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A VINDICATION OF THEIR LEADER, JOHN CAMERON, YOUNGER OF
LOCHIEL.
Among papers of historical and antiquarian interest which
have come into my possession is a statement by John Cameron, younger of
Lochiel, in regard to his own and his clan’s conduct in the Rising of
1715. That document, which I now exhibit, is of the period to which it
refers, and probably in Cameron’s handwriting.
During the last years of the reign of Queen Anne a
project for the restoration of the Stewart line in the person of James,
son of James the Seventh of Scotland and Second of England, was quietly
encouraged by the Queen and other high personages; but her Majesty’s
sudden death in August, 1714, found the promoters of the project
unprepared; and the scheme for the succession of the House of Hanover
was carried into effect with apparent unanimity, and George I. ascended
the British throne. No party was more cordial in congratulations and
expressions of devotion to the “German Lairdie” than the Jacobites were,
and the Earl of Mar, who was their leader in Scotland, not only
addressed a loyal letter to the new King, but he also got Sir John
Maclean of Duart, Macdonell of Glengarry, Mackenzie of Fraserdale, John
Cameron, younger of Lochiel, the Tutor of Macleod, Macdonald of Keppoch,
Grant of Glenmoriston, Mackintosh of Mackintosh, The Chisholm,
Macpherson of Cluny, and Sir Donald Macdonald of Sleat—all of them
sympathisers with the exiled royal race— to address to him a letter
expressing their liveliest satisfaction at the prospect of
being “ governed by His Sacred Majesty King George, a Prince so brightly
adorned with all Royal Virtues that Britain, under his Royal
Administration, shall still be flourishing at Home, and able to hold the
Ballance in the affairs of Europe;” and entreating his Lordship “io
assure the Government in our Names, and in that of the rest of the
Clans, who, by Distance of the Place, could not be present at the
signing of this Letter, of our Loyalty to His Sacred Majesty King
George.” But these professions by Mar and his friends were only intended
to deceive. On 27th August, 1715, the famous Hunting of Braemar was
held, and the raising of the standard of “ King James the Eighth ” soon
followed. The Hunting was attended by Glengarry, for himself and as
representing Lochiel and other heads of clans. Chiefs and clansmen and
Lowlanders rallied round the standard; but Mar was without military
genius, and much valuable time was lost before he, on Sunday, 13th
November, found himself at Sheriffmuir, face to face with the Hanoverian
army, under the Duke of Argyll.
By this time his army numbered 10,000 men, and great
things had been expected of them—
“Will ye go to Sheriffmuir,
Bauld John o’ Innisture,
There to see the noble Mar
And his Highland laddies;
A’ the true men o’ the North,
Angus, Huntly, and Seaforth,
Scouring on to cross the Forth,
Wi’ their white cockadies? .
“There you’ll see the banners flare,
There you’ll hear the bagpipes’ rair,
And the trumpets’ deadly blare,
Wi’ the cannon’s rattle.
There you’ll see the bauld M‘Craws,
Cameron’s and Clanronald’s raws,
And a’ the clans, wi? loud huzzas,
Rushing to the battle.
“There }7ou’ll see the noble Whigs,
A’ the heroes o’ the brigs,
Raw hides and wither’d wigs,
Riding in array, man;
Ri’en hose and raggit hools,
Sour milk and girning gools,
Psalm-beuks and cutty-stools,
We’ll see never mair, man.
“Will ye go to Sheriffmuir,
Bauld John o’ Innisture?
Sic a day, and sic an hour,
Ne’er was in the North, man.
Siccan sights will there be seen;
And, gin some be nae mista’en,
Fragrant gales will come bedeen
Frae the Water o’ Forth, man.”
The expectations of the Jacobites were not realised.
“Sic a day, and sic an hour,
Ne’er was in the North, man,”
was the only prophecy that was fulfilled. The fulfilment
was-not, however, what the author of the ballad had expected. To the
surprise of all Scotland the Highlanders, with the exception of the
Macdonalds and the Macraes of Kintail, scarce struck a blow. The
Mackenzies fled; the Macphersons looked on without firing a gun or
drawing a sword; the Gordons, the Camerons, the Mackinnons, and the
Stewarts of Appin broke away without showing fight. On both sides the
order of battle was faulty in the extreme; and on the Jacobite side
generalship or leadership there was none. The issue of the confused
struggle was that the right wing of each army had won the day, and the
left wing of each had lost it; and, taking the battle as a whole, no one
could say whether Jacobite or Hanoverian had got the victory—
“There’s some say that we wan,
And some say that they wan,
And some say that nane wan at a’, man :
But one thing I’m sure
That at Sheriffmuir
A battle there was that I saw, man.
And we ran, and they ran,
And they ran, and we ran,
And we ran, and they ran awa’, man!
“Whether we ran, or they ran,
Or we wan, or they wan,
Or if there was winning at a’, man,
There’s no man can tell,
Save our brave Genarell,
Who first began running of a’, mail!”
“Among those who retired,” writes Chambers, “were the
Camerons. This clan, usually so brave, went home, partly ashamed at
their own indecisive conduct, and partly disgusted by the general result
of the day. It is related that, on reaching their native country, the
young chief of Lochiel, who had led them out on this occasion,
endeavoured for a long time to conceal the event of the day from his
father, being ashamed to tell that old grey chieftain, who had fought
for the house of Stuart from the days of Cromwell, and always maintained
the honour of his name, that the day had at last come when the Camerons
did not acquit themselves like their fathers. Among the Camerons
themselves their was a deep feeling of disgrace and humiliation; and it
was remembered against their unlucky leader that at his birth it was
found impossible to place on his over-large foot the small silver shoe
which had supernaturally come into the house of Lochiel to be put on the
left foot of every son born into the family.
