appearing beares his name to this day and by the neighbouring inhabitants is called Graemsdijke And this same founder of that Noble race after the death of his Sonne in Law King Ferguse being declared Administrator of the Kingdome and appointed Governour to the young King his grandchilde was no lesse famous for his peaceable Government then exploits of warre For having recalled and brought home againe the Doctors and Professors of the Christian faith banished by late persecution warre to their native Countrey settled aswel the Church as Kingdome with wholesome Laws of his own free accord gave up the Government to his Grand-child now grown to some ripenes oâ— yeares He lived in the dayes of Honorius and Arcadius Emperours about the yeare of our Lord 400. from whose loynes sprang a long flowrishinâ— stemme of sons and nephewes who inheriting still that theâ— greate Grandfathers Vertues grew famous in the following generations Among these that valiant Graeme was eminent who with Dunbarre brought timous aide to his Countrey then in greate danger by the Dones who having overpowered England from thence with greate Armies often but in vaine invaded Scotland And after that most Noble Iohn Graeme came short for vertue just renowne of none of all his auncestors who after the fatall end of Alexander the third of that name King of Scots in the time of the interraigne Bruce and Baliol then disputing which of them two had the iuster right and title to the Succession with that so justly admired William VVallace Governour of the Kingdome played the most valiant Champion for defence and recoverie of his Countreys libertie from the unjust usurpation of Edward the first King of England In the which quarrell after manie gallant acts atcheived by him like a worthie Patriotte he died nobly fighting in the Field The sepulchre of this renowned Knight is yet exstant in a Church called Fallkirk for Wallkirk from the foresaid Wall of Severus or Graems dijke neare to which it is built about the which wall also the Lord Marques of Montrose enjoyeth divers large fruitfull farmes or feilds by right of inheritance from that first Graeme through so manie hands ages transmitted unto him Yet least we may seeme only to deduce this most famous worthie the splendour of his noble Pedegree from the obscure trace of so remote antiquitie we shal descend to later better known times And so cannot passe his Grandfather Earle of Montrose in silence who almost in our own memorie was raised to places of greatest honour and trust in that Kingdome which he most faithfully and worthly discharged For being Lord High Chauncelour of Scotland at what time Iames the sixt of that name of ever blessed memorie went to possesse the crowne of England he was by the same King created and left behind him Viceroy of Scotland in which highest place and degree of dignitie he died aequally beloved and deare to King and people And then the Father of this man singularly endowed with all eminentest graces of mind and body so as few living in his time could equall him and no lesse famous in forragne nations then at home For when he hade performed many honourable Embassages for King Iames was by King Charles declared Lord high President of the Supreme counsell and being snatched away in his prime by an untimly deathe from his King countrey and all good men he died much lamented and highly estemed in every mans affections And now what men should think of and hope from this present man Grandchild to the Viceroy and Lord high Presidents Sonne let every one that pleaseth judge by the things he hath already atcheived when now it is a yeare and an halfe since he left that Kingdome and yet hath not attained to the thirty and sixth yeare of his age One thing only more will I adde in thy favour Courteous Reader from the auntient Monuments of that Kingdome That three almost fatall periods have threatned heretofore the Scots Nation first from the Romans whose yoke our farefathers did shake of under the conduct of that first Graeme who was lineally descended out of that auntient noble Brittish family of the Fulgentij The second from the Danes who that they never gotte the Masterie and Lordship over vs we owe it especially to the greatest valour of that second Graeme The third from the English Normans whom that thrid Graeme ofâ—ner then once did beate and drive out of Scotland and in many bitter conflicts did them much mischeiffe So that as they were wont to say of the Scipions in Afrik we may say of our Graems that that name by a luckie destinie hath been appointed for the succour of their native covntrey in greatest dangers distresses that in these the worst times that ever was this man was not raised but by speciall divine providence to preserve the Kings just rights to restore to his fellow subjects their wonted peace libertie safetie and infinitly to encrease the auncient splendour and glory of his own Family And this is all that I thought fitt to have briefly praemised of my Lord Marquis of Montrose Now of the Authour himself conceive this much That he is a man not very conversant