| Besides the men who were absent on the
expeditions in Lochaber and Sutherland, there were many others who had returned to their
homes, either discontented with the situation in which they found themselves after they
came to Inverness, or to see their families or friends. Up to the period of their arrival
there, they had received their pay punctually, but at Inverness the face of affairs was
completely changed in this respect, and instead of money the troops were reduced to a
weekly allowance of oatmeal. The men murmured at first at the stoppage of their pay, but
their clamours were quieted by their officers, who gave them assurances that a supply of
money would soon be received from France. This expectation would have been realised, but
for the misfortune which befell the Prince Charles, and in consequence of that event, the
soldiers began to murmur afresh, and some of them seeing no pressing occasion for their
attendance, and choosing rather to enjoy a frugal repast with their friends at home than
serve without pay, left the army. These absentees, however, had no intention of abandoning
the service, and were resolved to rejoin their colours as soon as they saw a probability
of coming to action. Accordingly, many of those who had returned to their homes set out on
their own accord to rejoin the army, on hearing of the Duke of Cumberland's advance,
though few of them arrived in time for the battle. Reduced
in numbers as the prince's army was from the causes alluded to, they still burned with
impatience to meet the enemy; and when intelligence of the Duke of Cumberland's march from
Aberdeen reached Inverness, it was hailed with joy by the portion there assembled. From
the fatigues and labours they had experienced during the campaign, and the numerous
inconveniences to which they had been subjected from the want of pay, there was nothing
the Highlanders dreaded more then another march to the south; but the near prospect they
now had of meeting the English army upon their own soil, and of putting an end to the war
by one bold and decisive blow, absorbed for a while all recollection of their past
sufferings. By drawing the Duke if Cumberland north to Inverness, it was generally
supposed that the prince could meet him on more equal terms than at Aberdeen, as he would
have a better and more numerous army at Inverness, than he could have carried south. This
unquestionably would have been the case had Charles avoided a battle till he had assembled
all his troops, but his confidence on the present occasion got the better of this
prudence. |