The indignation in the Highlands was great, and
bards-poured rhymes of contempt on the discredited clans. Julia
Macdonald of Keppoch (Sile na Ceapaich), in her “ Battle of Sheriffmuir/
’ does not spare Mackenzies, Camerons, Gordons, Atholl-men, or Rob Roy
Macgregor. At present, we are concerned only with the Camerons: —
“Fire, faire, ’Lochiall,
Sud mar thriall do ghaisgich,
Nan ruith leis an t-sliabh
Lan fiamh is gealtachd;
Ged is iomad fear mor
Bha mu Lochaidh agaibh,
’S thall ’s a bhos mu Ghleann-Laoigh,
’S mu dha thaobh Loch-Airceig;
Fir na seasadh ri teine
’S an cnap geire nan achlais!”
Another Macdonald bard, who witnessed the battle, sang—
“Bha ’n lamh thoisgeil air dhroch ceann,
’S an am ’s an cridhe briosganaich,
’S nuair theann ar namhaid an nail
Ghabh Clann-Chamarain brisdeadh bhuainn.
Ruitheadh agus throtadh iad,
Bhocadh agus ieumadh iad,
’S iad nan duibh-rith leis a ghleann;
’S ann ’s droch am a threig iad sinn.
Mur h-e ’n sronan bhi cho cam A
chuir nan deann ratreut orra,
Gun an cruadul ’chur ri crann,
’S i ’n fhoill a bh’ ann’s gum b’ eucorach.
Bha ’n ruaig air meirlich nam bo
Feadh mointich agus flieitheachan;
’S bho nach d’ fhuair iad mir de ’n fhooil
Cha deantadh leo car feuma dhuinn.”
The Gordons, Macgregors, Macphersons, Mackenzies,
Mackinnons, and the men of Atholl shared the discredit equally with the
Camerons, but the circumstance that the clan of the famous Sir Ewen
Cameron, who was now nigh ninety years of age, was found wanting, was
especially deplored. How the aged chief received the news, if it was
ever allowed to reach his ears, is not recorded; but so keenly did his
son feel his unhappy position that he considered it necessary to pen
the apologia which is now before us. It is not such a document as Sir
Ewen would have put his name to; I have called it a Vindication, but it
is a poor one; it exaggerates the risks and dangers from the garrison of
Inverlochy; and altogether it is a disappointing paper from the pen of
the de facto chief of the Cameron men. It does not give the true cause
of the miserable appearance made by the clans—the want of a leader like
Montrose or Dundee, and the failure of Mar to rouse a spirit of
enthusiasm; but it is a useful contribution to the history of the
period, and as such it is worthy of a place in the Society’s
Transactions.
In the letter written by young Lochiel to the gentlemen
of his clan, from Uist, when on the way to France, he promised to return
; but Fate had otherwise decreed, and although he lived till 1747 or
1748, he saw Lochaber no more. His place was taken by his son, Donald
Cameron, “The Gentle Lochiel,” who, with his clan, played so brave and
so good a part in the Romance of the Forty-Five that they wiped out. for
ever the Reproach of the Fifteen.
The document is as follows: —
“That my Father and predecessors have been allways most
faithfull and Loyall to His Majesty’s Royal progenitors, and have given
frequent proofs of their courrage & conduct upon all occasions, to
assert their Interests and commands; which, since the Union of the
Crowns, is evidenc’d by severall missive letters and certificates from
King James the 6th, his present majesties Royal Great Grand ffather,
King Charles the 2d, his royall uncle, and the late King, his Royall
ffather of ever blessed memory, to Allan Cameron, my Great Grand ffather,
and to my father.
“Tho the said Allan was about eighty years of age and
infirme, consequently not in condition to take the field when the Marqs.
of Montrose set up the Royall Standard in Scotland, bis sons, my
grandfather being dead severall years before, my ffather being a child,
yet my Great Grandfather had part of his men wt his Lop. [Lordship] at
the Battle of Inverlochy, commanded by a gentleman of his name, his near
relation, who had a Leieutenant Collonells Commission, and continued wt
that command all along during Montrose’s War, till my father was of age
to head the Clan; this gentleman being wounded, and severalls of the
Clan killed with him, was afterwards rewarded by a pension from the King
during life.
"My father took the feild at eighteen years of age, and
had severall successfull and remarkable ingadgments agt. the Rebells,
the Enemy being generally double his number. In time of that usurpation,
he having a Commission from his Majesty to the Collonell, Reed, for his
services a regiment of seven or eight hundred men, was the last who
capitulated, severalls belonging to him being killed, and his own lands
by the enemy plunderd and destroyed; which is evidenc’d under the hands
of the Earls of Midlton and Glencairden, his Majestys Generals.
“That after the happy Restoration of King Charles, my
father was most active in securing the peace of the Country in reducing
Rebels and outlaws to obedience, as is attested by the then Lord High
Chancelour of Scotland, and Leiu-tenant Generali Drummond there.
