[Sidenote: No. 18] Expended in all these Services, for Provisions, Intelligence, Boats, Pilots, etc. 39 4 0 Upon the 12th January 1745/6 Mr. Grosett returned to Edinburgh from this Expedition, and upon the 13th was sent early next morning by Lord Justice Clarke to procure Intelligence of the motions of the Rebells for General Husk, who was that Day to march with the First Division of the Army from Edinburgh for Linlithgow;[615] Upon Mr. Grosett’s coming near that place, being informed by some Country People he had sent into the Town, for Intelligence that about Twelve hundred of the Rebells had that Morning taken Possession thereof and given out that they were resolved to dispute their Quarters with the Kings Troops. Mr. Grosett returned and acquainted the General thereof who thereupon made the proper Dispositions. The Town of Linlithgow lying in a Hollow upon the South side of a large Lake which cuts off all Communication with or access to the Town from the North and Mr. Grosett having acquainted the General of this and of the situation of the country The General in order to surprize and cut off the retreat of the Rebells to Falkirk where the Main body of their Army lay sent a strong advance Party forward with orders to halt, and remain upon a rising Ground upon the Road about a mile from the East Gate of the Town, and within Sight thereof, and marched the Main Body round another way; which Mr. Grosett conducted them by the South side of the Town where they could not be observed by the Rebells, till they came near the West Gate thereof; and the Rebells having no suspicion of the Main Body’s advancing upon them, while the Advance Guard stood still in sight, their communication with the Main Body of their Army, would by these means have been cut off, if one of their Friends upon accidentally seeing the King’s Troops marching under cover of a Rising Ground by the South side of the Town, had not rode into the Place and given the Alarm to the Rebells who thereupon fled with such Precipitation that the Troops could not come up with them.[616] Lord [George Murray, Lord Elcho, and others of their Chiefs left their Dinner just as it was going to be set upon the Table. The Dragoons pursued, but not being able to come up with them they took Possession of the Bridge of Linlithgow, over the water Avon, about a mile to the West of that Place, left a sufficient Guard there, and then went into the Town, and eat the Dinner the Rebells had provided, and got ready for themselves.] The Person who gave the alarm was apprehended together with one of the Rebells, and sent Prisoners to Edinburgh, and Mr. Grosett after General Husk appointed proper Places for Out Guards returned to Lord Justice Clarke