in these Studies nor ambitious to be praised for excellency of wit which he acknowledges to have but small or none nor covetous of reward or gaine which are the sharpest spurres that in this age doe push men to it to putte hand to the Pen. But that he did put hand to this worke only being enflamed with and ardent zeale of propagating truthe to after ages forraigners For how many are ready to patronise and magnifie even greatest villanies when they prosper and how few to advance and defend truth once afflicted cast downe he had learned by too late and sad experienc ein a cauâ—e very neare of Kinn to this When the conjured Rebells of both Kingdomes by their ordinary tricks of lying and slandering had overthrown the Church that with the revenues thereof purchased by hellish sacriledge they might sacrifice to their own greedie avarice and enrich their children with the heavie curse of God yet wanted they not those who extolled them to the skies as well deservers of their Countrey yea of the verie Church it self which they have pillaged and even of all mankind in generall when on the contrarie they proscribed defamed rent and tore a peeces with al manner of blasphemies and curses all those most holy men of God Confessors Martyrs for so they were indeed who constantly and couragiously opposed and withstood their rapines And therefore he thought it was no wayes to be doubted that those same men who by the same wicked practises weÌ„t about to pul under feete the Majestie of so good a King to swell high with his honours prerogatives and patrimony which they had gained by perfidious trecheries rebellions treasons would find too to many such sycophants whereof the world is full who by
observed all his behaviour words and deeds After this marching over the river of Tine fourâ— miles above Newcastle by the treachery of the Englisâ— Commanders who had retreated to York with a potenâ— Army of the Kings the Scots possesse themselves oâ— that Towne and thereupon Commissioners being appointed on either side to treat of a Peacâ— a Trucâ— was presently made In the time of this Truce Monâ— trose had sent letters unto the King professin ghis fideâ—lity and most dutifull and ready obediency to hiâ— Majesty nor did the Letters contain any thing else These being stoln away in the night and coppied ouâ— by the Kings own Bed-chambermen men most endeaâ—red to the King of all the world were sent back by theâ— to the Covenanters at Newcastle and it was the fashioâ— with those very men to communicate unto the Coâ—venanters from day to day the Kings most secret counâ—sels of which they themselves onely were either auâ—thors or partakers And some of the forwarder sort oâ— the Rebels were not ashamed to taxe Montrosse bitterly enough with those letters and all though they durst not make an open quarrell of it or call him publiquely to account because he was so powerfull and welbeloved in the Army yet they loaded him with back bitings slanders among the people For they had obliged unto themselves most of the Preachers through out the Kingdome whose mercenary tongues they made use of to winde and turn the mindes of the people which way they would Nor did they promote their Rebellion more effectually any other way nor do yet then this to have those doughty Oratours in their popular preachments to raile bitterly against the King and all his loyall Subjects as the enemies of Christ as they love to speake being themselves the while the very shame and scandall of Christianity Montrose returning into Scotland and thinking of nothing but how to preserve his Majesty from that storm of Rebellion hanging over his head at last resolved of this course He joynes many of the prime men for Nobility and Power in a League with himselfe in which they vowed to defend the Kings Majesty and all his royall priviledges and ancient and lawfull Prerogatives with the hazard of their lives and estates against all his enemies as well home-bred as foraign unto the last breath in their bodies And truly it came to that passe that there had been an open division in the Army which was his aim had not some for fear levity or cowardise which are bad keepers of counsell betrayed the whole businesse to the Covenanters Heare arose no small stirres and braules but were pacified againe in a while for neyther yet durst they offer any open violence to Montrose But afterward the confederates having given a new oath made sure the Army at their devotion and joyning themselves to the Parliament of England in a strict Covenant although they saw themselves secure enough from the subtlest designes of any private man yet they seriously consult how they should take Montrose out of the way whose Heroick spirit being fixt on high honourable howsoever difficult atchievements they could not endure To make their way therefore unto so villanous an act by the assistance of some Courtiers whom with gifts promises they had corrupted they understood that the King had written letters to Montrose and that they were quilted in the saddle of the bearer one Stuart belonging to the Earle of Traquair