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Amelia Volume 2 chapter 29 |
Additional Incidents 1745-46 [1] |
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[page 376] THE following commissions, &c., are now grouped together for convenience of reference, To Robert MacGregor or Murray of Glencarnock
"By Virtue of the Power and Authority to me given by his Majesty, I do hereby permit and authorise you Robert Murray Junr Late McGregor of Glencarnaig in the Parish of Balquider in the shire of Perth to keep, wear, and carry with you, upon any your lawfull occasions from the date hereof to the twentieth day xx of September 1730 ye following weapons,'
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viz. a Gun, Sword and Pistol ….. You behaving in all that Time as a faithful Subject of His Majesty, and carrying yourself peaceably and quietly towards the people of the country. No. 1. Permit to bear arms. George Wade Esqr Lieutenant General And Commander-in-Chief of all his Majesty's Forces, Castles, Forts and Barracks in North Britain &c. Given at Edinburgh the 20th of July 1727. George Wade" “No. 2. Warrant from William Duke of Atholl authorising Steuart of Glenbuckie and Murray of Glencarnock to raise Men for the Service of king James VIII. dated Camp at Blair 2d Sept 1745. “This is to empower and authorise you, Alexr Steuart of Glenbueky and Robert Murray of Glencairnaig to be aiding and assisting to one another in raising for his Majesty's Service my vassalls of Balquhidder and Tennants there upon my property. Which I desire & require you may do with all Expedition & Dispatch [page 377] to join the Army under his royall Highness' Command Friday next at Perth or wherever the royall Standard rnay be for the time and this you are to perform with all Dilligence & Care as you shall he Answerable to: Atholl. "Camp at Blair “2d Sep 1745" This warrant was issued by "Duke William" the attainted eldest brother of Duke James. He occupied Blair Castle in September 1745 and on the 2d Sept sent similar warrants to other vassalls. [3] No. 3. Commission from Prince Charles 1745 "Charles Prince of Wales &c, Regent of Scotland, England, France and Ireland and the Dominions thereunto belonging To Robert McGregor of Glencarnock Esqr, -greeting. We Reposing Especial Trust & Confidence in Your Courage, Loyalty and Good Conduct, Do hereby constitute and appoint you to be Lient Collonel, your rank in the Army as such from the date hereof, You are therefore carefully and Dilligently to Discharge the Duty and Trust of a Lieutenant Collonel, aforesaid by, doing and performing everything which belongs thereto, And we hereby require all and every the Officers and Soldiers of our forces to obey you as a Lieut Collonale, And your self to observe such Orders, Directions and Commands as you shall from time to time receive from us, Our Commander-in-Chief for the time being or any other your Superior Officer according to the Rules and Discipline of War. In pursuance of the Trust hereby reposed in you. Given at our Palace of Holyroodhouse the 29th day of October 1745 C. P.R. The originals of the three preceding papers are at Edinchip. Commission from Prince Charles to Evan MacGregor, Younger Brother of Glencarnock, 1745 "Charles Prince of Wales &c, Regent of Scotland, England, France and Ireland and the Dominions thereunto belonging To Evan McGregor Brother to Robert McGregor of Glencarnok, Greeting. We Reposing special Trust and (two lines missing from the Document, they must have carried out the same form as the preceding) as such, from the date hereof, You are therefor carefully and Dilligently to Discharge the duty and trust of Major, aforesaid …. by doing and performing everything, which belongs thereto, And We hereby require all and every the Officers and Soldiers of Our forces, to observe, and obey you as a Major [page 378] … and yourself to observe and follow all such Orders, Directions and Commands, as you shall from time to time receive from us, Our Commander-in-chief for the time being or any other your Superior Officer According to the Rules and Discipline of War. In pursuance of the trust hereby reposed in you Given at our Palace of Holyroodhouse the 29th day of October 1745. C. P.R. The next five: Commission and letters relating to Glengyle, are copies in a MS. formerly in the possession of Colonel Hugh MacGregor some¬time in the 91st Regt. Commission to Glengyle from Prince Charles. Charles P.R. “Charles Prince of Wales and Regent of Scotland, England, France and Ireland and the Dominions thereunto belonging, to our Trusty and well beloved Gregor MacGregor Esq. We reposing especial trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Ability, Courage and good Conduct do hereby constitute and appoint you to be Colonel and Commandant of the Fortress of Down, Cardross, and Balinton, and to take your Rank as Colonel in the Army from the date hereof, you are carefully & diligently to discharge the duty and trust hereby committed to your care and to perform everything which belongs thereto in as full and ample a manner as any Commandant of any Fort or Castle in Scotland is vested with, and you are to follow such orders, directions and Commands as you shall from time to time receive from us, our Commander in Chief or any of our Generals, or any such Orders as you shall receive from our Secretary's Office. "Given at our Palace of Holyrood House the 15th day of October 1745 "By his Highnesses Command Jo Murray." Letter from Viscount of Strathallan addressed to the "laird of GlenGyll." [4] "Perth, Oct.13, 1745.