Battle in 1745
Extract from Battles of the '45
by K.Thompson & F.Buist, Batsford 1962
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A MESSENGER carrying the news of Edinburgh's capture was
sent off by boat to Cope from Dunbar, and on landing there
a few hours later Sir John was soon in possession of the most
up-to-date reports. He had no lack of informants, for the
little port was crowded with visitors who had come to watch
his army disembark. Among them were such prominent Government
supporters as the Lord Advocate, the Lord Justice-Clerk, the
Solicitor-General, and several judges, and they included also
many of the volunteers who had tried unsuccessfully to defend
the city.
Marching without a day's halt. Cope had reached Aberdeen on
11th September, where he received the welcome news that an
officer of the Royal Artillery and 17 gunners and matrosses*
had arrived at Edinburgh from Woolwich. He had accordingly
sent orders that they were to join him at his landing-place,
but he now found to his disappointment that none had turned
up. Guest's failure to supply them appears inexcusable, for
the Castle was in no danger of attack, and knowing Cope's
dire need of the men there was nothing to have prevented him
from sending them off immediately the fall of the city was
seen to be inevitable. Meanwhile, having again written to
Guest in the hope that the party might somehow manage to join
him. Cope borrowed six seaman-gunners from H.M. ships Fox
and Hazard, which had convoyed his transports from Aberdeen.
They were to prove more of a liability than an asset, for
according to Lieut.-Colonel Whitefoord they 'were generally
drunk upon the March; and upon the Day of Action, ran |
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