The beater was scarce entered the borders of Scotland but they apprehend him rip his saddle finde the letters There was nothing at all written in them which did not become the best of Kings to command the best of Subjects to obey Neverthelesse those most exact crafts-masters in the arts of Lying and Slandering set about horrible and tragicall reports by their apt Ministers that at last all the Kings plots with Montrose for the overthrow of Religion the ruine of the Kingdome were found out and discovered Nor yet neither durst they afford him a publique tryall but on a suddain when he suspected nothing thrust him with Napier Lord of Marchiston and Sir Sterling Keer Knight two both of his neer kindred and intimate familiars into the castle of Edinburgh At length a Pacification being made between the people of both Kingdomes between whom there had been no war onely they laid their heads together against their most just and gracious King a Parliament was called at Edinburgh where the King in person was present Montrose desires most earnestly to be tryed before the King and that solemne Assembly but to no purpose for the Covenanters being conscious enough of his innocency and their own guilt applyed their speciall endeavours to detain the Gentleman in prison unheard untill such time as the King was got out of Scotland and they had concluded all things with the King in Parliament according to their hearts desire And certainly they were much afraid lest by his wisdome and courage and the esteem he was in as well with his Peers of the Nobility as with the people he should have fetch 't off the greatest number of either sort to his own resolution for the preservation of his Majesties Power and Authority At last the King returning into England Montrose and his friends are set at liberty and because it was ordered in Parliament that he should not come into conference with the King he sat still a while at his own house This was towards the end of the year 1641. CHAP. II. IN the year 1642. the Covenanters of both Kingdomes began to unmask themselves let us see more plainly what they meant to do The Rebells in Eng-England began to vexe the King with unjust unreasonable unseasonable Petitions and Complaints bespatter him with malitious slanders prophane his sacred Name in scurâ—ilous songs and Ballads villifie him in infamous Libells Pasquiâ—ls or Pamphlets raise Tumults arme great numbers of the scumme and rascally sort of the people and engage them upon the Kings palace in a word threaten all extremity to him his whom although he might have justly punished himself yet he chose rather to reser them to the Parliament that he might the more oblige it unto himself But it was to no end for so gracious a King to gratifie that many things more to so ungracious so ingrateful men who were the very authors and abettors of these villanies For he had already granted more and greater Graces to his Subjects for the ease of their grievances which they pretended and the security of their persons and estates then all his ancestors the Kings of England together from William the conquerour downward Therefore at last that he might withdraw himself his family from present danger he is forced sore against his mind to depart London He sends the Queen out of the way into Holland for the safety of her life betakes himself to York The States of Parliament as they call themselves forthwith before the King take up armes
therefore who saw the king was like to be ruined by his own authority and saw to that he was too weake to oppose himself both against the strength of the Covenanters the Kings abused Commission in a melancholy mood made as if he took no notice of any thing And the Covenanters supposing that he had received some distaste from the King by reason of the affront he received at York and Hamiltons over-povvering him they set upon him yet againe privately and by friends to see if by intreaty or interest they could draw him to their side offering him authority and wealth even the greatest Honour Civill and Military Which offers he did not seem much to slight that by that meanes he might have an easier vvay to dive into their counsells The Covenanters that this groving friendship might be the better cemented and sanctified God blesse us send unto him that great Apostle of their Covenant Alexander Henderson who should give him full satisfaction in all his scruples Montrose heartily desired to speake with that fellow out of whom he doubted not to pump all the secrets of the Covenanters and lest a private meeting with such a man should give a scandall to the Kings friends he tooke the Lords Napier and Ogleby Sir Sterling Keere to be witnesses of the discourse and on the bank of the river Forth not far from Sterling theâ— met Montrose made as though he accounted himselfâ— very happy and much honoured in the visit of so worthy a man upon vvhose faith honesty and judgement he so much relied Told him That tâ— give the ill opinion of his enemies leave to breath it selfe after some late mistakes he was content to stay at home that he knew nothing