-Sir,-I received your letter of this date and am glad His Royal Highness has made choice of you for the Government of Down. It will be abundantly necessary to have a constant eye on Stirling Castle that no parties or strollers come abroad unobserved, and to be upon your guard against people dis¬guised in the Highland dress and white Cockades, if you hear of any such having past you by stolen marches, it will be proper to send immediately intelligence. I have nothing further to recommend, but that you would endeavour to reinforce your Garrison as much as possible, as you Command a post of great con¬sequence, our close Correspondence will be absolutely necessary. and I am Sir &c "Strathallan." [page 379] Letter from Colonel Henry Kerr to the same. "Alloaye, 26 Oct. 1745. Sir,- His Royal Highness sent me here to secure the pass for his Grace the Duke of Atholl and his convoy and if his Grace should he obliged to pass this way its desired that in case you cannot get boats sufficient to transport them, that you will cause build a Bridge to facilitate their passage and it is apprehended the Men-of-War and armed boats in the Firth will endeavour to interrupt the passage here, It is not to he doubted but that there will be an attempt from Stirling Castle to cover their designs, for which you will use your best endeavour to keep them in, by drawing some of your troops that way in order to make a diversion. If anything happens here, you shall be acquainted with it and its hoped that you will ommunicate anything worth notice to Sir &c Hn Kerr." Order by His Grace the Duke of Perth Lient. General of the Forces of His Royal Highness Charles Prince of Wales. "These are desiring you to send thirty men and an officer three or four miles south of the ford of Frews as an escort to Allen Cameron who goes with dispatches of importance for His Royal Highness. "Given at Drummond the 30th Dec 1745 years. Do it immediately upon your arrival at Down." Letter from Secretary Murray to Colonel McGregor of Glengyle or Commander of Down. "Bannockburn, Jan. 9, 1746.-Sir,-In consequence of certain intelligence His Royal Highness has received, that the enemy have sent a considerable body of troops aboard ships now seen in the river to seize the cannon at Alloa, orders are sent to Dunblane to send a large detachment to reinforce the troops there and it is likewise thought necessary that you send what troops you can spare from your garrison you are likewise desired to take care to apprehend any deserters that may pass. If your people make haste they may be all at Alloa before the tide I am &c Jo. Murray Original Commission, somewhat tattered, with the Prince's Seal. [5] "Charles P. R. Charles Prince of Wales Regent of Scotland, England France and Ireland. and the Dominions thereunto belonging; To John McGrigor (desig¬nation illegible), Greeting. We Reposing special Trust and confidence in your Courage Loyalty and good conduct Do hereby Constitute and appoint you to be a Lieutenant Collonel of his Majesty's Forces in the Regiment of …. Commanded by ….. and to take your Rank in the Army as such from the date hereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty and trust of Lient. Collonel aforesaid by doing and performing everything which belong therto, [page 380] And we hereby require all and every the officers and soldiers of our forces to observe and obey you as a Lieut. Collonel and yourself to observe and follow all such orders and direction as you shall from time to time receive from us, our Com¬naander in Chieff for the time being or any other your superior Officer. according to the rules and discipline of War in pursuance of the Trust hereby reposed in you. Given at Carlisle the twenty-first day of Nov. 1745. C. P.R." The above Commission is designed for Mr McGrigor in Mailler More Glenartney for the present Capt Commandant in Crieff. This John McGregor was McGregor or Drummond, Balnacuil, his parentage has not yet been traced, but he left a son, Alexander Mac¬Gregor, at Loch Katrine side, whose daughter, Henrietta, was the second wife of James X of Glengyle. It is unnecessary here to dwell on the Battle of Culloden, 16th April 1746, and on the cruelties which followed it. The Prince's wanderings in the Western Highlands And the faithful loyalty of the Highlanders in whom he trusted are safe to he remembered with admiration and interest by friend and foe. With the departure of Prince Charles from Lochannaugh on Sept. 20th, 1746, for France, the short lived Romance came to an end. Many of his Chief adherents were executed and others driven into exile. The following quotations are from the "Scots Magazine." "About the middle of Nov. 1745 the London Newspapers contained the following list of the Army of Prince Charles Edward.