“That in the Rebellion agt. his present Majestys Royall
ffather, when Argyle landed in Scotland, my ffather' being then at
London, the private Commite of Scotland having wrote up to his Majesty
to appoint my father to return to Scotland to help to surpress the
Rebellion, he at his Majestys order went home to convocate his freinds
and followers, and was the first head of a Clan who joynd the Marques of
Atholl when he came to Inverera, who, having sent him with a party after
Argyle, made his escape from the Army, he came so quickly to the ferry
of Portindoragin Coull, that he did pursue and take Campbell of
Ilingreig, wt his eldest son and some others, which he gave as prisoners
to the said Marques.
“That how soon the Earle of Perth, who was then
Claan-celour of Scotland, had account that the Prince of Orange was to
land in England Sr. John Drummond of Maehonie being Leiutenant of Argyle
Shyre, and then at Inverera, his Lop. [Lordship] wrote to my father to
march immediatly with as many of his men as he could suddenly get
together to assist Sr. John Drummond to keep the peace of that Shyre,
they being afraid of ane insurrection, Argyle having gone over to the
Prince of Orange, and Campbell of Auchinbreak in Holland since the
former Rebellion, and then with that prince.
“Therefore, to call together such men within the Shyre of
Argyle, as they had most confidence in, qch. they Randes-vouzed at
Kilmichell, being the first time I had the honour to have any command in
his Maties [Majesty’s] service, my father having given me ye command of
a party of his men (tho I was, in time of the former Rebellion, with my
father at Inverera, I was too young to have any command). After
Randesvouzing about twelve hundred men there, they were all dismissed,
except my ffather’s, and some of Apine’s men with whom my ffather
continued at Inverera wt Sr. John Drummond untill the Chancelour wrote
to my ffather that the King was obleidged to leave England and retire to
ffrance; Therefore Desyred he would march to Drummond Castle with his
men, where the Chancelour was to meet him in order to goe straight to
Lochabar, and from thence to Imbarque for Ireland, and that I was to goe
alongst wt. the Chancelour/ which he obeyed; but how soon we came to
Comery, within six miles of Drummond, we had acct. that my Lord
Chancelour had taken another resolution and took shipping in the road of
Leith, where he was seiz’d and sent prisoner to Stirling Castle; which
how soon my ffather understood he marched home.
“We continued pretty quiet that Winter, till, towards the
latter end of the Spring, that my ffather had account the King was come
to Ireland. Upon which newes he immediately sent' to Glengaiy, being his
nixt neighbour, desyring a meeting with him, who, how soon he had
discoursed, my father sent to the Tutor of Clanronald (Clanronald not
being of age), begging he would meet him in Suinort, the tuttor being
then in the Neighbourhood in Muidort, who accordingly mett my father. My
father went from thence to Mull, and had a meeting with the Gentlemen of
the Mcleans, Mclean being then abroad, These and some other neighbours
being all very ready to rise in Armes for his majesty’s service, my
ffather appointed a Randesvouz with them in Lochabar, the 28th of May.
“At my ffather’s returne home My Lord Dundee came to
Lochabar, who was mightily pleased yt. affairs were so advanc’d agt. his
arrival, his Lop. was entirely satisfied to hold yt. day for the
Randesvouz which my father had. appointed. At the same time great offers
were made to my father by the Prince of Orange's Authority under the
hands of MacKay, his Generali, and Cromarty, then Viscount of Tarbat,
such as Titles of honour, & Govemour of Inverlochy, where they were to
plant a garrison, Collonell of a Regiment of foot, and a considerable
sume of money in hand, with other things contain’d in these letters;
which he entirely rejected, and show’d the letters immediately to my
Lord Dundee.
“My Lord Dundee, having intelligence that MacKay was on
his march, while Coll. Ramsay was marching north with twelve hundred men
to joyn him at Inverness, his Lop., marched before Sr. Donald’s,
Clanronalds, and Mcleans Islanders had time to come up to Badinoch, in
order to intercept Ramsay, where my ffather mustered Eight hundred and
fifty men of his own, besides officers, which made much about the half
of my Lord Dundee’s party on that march. After the Castle of Ruthven in
Badinoch being garrisoned by the enemy surrendred to Dundee he pursued
McKay from the braes of Strathspey to Edinglassie, where McKay was
reinforc with some regiments of foot and Dragoons, my Lord Dundee then
retvred to Lochabar untill the Islanders whom he expected came up.
“In the mean time part of my father’s men, and of the
other Clanns who had made that march, were allowed to goe to their .severall
homes for some dayes, and to be ready at a call, there being no garrison
then placed at Inverlochy in Lochabar to disturb them or hinder their
joyning.
“How soon the Islanders came Dundee began his march
towards Atholl, my father marched wt what he had of his Lochabar men,
and left my cousin Glendisory and me to bring up the rest of his men who
live at a greater distance, which wd rais’d in very few dayes, and we
marched so hard that we cam up the next day after the battle of
Killikranky was fought, being the second day after my Lord Dundee
entered the Country of Atholl. Other neighbours suffered a, great dale
at that ingadgment, but my ffathers loss was the more that he was
obleidged to attack ane entire regiment with less than the half of his
Clan, and was at the same time flanked by the fyre of another Regiment.
Our Clan had a considerable loss at that unhappy business of Crombdale,
where Major Generali Buchan commanded the Army, and likewise at Dunkeld,
or I had the honour to attack at the head of my ffather’s men.
