The compleat history of the vvarrs in Scotland under the conduct of the illustrious and truly-valiant Iames Marquesse of Montrose, General for his Majestie Charls 1st. in that kingdome,: together vvith a brief character of him, as also a true relation of his forein negotiations, landing, defeat, apprehension, tryal, and deplorable death in the time of Charls 2d.

CHAP. XII.

MOntrose that same afternoon that he had got this victory at Alford, marching to Clunie Castle, allowed only two or three hours to his Soul∣diers for their refreshment. And going from thence to the bank of the river Dee, sent away the Earl of Aboine, who succeeded his deceased Brother, into Buchanshire, and the places adjacent for recruits; for many of them who were at the fight being Highlan∣ders, and not farre from their own habitations, had dropt home with their pillage. And because Mac-donald was not yet returned, he kept his quarters at Cragston, expecting both him and Aboine. But when he perceived those Auxiliaries were dispatched unto him with lesse speed than he hoped, and finding his expectation deluded, impatient of so long and disad∣vantageous delay; after he had got over the Dee and Gransbaine, fell down into Merne, and lay at Fordón Chapel, once famous for the See and Sepulchre of St. Palladius. Thence he sends to the Earle of A∣boine (who was now come to Aberdeen) to hasten unto him into Merne with such Forces as he heard he had raised, Alboine came indeed, but brought no great store of Forces along with him; therefore he sends him back into the North to raise as many men as he

could possibly, and bring them with all speed unto the Camp. He himself going through Angus met his Cosen Patrick Graham with his Athole-men ready to live and die under his command, and Mac-donald with a great power of Highlanders: with him was Macklen the chief of his sept, a valiant man, and singularly loy∣al, who brought some seven hundred choice Foot of his Friends and Clients. Also the chief of the Mac-renolds a great man in the Highlands, and one that entirely lov'd the King, who had above five hun∣dred men at his heels. The Mac-gregors also, and the Macknab••, men inferiour to none in valour and hardness, after the fashion of the Countrey followed their Commanders and Chiefs of their Families, whose certain number I cannot easily assigne. And Glengar, a man never sufficiently to be commended for his valour, and loyalty to the King, and servicea∣bleness and affection to Montrose, (seeing he in per∣son almost from the Expedition into Argyle had ne∣ver departed from him) by his Uncles & others whom he imployed brought in about five hundred more. Be∣sides out of the plains of Marre came a great number of the Fercharsons, gallant men, and of approved va∣lour. And some too out of Badenoth, not many indeed, but stout and able men of their hands.

Montrose being reinforced with such an Army, resolves to make way into the heart of the Kingdome; as well to spoil the enemies levying of men in Fife∣shire, and the Country on this side the Forth, as al∣so to break up the Parliament which the Cove∣nanters had not without solemnity and ostentation

summoned at Saint Johns-town. Nor did any thing hinder him but want of Horse, of which alwaies he had such scarcity, that it was never o•• very seldome safe for him to fall down into the plain Countrey. But because he dayly expected Aboine and Airley to come unto him with a considerable party of Horse, he pas∣sed over the Tay at Dunkel, and lying near A∣munde, struck no small terrour into the enemy who held Saint Johns-town; and from thence approach∣ing nearer unto them, he encamped in Methfyn Forest.

The enemies Foot (all but the Garrison Souldiers in the Town) lay on the South of the River Erne. The Horse which were designed for the guard of the Town and Parliament, as soon as they discovered Montrose's Scouts, bring in a hot alarm that he was there, and come already close to the gates, and no question but he meant presently to scale the walls, and make an assault upon the Town: therefore they were earnest with the Nobility and the whole Par∣liament to secure themselves by a speedy flight: when all this while Montrose had scarce a hundred Horse, and they were four hundred. But he the next day the more to encrease thei•• terrour, drew near un∣to the Town with those Horse he had, and about the same number of ready Fire-locks whom he mounted upon pack-horses; and set out his men in their view so much to his advantage, that they appeared a consi∣derable body of Horse. And because the enemy kept themselves within the gates, forthwith turning to∣wards Duplin, he diligently view'd this side of

the River Erne and all that coast, as if he had Horse enough to keep all that Countrey in subjection. And truly thus much he got by it, that the enemy took him to be exceeding strong as well in Horse as Foot. Therefore they draw together as many Forces from all sides as they could make, whom they intended to fight with Montrose if he should offer to passe over the Forth. But he finding it not safe for himself nei∣ther to descend into the Champain Countrey, they both kept their stations for many dayes, the enemy expecting Auxiliaries out of Fife, and the Country on this side of the Forth, and out of the West; and Montrose looking for the like out of the North; And waiting impatiently for Aboine, who was too slow with his men, he sent some to hasten him, lest they should lose the opportunity of doing their businesse. He also complained, but in a soft and gentle manner, as before a faithfull friend, that Aboine's lingring and delay was in the fault, that a brave victory, by which he conceived the Rebells might have been utterly sub∣dued had slipt out of his hands; which misfortune no man doubted but his speed and diligence might have prevented.