"1746. January. After the troops that guarded the Fords of Forth had moved to Edinburgh, Glengyle with the help of floats, the boats having been all destroyed, passed the river at the Frew and placed a guard on the South side, London Gazette."-See "Scots Magazine" for Jan. 1746. "About the end of May 1746 Glengyle with a party of MacGregors were in the hill between Crieff and Dunkeld, and attempted to levy public money But they were obliged to make off upon Brigadier Mordaunt's detaching 300 men in quest of them. "June 7. A body of 700 men entered Balquhidder, and proceeded to the Braes of Monteith. But not finding Glengyle and his party they burned his house and all the houses in Craigrostan possessed by the MacGregors, and carried the Cattle to Crieff."-" Scots Magazine." The following particulars as to the conduct of Gregor Murray of Coinneachan and the conflicting directions he received from the two Dukes are interesting. [7] "1745. In August Duke James had sent orders to Gregor Murray at Coinneachan to raise the Glen Almond men and join Cope as he passed which he accordingly did at Amulrie. When the army reached Tay Bridge Gregor and his men left and proceeded to Blair to get further orders from Graham of Fintry the factor. He accompanied them back to the army which they rejoined at Dalnacardoch; but as Cope would allow them no pay with which to support themselves, they dispersed there and returned to their homes." [page 382] During the Prince's stay at Blair Castle which was from Aug.31 to Sep. 3, Duke William sent the following orders to Glen Almond. Duke William to Gregor Murray of Fogfield (Coinneachan). “Camp at Blair 2d Sep. 1745. This to Impower you and authorize you Grigor Murray of fogfield upon sight hereof to raise for his Majesty's use my Tennents and Wadsetters of Glen Almond, which I desire & require you may do with all expedition and dispatch, to join the army under his Royall Highness's command friday next at Perth. or wherever the Royall Standard may be for the time, and this you are to perform with all diligence and care as you shall be answerable." (Signed) "Atholl." Elizabeth Campbell to Gregor Murray of Conneachan. "Milne Rodge, Sep. 17, 1745. -Sir, My husband has bin this fiftin days in search of siven cous that was stolen out of the Bres of Lioeyn, and hei hat got two of them, and is gone a gene in sherch of the rest, and if his sone would return to his busines hie wold be satisfied to get a man a five pounds, but he is shure that his Grass the Duke of Atholl would not desire his son and monye tou, but if Mungo be determined to go and wants his father's faver, hie will sie to get his indenters discharged from his master, which will be easier to be had nou then after, which if hie dous not get whill the Hillandmen is in town it will return on his father and afterwards be his oun los, and my frind lives this to your care, and wei live him to be directed by God and his oun mind, for I should be sorey if hie shou'd due ane thing that shou'd be for his oun los. this withe my serves to your self and Mungo. and I ever am your humbell Serv:" (Signed) "Elizabeth Campbell." This letter was taken amongst Gregor’s papers Feb. 1746, as also the following orders. By William Duke of Atholl, Commander in Chief of his Majestie's Forces benorth the River of Forth. "These are requiring and ordering you to raise a man on the Merk Land of our property of Glen Almond, and to march with them to this place so as you and they may be here friday next the 27 currt as you shall answer upon your and their peril. "Signed at Blair Castle, Sep.25. 1745. Atholl. “To Grigor Murray of Coinneachan, Order from Duke William to the same "Being just noe necessarily detained in these parts about affairs of consequence and desiring much to have the pleasure of seeing the Laird of Monzie who I cannot wait upon where he is, these are requiring you to acquaint him of it, and at the same time let him know that you are positively ordered without losing a [page 383] moment's time as its necessary for the King and Country's service, to tell him that He must directly come along with you to this place or wherever I may be at the time. "Therfor, as you'l be answerable, neglect not in the safest, speediest and most convenient manner to wait on and conduct the above Laird of Monzie to our quarters. For the punctual executions of which this shall be to you and all con¬cerned a sufficient warrant Given under our hand