of what was done in Parliament that he was almost at a losse how to behave himselfe in that ticklish condition the Common-wealth stood and therefore beseeched him for old acquaintance sake to let him freely know what they intended Henderson taking it for granted by these expressions that he was wheeling about towards the Covenanters that he might the more oblige the Marquesse unto him answered him flatly and without more adoe That it was resolved to send as strong an army as they could raise in aid of their brethren of England against the Kings forces that the Covenanters of both Kingdomes had unanimously agreed upon this either to dye or bring the King to their lure that nothing could fall out more happily then that he should renew his friendship with his Peers of the Nobility and the rest of the Kingdome that so doing he would give great content to all men besides the honour and profit that would redound to himselfe that by his example others if others there were that idolized the empty shadow of the Kings name would give most hearty thanks unto his Lord God that he had vouchsafed to make use of him as the Minister and ever Mediatour of so great a worke and at last entreated him to speake out his minde and commit all such things to his care and industry as he should desire from the Parliaments either in relation to his honour or profit assuring him he satisfied his hearts desire Montrose having gotten out the knowledge of those things which he eagerly sought for now bethought himselfe how he should keep Henderson and his party in suspence a while that they should not yet get within him For what answere could he give them If he should professe himselfe to be against their courses that would doe the King no good and might bring a great deale of danger upon himselfe and on the other side to put them in greater hopes of him by promising those things he never meant to performe as being a staine unto his honour Therefore he takes this course there was present at that conference with Hinderson one Sir Iames Rollock Chiefe of a very ancient and flourishing family his former wife had been Montrose his sister after whose death he married the sister of the Marques of Argyle the ring-leader of the Covenanters in Scotland thus being allied unto them both he seemed to be a very fit mediatour of friendship between them Montrose askes him whether those things which had passed between them proceeded from the direction of the Parliament or out of their owne good wills He answered he conceived that Master Henderson had received Commission from the Parliament to that purpose but Henderson said no but he made no question but the Parliament would make good any thing that he promised Montrose told them he could resolue upon nothing except he had the Publque Faith to build upon especialy the messengers disâ—greing between themselves Where upon as thâ— fashion is on such occasions one of them layes thâ— blame upon the other when both of them ought râ—ther to have condemned their owne carlesnesse anâ— negligence The conference being thus ended Moâ—trose having obtained his ends and they being no wâ—â—ser then they came thither every one went his owâ— way CHAP. III. MOntrose being returned from this Conference related all things as they had passed unto some select friends whom hee could safely trust and withaâ— entreated them that for the greater confirmation oâ— the businesse they would all goe along with him to the King that his Majesty receiving a full account oâ— all things might lend his eare to sound counsell and yet if it was possible provide a remedy against so threatning evils Most of them were of opinion Thaâ— the King and his authority were utterly ruined and irrecoverable that is was a thing passing the power of man to reduce thaâ— Kingdome to obedience that for their parts they had acquiâ—ted themselves before God and the world and their owne consciences that hitherto with the disgrace of their persons the losse of their estates and the hazard of their lives they had continued in their allegeance hereafter they would be onely lookers on and petitioners unto Almighty God for better times Montrose who could by no meanes be removed from so honest a resolution communicating his counsell to the Lord Ogiléy whom of all men he especially loved goes straight to Oxford The King was absent thence being gone to the siege of Glocester He imparts unto the Queen what designes the Scottish Covenanters had against his Majesty but he had as good have said nothing for she had determined not to beleeve a word by reason of the farre greater confidence she reposed in Hamilton his brother Montrose seeing no good was to be done with the Queen goes to Glocester and declares all things to the King himselfe How there was a powerfull army to be raised in Scotland a day appointed on which it should be brought into England how their counsels were manifestly knowne unto him how to fetch him over to their side they had offered him very honourable Commands in the army but that he heartily detesting so horrid an employment had fled to his Majesty that he having notice thereof if he were
