse being fatall he must needs contribute his own endeavours towards that destruction which his cruell fortune had provided for him For he nothing terrified with this successe sends out a second partie which making a more prosperous voyage landed at Orkney and enter'd the Island without any resistance There being at that time no Garrison or defence placed in any of those Islands by the States of Scotland Together with these he sent severall Commissions for levying of Horse and Foot Immediatly there were severall dispatch'd to Scotland and the Islands adjacent for that purpose The people of the Countrie being in no condition to resist these officers endeavoured in hopes of favour as much as they could to further the design And those who were not so earnest were by their own neighbours favourers of the cause and these violent Commissioners forc'd to take up Arms. Not long after landed the Marquesse himself with the rest of his companie together with those Gentlemen which resolv'd to partake of his fortune Amongst whom were severall persons of note Collonel Hurry was there a man who had engaged in all quarrells but never prosper'd in any The Lord Frenderick for his kinsman the Lord Napier was left in Holland Collonel Jonson a resolute man and an old souldier Coll. Gray a German souldier Harry Grahame his own naturall brother Coll. James Hay of Naughton Sir Francis Hay of Dalgetie George Drummond of Ballach For he had employed as was thought Collonel Sibbalds his companion heretofore as his Agent in Scotland But he was apprehended at Musselburgh and did accompanie his Generall in death upon the same Scaffold The Marquesse continued a considerable time in Orkney raising of Forces and strenghning himself with such recruits as the place would afford Neither was there any preparation at all made in Scotland to dispossesse him of these Islands either because it might be thought a difficult businesse to assail him within those places naturally guarded with a rough and
dangerous Sea Oâ— because they knowing his strength expected a better opportunitie of him as they found indeed within the Countrie After this poor rabble of silly creatures was amaz'd He resolves at last to embarque and to that purpose gathers all the boats he could find ships his men and in a short space lands them all upon the point of Cathanes which is the farthest land to the Northwest of Scotland The people having some experience of the carriage of his former Souldierie and now farre more dreading the name of Forreigners partly by the terrible reports which were constantly given out of him fled away in heaps many of them not stopping till they came to the chief City Edinburgh and there gave the terrible Alarm to the Parliament then sitting The Commanders were immediatly summond and charg'd with all possible hast to get the standing Forces in readiness and a rendezvous in order to the States command was hereupon presently enjoyn'd at Breithen Northward Collonel Straughan who was then in high esteem with the great ones for his valour lately expressed in the English service and his zeal to the Presbyterian cause much extoll'd at that time had an ample and a particular Commission granted to him by the Parliament to command a â—hoyce party of Horse which should not be subject to David Lesleys orders but might engage and fight with the enemy at his best advantage With these being not above three hundred he advanced before the Armie David Leslie with the rest of the Horse and Holborn with the Foot marching after him In the mean time the Marquesse advanc'd but very slowly and that he might not be mistaken since all the world was much astonish'd at this Invasion now whilst the King was upon a Treatie he published a Declaration Wherein he labour'd to clear himself of any aspersion of sinister ends That his intention was only against some particular persons who had against the Laws of the kingdome rais'd and maintain'd a warre against the Kings Father and did now by their subtile practices endeavour to destroy the Son also That he intended nothing against the Generalitie of the Kingdome Lastly exhorting all subjects of that Nation to endeavour to free themselves from the Tyrannie of those who for the present ruled the State and the oppression of the Ministrie But the Country for severall causes did not come to second him as hee expected For the Earl of Sunderland a potent man in those parts his lands being next to the place where the Marquesse then was rais'd a great power of his Tenants and friends and did his best to terrifie and hinder all that were willing to joyn with him And though he found himself unable to deal with the Marquesses forces yet did he stop all entercourse betwixt him and his friends And those Gentlemen who had heretofore followed him and yet enclined to assist him knowing the danger of the enterprise considering the fewnesse of his number and that his souldiers were much undisciplin'd and unlike to the former with whom he had done so great things began to be averse and have a suspition of the event Yet have I heard some say which knew well enough the situation of that Country That if he had not been