“That, after the King’s affairs miscarrayed in Ireland,
and that his majesty despaired of sending us any succour as he design’d
and allowed such of us as were in armes during that war to capitulate,
and that ye Prince of Orange had granted ane indemnity for our lives and
fortunes, even during his government my ffather, tho old, was frequently
imprisoned by the Garrisson of Inverlochy, sometimes keept 4 months,
other times 6 months, and I often charg’d to Edinburgh, and sometimes
oblidg’d to keep the hills so as not to dare to come to my own house
untill these alarmes were over.
“That the Marques of Drummond can attest, since his Lop.
came first to Scotland from ffrance during the Prince of Orange’s time,
and during his MajestjT’s Royall Sister’s Government, that I was ready
to goe into any project tho never so desperate, towards the restouraon
of the late King and his present Majesty, which I always ingadg’d to all
the Messingers that came to Scotland from the late King or from his
present Majesty, My Zeall and mannadgment on all these occasions being
very well knowen to his Lop., as well as to oyr persons of merit and
distinction.
“That of late, in latter end of his Majesty’s Royall
Sister’s Government, when Mcintosh of Borlum went over, he can informe
how stirring I was to gett people to goe into a concert for his
Majesty’s service, and that I went with him, after being with the
Marques of Drummond, to my Lord Atholl, Broad-albine, Huntly, and oyrs
to incurrage them.
“That, after my Brother Allan had gone to his Majesty on
his Royal sister’s death, and returned to Scotland wt his Majesty’s
Instructions that I was doing all in my power to advance his Majesty’s
service; which I gave my Brother under my hand.
“That, after he returned to his Majesty wt ye answer of
his instructions conforme to his Majesty’s order, when Sr. John
fforrester arrived soon after, The Marqs. of Drummond, who was still
ready to take all opportunities to serve his Majesty by interest or
otherwayes, sent for me that I might acquaint such of my neighbours in
our part of the Highlands as I thought would be interested yrwith, to
take care of themselves (for fear of being taken up by the Government,
especially such as lay near Garrissons, not doubting but his Majesty
would land sometime before the month of May) which accordingly I did.
The Marques of Huntley, or Seaforth, were not then in the North, but my
Brother acquainted me he had seen them, and brought their sentiments to
the King, as well as the other Nobility and Gentry he had been with, and
was myself on my guard from that time, so that I lay few nights in my
house, being within three hours march of the Garrisson of Inverlochy,
untill I had acct of the Earle of Mar’s coming to Scotland.
“How soon his Lop. came to Mar he was pleased to write to
Glengaxy and to me that he had a designe to see us both at Mar; Upon
which Glengary and I met in order to goe together to receive his Lop’s
commands, but we having considered that our going both there at the same
time might give ground of Suspition to the garrisson of Inverlochy, and
they advertise the government too soon might be of bad consequence; Upon
these considerations we thought it more proper that one of us should goe,
and the other stay at home to advertise the rest of our neighbours to be
all in readiness at a call. Therefore, since I lay nearer the Garrisson
of Inverlochy, my going would be more suspected and sooner taken notice
of, it was judg’d fitter that Glengary would goe, and that I would write
with him to my Lord Mar, which I did to the same purpose, adding that
whatever orders his Lop. would be pleased to send me and the rest of my
neighbours for his Majesty’s service* We would unanimously receive them.
“Upon Glengary’s return Glendaruale came allong with him,
who engadged that the most of ye Campbells in Argyle Shyre would joyn
us, particularly Auchinbreak and Lochnell, to whom he had orders from my
Lord Mar to rise immediately in armes for his Majesty’s service, and
Glengary brought our order for the Clans, which he delivered me to
intimate to the rest. A day was condescended on for our randesvouz at
Glen-urcha, and Glendaruale was to goe from my house nixt day on his way
to Lorn, Glengary, he and I having stayed together in ane Isle belonging
to me closs by my dwelling, not venturing to stay a night at my house
for fear of the Garrisson of Inverlochy.
“That night I asked Glengary and Glendaruale what
measures they proposed to my Lord Mar would be taken with the Garrisson
of Inverlochy, Seing that all my friends, their familys and effects, and
mine, lay exposed to the enemy how soon we left the Country, besides
what his Majesties service might otherwayes suffer by leaving such a
strong party of the Enemy behind us at liberty to doe what they pleas’d.
They cold me all that could be done at that time was to leave a
detachment of each clan to keep them within their trenches, with which I
was satisfied if performed, since no better could be done then; But, if
not, that I could not make such a com-pleat rising as otherwayes might
have been expected.
“Glendaruale and I concerted before Glengary parted with
us that we should meet on a prefixt day at Lochnell’s house, in order to
influence Lochnell to joyn us.
“This would remove some of the difficulties I lay under
by the Garrisson in caice the Campbells, who were my next neighbours on
that hand, had ]oyn’d us; besides such a number gain’d for his Majestys
service, so that I was resolved to be att all pains to gain them if it
was possible; Accordingly went to Lochnell’s. house the day I appointed
with Glendaruale, where I found Sr. John McLean and severall of his
freinds who had occasion to meet there on some private business.
“I told Sr. John and Lochneill, finding them merry, that
they had reason to be cheerfull, for that ye King’s Standard was to be
set up Thursday nixt, Therefore this was the time for all Loyalists to
appear for their King and Country.
“As all the joy imaginable appeared, not only by Sr.
