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claim a right before another. If they
were to be ruled by precedents he could show that the
Athollmen had always the right in Montrose's Army. But
he thought the agreement they had come to and observed
since the first setting up of the Standard was a very
right one and should be the rule. They took the van
alternatively; so whosoever turn it was to have the
front were to have the right that day if a battle should
happen.' |
Although differing from the previous scheme of drawing lots,
Lord George's similarly set aside the claim of any one clan
to occupy the coveted position. Yet such was his eloquence
that it was at once suggested that the Athollmen should be
given the honour in the coming battle, but Murray declined
it on the ground that as they were poorly armed it would be
better that they should be posted in the reserve. His proposal
was accordingly agreed to, with only one dissentient. This
was Sir John MacDonald, an Irish captain in the Spanish service,
and a crony of O'Sullivan's, who declared ' that if he had
any command amongst the Macdonalds none should have the right
but them'.
At the same meeting the Prince asked the chiefs how they thought
their men would behave in action against regular troops, and
Keppoch was called upon by them to give his opinion. He replied
that as hardly any of the men had been in action before it
was difficult to say, but that loving the Prince's cause and
their chiefs as they did, he had no doubt that they would
follow their officers. Charles then announced that he himself
would lead them, and charge at their head, but not surprisingly
the chiefs were dismayed by this rash suggestion. If anything
happened to him, they declared,' defeat or victory was the
same to them', and they threatened to return home with their
men unless he withdrew his proposal. This fact is worth remembering,
for although the Prince's courage has sometimes been questioned,
it is clear that it was solely in deference to the chieftains'
wishes that in the two earlier battles of the 'Forty-Five
he posted himself in rear.
During the night of the i9th mounted patrols were sent out
to reconnoitre the roads leading towards Musselburgh, but
beyond the capture of Cope's student volunteers they had nothing
to report. Orders had been given that all the command-posts
in Edinburgh were to be evacuated, and early on the morning
of the zoth the detachments which had been holding them rejoined
the Highland |
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