The Jacobite Rebellions (1689-1746): (Bell's Scottish History Source Books.)Thomson, J. Pringle (James Pringle)
History
The Jacobite Rebellions (1689-1746): (Bell's Scottish History Source Books.)
Thomson, J. Pringle (James Pringle)
Jacobites; Scotland -- History -- Sources
fire, which kill'd two or three of them, they were routed, and fled, so
we march'd on untill we came to Clifton, within two short miles of
Penrith, where the Prince and his army lay. Here Lord George got account
that some of the enemy were come to the house of Lowtherhall, about a
mile's distance on our left. He desired me to ask the men (as he knew
they were fatigued) if they were willing to attack that house. They
answer'd me that they were most willing. Upon which we marched and
surrounded the house, and only found in it one officer, with a footman
of the Duke of Cumberland's, whom he had sent before to take up quarters
for him. Upon our return to Clifton, we perceived the enemy to the
number of about 3000 horse, advanced by this time within 1/4 of a mile
of Clifton. Cluny and his M^cPhersons, to about the number of three
hundred men, happened to be at this village. Lord George ordered them on
one post on the side of the road, and our regiment on another on the
other side. It was then about nightset, when the enemy, being all horse,
dismounted--I can't condescend on their number, being then dark--and
attack'd the M^cPhersons, who received them, and after a close fire for
some time on both sides, the enemy were repulsed. Upon this they sent a
stronger body to attack us both, which came directly up to us, and it
being then quite dark, they coming very close to us, we only heard the
noise of their boots, and could plainly discern their yellow belts. We
first received their full fire, which did us little damage. We
immediately gave them ours, and then attacked them sword in hand, and
oblidged them to retreat with a considerable loss.
Lord George then marched with us and the M^cPhersons into the town,
where we found the whole army ready to march for Carlisle, so that we
had neither time to refresh ourselves, or men. So you may judge our
condition, having marched t[w]o days without resting from Kendal to
Penrith, which is long 20 miles, and, without halt, 16 more on to
Carlisle, all without any sleep and very little provision; yet we brot
all the artillery safe, and lost very few men at the attack at Clifton.
I received a small wound there myself in the knee, and no other
gentleman touched. We stay'd two days at Carlisle. The third day in the
morning by break o' day we marched, expecting surely to meet Cumberland
that day to give him battle; but perceiving no enemy, march'd forward,
and that night crossed the Esk. H.R.H. continued on his march without
any remarkable occurencies till he arrived safe with his army at
Glasgow.
FOOTNOTES:
[97] December 6, "Black Friday."
[98] Shap.
[99] _I.e._, without undressing.
[100] Troublesome.
H. THE BATTLE OF FALKIRK (JANUARY, 1746).
+Source.+--_The Lockhart Papers: containing ... also Journals and
Memoirs of the Young Pretender's Expedition in 1745, by Highland
Officers in his Army_, vol. ii., p. 499. (London: 1817.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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