John’s expressions, but every way about him, to the Contrary Lochneill’s
and his freinds spiritts sunk, and begg’d we would keep all as privat as
possible for fear of the Garrisson’s about. I answered Lochneill that it
was past all kind of reserve now, Since we were immediately to raise in
Armes, and yt Glendaruale was to be with him that night with a
Commission from the Earl of Mar. Sr. John went off next morning to Mull
in order to rise his freinds, and I waited three nights at Lochinell’s
for Glendaruale to make sure of Lochnell, but had no word of him or from
him; which made me very uneasy, having lost so much time. Therefore
would stay no longer. In the meantime I desyred Lochnell to goe to Lorn,
where he would certainly find Glendaruale, and in case Glendaruale came
that night to send after me; if not, that Loch-nell should goe to Lorn
nixt day. Upon these terms Lochneil and I parted, and I went to raise my
men of Morvine. In two days after I parted with Lochneill he sent his
Brother to acquaint me that Glendaruale was come to Lorn, and that he
was to be with him that night there.
"Therefore, being very sensible how much it would advance
the Kang’s interest in these parts to have the Campbells in Argyleshyre
fully ingadged in his Majesty’s service, and likewayes how much it would
facilitate ye rising of his Majestys freinds who lay next adjacent to
them, I was resolved to spair no trouble to get them once to risej and
trysted Loch-neil munday nixt to Apin’s house with Glendaruale and
others, having seen my own freinds of Morvine and Suinart Saturday and
Sunday before, who were very ready to rise wt me for his majesties
service; But in the meantime told me if, there was not some course taken
with the Garrisson of Inver lochy, and, if Lochniel and Auchinbrake did
not joyne, The Countrey would be left in such bad circumstances, leaving
enemies on all hands behind them, that its impossible I could expect to
make such a compleat rising as I could if any of these obstacles were
removed. .
“On munday I went to Apin’s, where I found Lochneil and
Apin and others, but not Glendaruale, as I expected. I asked Lochneil if
he was now fully resolved ready to joyn; he told me in these words, that
he was fully resolv’d to answer the Government’s citation, and that all
wise & prudcut men would doe the same, for that it was promised that
none would be desyred to rise till once the King Landed, and then it was
time enough.
“I answered how could he ever hold his face in any
Company, besides his duty to his lawful Soveraigne, and to his Countrey,
after to my certain knowledge he having receiv’d the King’s money, to
desert his majesty; that he would be the man most reflected on of all
his name, haveing made so many promisses to the King’s freinds, and
that, after others had answered for his honesty to the Earl of Mar, that
when it came to the push to go off qn. others are joyning; but, seing no
Arguments would prevail, I parted wt him.
"Finding by this that none of the Argyleshyre Campbells
were to joyn us, and that there was no methode taken wt Inverlochy,
which was still in condition to ruine my Country and friends, I Resolved
to goe with all expedition to the Earle of Mar in order to represent to
his Lop. that the circumstance of my Country and freinds was worse
stated than we expected, my Campbell neighbours having refused to joyn
notwithstanding we were made believe that we might rely as much on their
Loyalty as on any of ourselves, and particularly Lochneil.
“Without making any furder delay I sett out for Dunkellr where
my Lord Mar was then. I took Teymouth in my way,, and saw Broadalbine,
who was very hearty, yet saw difficulties in raising his men, the King
not being come, and Auchinbreak and Lochneil, who were to command his
men, having broke measures with him and others of his frindes, which he
complained to me. .
“When I came to my Lord Mar, and represented all this,
his Lop. answered that I could expect nothing to be done to Inverlochy
at that juncture. I told his Lop. that I was very sorry for it, for that
I could not expect to raise all my men at that time, the Country being
left wholly to the Mercy of the enemie, there being none in the
Highlands exposed to that degree but my friends and me.
“However, that tho. I might reasonably expect to be the
first sufferer, I would bring as many for his Majesty’s service as the
above circumstance would allow, without lossing time.
“I parted that same night wt my Lord Mar and took journey
homeward, met wt Generali Gordon on his way to Glenurchy, and I told
him, it being my orders to joyn 'him,, that I would doe it with all
expedition, and, tho. my circumstance was worse than any of my
neighbours, I would bring what number I could in my present Situation to
his Majestys service, without any furder delay. So I went straight home
immediately, rais’d ’twixt six or seven hundred of my men, as well armed
& cloath'd as any in the Army, and march’d by the Garrisson of
Inverlochy in the Enemies view in day light,, wt.in less than Cannon
Shott, notwithstanding of the Gover-nour’s threatnings to, destroy my
Country how soon I left it.
“I marched straight towards Inverera in order to joyn
Generali Gordon there, If I found he was gone yt length : but when I
came within eight mylles of Lochou I had acct. that Generali Gordon had
returned from Inverera, having stay’d two or three nights there, and
that he was that night at Strathfillen. On this Intelligence I altered
my march aud followed him to Auchtererdar, where we continued encamped
untill my Lord Mar cam© up with the rest of the Army from Perth, and
appointed a general randesvouz on the moor of Auchterarder.
“Nixt day Generali Gordon, with the Claims, was ordered
to take possession of Dunblain; but as we advanced a little before sun
sett to the bridge of Ardoch, within three short myles of Dunblain, we
had acct. from a woman (my sister, who lived in Dunblain) sent express
from that place, that Argyle had possessed that place ye afternoon wt
his Army. Upon this Information General Gordon sent back ane express to
my Lord Mar, upon qch his Lop. came up wt the rest of the Army yt night.
