“Since my last I have seen two Officers, who were in the engagement
of Saturday sen’night, and I have had a pretty distinct account
of our dispositions, so that I could send you a plan of that
affair.... It seems agreed both by these officers and by the
General’s letter that our men were seized with a panic at the
rapid motion of the Highlanders, so that their officers attempted
to rally them in vain. The military Chest and all the baggage
was taken, what the loss of men is cannot yet be known. I find
Captain Stewart is not killed, but only taken Prisoner. Our civil
panic here begins to subside a little. General Wade’s[390] Army
will probably be near Doncaster by this day sen’night, so that we
hope Yorkshire will be protected.... We are in no apprehensions
for Berwick or Newcastle: nor is the Castle of Edinburgh in danger
for want of provisions. Besides the ordinary Stores, the Governor
swept all the Markets in town, the day the Rebels left it to meet
General Cope. The Provost, I hear, is in the Castle, so that I
hope he will be able to wipe off the aspersions so liberally
thrown upon him. There is no certain news of the further motions
or schemes of the Rebels. To-day I was told they intended to march
for Northumberland, and expected to be there increased 10,000 men
besides £100,000 in money. I give no great credit to my author’s
intelligence, he is of a suspected family and speaks as he wishes.
This is all I have been able to pick up for you, and I hope your
fears begin to subside a little. But if I endeavour to diminish
them for the North I shall now on the contrary try to increase
them on the South. I mean as to your going to Mount Morris. I saw
a Sussex gentleman yesterday, who tells me they are frequently
alarmed by Privateers on their coast, and what should hinder a few
desperadoes from landing in the night and doing as they pleased on
the coast.... I own it would give me a vast satisfaction to see you
and Miss Robinson in Dover Street again.”
[390] Field-Marshal George Wade, died 1748, ætat 75.
On October 1 Mr. Montagu writes from Allerthorpe--
“MY DEAREST LOVE,
“Since my last to you, we have heard nothing of the advancing of
the Rebels, who, we have advice, are not above 5000, and most of
them very shabby fellows. A Spy has been taken at Newcastle, said
to belong to the Duke of Perth,[391] on whom was found a letter
concealed in his glove. The contents are not yet made publick, no
more than those of the letters found also on another person at
the same place. The former has cut his throat, but is not dead.
We are very quiet in these parts. The Captains are raising their
men, and General Oglethorpe is getting together a flying Squadron
of Volunteers, amongst whom are Mr. Tanfield of Calthorpe, and Dr.
Chambers of Ripon. Captain Twycross is Lieutenant to Sir Reginald.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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