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Charles remained only one night at Glenfinnan. On the 20th
of August he marched to the head of Loch Lochy, where he encamped. At this
place, a copy of the proclamation for his apprehension was brought to him, which
exasperated the Highlanders to such a degree that they insisted on a counter one being
issued, offering a reward for the apprehension of "the Elector of Hanover".
Charles remonstrated against such a step, but he was forced to yield, and accordingly put
forth the following answer: "Charles, Prince of Wales, &c,. Regent of the
Kingdoms of Scotland, England, France, and Ireland, and the dominions thereunto belonging:
"Whereas we have seen a certain scandalous and malicious paper published in the style
and form of a proclamation, bearing date the 6th instant, wherein, under pretence of
bringing to justice, like our royal ancestor King Charles the I of blessed memory, there
is a reward of thirty thousand pounds sterling promised to those who shall deliver us into
the hands of our enemies, we could not but be moved with a just indignation at so insolent
an attempt. And though, from our nature and principles, we abhor and detest a practice so
unusual among Christian princes, we cannot but, out of a just regard to the dignity of our
person, promise the like reward of thirty thousand pounds sterling to him, or those, who
shall seize and secure till our father orders, the person of the Elector of Hanover,
whether landed or attempting to land in any part of his majesty's dominions. Should any
fatal accident happen from hence, let the blame be entirely at the door of those who first
set the infamous example". This proclamation, which was dated from the "camp at
Kinlocheil", was countersigned by Murray of Broughton, who had lately joined the
prince, and had been appointed his secretary.
On the 23d, the prince advanced to Fassifern, the seat of Lochiel's brother, where he
passed the night. While at Fassifern, intelligence was received by the prince of the march
of Sir John Cope from Stirling. Having previously sent off his baggage under an escort of
200 Camerons towards Moy, in Lochaber, Charles put his army in motion on the 24th, and
arrived at Moy on the following day. On the
26th, the prince crossed the water of Lochy with his army, and proceeded to the castle of
Invergary, in which he took up his quarters for the night. During the night, he received
an express from Gordon of Glenbucket, acquainting him, that Sir John Cope was considerably
advanced in his march to the north, and that he intended to cross Corriearrick. About the
same time, he was visited by Fraser of Gortlech, who came to him in name of Lord Lovat, to
assure him of his lordship's services. Fraser advised him to march north, and raise the
Frasers of Stratherrick, and assured him that Sir Alexander Macdonald, the laird of
Macleod, and many of the Mackenzies, Grants, and Mackintoshes, would join him; but the
proposal was opposed by the Marquis of Tullibardine and secretary Murray, the latter of
whom considered the early possession of Edinburgh, where he alleged there were many
persons ready to join the ranks of the insurgents, of more importance than any advantages
that might be derived by remaining in the Highlands.
This opinion was adopted by Charles, who next morning proceeded to Abertarf in Glengarry.
He was joined at Low Bridge by 260 of the Stewarts of Appin, under the command of Stewart
of Ardshiel, and at Aberchallader, near the foot of Corriearrick, by 600 of the Macdonells
of Glengarry, under the command of Macdonell of Lochgarry; and by a party of the Grants of
Glenmoriston. With these accessions the force under Charles amounted to nearly 2,000 men.
Charles now held a council of war to deliberate upon the course he should pursue, -
whether to advance and give battle to Cope, or postpone an engagement till he should
receive additional strength. It was clearly the interest of Charles to meet his adversary
with as little delay as possible, and as his forces already outnumbered those opposed to
him, he could not doubt but that the result of an engagement would be favourable to his
arms. The council, every member of which was animated with an ardent desire to engage
Cope, at once resolved to meet him. This resolution corresponded with the inclinations of
the clans, all of whom, to use the expression of Fraser of Gortuleg on the occasion, were
"in top spirits", and making sure of victory.
The determination of the council, and the valorous enthusiasm of the clans, acting upon
the ardent mind of the prince, created an excitement, to which even he, with all his
dreams of glory and ambition, had before been a stranger. The generous and devoted people
into whose hands he had committed the destinies of his house, struck with admiration by
the condescension, and that easy yet dignified familiarity which never fails to secure
attachment, were ready to encounter any danger for his sake. No man knew better than
Charles how to improve the advantages he had thus obtained over the minds and affections
of these hardy mountaineers. Becoming, as it were, one of themselves, he entered into
their views, - showed an anxiety to learn their language, which he daily practised, - and
finally resolved to adopt their dress. This line of policy endeared him to the
Highlanders, and to it may be ascribed the veneration in which his memory is still held by
their descendants, at the distance of more than a century. Having in this way inspired his
faithful Highlanders with a portion of his own natural ardour, they in their turn, by the
enthusiasm they displayed, raised his expectations of success to the highest possible
pitch. A remarkable instance of this was exhibited before commencing the march next
morning, when, after putting on his Highland dress, he solemnly declared, when in the act
of tying the latchets of his shoes, that he would not unloose them till he came up with
Cope's army.