and seall at our Castle of Blair, the second day of Oct. 1745." (Signed) "Atholl." John MacGregor to Gregor M'Gregor or Murray of Coinneachan. "Coynachan, 3d Oct- 1745. -“Dear Sir,-I came here last night in order to have concerted with you and our friend James MacGregor of Balnachoille the proper means of drawing our Clan into a body, so that they may he entitled to all the benefites and priviledges that His Majesty and his Royal Highness designs for the other Clans. “They are to he henceforth the onely standing troops of the nation; every Chief is to have a Collonel's commesseon, and all the other officers and souldiers to be just upon the same Regulations and to have the same pay as our Regular Troops commonly have, with this difference that the clans are not to ster from home except on muster days, and when the Service of the Crown makes it necessary. "Now if the McGregors continue dispersed as they are they can expect no more than to be a nameless people. My Brother has been carefull to inform the Prince of the misfortunes, sufferings, loyalty, and Bravery of the M'Gregors,and he has Interest enough with his Majesty and Royal Highness to raise our Clan to yr ancient wealth, power, and reputation. I therefore beg that you be pleased to Raise as many of the name, without respect to particular families as possibly you can, wherever you discover them and to march them to the Army in what manner you please. "Give them as much time to take care of their harvest as the circumstances of affairs allow. But so as to be with us before His Royall Highness leaves Edin. “I am Dear Sir, Yours most affectionately John M'Gregore. In a footnote the Duke of Atholl adds, "The writer was probably Balhaldie's second brother.' This is possible from the allusion to the writer's brother having influence with the Prince. Neil McGlashan to Gregor Murray. "Blair Castle, Oct. 7, 1745 -Dr Grigor,- His Grace orders that you, with the whole Glenalmond men 'twixt sixteen and sixty, officer as well as others, be att Donkeld tomorrow night or early Wednesday. except John Drummond in Newtoun who is allowed to remain at home for certain reasons, unless you have it in view to execute [page 384] the orders you got from his Grace In a day or two in which case you are to wait, but otherwayes you, nor the men are not. "He's to march from this place to-morrow morning. "Till meeting I add no more but that I am ever yrs N. McGlashan.~ William Duke of Atholl &c under the Prince Regent Commander-in-Chief of his Majestie's Forces. "These are ordering and requiring you upon sight hereof to seize the horses and arms of disaffected persons or others who have not joined his Royal Highness's Standard wherever they can he found. For which this shall be to you and all concerned a sufficient warrant. "Given at Perth the twenty first day of Oct. 1745. Atholl: “To Grigor Murray in Coynachan and party." Viscount Strathallan to Gregor Murray. "Machany, Oct.31, 1745. Gregor Murray,-You are hereby ordered to make all the heast possible with what men you can bring, in to Perth this night, where I am goeing with assistance of all I can. The bearer will give the reason of it. "Strathallan." Footnote by the Duke of Atholl. "The reason for the above order was that on Oct 30 being King George's birthday a mob of persons rang the bells and lighted bonfires in Perth, and besieged Oliphant of Gask in the Council House till 8 a.m. 31; he being Deputy Governor in charge of the City during Lord Strathallan's absence. In response to his Lordship, 90 of Lord Nairne's men, over 6o of Logiealmond's and Gregor Murray with 17 Glenalmond men, proceeded to Perth and secured the peace of the town." Colonel Robertson of Drumachine to Gregor Murray at Couinneachan. "Logierait, Nov.23, 1745. -Sir,-Some days ago I had a letter from Lord Strathallan desiring to acquaint you per express to repair to Perth immediately with as many men as you could get together; but the storm was so high I could find none to undertake the journey before this day. I hope you will lose no time in performing this; but in the meantime that you are raising the men. “I think you should send express to Perth to know my Lord's further pleasure. I am alwise w' complements to the bonny wife. "Dear Gregor your most humble servant. D. Robertson." Duke William to Gregor Murray, Coinneachan. "Blair Castle, 7 Feb. 1746.