| This occurrence completely changed the aspect
of affairs, and every member of the council who had formerly advocated a night attack now
warmly opposed it. Charles, bent upon his purpose, resolutely insisted upon the measure,
and said that when the march was begun the men who had gone off would return and follow
the rest. The confidence which he had in the bravery of his army blinded him to every
danger, and he was prompted in his determination to persist in the attempt from an idea
that Cumberland's army having been that day engaged in celebrating the birth-day of their
commander, would after their debauch fall an easy prey to the Highlanders. Finding the prince fully resolved to make the attempt at all
hazards, the commanding officers took their stations, waiting the order to march. The
watchword was, "King James the VIII.," and special instructions were issued to
the army, that in making the attack the troops should not make use of their fire-arms, but
confine themselves to their swords, dirks,and bayonets; and that on entering the Duke of
Cumberland's camp they should cut the tent strings and pull down the poles, and that
wherever they observed a swelling or bulge in the fallen covering, they should strike and
push vigorously with their swords and dirks. Before marching, directions were given to
several small parties to possess all the roads, in order to prevent any intelligence of
their march being carried to the Duke of Cumberland.
In giving his orders to march, Charles embraced Lord George
Murray, who immediately went off at the head of the line, about eight o'clock, preceded by
two officers, and about thirty men of the Macintosh regiment, who from their knowledge of
the country were to act as guides. Though the whole army marched in one line, there was an
interval in the middle as if it consisted of two columns. The Athole men led the van, and
next to them were the Camerons, who were followed by the other clans. The low country
regiments, the French piquets, and the horse, formed the rear. Lord John Drummond was in
the centre, or at the head of the second column; and the Duke of Perth and Charles, who
had Fitz-James's and other horse with him, were towards the rear. Besides the party of
Macintoshes, who served as guides in front, there were others of the clan stationed in the
centre and rear, and generally along the line, to prevent any of the men from losing their
way in the dark. The plan of attack, as laid down by Lord George murray, was as follows:-
The army was to have marched in a body till they passed the house of Kilraick or
Kilravock, which is about ten miles from Culloden, on the direct road to Nairn. The army
was then to have been divided, and while Lord George Murray crossed the river Nairn with
the van, making about one-third of the whole, and marched down by the south side of the
river, the remainder was to have continued its march along the north side till both
divisions came near the duke's camp. The van was then to have re-crossed the river, and
attacked the royal army from the south, while the other part was to have attacked it at
the same time from the west. With the exception of Charles, who promised upon his honour
not to divulge it to any person, and Anderson, who acted as guide at he battle of Preston,
no person was made privy to the plan, as its success depended upon its secrecy. |