not able to provide so timely powerful a remedy as could be wished at least might cast some blocks rubs in their way untill such time as he had settled his affaires in England that the traitours of either Kingdome might be easily dealt withall by themselves but if they came once to joyne their forces they would be hardly supprest that there were very many in Scotland who would sacrifice themselves and all that they had for their dearest King whose good will would be of no use unto his Majesty after the Covenanters had raised their army but destructive unto themselves that the haughty spirits of the Traitors were to be sneap't in time their strength broken before it grew too big lest the beginnings bâ—ing neglected repentance should prove the onely opposition that could be made afterward These things and to this effect did Montrose continually presse unto the King but in vaine for he had not onely the strong and deeply rooted confidence his Majesty had of the Hamiltons to struggle with but the devices of a set of desperate Courtiers beside who daily buzzed in the Kings eares Montrose's youth his rashnesse his ambition the envy and hatred he bare unto the Hamiltons and what not on the other side the Hamiltons fidelity their honesty their discretion their power Thus Montrose nothing prevailes the King returnes to his winter quarters at Oxford And al though his Majesty saw very well reports coming thick and threefold of the Scottish army that all was true that Montrose had told him yet the most religious King determined upon no termes to give any occasion of quarrell to the Scots till first they entered England resolving that he for his part would perfectly observe the Articles of Pacification he had made with them which if they should violate he doubted noâ— but they should highly answer it both to God him While these things were discussed at Oxford the Covenanters in Scotland bring their businesse about according to their desires no one opposing them They raise as big an army as they can which consisted of eighteen thousand Foot and two thousand Horse and at last when they had marched unto the very borders the Hamiltons were not ashamed to give the King notice by letters of the approach of that formidable Army making this their excuse that according to their engagement they had prevented an invasion the summer before but now that winter was come on they were able to keep them out no longer but they would come in immediately with a powerfull Army The King when he saw himselfe thus grosly abused sends for Montrose shewes him the Hamiltons letters and at last when it was even too late askes his advice what was best to be done Montrose tells him that his Majesty might now see that what he had before given him notice of had neither proceeded from ambition nor malice nor any self-ends but from his bounden duty and allegeance that for above a twelve-month hee had been continually pressing both their Majesties to prevent this that he accounted himselfe very unhappy that all that while so faithfull a servant could not be credited by so good a Master that the case seemed now desperate but if the King had a minde he might trust them againe who by pretence of his authority had bound some of his frieÌ„ds hands that they could not assist him drawn in others who intended nothing lesse under colour of Loyalâ—y to fight against him given up unto the Rebells now that they had got an army all that they had without striking a stroke The King complaining that he was most abominably betrayed by them with whom he had entrusted his Crowne his Secrets his Life earnestly demanded his advice He repeating againe the lamentablenesse of the condition in which things novv stood neverthelesse offered that if his Majesty so thought good he vvould either lose his life vvhich if he did he would be sure it should seeme rather sold then lost or else vvhich he did not despaire of he vvould reduce his Country men and bring the Rebels there into subjection The King being no little pleased vvith the confidence undauntednesse and gallantry of the man that he might more advisedly contrive his designe desired him to take two or three dayes to consider of and so dismist him Montrose returning at the time appointed shewes his Majesty how desperate an adventure he was vndertaking that al Scotland was under the Covenanters coÌ„mand that they had garrisoned al places of strength that they were plentifully provided both of men and money and armes and ammunition and victuall alâ— things necessarâ— for a Warre that the English Rebells were joyned with them in a most strict Covenant to defend one another against all the world But for his owne part he had nothing to set up with neither men nor armes nor pay yet he would not distrust Gods Assistance in a righteous cause and if the King would lay his Commands upon him he would undertake to doe his best The King should be in no worse case theâ— he was He himself would take what malice envy oâ— danger should fall upon himselfe so that his Majestâ— were graciously pleased