- Sir,-Herewith is enclosed a general 'Crosstarie’ [8] order for raising all the able bodied men in Glenalmond this order is executing through all Atholl, with the utmost exactness and expedition; and providing you have a mind to [page 385] efface the three different times you have forsook me, you'll without loss of time come here, & bring at least 50 good men with you. I am well assured there are arms for that number in the Country, so that I shall reckon you greatly wanting in your duty if you do not bring them all armed. "The bearer being chose out as a trusty expeditious person, this is earnestly requiring you to get all the accounts & intelligence you can of the Enemie's motions, and without loss of time send it to me by this express, which shall ever be remembered to your advantage. After you have made use of the 'Crosstarie' order, if you can find a trusty person, pray send it directly to Donald MacLaren [9] Drover in Balquhidder, as an answer from me to what James Stewart of Clunes heard of his hearty disposition towards our present honest concerns from Touch, dated Jan.26. It will also be a valuable service rendered our King & country at this Critical juncture. If you intend to oblige me at present in earnest, you will no less faithfully than diligently, execute what is here required & justly expected of you by one who shall ever accordingly be found in the most agreeable manner "Sir your affectionate humble Servant. Atholl." “To Gr Murray or any other honest man in Glenalmond." Gregor Murray to Mr Mungo Murray. "Conachon, Feb. 8, 1746.-Sir,-I received his Gr/s orders and immediately sent an express for the officer, who lives four miles distance from this place, and on his way spoke to so many tennents, for we durst not make use of the Crosstarie for alarming the enemy, for there is above 200 of them laying at Crieff and Monizie, and a trup of horse at Drummond Castle, besides a partie of the Campbells, who comes up the king's road every day for information. By all accounts the enemy who marched to Perth on Thursday last is reckoned to be 12000 men, foot and horse, and I had sertain information this evening that a part of the enimie was to be at Dunkeld this night. "As our frindes marched through this countray on Munday and Tuesday last, they both plundered and carried off a great many horses, and severals of them is not returned as yet. If the officer and I Can gett the men raised we shall come straight to Blair or wherever His Gr/ shall be. I am Sr &c Gri: Murray. "P.S, We are every night within four miles of the enemie in the Waster Glen, and in the Easter Glen within two miles of them. You may consider what situation we are in. I sent off the express to Ballquhidder just as the berer went from this be four a clock in the morning." Thursday, 6th Feb., Prince Charies arrived at Blair Castle. Feb. 9, Duke James of Atholl sent out from Perth to summon the Atholl vassals [page 386] to go to Dunkeld and Kirkmichael to join the troops which were to be sent there to disarm and apprehend "the Rebells." Prince Charles on hearing that Duke James was to be at Dunkeld on the Saturday, and that a large body of the Government troops were passing the West Boat of Dun¬keld, retired with his forces from Blair, 10th Feb., to the North. A day or two afterwards Sir Andrew Agnew advanced from Dunkeld and took possession of the Castle. Feb. 18. The Prince reached Inverness, and on the 20th the Castle of Inverness surrendered to him, H.R.H. having been joined by Lord George Murray and the column which had marched by the East Coast. Lord Loudoun who had been holding the North for the Government retired into Ross-shire on the approach of the Jacobites, and it was in pursuit of Loudoun, that Glencarnock was sent off with the MacDonalds, Camerons, &c. "Feb.22. Duke James having been informed that 'one Grigor Murray alias MacGrigur, tenant of Conachon, one of the rebel Captains was skulking in Glenalmond sent out a party of his tenants to search for and secure him. Feb. 23 the party returned canying with them the said Grigor who was committed to the prison of Dunkeld. "Feb. 26, 1746. “Memoriall for Grigor Murray from Glenalmond, present Prisoner in the Tolbooth of Dunkeld. "That I am confin'd to a house of Prison from a suspition, I understand, of being disaffected to the Government which creates no small pain in me. considering my deportment under the various occurrances and vicciseitudes of the present unhappy Rebellion. and if duely weighted I hope will in some measure account in my vindication. That