Desirous of getting possession of the defiles of Corriearrick before Cope should ascend
that mountain, Charles began his march from Aberchallader at four o'clock on the morning
of the 27th August. His army soon reached the top of the hill, and was beginning to
descend on the south side, when intelligence was brought the prince, that Cope had given
up his intention of crossing Corriearrick and was in full march for Inverness. Cope had
put his army in motion the same morning towards Garviemore; but when his van reached
Blarigg Beg, about seven miles and a half from Dalwhinnie, he ordered his troops to halt,
to face about, and, in conformity with the opinion of his council, to take the road to
Inverness by Ruthven. To deceive Charles, Cope had left behind, on the road to Fort
Augustus, part of his baggage, some companies of foot, and his camp colours. The news of
Cope's flight (for it was nothing else) was received by the Highland army with a rapturous
shout, which was responded to by the prince, who, taking a glass of brandy, said, with a
jeering smile, "Here's a health to Mr Cope; he is my friend, and if all the usurper's
generals follow his example, I shall soon be at St James's". Every man, by the
prince's orders, drank this toast in a glass of usquebaugh. The Highlanders immediately
put themselves in motion, and marched down the traverses on the south side of the mountain
with great celerity, as if in full pursuit of a flying enemy, on whose destruction they
were wholly bent.
The Highland army continued the same rapid pace till it reached Garviemore, where it
halted. A council of war was then held, at which various proposals were made for pursuing
and intercepting the enemy; but none of them were agreed to. The council finally resolved
to abandon the pursuit of Cope, - to march to the south, and endeavour to seize Edinburgh;
the possession of which was considered, particularly by secretary Murray, as of the
highest importance. This determination was by no means relished by the clans, who were
eager for pursuing Cope, whose army they expected to have annihilated; but their chiefs
having concurred in the resolution, they reluctantly acquiesced. A party of 600
Highlanders, however, volunteered to follow Cope under cloud of night; and undertook to
give a good account of his army, but the prince dissuaded them from the enterprise.
From Garviemore, Charles despatched Macdonald of Lochgarry with a party of 200 men, to
seize the small fort of Ruthven, in which there was a garrison of regular troops; but the
vigilance of the commander rendered the attempt abortive, and the Highlanders were
repulsed with a trifling loss. A party of Camerons, commanded by Dr Cameron, was sent to
the house of Macpherson of Cluny, the chief of the Macphersons, who commanded a company in
the services of the government, to apprehend him, and succeeded.
On the 29th of August, the Highland army was again put in motion, and advanced towards
Dalnacardoch. At Dalwhinnie, they were rejoined by Dr Cameron and his party, bringing
along with them Macpherson of Cluny, who, after a short interview with the prince,
promised to raise his clan for his service. On giving this assurance he was released, and
went home to collect his men. Next day, Charles marched to the castle of Blair, which had been abandoned by the
Duke of Athole on his approach. The Marquis of Tullibardine took possession of the castle
as his own property, and immediately assumed the character of host, by inviting Charles
and the Highland chiefs to supper. To make his guests as comfortable as possible, the
marquis had written a letter from Dalnacardoch, to Mrs Robertson of Lude, a daughter of
Lord Nairne, desiring her to repair to the castle, to get it put in proper order, and to
remain there to do the honours of the house on the prince's arrival.
At Blair, Charles was joined by Lord Nairne, and several other Perthshire gentlemen; but
the greater part of the resident gentry had fled on hearing of the entrance of the
Highland army into Athole. Charles reviewed his army the morning after his arrival at the
castle, when he found that a considerable number of his men were wanting. Some officers
were immediately sent to bring them up, and the only reason they assigned for loitering
behind, was that they had been denied the gratification of pursuing Cope.
From Blair, Charles sent forward Lord Nairne, and Lochiel, with 400 men, to take
possession of Dunkeld, which they entered on the morning of the 3d of September. In this
town they proclaimed the Chevalier. After remaining two days at the castle of Blair,
Charles repaired on the 2d September to the house of Lude, where he spent the night, and
next day went to Dunkeld, whence he proceeded to Lord Nairne's house, on the road to Perth. While at dinner, the conversation turning upon the
character of the enterprise, and the peculiarity of the prince's situation, some of the
company took occasion to express their sympathy for the prince's father, on account of the
state of anxiety he would be in, from the consideration of those dangers and difficulties
the prince would have to encounter. But Charles, without meaning to depreciate his
father's cares, observed that he did not pity him half so much as his brother;
"for", said he, "the king has been inured to disappointments and
distresses, and had learnt to bear up easily under the misfortunes of life; but poor
Harry! his younger and tender years make him much to be pitied, for few brothers love as
we do". |