to condescend to a few reasonable requests And first that the businesse might gâ— on more successefully it seemed to him very necessary that the King should send some souldiers out of Irelanâ— into the west of Scotland Next that he should give oâ—der to the Marquesse of Newcastle who was the General of the Kings forces towards Scotland that he shouâ—â— assist Montrose with a party of horse to enter the souâ— of Scotland by which meanes he might convey himseâ— into the heart of the Kingdome Then that he shoulâ— deale with the King of Denmarke for some troops oâ— Germane horse And lastly that his Majesty should takâ— some course to procure and transport some armes out of some forraigne countrey into Scotland nothing needed more but humane industry the successe was Gods part and to be referred to his providence The King commending his counsell giving him thankes that he apprehended some life in the businesse encourageth him to fit himselfe cheerfully for so great a worke wished him to leave the care of those things he had requested unto him And truly for the matter of aid out of Ireland the King sends for the Earle of Antrim and acquaints him with Montrose's design This Antrim is of Scottish extraction descended of the noble and ancient Family of the Mac-Donalds a man of great estate and power in Ireland allyed to the prime Nobility of England by matching with the Duchesse of Buckingham He being driven out of his own countrey lived at Oxford and cheerfully undertooke the negotiation with the Irish upon himself and engaged himselfe also voluntarily unto Montrose that he would be in Argyle a part of Scotland bordering upon Ireland with ten thousand meÌ„ by the first of Aprill 1644. this passed in December 1643. And as
for forraigne aides and armes the King sent Sir Iohn Cockeram his Embassadour about it with his Commission and Instructions And directions unto the Marquesse of Newcastle were carried by some of Montrose's own company Who receiving the Kings Letters and Commission to be Governour of Scotland and Generall of the Army there made himselfe ready for his journey In the interim newes comes on a sudden that Duke Hamilton with his brother the Earle of Lanericke were posting up to Oxford They that they might make their accesse easier to the King who had hitherto given eare unto their counsells and to continue or recover the good opinion the King had of them gave out all the way as they came especially unto Governours of Shires and Townes and Commanders oâ— the Army that they were banished their Countrey that they had been plundered of their estates by the Covenanters for their loyalty to the King and that for safety of their lives with which they had hardly escaped they fled to Oxford But Montrose and those of his minde saw plainly that these were but tales oâ— their own making of purpose to wipe off the suspicion of this new guilt and that by this meanes they in confidence of that esteeme they had lately with the King and of a strong faction they drove at Court doubted not but they should stand as fair in his opinion as ever if they were but once admitted into the Kings presence and that the onely businesse they haâ— thither was by defeating Montrose againe clearly to extinguish that little sparke of Loyalty that was noâ— yet quite out in Scotland And Montrose delivered himselfe freely that for his part he would never stand by to be witnese of so great an oversight anâ— therefore humbly besought the King that he would give him leave to seeke his fortune in some forraigne countrey if these men that had deceived him so of should be received againe into favour not that he desired any severyty should be used against them onely he wished the King might have a care that they should do him no more harme The King was drawne with much a doe that they should be forbiddenâ— the Court yet for all that he suffered the Earl of Lanericke to live in the City But he by whose instigations I cannot tell betakes himself from Oxford to Londen to the Parliament of England and not long after to the Scotch Army which had now entered England and never since hath failed to doe them the best service he could The escape of his brother so much moved the King that he saw it high time to secure the Duke himself There were severall Scots in the Kings Court and Army who were suspected and perhaps not without reason to favour the Covenanters too much and to give intelligence unto them of the Kings counsels Montrose that he might put these to the touch tooke this course He got a Protestation to be drawne up by the Kings authority unto which all Scots who would have the reputation of honest men were to set theirâ— hands Wherein they professed themselves heartily to detest the courses of the Covenanters condemned especially the bringing in of an army into England against the King and the Lawes of the Land as an act of high treason promised and vowed to acquit themselves of that scandall and to the utmost of their power with the hazard of their lives and fortunes to oppose those that were guilty of that crime This Protestation all men