Preston Fight; or, The Insurrection of 1715Ainsworth, William Harrison
General
Preston Fight; or, The Insurrection of 1715
Ainsworth, William Harrison
Jacobite Rebellion, 1715 -- Fiction
On hearing this, Lord Kenmure and General Forster decided upon marching
to Kelso to aid Mackintosh in storming the town. Accordingly, they set
out next morning, passing by Humbledon Heugh, Akeld, and over the hill
ridges near Kirk Newton. As they proceeded, Captain Douglas, who was
well acquainted with the country, and accustomed to Border forays, as
we have already stated, managed to seize several horses, and likewise
captured Mr. Selby of Kilham, a volunteer, who was repairing to Kelso,
to Sir William Bennet's assistance.
About mid-day the insurgents came in sight of the beautiful town of
Kelso, with its ancient abbey so charmingly situated on the banks of the
Tweed, and before proceeding further, halted on a moor to call over the
rolls of the men. While the leaders of each troop were thus employed,
word was brought by a scout, that Sir William Bennet, alarmed by the
report of the advance of the Highlanders, had abandoned the town,
whereupon they at once resumed their march, and fording the Tweed,
entered the town without opposition--the barricades being already pulled
down. But though the inhabitants offered no resistance, they received
them with great coldness, and eyed them with sullen looks. No shouts
were heard, as the insurgents rode along one of the main streets to the
market-place where they drew up.
Brigadier Mackintosh had not yet arrived, but he was known to be close
at hand, and Lord Kenmure feeling that the compliment was due to the
valiant Highland commander, went to meet him, leaving General Forster
and the English division in the town.
Lord Kenmure and the Lowlanders had not ridden further than Ednam Bridge
when the shrill notes of the bagpipes announced the approach of the
Highlanders, and in another minute Mackintosh and his detachment came in
sight.
As soon as the Highlanders understood that the troops in front of them
were friends, they set up a great shout, and quickened their pace.
The Lowlanders responded with equal vigour, and the greatest enthusiasm
was displayed on both sides.
Nothing could be more cordial than the meeting between the two
commanders. Lord Kenmure was loud in his praises of the brigadier's
skill and bravery, and told him that he looked upon the crossing of the
Firth, under the circumstances, as one of the most remarkable exploits
ever performed. His lordship then turned to Lord Charles Murray, Lord
Nairn, Major Forbes, Logie Drummond, and others who were standing by,
and expressed his admiration of their gallantry.
By this time the Earl of Wintoun, the Earl of Carnwath, Captain
Hume, and the other Lowland officers had come up, and salutations were
exchanged on all hands.
When these greetings were over, the two detachments, which had now, to
a certain extent, become mixed together, marched to Kelso--the pipers
taking the lead, and playing lustily.
II.--MACKINTOSH'S ACHIEVEMENTS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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