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infantry out-guards, who having too little time to rejoin
their respective regiments, had been fallen-in as they arrived
to the right of Lee's companies. In consequence, Fowke ordered
Gardiner's squadron to fall back in rear of the artillery.
There is no explanation of the Colonel's demotion from the
command of the left wing to that of a single squadron, and
it can only be assumed that since issuing the 'Order of
Battle' at Haddington, Cope had realised his unfitness for
the post.
As the troops took up their positions Cope rode along the
front of the line from right to left,' Encouraging the Men,
begging them to keep up their Fire, & keep their Ranks,
& they would Easily beat the Rebells'. On arriving at the
left he was annoyed to find that Hamilton's squadrons had
not yet drawn swords, and ordered them immediately to do
so. Almost at the same moment the Highland front line began
to advance, and observing that his left wing was considerably
outflanked. Cope despatched his senior A.D.C., Major Mossman,
with orders to Lieut.-Colonel Whitefoord, to send over two
guns from the right. Mossman arrived too late, for seized
by panic, the civilian drivers had ridden off with the train-horses,
closely followed by the seaman-gunners.
The sun had barely risen when the Highland army began its
attack. Separated by the wide gap, it was difficult to synchronise
the movements of the wings, but without waiting for instructions
from Perth, Lord George Murray ordered the left wing to
advance. His A.D.C., sent to inform the Duke, was met by
young Anderson with a message from Perth, saying he was
ready to go forward. In con- sequence, although soon afterwards
followed by the right, the High- land left thus gained a
considerable lead.
Seeing that the Camerons were in some danger of being outflanked,
Lord George had advised Lochiel that his men should incline
towards the left as they advanced. It was therefore from
this direction that their attack was directed on the royal
right. Their plaids discarded, and with their bonnets pulled
low over their brows, the Highlanders came on with 'a hideous
shout'. Terrified, the old gunner and the three invalids
turned and fled, and left, single-handed, to manage the
artillery, Whitefoord and Griffith opened fire. Taking aim
as best they could, Whitefoord succeeded in discharging
five of the 1 1/2- pounders, and Griffith all six of the
mortars, though how many of the defective shells burst it
was impossible to observe. Nevertheless
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