MacGregor
Page 39
Chapter 37
Inverness - Wednesday 16th April, 1746
Thus it was that when the fateful day, Wednesday the 16th April, dawned the MacGregors and MacKinnons were still at Dingwall. While their men broke camp a messenger arrived. Rob met him. “I bear an urgent despatch from Lord George Murray,” he announced.
Rob escorted him to his father. The messenger presented the despatch. It was dated the previous day.
Glengyle read. “Our regiments are urgently required at Inverness. Cumberland is at Nairn and it is expected that the battle will be fought on the morrow.”
“Are there naval vessels near Kessock?” Glengyle asked. “Is the ferry passable?”
“Cumberland’s transports are anchored off Nairn and Ardersier. Sloops were patrolling inshore as far as Kessock when I left Inverness,” the messenger replied.
“Then there is no alternative but to take the route by Beauly.” Glengyle announced. MacKinnon agreed.
The route was across the base of the peninsula of the Black Isle by Muir of Ord to Beauly and then through the farmlands on the Southern shore of the Beauly Firth.
At Clachnaharry Glengyle halted the column. The sound of cannon fire could be heard. Continuously, the sound came, sometimes louder, sometimes barely distinguishable as the wind changed. Glengyle, MacKinnon and Rob climbed some way up the slope of Creag Phadruig to reach a vantage. The smoke of the battle was apparent on the high ground to the east of Inverness.
“That is Culloden muir,” Glengyle remarked. “The Prince must have decided to give battle. We cannot reach them in time. The issue must already be decided. If the clans had charged successfully, the batteries would have been silenced.”
They recommenced their march the last few miles into Inverness. It was mid afternoon as they reached the seven-arched stone bridge at Inverness. Survivors of the battle and refugees in flight from the town blocked their route.
They stopped a man on horseback as he crossed the bridge. He appeared to be a Buchan man from the sound of his English. “What news?” Rob asked.
“We are lost. Slaughtered. We stood up to their cannon but no order came to charge. The Highlanders on the right finally made their charge, but were thrown back. Then I ran. God help me, “he sobbed. “I ran. The army broke. The dragoons rode down anyone standing. They sabred the wounded on the field. They killed bystanders who had no part in the battle. I found a garron, otherwise the dragoons would have ridden me down also. Let me past, they are not far behind. All must seek their own safety.”
Beyond the bridge of Inverness, Rob perceived the scarlet coats of the dragoons who were already in the town. Glengyle agreed with MacKinnon that it was pointless to proceed further. A march along the western bank of the Ness was ordered. The dragoon detachment on the eastern bank observed them but prudently did not attempt to cross. The dragoons continued to shadow their march but did not attempt the fords. Onward their party continued, not halting until they came to Dochfour, where Loch Ness opened out and widened the gap. The dragoons turned and rode away.
“At last we are rid of our unfriends. They were cowards to the last.” Glengyle announced. “Let us make our way to Lovat’s house of Dounie.”
That night at Dounie was subdued. Lovat, uncertain whether his son had survived the battle, was preparing for flight. If fly he could with his weight and gout! Other formations arrived, include Lochgarry’s, most of them badly knocked about.
The next day, the 17th, the enlarged party continued down Loch Ness-side. They remained in strength for security. The MacGregors, with MacKinnon, Lochgarry and others mustered seven or eight hundred men. That night was spent at Cullichie, Lochgarry’s house. Their host knew what vengeance would follow in their footsteps, so the feast that night was not stinted.
“Drink up. Eat.” Lochgarry commanded. “No Hessian dog shall enjoy my hospitality.
Dr Cameron, brother of Lochiel was there. He had not heard of his brother’s fate, though it was known that the regiment had suffered considerable losses.