University of Virginia Library

In the year se'enteen hundred and forty one,
An imperious and bloody war began,
Amongst kings and queens in Germanie,
Who should the Roman Emperor be.
French and Prussians did jointly go,
The Hungarian queen to overthro';
But British, Hanoverians, and Dutch,
Espous'd her cause, and that too much.
From year to year, the flame it grew,
Till armies to the field they drew,
At Dittingen and Fontenoy,
Did many thousand lives destroy.
And then the French, they form'd a plan,
To animate our Highland clan,
By sending the Pretender's son
To claim Great Britain as his own;
Which drew the British forces back,
And made the German war to slack.

In the month of July, forty-five,
This project into act, they drive.
Prince Charles, the Pretender's son,
On board a French frigate is gone,
With Sullivan, of Irish birth,
And Tilly-bairn of noble worth;
With other five Scots natives more,
Left Lazare, on Brittany shore.
First to Belleisle they steer'd their way
July the fifteenth, that very day,
Where they the Elis'beth did join,
A man-of-war, with arms and coin,
To be his guardian ship, and store,
But could not reach the British shore;
Altho' well mann'd with sixty guns,
The English Lion, made blood and wounds,
Her captain slew, and seventy more;
Made all her crew with wounds and gore,
Fly with the wind in haste to France,
And into Brest they got by chance.
Right narrowly, escaping sinking,
Show'rs of balls around them clinking.
Thus by the Lion, and captain Brett,
He and his convoy, were separate.
His frigate eleven guns did carry,
But on the battle, she did not tarry,
And thought it best to get away,
Because he'd been the richest prey:
The Scottish coast, he reach'd at last,
Amongst the Isles, into the west;
Near Lochaber, there did he land,
At Kinloch-moidart, I understand;
With one Macdonald he did stay,
And on his standard, did display
This motto, Tandem Triumphans,
At length triumphant, the English is.
His Manifestoes, also spread,
Which for the Scots, great favour had;
How that the Union, he'd dissolve,
And the tax from Malt, Salt and Coal;
And as for the High Church of England,
As now establish'd, 'twas to stand:
But for Scots Kirk, call'd Presbytry,
He would consider at more delay.
This set the clergy on his tap,
And kept some thousands from the trap,
Wherein with him they had been snar'd
If under arms, they had appear'd.
The Highland Chiefs drew clans together,
But of the end, did not consider,
If their designs, miscarry should,
How that they were, of all befool'd.
The Camrons rose, headed by Lochiel,
And Stewarts did under Appin dwell,
With the Macdonalds of Glengary.
These clans did first his arms carry,
Numbred one thousand, eight hundred men,
But badly arm'd, as you may ken;
With lockless guns, and rusty swords,
Durks and pistols of ancient sorts,
Old scythes, with their rumples even,
Into a tree, they had them driv'n;
And some, with battons of good oak,
Vow'd to kill at every stroke:
Some had hatchets upon a pole,
Mischievous weapons, antick and droll,
Was both for cleaving and for clieking,
And durking too, their way of speaking.
Their uniform, was belted plaids,
Bonnets of blew upon their heads,
With white cockade and naked thie
Of foot, as nimble as may be.
The rumour spread thro' all the land,
Of the Pretender and his band,
Then two companies padrolling went
Of Sinclair's soldiers, with intent,
For to disperse this rebel crew,
But found it was too hard to do;
Being surrounded by the way,
And forc'd their arms down to lay,
They prisoners of war were made,
Or with them list, they freedom had;
And, Swethenham of Guise's foot,
But he on parole, release got,
Who gave the real authentic count
What strength, the Highland pow'rs did mount,
Who did command, what clans they were,
How they encamped, when and where.
Then Sir John Cope gen'ralissimo,
Troops in Scotland prepar'd to go,
Break and scatter them, if he might,
Before they came to a great height,
And all inventions did contrive,
To catch that Prince, dead or alive.
A proclamation there was made,
Of thirty thousand for his head,
Yet this did not prevent his friends,
Him to assist with men, and means,
From different corners of the land,
They came for to augment his band.
But Cope into the North he went,
Thinking their growth for to prevent;
With all the foot he could collect,
Light arm'd they were, thinking to break
And scatter a wild unarmed crew,
Who that of fighting, nothing knew.
The horse he made at Stirling stay,
Under the wall encamp'd they lay,
While he march'd on from hill to hill,
But them to find he had no skill,
For Charles sent in their way a scout,
At which they follow'd close pursuit,
O'er the mountains to Inverness;
Before he heard where Charlie was,
Possessed of the town of Perth,
And there was join'd by men of worth,
The Drummonds and duke John by name
Whose stile was Perth, of noble fame;
There Elcho came, and Broughton too,
With Balmarino not a few,
Kilmarnock also gave consent
And afterwards unto them went,
With many more, from north to south,
Of gentlemen, the flow'r of youth.