oppressed in the nick he might have gain'd such strengths amongst the hills as might have given him leisure enough to have strengthned his own partie and tyred out the enemy Howsoever he was not altogether unmindfull of a retreat There is in that Country a Castle call'd Dumbath the Lord or Laird thereof is the head of a very ancient Familie but no friend of the Marquesses This Gentleman having left his house in the keeping of his Lady and some servants fled to Edinburgh The Lady though the place were naturally fortified yet upon summons delivered it to Collonel Hurry who was sent thither by the Marquesse with a partie of Foot to reduce it Upon condition her goods and estate might be secur'd and she with her servants suffor'd to march away Hurry having plac'd a Governour and a Garrison as hee thought sufficient for the defence of the place return'd to the Marquesse who was now advanc'd to the place or neer it where he was to lose at one throw both his life and fortune The Marquesse hearing of the enemies approach made his whole Forces march at a great trot to recover a passe which they were not very farre from when he himself in the vanguard discover'd the first partie which was Straughans Forlorn hope advancing very fast upon him So that these with their hast and the souldiers running found them both out of breath and order The second Partie was commanded by Straughan himself and the â—ereguard as I remember by Collonel Ker for he had divided them in three bodies But now the first party being very neer there was a Forlorn hope of a hundred Foot drawn out to meet them who giving fire upon them put them to a disorderly retreat but being immediatly seconded by Straughans partie they made good their charge and so terrified the Islanders with that breach that most of them threw down their Arms and call'd for quarter Only the Dutch Companies after they had bestowed a volley or two amongst the Horse retreated into some shrubbs hard by and there very valiantly defended themselves awhile but were all taken at last There were kill'd in this businesse to the number of two hundred twelve hundred taken very few escaped For the whole Countrie being in Arms especially Sunderlands men who came not to the fight but to the execution they kill'd or took Prisoners all such aâ— fled In that skirmish was taken the Standard which he had caus'd to be made of purpose to move the affections of the people with this Motto Judge and revenge my cause O Lord and the portraict of the late King beheaded exactly well done The Standard-bearer a very gallant young Gentleman was kill'd after he had severall times refus'd quarter There was Collonel Hurrey taken the Lord Frenderick Sir Francis Hay of Dalgetie Collonel Hay of Naughton Collonel Gray and most of the Officers and two Ministers The Marquesse after he saw the day was absolutely lost threw away his cloak which had the Starre on it having receiv'd the order of the Garter a little while before his Sword was likewise found and not very farre off his horse which he had forsaken For so soon as he had gâ—t clear off that ground where the skirmish was he betook himself to foot and lighting upon one of that Country or one of his own souldâ—ers I know not whether took his Highland apparell from him and so in that habite conveighed himself away But such narrow search being made for him he could not long escape yet he continued in the open fields three or four dayes without any notice gotten of him At last the Lord of Aston being in Arms with some of his Tenants and aboard in that search happened on him He had been one
boxes made for the purpose the rest of his body was by three or four Porters carried out to the publique place of execution call'd the Borrow moore answerable to that of Tyborn by London but wall'd about and and there was it thrown into a hole where afterwards it was digg'd up by night and the linnen in which it was folded stoln away His head was fix'd upon the Toll-booth over against the Earl of Gowries with an Iron Crosse over it lest by any of his friends it should have been taken down the rest of his parts were dispatch'd to the most eminent places of the kingdome to Sterling Dundee Glasgow Aberdene which were all taken down afterwards by the English or their permission But the Tragedie was not yet full for Hurrie was the next in that bloody roll who pleading the benefit of quarter and a great charge of children thought to have tasted of the Parliaments mercy But he was condemn'd notwithstanding to lose his head in the same place Jealous they were of him before when he was engaged in their service against Montrose but could not produce any sufficient evidence The chief accusations wherewith he was charg'd the last Invasion with the Marquesse and his former carrying Arms against them under Prince Rupert at Marston Moore With him suffer'd young Spotswood of Daersie a compleat young Gentleman and very worthy of pitty if any had been shown being very young but an excellent spirit and a good Scholar The next couple was Sir Francis Hay of Dalgesie and Collonel Sibbalds then which two the Nation could not afford two more accomplish'd for person