| The army marched back in two columns, by a
different but more direct route than that by which it had advanced. In returning they had
a view of the fires in the Duke of Cumberland's camp. The greater part of the army arrived
at Culloden, whither it had been agreed upon to proceed, about five o'clock in the
morning, and the remainder did not remain long behind. The quick return of the army
suggests an idea that had it marched in double columns towards Nairn by the shortest
route, it might have reached its destination at least an hour sooner than the time
contemplated by Lord George Murray, but there was great danger, that, by adopting such a
course, the Duke of Cumberland would have obtained notice of the advance of the
Highlanders. On arriving at Culloden, the prince
gave orders to bring provisions to the field; but the calls of hunger could not brook
delay, and many of the common men as well as officers slipped off to Inverness and the
neighbourhood inquest of refreshment. Others, from absolute exhaustion, lay down on the
ground, and sought a momentary respite in the arms of sleep. Charles himself, with his
principal officers, went to Culloden house, where, sullen, dejected, and silent, they for
a time stared at one another with amazement, instead of deliberating upon the course they
ought to pursue at this critical juncture. A search was made for food, but with the
exception of a little bread and a small quantity of whisky, which was procured for the
prince with great difficulty, no refreshment of any kind could be obtained.
After a short repose the men were aroused from their
slumbers by their officers, who informed them that the Duke of Cumberland's army was
approaching. There were others whom hunger had kept awake, and who having seized and
killed some cattle and sheep which they found at Culloden, were preparing a repast, but
few of them had time to make any thing ready before the alarm was given. The intelligence
of Cumberland's advance was first brought to Culloden house about eight o'clock by one
Cameron, a lieutenant in Lochiel's regiment, who, having fallen asleep at the place where
the halt was made, had been left behind. As Fitz-James's horse and others had gone to
Inverness to refresh, and as those who remained were, from the hard duty they had
performed for several days and nights, unfit for patrolling, Charles had no means of
ascertaining whether the troops that were approaching were merely an advanced party, or
the whole of the English army. That nothing might be left to conjecture at such an
important crisis, some officers were instantly despatched to Inverness, to bring back the
men whom hunger had driven thither, and the Highlanders at Culloden were got ready as
quickly as possible, and marched through the parks of Culloden in battalions, as they
happened to be lying, to Drummossie moor, on a part of which, about half a mile to the
west of the place where they had been drawn up the day before, the army halted.
Lord George Murray now renewed his proposal to pass the
water of Nairn, and take up a position on the ground which had been surveyed the previous
morning, as being much better fitted for Highlanders than the level on which they stood.
An additional reason for passing the Nairn was, that Macpherson of Cluny, who was expected
every moment with his clan, was to come on the south side. Charles, however, again
rejected this judicious advice, for the reasons he had formerly given. By retiring beyond
Inverness, or among the fastnesses to the south of the water of Nairn, an action might
have been easily avoided for several days; and, as the projected night attack had
miscarried, it would certainly have been a wise course to have shunned an engagement till
the men had recovered their strength and spirits; but Charles, over-sanguine in all his
calculations, and swayed by his creatures and sycophants, was deaf to the suggestions of
wisdom. It seems strange that a retreat to Inverness was not proposed. By retiring into
the town, and occupying the grounds in the neighbourhood, a delay of twenty-four hours
might have been obtained, as it is not likely that the Duke of Cumberland would have
attempted to force the town, or a strong camp, the same day he marched from Nairn. By
postponing the engagement till next day, a very different result might have happened, as
the Highlanders, who were in a starving condition, would have had time to procure
provisions and recruit from their fatigue; and numbers, who were not able to come up in
time to Culloden, would have rejoined the ranks at Inverness. |