Here of Prince Regent, he took the name,
And his royal Father did proclaim,
King of Great Britain, and Ireland,
With all its titles, you'll understand;
And here they lifted tax and cess,
Which did the lieges sore oppress,
And what was worse, I understand
Without his knowledge or command,
Some thievish bands, in many parts,
To cloak their rog'ry, us'd these arts,
In tartan dress'd from top to toe,
Arms and livery had also;
Plunder'd the country where they went,
Profess'd they by the Prince were sent,
To levy horse, men and money,
Extorting cash and horse from many;
Excise and cess made people pay,
And gave receipts, so just were they:
A famous way for making rich,
But Charlie got the blame of such,
Which did his merit sore defame,
And gave his men a thievish name.
Many of his crew indeed were greedy,
To fill their bellies when they were needy;
They cocks and hens, and churns and cheese
Did kill and eat, when they could seize,
And when owners did them exclaim;
“Hup poup, hersel be far frae hame,
“You need not fash to say no thing,
“Hersel brings you a bra' new king.”
From Perth they march'd unto Dumblane,
And then by Down the road they've ta'en;
By Stirling bridge they could not go,
Fearing the castle, and troops also,
Gard'ner and Hamilton's dragoons
Which lay encampt between the towns
Of St. Ninians and Stirling wall,
Impatiently waiting the call,
Thinking John Cope was on their rear,
Though no tidings could from him hear.
They watch'd their motions day and night
But five miles distant in their sight;
Until inform'd by an express,
Of Cope's marching from Inverness,
And then was bound for Aberdeen,
From thence to sail for East Lothi'n:
And so from Stirling to retreat,
On his arrival there to wait;
And were by no means to oppose
Them on their march, or come to blows,
Until the foot and horse unite;
This was John Cope's orders complete,
While Charles yet, he lay at Down,
And the dragoons at Stirling town:
A council call'd at his desire,
Held in the house of Arnprior,
With chiefs and heads of ev'ry clan,
Their expedition south to plan.
Some was with Gard'ner for to fight,
And others said, that was not right;
Unless in Glens, or mountain tops,
To fight horsemen they had no hopes.
If field they lost, what could they do,
Nought but their heels could them rescue;
We'll cross the Forth, then take the hill
Where horse can do us little ill;
Thus take the South at any rate,
Arms and money we'll surely get:
Then shall we be more fit by far,
To fight with men that's learn'd in war.
And that in field open and plain,
The victory they'd surely gain;
The mountain road 'tween Forth and Clyde,
Where's glens and bogs on ev'ry side,
A famous field, if need there be
We'll fight with more securitie.
Perhaps these horse will not us face,
Because no foot is in the place;
For certain, they'll not fight alone
Without infantry to lead them on.
Then reply'd Stewart of Glenbuck,
“We're them that loup before we look;
“What madness is't for so few, he said,
“To 'ttempt down pulling a crown'd head;
“'Bout two thousand is our number,
“What can we do, but raise a rumour,
“Though all be north us could be trusted,
“Yet by the South we will be worsted;
“Without a num'rous aid from France,
“With them we can have little chance.
“A people that's to Whiggism bound.
“With life and blood will keep their ground;
“And 'mongst them if we broken be,
“For shelter then, where can we flee?
“We already stand 'tween two fires,
“And yet go South is your desires.
“There's Cope behind, Gard'ner before;
“Beat one of these, I'll say no more.
“Gain but one battle, and then pursue,
“'Twill raise your fame and army too;
“But still run forward and be chac'd,
“That is no conquest but a jest.
“I'll rather choose to turn about,
“And try our might, this Cope to rout;
“For if the two rejoin, 'tis true,
“We'll find the work more hard to do;
“First break the foot, if that ye may,
“The horse then will no longer stay.”
At this high speech they took offence,
And charg'd him and his men, go hence;
For such a tim'rous soul as he,
Should not go in their companie:
A cow'rd, they said, so full of care,
Would fill their troops with dread and fear;
No trust he had in Providence,
In feats of war could have no chance.
And thus their counsel ends in rage,
Glenbucket's schemes they'll not engage,
But call'd him cow'rd and shabby names,
Who 'gainst their eager plan exclaims;
And in their strife they parted so,
Glenbucket to his sleep did go;
But how it happen'd none can tell,
Such accident on him befel:
They were alarmed with a shot,
Then found him bleeding on the spot;
Into the bed he lay alone,
But friend nor foe, with him was none.
Whether it was dregs of remorse,
Or thoughtful of the dang'rous course
He was engag'd to undergo;
But here he di'd, that's what I know.
His men the body carried home,
And decently did him intomb;
And through displeasure of the act,
Not one of them returned back.
September, on the thirteenth day,
From Down they march'd in good array;
And at the Frew they cross'd the Forth,
The only passage from the North;
Without the help of boat or brigs,
Charles himself first wet his legs;
Being on the front of all his foot,
For help of horse there sought he not;
And on the south bank there he stood,
'Till all of them, had pass'd the flood.