and parts The first being a Catholick and therefore not comming under the compasse of the Ministers Prayers without speaking a word to any body but throwing some Papers out of his pocket took off his doublet kiss'd the fatall Instrument kneel'd down and receiv'd the blow The other with a little more vigour smil'd a while and talk'd to the disorderly rabble that was about him then with such an heroick gesture march'd to the block as if he had been to act a gallant in a Play The end of the last man was somewhat Comicall though the poor Gentleman lost his life His name was Captain Charters of an honourable and antient Familie in that kingdome The Ministers having dealt with him to acknowledge his fault publikely and dehort all others from it which from no other of his companions they could ever extort he though resolute enough and a good Scholar yet partly by the perswasion of his friends and partly by weaknesse which was occasion'd by his wounds agreed to their desire and was content to make a publique Manifesto in hopes his life might be saved With this conquest of conscience the Ministers to produce their great work to the Common people came vaunting upon the Scaffold Hee all this while suspecting nothing lesse then death made a long and tedious Harangue to the people wherein he acknowledged his Apostacie from the Covenant and other things which he had vented in auricular confession before to the Ministers which very energetically they had pend for him In leiu of granting his life which he expected lest he should fall off from his principles which he had openly professed as some of their converts had done before fairly they cutt off his head and seal'd his confession with his blood The rest being for the most part strangers or such as had spent most part of their time in service abroad were dismiss'd after bond given not to enter the kingdome again in a hostile manner A true and perfect Relation of all the passages concerning the Examination Tryall and Death of the most Honourable James Marquesse of Montrose Earl of Kincardin Lord Graeme Baron of Montdieu c. Knight of the most Honourable Order of St. George Lieutenant Governour and Captain Generall for his Majestie in the Kingdome of Scotland THe Parliament of Scotland being inforformed that the Marquesse of Montrose was taken and fore-seeing that his countenance and carriage might gain him some favour amongst the People thought fit to give out their sentence against him before he should come to Edenburgh And therefore upon the 17. of May anno 1650. in the morning they appointed a Committee to prepare and give in their opinions what was fittest to be done with him where the same forenoon they gave in their report in writing to this effect That so soon as he should come to the Town he should be met at the Gate by the Magistrates and Hangman That he should be tyed with cords upon a Cart bareheaded and the Hangman to ride upon the horse that drew the Cart covered before him and so to be brought through the Town That he should be hanged on a gibbet at the Crosse of Edenburgh untill he died his Historie and Declaration hanging about his neck and so hang three hours in publike view of all the people after which he should be beheaded and quartered His head to be fixt upon the Prison house of Edenburgh and his leggs and arms over the gates of the Cities of Sterling Glascowe Ferth alias Saint Johns-Town and Aberdeine And in case he repented not whereby the Sentence of Excommunication may be taken off by the Church the bulk of his body should be buried in the Gray-friers if not to be buried in the Boromoore Upon the 18. day about four a clock in the afternoon he was brought in at the Water-gate and according to the Sentence was met by the Magistrates the guards and the Hangman of the Citie the rest of the Prisoners being tyed two and two together going bareheaded before him So soon as he came within the gate the Magistrates shewed him the Sentence which when he had read and perceived the Cart and Hangman there ready he said Hee would willingly obey he was only sorry that through him hu Majestie whose person he presented should be so dishonoured Then going cheerfully into the Cart he being uncovered was by the Hangman tyed thereunto with ropes and the Hangman on the horse rid covered thus was he carried to the Prison and in all the way there appeared in him such a Majestie Courage and Modestie no way Daunted That his very Enemies nay common women who as it was beleeved by divers would have stoned him in the Cart as he passed were upon the sight of him so astonished and moved that their intended curses were turned into tears and Prayers for him Insomuch as the next day being Sunday the Ministers preached against them for not reviling and stoning of him as he passed along When he was taken from the Cart he gave the Hangman gold telling him That was a reward for driving the Cart It was seven a clock at night before he was entered into the Prison and immediatly the Parliament met and sent some of their Members and some Ministers to examine him but he refused to answer any thing to them untill he was satisfied upon what tearms they