“We joyn’d that night, and encamped at Kinbuik, and by
day light marched to the moor yrof, where my Lord Mar, after the Army
was drawen up in order of battle in two lines, and the Claims in the
front, call’d a Councill of war of all the Nobility, Generali officers,
and heads of clanns, and propos'd whether or not they thought it proper
to fight Argyle in the grownd which he then posses’d himself of. We
agreed to fight and to march along the Skirt of the Sherriff moor till
we came above the Enemie. :
“In the mean time my Lord Marrishall was ordered with his
squadron to attack a party of ye enemys horse which appeared on the top
of the hill, and Sr. Donald’s Batallion, who happened to be that day on
the right, to sustain him; and at the same time the whole Army to begin
our march, we were then ordered into four Colums. How soon the Earl
Marrishall came close upon the Enemies horse, which we saw on the hill,
he perceived Argyle’s whole Army on their march up ye hill; of which he
immediately acquaints my Lord Mar; upon which our whole Army marched up
in very great haste, which occasioned some confusion, tho never men
marched with greater cheerfulness towards ane Enemie.
“The horse were call’d all to the right of ye Army; none
stayed on the left; so that the right hand was engadged before the left
could come up. And before I came to the ground, where I attempted to
draw up, the fire began on the right* and some of the Lowland Regiments
of foot being on the left, of the front line where I should have been by
the order of battle when the Councill of War was called, were it not our
being chang’d into columns, and that those that were in the front of
the two collumns made off. The second lyne were so far advanc’d on
the hill as those who were in the front of the first line, so that such
as were in the rear of the columns upon their march, tho of the first
line, were oblidg’d to continue in the second line, which was my fate.
“While my men were drawing up closes by a Regiment of the
lowland foot who were formed in my front, (I being in the right of the
front of my men waiting impationly for au« Open by which I could get a
view of the Enemy in order to advance and attack them) this Regiment of
Lowland foot, after they had fyr’d at ye enemy, and reed, their fyre,
broke in all at once upon my Regiment and carreyed them off before the
half of them were formed, or of McKinins men who were drawing up wt
them, as well as some of the Mcphersons. A litle before this Regiment
broke in upon mine there was a party of the black dragoons came pretty
near us, at whom those who were on my right, and the few of my men who
were drawen up in the right of my Regiment, fyred and kill’d severalls,
and beat them back. I being advanced some few paces before the right of
my Regiment, in order to get sight of the Enemy, me being in a hollow
grownd, which how soon I had gott I look’d about to order my men to
advance, but to my great surprise saw them caryed away in this manner,
and all those who were nixt to me and drawen up on my right and left
gone off. All this time we saw’ no generall officer, neither received
any orders; only by the confusion we observed our right had been broke.
So finding my self in this situation, with three or four gentlemen of my
freinds who chanc’d to be nixt m3, made off, and found none of my own
men untill I cross’d the River of Allan, where I found some of them with
Apin and some of his men.
“I rallied there all I could meet with, and caused such
of them as had fyred to charge their pieces. At the same time I
perceived Rob Roy Mcgrigar on his march towards me, coming from the Town
of Down, he not being at the engadgment, with about two hundred and
fifty, betwixt Mcgrigars and Mcphersons. I marched towards him wt the
few I had got together; perceiving Argyle opposite to us, I intreated,
he being come fresh wt these men, that we would joyn and cross the River
to attack Argyle; which he absolutely refused; so that there was such a
very small number left when Rob Roy went off, and not knowing well then
what became of our right, could not attempt any thing with that number.
Major Lawder was present at all that passed there.
“So night coining on, and not knowing what was become of
the rest of the Array, having no word from them, I went that night to a
little village above Bracko and sent to Drummond castle to know what
account was to be got there. My Lord having gone that night to bee My
Lady, sent me word to joyn the Army nixt day at Achterarder which
accordingly I did. From thence We marched all to Perth, where I
continued wt a Battalion of my men till the King arived.
“A litle time after we came to Perth some of our number
pressed my Lord Mar to look for termes from the Government, which his
Lop. resisted with all riggour, tho by the grumbling and importunjtys of
that sett of people he condescended to send Coll Loraine (?) who was
then prisoner, to Argyle.
“The Duke of Mar called all the heads of clanns to his
quarters, and told us how much he was press’d to capitulate by part of
our army, and before any spoke I had the honour to tell his Grace that
it would be the greatest hardship imaginable to ertter into any termes
with the Government till once we were assured what was become of the
King, not knowing but he was then at Sea, coming to us. So all who were
present of the heads of the Clanns assured his Grace that they would
stand by him to the last.
“Upon this the Duke of Mar proposed to all ye Nobility
and principall officers of the Army to enter into ane association that
none would attempt to make any separate terms without the consent of the
Major party, - qch we all signed, and continued so untill his Majesties
arrival!.
“Soon after his Majesty came to Perth I had ye honour to
receive his Majesty’s orders to goe home to ye Highlands to raise all
who were there of my own men, and of my neighbouring Clanns, and to
march them to ye Army. So I parted about the midle of Janry, and left ye
command and charge of my men I had in the Army with my Brother Allan. I
went by Teymouth,. and saw Broadalbine, who was very earnest I would
raise his men in Lorn, and to march them to the Army with the rest of my
command.