Here for a space they took a rest,
And had refreshment of the best
The country round them could afford,
Though many found but empty board;
As sheep and cattle were drove away,
Yet hungry men sought for their prey:
Took milk and butter, kirns and cheese;
On all kinds of eatables, they seize:
And he who could not get a share,
Sprang to the hills like dogs for hare;
There shot the sheep, and made them fall,
Whirl'd off the skin and that was all;
Struck up fires and broil'd the flesh,
With salt and pepper, did not fash.
This did enrage the Cam'ron's chief,
To see his men so play the thief;
And finding one into the act,
He fir'd and shot him through the back:
Then to the rest himself addrest,
“This is your lot, I do protest,
“Who e'er amongst you wrongs a man,
“Pay what you get, I tell you plain;
“For yet we know not friend or foe,
“Or how all things may chance to go.”
And then to arms they order'd were,
On thoughts of Gard'ner's coming there:
But finding that he did decline,
They took the hills on some design,
Where men on horse could hardly sit,
They speal'd the rocks like goat or cat.
Out o'r the top, above Red-ha',
To th'moor of Touch went one and a',
And in that moor lay all that night,
Where Stirling castle's in their sight,
About three miles south from the town,
Which made Gard'ner to leave his ground,
Who lay encampt in Stirling park,
And judging they might in the dark
Upon him have some rude design,
For which his camp he did resign,
But for Falkirk they march'd away,
And all that night in field they lay,
Between Larbour and Falkirk town,
Then the morrow were eastward bound,
Through Lithgow to Edinburgh went,
To meet with Cope was his intent.
When Charlie found that they were fled,
Upon their rear, his front he led,
And near to Stirling marched by,
While the castle at him let fly;
But being too far, and badly serv'd,
Nought but terror was observed;
Which made th'straglers mend their bicker,
And only run a pace the quicker;
Which kept them in from seeking plunder,
And cry, “That pe o'er muckle thunder.”
So through St. Ninian's they passed wi' speed;
To Bannockburn they did proceed;
There on the moor lay down to rest,
And from their friends got a repast,
Of what the country could afford,
As of 'munition they were not stor'd;
Neither of bread nor baggage carts,
Got bread and ale to cheer their hearts.
Came crowding in many a hunder
And all to keep them back from plunder;
As hunger will make men to steal.
Forsooth they took both brose and kail,
And when refresh'd, they march'd away
Yet some indeed forgot to pay.
Then through Torwood with speed they past,
To Callender house they came at last,
A little by east Falkirk town
Where store of arms in it they foun',
Whereof they surely stood in need.
Then to Linlithgow did proceed;
Op'ned the pris'n in search of more,
Thinking to seize on Gard'ner's store,
But th'information was but mocks,
For all they found was sacking frocks,
Which troopers use dressing their horse,
This made Hersel to rage and curse,
Saying, “Het, tat soger has been chac'd,
“And left his auld sark in the haste.”
To Borrowst'ness they did advance,
Where powder and lead they found by chance;
To Winceburgh then, they march'd that day
And form'd a camp in regular way,
About eight miles from Edin. west,
Expecting to be 'ttack'd in haste
By horse, cit'zens and city-guard,
Who all for marching were prepar'd,
Thinking, upon Corstorphin plain,
To give them battle they did intend:
But yet the Achans in the town
Advis'd to lay all arms down.
Then Genral Guest to the castle went,
Perceiving what was their intent
With what arms and reg'lars he had,
For nought they should not it invade.
When Charles found how all might be,
He marched on courageouslie,
Within two miles west from the town;
Then by Slateford took compass round,
By the south side of Burrow-muir,
Out of the castle's sight and power.
South from the city he camp'd again,
While the surrender was made plain.
In the night, September the seventeen,
Into the city all marched in;
Which gave to many a sad surprize,
Rapping at their doors to make them rise:
The castle then struck round her clear,
None in its sight there durst appear.
They fix'd a guard at the West-bow-head,
And the Weigh-house their Guard-house made,
Crowding it full, 'bove and below;
When this the Castle came to know,
Their half-moon-cannons 'gan to play:
Like mad-men then they ran away;
But such a furich was never there,
As they tumbled headlong down the stair:
All in a haste got out together,
And riding one above another;
Each striving foremost for to get,
Their naked hips and noses met.
They centries kept at the West-port,
Which did afford the Castle sport:
As oftentimes they did let fly,
Made many on the streets to lye:
And also on the Castle-hill,
Sham sallies did them many kill:
Ev'n for to draw them in the snare,
When they return'd, pursu'd they were,
Being unacquaint with such play,
They pop'd them off both night and day.
Then tidings came in from Dunbar,
Of Gen'ral Cope's arrival there
But twenty miles from Ed'nburgh east,
Which made them all take arms in haste.
On the east side of Arthur's seat,
They rendezvouz'd both small and great,
And call'd a council what to do:
For ten miles east they had a view
Of all the coast to Aberlady,
And so for battle made all ready.

The Duke of Perth and great Lochiel
They chus'd for ground, that rising fell
West from Tranent, up Brislie brae,
A view both South and North to ha'e.
A few were left on Arthur's Seat,
Thinking the king's army to cheat.