The enemy when they understood that he onely cheated them with a false Muster of Horse, having gotten aid from all parts, and by this time over∣numbring him even in Foot, labour'd not onely to pro∣voke, but even compell him to-fight. Whereupon he concluded to step aside a little into the neighbouring Mountains, whither he knew either the enemy would not advance, or if they did, it would be to their

losse. Therefore the enemy drawing near with all their Army to Methfyn, he gives a private com∣mand for the Carriages to drive fast up the hills, whiles he, as if he intended to fight, orders the battell, makes good the passes with strong guards, and draws up the Horse into the Front. Nor did the enemy expect any other than to try it out by battail, which he made as if he would give, till such time as the Carriages were got so far before, that he conceiv'd them out of danger: and then he commands the Army in one body at their close order to march a∣way apace: He gave charge unto such Horse as he had, and his ablest Fire-locks to bring up the Rear, and to secure them from the enemies Horse. The enemy providing for a present charge, as they expected, when they saw Montrose retreating, first pursued eagerly, though to no purpose; for he making good all pas∣ses as he went, easily repulsed them, and without losse of so much as one private Souldier, came chearfully off into the heights and steep places that were unac∣cessible unto the enemies Horse, and for their Foot they fear'd no assault from them. It is remarkable, that when Montrose's Horse were come up into the pas∣ses, and the enemy knew very well they were not able to persue any further; lest with all that pains they should seem to have done nothing at all, they sent out three hundred of their ablest and readiest Horse to follow after them with a great shout and base language; whom when Montrose saw, he call'd for onely twenty active bodied men of the Highlan∣ders that were used to hunting, and very good marks∣men,

and commanded them to check their insolence; and they first of all creeping hither and thither, and hiding their Guns, took their aimes so well, that they knockt down some of the forwardest of those men; who being men of the better sort, by their example made the rest more wary, so that they were all con∣tented to retreat. But those good huntsmen being encouraged with their good successe, as soon as they saw their enemies disorder'd, came into the open plain, and resolutely charged their Horse: who, in as much fear as Bucks or Does chased by the Hunters, set spurs to their Horses and fled back to their main body as if the Devill were in them.

The enemy upon their retreat chose that place for their Rendezvouz from whence Montrose departed Methfyns Forest: after they had done nothing wor∣thy to be remembred in all that expedition, but that when they found themselves unable to cope with men, they exercised their cruelry upon women: for all the wives of the Irish and Highlanders that they light of (who followed the Camp for the love of their Hus∣bans) most basely and shamelesly they hew'd in pieces. Montrose kept his quarters at little Dun∣kel, both because the place was cumbersome and unpassable for Horse, and lay very conveniently for receiving such aids as he dayly expected with Aboine out of the North. All which time the two spleena∣tive Armies lying close together, rather stood upon their guards than offered any affront one to the other.

And now at length Aboine and Collonel Na∣thaniel

Gordon brought up their men out of the North to Dunkel; men for their number indeed fewer than was expected, but for their stournesse and true valour farre above their number. The Horse they brought were only two hundred, and some six∣score Firelocks whom they had mounted and made Dragoons: other Foot they brought none. Along with them came tht Earl of Airley and Sir David his Sonne with fourscore Horse, most of them of the noble family of the Ogilbies; amongst whom A∣lexander Son and heir of Sir John Ogilby of Innar∣wharatie was most eminent, not only for the rare ac∣complishments of his person, and the splendor of his Ancestors, but for the honour of his valiant and happy atchievements, much above what his age could promise. Montrose being thus well recruited, thought it not good to lose anytime, but marched straight towards the enemy. But as soon as he came to Amonde, he thought it best to see in what con∣dition the enemy was, and to find out whether that was true which he had receiv'd a flying report of; that was, that very many of their Auxiliaries had deserted their colours and run home. Therefore lea∣ving his Foot to take their rest, a little before night he fac'd the enemy with his Horse; with which sight being something affrighted, they kept within their trenches. And next morning early Montrose riding about to discover, was informed that they had stol∣len away at the dead of the night to Methfyn, and in disorder had got over a Bridge upon the Erne. He instantly causes his men to march, and passing the

river at a stone-bridge about six miles off, lay that night in Strath-Erne.