“The weather was so extraordinary hard, and the snow
lying so deep on the hills, that I had difficulty to make my way to
Lochabar; and, as I was ready to march wt my own men, after I concerted
every thing necessary wt my neighbours, and with Mclean of Lochbuie, who
did not Sturr'before, I had a letter from the Duke of Mar acquainting me
that His Majesty was to leave Pearth and march north to joyn his freinds
• there, wt orders to me to march with what was at home of my own men,
and of my Neighbours, to Strathspey by the way of Stratharag, and there
to wait till fuider orders. There came afterwards another order for me
to march with all my command north & in order to joyne Huntley and my
Lord Seaforth about Invernes, to reduce that place. Accordingly I
appointed all my neighbours to meet me at Moy in Lochabar. In the
meantime I marched such as were furdest off of my own men, being within
twelve miles of the place where I appointed my randevouze, I had account
of the Kings embarking at Montrose, and that a great dale of the
Nobility and Gentry, the Irish officers, wt the rest of the Clans, had
entered Lochabar, & were to be that night at my house. This, newes was
very surprvsing, being ready to march in a few dayes with .about fifteen
hundred men North, conforme to my orders; and such as were then with me
were very much grieved to return.
“Nixt night I went home, where I mett the Noblemen and
others who were going to the Isle of Sky. Glengary came there. Sr.
Donald, Clanronald, and Apin desyred him to stay there that night untill
I came, in order to concert what, we could doe furder for his Majestys
service, the Safety of such Noblemen and. Gentlemen as came amongst us,
and our own; which, these gentlemen told me, he refused, when I came
home that night. _
“My being so near the Garrisson of Inverlochy was the
reason why none of the nobility or officers could stay then with me,
since I could not be a night wt safety in my own house. Therefore they
went all to the Isles, as the safest place for their retreat, and where
such as had a mind to goe-abroad would probably get the best and
readeest opportunity, either by a Ship from ffrance or some Scott
Merchand Ship.
“From the time the Noblemen and these gentlemen went to
the Isle of Skye we were not much troubled with any of the forces,
untill the beginning of Aprile, there being none then in the Highlands
but what was at Inverlochy who came out sometimes in parties of two or
three hundred in the night, but went into the Garrisson nixt morning
before we could get. together.
“Generali Gordon, from ye time the army dissipated at-Badenoph
untill he had acct. of Cadogan’s coming to Atholl in order to march to
Lochabar, stayed at Badenoch; but how soon he had acct. of the Enemie
being on their March he-came straight'to Invergary Castle, where my
Brother Allan’ mett him, he being return’d from Kintail, where he had
been to wait on my Lord Marqs Seafort.
“Nixt day Generali Gordon trysted Kepoch, Glengary, & me
half way betwixt Glengarys house and mine, where we mett at the hour
appointed; Brigadier Ogilvie and my Brother present likewise.
“Generali Gordon, after showing us his Commission as
Commander in cheif, with very ample power from his Majesty, told of
Cadogans designe of coming upon us, being already at Blair of Athole on
his march, and proposed what number of men we could expect to make
against that day se’night, this being on Fryday, 30th March. The number
we condescended to be gote together amongst us on such advertisement,
betwixt my Lord Seaforth and all, was about two thousand five hundred
men. It was then agreed that we should ttendevouze at each of our
particular dwellings, and be ready to march upon advertisement, in order
to meet Cadogan at his entering Lochabar; to which we all agre’d. At the
same tyme we hade account that one Coll Cleyton was come to Apine with
five hundred foot, and that a party of one hundred more went by water
from Inverlochy to join him; that Apine’s men had begun to take
protections, and to deliver their arms, as some others had done before.
This was the more suprysing that Apin had sent us no word. However we
prosecuted our designe, and Generali Gordon determin’d to goe on munday
to meet my Lord Seaforth, and my Brother to goe with him. So we parted
on these tearms.
“The nixt day I sent expresses to all my frindes to meet
on fryday following at my house. At night I hade account that Coll
Cleyton was come to Inverlochy with his party, and that he was to march
some tyme the nixt week to my house in order to get in the arms of the
contry. On this newse I went nixt day, being Sunday, near the Garrison
to get Intelligence, and had account that Cleyton had sent to the
minister to advertise his whole parishioners to meet him on Twesday at
my house to give in their arms, and, in case of their not answering,
that he would burn and destroy The contry.
“It was night before I hade such a certant account of
this that I could rely on it; so I went home under night, and sent
express to the Generali and Glengary aquenting them of what I had leam’d
concerning Cleyton, desyring Glengary would be at me Twesday by ten
aclocke with what men he could bring, and that I would get as many as
possible on such short notice for that Cleyton was to be at my house
against twelve.
My Brother press’d to return to me, but Glengary advys’d
General Gordon by all means to bring him with him to my Lord Seaforth’s,
since he had been with his Lo. a litle before. Therefore the General
told him it was absolutely necessary he should goe with him, since they
were all to return so soon. I apointed such as could be at me of my men
to be with me Twesday morning; but such as lived on the road betwixt the
Garrisson and my house took all that day to put their Catle and effects
out of the Party’s way, and these who were some furder off did not come
till night.
“Glengary came about half an hour before Cleyton and his
party, which consisted of nine hundred men, tuixt his own party and what
he brought from Inverlochy. Glengary h?.d about a hundred men, and I had
much about the same number We did not think fit to attack him at such a
great disadvantage that night, we not being the fourth part of his
number.
“I told Glengary that I did not doubt but I would have a
good party to gether nixt day; Therefore that I expected he would not
disperse his men. However, Glengary went home that night, and I stay’d
all that night with what men I hade gote together within a myle of
Cleyton, and nixt day, being Wednesday, I got more of my men together,
these who had been putting their Catle out of the way; upon which I sent
to Glengary to come up, but he sent me no return.
