The Manchester Rebels of the Fatal '45 — John Shaqi
The Manchester Rebels of the Fatal '45Ainsworth, William Harrison
History
The Manchester Rebels of the Fatal '45
Ainsworth, William Harrison
Great Britain -- History -- George II, 1727-1760 -- Fiction; Jacobite Rebellion, 1745-1746 -- Fiction
Here is a well-told incident which might be entitled "Lochiel and the
Lancashire Lad."
"On the 25th November, 1745, the rebel army, supposed to be 5,000 or
6,000 strong, and composed of cavalry, infantry, and artillery,
arrived at Lancaster, under the personal command of Prince Charles,
who gave instructions that the greater portion of this force should,
on its arrival at Preston, proceed to Manchester by way of Wigan, and
the smaller part through Blackburn and Rochdale, and thus concentrate
the main body at Manchester. The latter portion was seen marching over
Ashworth Moor, under the command of Lochiel of Glengarry, where they
halted to have refreshment, which consisted of oatmeal steeped in
water. Most of the country people fled on their approach, but there
was one who stood looking on, and that was James Lomax, of
Woolstenholme; he was asked to join the army but feigned not to
understand the question, but said he would jump agen the measter
(pointing to Glengarry) o'er that big stone fence, for a gallon of
ale. The bet was accepted, and Lomax had the first jump. Being a lithe
and supple fellow, he cleared it at a bound, ran down the back of the
fence wall, and was no more seen. The officers and men laughed at this
incident; and Lochiel, on turning round, perceived a streak of smoke
rising from the top of Knowle Hill. This and Lomax disappearing so
suddenly, caused great perplexity to those in command; and suspecting
that there might be a surprise before they got to the town, the troops
were ordered to fall in and make ready, and the advanced scouts to
keep a watchful eye both right and left of the road."
Another very amusing story relates to a Highlander who was billeted at
the Union Hotel.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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