Chapter 29
Falkirk - Wednesday January 29th, 1746
“Come, Glengyle,” Lochiel said, “put your signature to this declaration. We have argued sufficiently. It is time to inform the Prince of our opinion.”
Among the commanders of the Jacobite army stood most of the Colonels of the Highland regiments together with Lord George Murray. Cameron of Lochiel and Stewart of Ardshiel were there. Clan Donald was represented by Keppoch, Clanranald, Lochgarry and Scothouse. The Master of Lovat stood in place of MacSimi, chief of the Frasers.
Lord George read out the memorial once more. He intended to ensure that everyone present was in agreement.
“We think it our duty, in this critical juncture, to lay our opinions in the most respectful manner before your Royal Highness. We are certain that a vast number of the soldiers of your Royal Highnesses army are gone home since the battle of Falkirk, and as we are afraid that Stirling Castle cannot be take so soon as was expected, if the enemy should march before it fall into your Royal Highnesses hands, we can foresee nothing but utter destruction to the few that will remain, considering the inequality of our numbers to that of the enemy. For these reasons, we are humbly of opinion, that there is no way to extricate your Royal Highness, and those who remain with you, out of the most imminent danger, but by retiring immediately into the Highlands, where we can be usefully employed the remainder of the winter, by taking and mastering the forts of the North. And in spring, we doubt not but an army if 10,000 effective Highlanders can be brought together, and follow your Royal Highness wherever you think proper.”
“The hard marches which your army has undergone, the winter season, and now the inclemency of the weather, cannot fail of making this measure approved of by your Royal Highnesses allies abroad, as well as your faithful adherents at home. The greatest difficulty that occurs to us is the saving of the artillery, particularly the heavy cannon; but better that some of these were thrown into the River Forth as that your Royal Highness should risk the flower of your army, which we apprehend must inevitably be the case if this retreat is not agreed to, and gone about without the loss of one moment.
“Nobody is privy to this address to your Royal Highness except your subscribers; and we beg leave to assure your Royal Highness, that it is with great concern and reluctance that we find ourselves obliged to declare our sentiments in so dangerous a situation, which nothing could have prevailed with us to have done, but the unhappy going off of so many men.”
MacGregor Page 31
