receive the thrust of that weapon on their targets, then
raising the target arm, and with it the enemy's point, they
rushed in upon the defenceless soldier, killed him at a blow,
and were in a moment within the lines, pushing right and left
with sword and dagger, often bringing down two men at once.
The battle was thus decided in an almost incredibly short
time, and all that followed was mere carnage.
"We, " says Balmerino, referring to the Highlanders,
"had killed on the spot Captain Robert Stuart of Auchshiell's
battalion, Captain Archibald M'Donald of Keppoch's, Lieutenant
Allan Cameron of Lindevra, and Ensign James Cameron of Lochiel's
regiment, Captain James Drummond, alias Macgregor,
mortally wounded, of the Duke of Perth's, and about 30 privates
killed, and 70 or 80 wounded.
" The enemy had in killed and wounded, including Colonel
Gardiner, mortally wounded, and Ensign Forbes, about 900,
besides which we have taken about 1, 400 prisoners, all their
cannon, mortars, several colours, standards, abundance of
horses and arms, together with all their baggage, equipage,
etc. Of 2,500 infantry brought into the field, about 200 escaped.
"
General Cope, by means of a white cockade in his hat, similar
to that worn by the Highlanders, passed through their midst
without recognition, and made his way along the avenue —that
strip of trees forming the old post road opposite. Bankton
House. With the assistance of the Earls of Home and Loudan,
he mustered, towards the east end of. Preston village, about
450 horsemen. If the above figures are correct, they account
for 2,700 Royalists, but these he could not again entice to
face the Highlanders. So, wheeling about, they passed the
old farm steading of Milligan's Mains, which stood then nigh
where Prestonpans railway stationhouse now stands, proceeded
up the Bankton Road (which on the old county survey maps still
bears the name of Johnnie Cope's Road), got up over Birslie
Brae, retreated by way of Soutra Hill to Lauder, and reached
Coldstream that same night, about forty miles' march from
the morning's battlefield.
Though acquitted on trial for cowardice, Cope has been consigned
to eternal and well-merited infamy, more particularly in the
ballad literature of his day, for the want of courage he displayed
in this memorable battle. The well-known song of " Hey,
Johnnie Cope, are ye wauken yet?" is said to pretty accurately
interpret the feeling entertained towards him by his contemporaries.
AFTER THE BATTLE.
It is pleasing to reflect that no sooner had contention ceased,
than the greatest friendship prevailed between the victors
and their wounded enemies. The Highlanders hastened in all
directions in search of water to quench the thirst of those
unable to assist themselves. In one case, a Highlander came
upon an English soldier so badly wounded that he could proceed
no farther; he took him on his back, and carrying him to a
place of safety, set him down, and gave him sixpence to pay
for his night's lodging.
PLUNDERING.
Notwithstanding the many kindnesses shown towards the wounded
on the field, rifling the pockets of the dead, and plundering
otherwise seems to have been very much resorted to. Some of
the cases recorded of those engaged in this heartless pursuit
are not altogether awanting in drollery.
THE HORSE'S SADDLE.
One stalwart Highlander was observed carrying off the field
across his broad shoulders a huge military saddle. This he
had wrenched off a dead or dying charger; and when questioned
by a comrade concerning his burden, said he purposed taking
it back to his mountain home, for the use of his little pony
ARRAYED IN FINE FEATHERS.
Quite a number of the private soldiers, some of them whose
garments were actually in tatters, got themselves arrayed
in the fine laced coats and cocked hats of the stricken-down
English officers.
JOHNNIE COPE'S SALVE.
A good many packages of chocolate were found among the General's
baggage. Chocolate was a thing unknown to the rank and file
of the Highland army, at all events it was so to the plundering
party of that Highland host. They supposed it to be a healer
of wounds, and hawked it about as an ointment, which they
entitled " Johnnie Cope's Salve. "
|
1745 