of honour and honesty readily tooke but there were two in whom the King â—rusted most of all Scotch men next to the Hamiltons to wit the Earle of Trequaire Mr. William Murray of the Bed chamber who were difficultly brought unto it at last with much reluctancy and fear of being discovered traitours yet even they engaged themselves by a solemne Oath at a certain day to be aiding assisting unto Montrose in Scotland which Oath of theirs afterward they most unworthily violated This being done and Montrose on his journey from Oxford towards Scotland those that were the Hamiltons creatures and other false-hearted Courtiers began to blast the Honour of Montrose to call him a vaine and ambitious man who had attempted an impossible thing to extoll above measure the power of the Covenanters and that they might deteâ—re every one from engaging himself in so noble an exploit gave out every where most maliciously that no good was ever to be expected from Montrose He being little troubled with the calumnies of unworthey men came forward to Yorke so to Durham where he sees that the Kings Instructions be sent to the Marquesse of Newcastle and the next day they met and conferred Newcastle discours't of nothing but the distresses and necessities of his Army how the Rebell Scots breaking in in the midst of winter had spoiled his Recruits and that now in farre greater numbers then he they quartered within five miles of him that he could not possibly spare any Horse without a manifest hazard to the whole Army Montrose urged on the other side that nothing could do Newcastle more service then to let him have a party of Horse in which he was very strong with him into Scotland that so he might either divert or at least divide the enemy and by kindling a fire in their owne houses fetch them home againe to defend themselves Newcastle courteously replyed that assoon as he had wound himself out of that present danger he would not be wanting in any service to Montrose which promise there is no doubt but a person of so much Honour and Loyalty would most surely have performed had he continued any while in the Command of those parts In the meane time all that he could do for the present was to afford him about one hundred Horse but lean ones and ill accoutred which was not the Generals fault but some mens private spleen with two brasse Field-pieces Moreover he sent his Orders unto the Kings Officers and Commanders in Cumberland and Westmorland that they should give Montrose all the succour and assistance they could make for his journey into Scotland Montrose going towards Carlisle was accordingly met by the Cumberland and Westmorland men consisting of eight hundred Foot and three troops of Horse who according to the Marquesse of Newcastles Command were to waite upon him into Scotland Montrose himselfe brought with him two hundred Horse most of them Noblemen and Gentlemen and such as had been Captaines either in Germany France or England With which small forces nor over trusty neither he entered Scotland on the 13. of Aprill for he made the more hast lest he should have been absent at the time appointed by the Earl of Antrim CHAP. IIII. MOntrose having entred Scotland had come to the river of Anan when upon a mutiny among the English occasioned by Richard Grahams Souldiers almost all of them flie their Colours and in all hast runne back to England Notwithstanding he with his own men came
with them and therefore was a sound with which those parts were little acquainted it discovered also that Montrose himself was there Neverthelesse the prime of the Campbells that 's the syrname of Argyle's family being gallant men and stout and deserving to fight under a better Chieftain in a better cause cheerfully begin the battell But their souldiers that were in the Front having only once discharged their muskets and Montrose's men pressing on fiercely to come to the dint of sword began to run Whom they raising a great shout so eagerley pursued that as it were at one assault they routed them all and had the killing of them with a most horrible slaughter for nine miles together Of the enemy were slain fifteen hundred among whom were very many Gentlemen of the Campbells who where chief men of the family and of good account in their Country who fighting but too valiantly for their Chieftain had deaths answerable to their names and fell in Campo Belli in the Field of War I cannot say the bed of Honour Their fortune Montrâ—se extreamly lamented and saved as many of them as hee was able taking them into his protection whiles Argyle himself being gotten into a boat and rowed a little way off the shore securely look't on whiles his kindred and souldiers were knockt on the head Some Colonels and Captains that Argyle had brougt thither out of the Low-lands fled into the Castle whom when the Castle was surrendred and quarter was given unto them Montrose used courteously and after he had done them severall good offices of humanity charity freely let them depart In this fight Montrose had many wounded but none slain saving three private souldiers but the joy of