before this commotion I liv'd a peaceable subject to his Majestie and a faithfull servant or Tennent to his Grace the Duke of Atholl. "That when this Rebellion was breaking out and growing to some height Generall Cope with an Army coming to Crieff, and on his way to the North to quell the same, I was imploy'd by his Grace to raise his men of Glen Almond and join Generall Cope, which upon the first notice I did with all allacrity and expedition, and joined him at Amulree, the confines of our country, and alongs marched till we came to Tay Bridge, when we seperate and went for Blair to receive orders from Fintray our Factor, who attended us till we rejoined the main Corps twixt Trinafuar and Dalnacairdach. "In the course of that march wee were severall nights by the way, each living [page 387] upon his own pocket, and wherein this fell short I supplyed till meeting.the main body, when I was reduced to a sixpence I applied Mr Robertson of Trinafuar to bespeak Major Cawfield for money, the Major returned for answer he could doe nothing then. I at length applied Fintry, offering my security, who refusing me, from this necessity the men withdrew and dispersed themselves. In this dispersion, and upon my returning home meeting with Commissary Bissatt I intimated to him the straits I was in and the convencies I mett with, and his advice in caise of ane overturn who very wisely advised me not to cede to the other syde, and gave what carried me home, and this advice I did not altogether reject by the sequell of my conduct, and then I lived quietly and peaceably till attacked by the Brother of the Duke and the Army that came alongs with him to our countrey, who as the Elder Brother assuming a right to us, made several insinuations and we as many refussals, at length threatened with Military Execution and Devastation, I to eschew these impendent threatenings, took up arms and witnessed the raising of the men and with reluctancy marched, and all the journey was to Crieff, about two miles from our own country, where wee gradually dispersed. Thereafter orders upon orders came to raise and ralley again, and as often as wee received them, so often did wee at tymes make a show and at other tymes wink att to perafle the tyme; and severall orders came to me to apprehend Persons of Distinction and doe other th'ward work, tho' I was not in a military commission, which I neglected to doe and look't over and all this stirr of ours happened before Hallowmas last, wee all the tyme after living quietly att home till the army's Return from England. And during their stay att Stirling the Duke of Atholl's Brother, in his way home, comeing through our countrey sett us again on foot, and in a march for Perth, where I gave it as advice every man to make way for himself, upon which wee again dispersed and ever since continue peaceably att home And when his Gr/s orders were issued to bring in all our arms on or before then 24. Feb. current, my Resolution was and can be made appear, I intended to obey that day. But was intercepted by a party on the 22. "And this is the genuine account of the whole stepts I and the other Tennents of Glenalmond have trode in during this unhappy Rebellion. From which it will appear I acted as far as I could in behalf of the Government syde, amongst the first in Arms of the Highlanders. That what I did on the other syde was not from zeale to the cause, But rather from compulsion and meer force putts, and that it proved only a shew to avoid Devastations and other mischiefs that our country was threatened with. "It's then hoped from a just consideration of this my conduct, I may be sett att liberty upon Baile or at least a Liberty for eight days, that I may provide my faimly necessarys & seed to the ground." |
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[1] Appendix R volume 2 Appendix [2] Marginal Note.-" Recommended by Sir Duncan Campbell." the form, as in most of these documents, is printed, the names, dates and weapons being fitted in by hand. The Royal Arms arms are stamped at the left hand corner ending with wafer seal of General Wade's arms at the foot. [3] This warrant, like the Original in Edinchip, is also printed in the Atholl and Tullibardine Chronicles. [4] Lord Strathallan had been appointed Governor at Perth early in October.-ED. [5] Edinchip Papers [6] From the "Scots Magazine "for Nov. 1745 [7] Atholl and Tullibardine Chronicles. [8] The Fiery cross [9] Innernenty |