“Upon Thursday night my nephew, young BoJialdy, came up
from my frindes of Morvine and Swinart, to aquent me that they were on
their march, and, according to my order, they would be with me next day.
“Upon this notice I went straight, fryday morning, to
Invergary to talk with Glengary, and in hopes to heve found General
Gordon ther as was concerted, and to aquent them that I had gote such a
good party together; but when I came to Invergary, and found that
General Gordon was not return’d, I told Glengarry that my men were come
against the day appointed for our Randevouze, and that the McLenes and
Muidort men were proposing themselves to come to us, so that it was for
us now to joyue; that we would very soon destroy Cleytons party, and
then make head against Cadogan; and desyr’d he would let me know his
last resolution. He told me plainly that he was fully resolved to
surrender himself to athole, and his house to Cadogan, and that he
expected in a day or two Cadogan would send a party to take possession
and garrisson it. He likewise advys’d me to doe the same.
This answer of Glengary’s suprys’d me mightily. Amongst
other things, I told him I did not think fit to take his advyce, and
that I thought that he ought to have told his designe sooner, both to
General Gordon and his neighbours; so we parted.
“Therefore, seeing Kepoch did not joine, notwithstanding
I wrote to him, and that Glengary went off two dayes thereafter in order
to give himself up prisoner to Cadogan at Inverness, I thought it hard
to expose my frindes alone, Glen-garys house being garisson’d by the
enemie 011 the one hand, and The Garissin’d of Inverlochy in their
Center, and ships on the Sound of Mull to destroy such as liv’d on the
coast; so that I allowed some of them to take protections, as others in
my neighbourhood; to which they condescended with great reluctency.
“My Brother Allan came to the contry the day thereafter
from General Gordon, who he left with my Lord Seaforth in' Kintail, and
gote a party of my men together at the head of Locheill. He was, in
concert with others, to joyne him, but, hearing that Cadogan had passed
all of a sudden with a few horse to Inverlochy, my brother marched under
night over hills with a small party of choice men in order to intercept
him half way betwixt Inverlochy and Glengary at his return, and miss’d
him very nairrowly. The particulers of what pass’d whyle General Gordon
was in the Highlands my Brother hes given such a true account of that I
need not enlarge. I was afterwards oblidg’d to lurke up and down the
contry of Lochabar, and at last was necessitate to leave it and goe
amongst those of my frindes who lay furder from the garison, in Swinart
and Morvine, where ther was partys soon sent in search of me. Having
then account from my Brother, who followed General Gordon (when he was
informed that he was gone to the Isles), that the General was to seize a
ship ther, in order to goe to ffrance, I went back to Lochaber as
private as possibly I could, and was resolved to stay some few nights to
order my affairs before I left the contry. I had account that on Capt.
Ogilvie., with a party of the forces and a detachment of the Independant
companys, was within z myle of me; so was oblidg’d to come off without
looking after any of my private affairs. I made the best of my way to
the Isle of Sky, where my Brother was waiting me, from whence we went
together to Wist [Uist] and found General Gordon there.
“From the tyme Cleytone came first to my house there was
a party of the forces kep’t ther, even when we came away, destroying and
plundering all they could seize of my effects of all kinds. Having come
away from my ffrindes without tyme to aquent them (since I did not think
fitt to slipp the occasion of that Ship, and the good Company), I
return’d my nephew, Bohaldy, who was then ready to come with us, and in
Wist General Gordon gave him likewise orders to bring back to ffrance
ane exact account of the state of affairs in the Highlands, I wrote the
following letter with him to the principal and leading gentlemen of my
name, which I then showed General Gordon: —
“Seeing that by the present posture of affaires my
continuing with you cannot advance the King my master’s service, nor our
Contry’s, nor contribute in the least to your safety or my own, obliges
me to leave you so abruptly, and take this occasion, with some other
worthy persons, to follow my prince, and run the fate of the rest of my
Contry men who suffer abroad in such a just and honourable cause, least,
by my staying amongst you at this juncture, you be harrassed and ruin’d
by partys in search of me, as you have been for some weeks past, and so
rendered uncapable hereafter of rysing with me for the service of your
King and Contry, of which ] entreat you doe not in the least dispair
notwithstanding of our late misfortunes.
“Meantyme, if the Government call on such as have taken
protections to apear at the Garisone of Inverlochy or any other town,
and that it be found dangerous to answer that citation, in that case I
desyre you take .... [paper worn] as you have preserved and let me know
your . . [paper worn] by my nephew, young Bohaldy, who is left behind
for that purpose, that I may come to your relief wt what succours I can
bring, to live and dye with you. Lastly, I earnestly recommend to keep
good heart, and not be dispirited, to live in intyre frinde-ship with on
another, to harbour and entertain with pleasure such as have not taken
protection and have kept their arms, whyle you are allowed to live
peaceably yourselves, to take pains to keep the comons in minde of their
duty, and not to doubt but all will end to your satisfaction and mine in
the happy restoration of your rightful and lawful Sovereigne, for whom,
under God, we all suffer. Your observing ponctually what I have here
enjoyned will preserve your Loyalty and the reputation you and your
predecessors have gote with my ffather and predecessors, and oblidge me
to aply my utmost endevours to make you a hapy clan.
“Wist, June 24th, 1716."
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