this great victory was much abated by the wounds of that truly honourable Sir Thomas Ogleby sonne to the Earl of Airley of which after a few dayes he dyed He was one of Montrose's dearest friends one who had done very good service for the King in England under the Command of his Father-inlaw the Lord Ruthien Earl of Forth and Braineford a man known all the world over for his noble achievements Nor was he lesse a scholler then a souldier being a new ornament to the family of the Oglebyes whose honourable deaths-wounds for his King and Country had no small influence upon that dayes victory Montrose being very much afflicted with the losse of him causeth his body to be carried into Athole where he was interred with as sumptuous a funerall as thaâ— place and those times could afford But the power of the Campbelâ—â— in the Highlands which for these many ages past hath been formidable to their neighbours was by this overthrow clearly broken to pieces and by it also a way opened unto Montrose to do his businesse the more easily thenceforward For the Highlanders being warlike men and let loose from the hated tyranny of Argyle now began to offer themselves willingly unto the Kings service CHAP. IX THe souldier who was almost spent with this sore travell having refreshed himself for a few dayes Montrose measuring over againe Logh-Aber hills returneth to Logh-Nesse And from thence viewing by the way the coasts of Harrick Arne and Narne came to the river of Spey Here he is told that there was no small party of the enemy at Elgin which is the chief town of Murray a Country beyond the Spey Montrose hies towards these either to draw them to his side or to suppresse them but the very report of his advancing blevv avvay that cloud for they in great amazement shifted for themselves every one vvhither he could Montrose neverthelesse goes on his march and takes in Elgin by surrender on the 14. day of February At which time the Lord Gordon eldest son to the Marquesse of Huntley a man who can never bee sufficiently commended for his excellent endowments came off openly to the Kings side from his uncle by whom he had been detained against his will and with not many but very choise friends and clients voluntarily did his duty and offered his service to Montrose as the Kings Deputy and Vicegerent Montrose first welcomed him with all civility and gave him many thanks afterwards when hee came to understand him more inwardly joyned him unto himself in the entirest bonds of friendship and affection Now because the inhabitants of Murray were extreamly addicted to the Convenanters they hid themselves in their lurking places nor were any supplies to be expected from men so maliciously disposed Therefore he drew his Forces to this side the Spey to raise the Countries of Bamph and Aberdene by the presence example authority of the Lord Gordon So having got together what forces he could in those places with two thousand Foot and two hundred Horse passing the river of Dee he came into Marne and encamped not farre from Fettercarne At Brechin some seven miles from thence Sir Iohn Hurray a stout man and an active and famous also in forraigne parts for Military exploits being Generall of the Horse for the Covenanters had the Command over the whole Forces there Hee came out with six hundred Horse to discover the strength of Montrose he conceived Montrose had but very few Foot and no Horse and if he should but descend into the plain hee made account to make short work with him and howsoever it should happen he made no question but to secure himself Montrose to draw him on hid the rest of his men in a bottome and made shew only of his two hundred horse but lined them as he used with his nimblest Musquetiers Which Horse when Hurrey saw and observed they were so few he drew up his men and charged But when he perceived too late the Foot that ran close after Montrose's Horse he sounded a retreat and Hurrey himself turning his men before him behaved himself stoutly in the rear When they turned their backs Montrose's souldiers drive on let fly and lay about them untill being got over te river of Eske the enemy scarce safe under the protection of Night betook themselves to shelter nor did they think themselves secure till after a race of four and twenty miles long they came to Dundee Then they that had pursued them so far returned to Fethercarne and thence the next day to Brechin Here Montrose understod that Batly a Commander of great account had been fetched out of England to be Generall of the enemies Forces that Hurrey with his Horse was joyned unto him and that they had in their Army many olde souldiers brought back out of England and Ireland so that now the Covenanters going about their businesse in so great sadnesse Montrose must expect not only other kind of souldiers but also most expert Commanders to deal with Therefore lest he should chance to be hemb'd in with their Horse in which their chief strength lay he chuseth his most convenient way by the foot of Grainsbaine towards the river of Tay intending also if it were possible to get over the