History and traditions of the land of the Lindsays in Angus and Mearns

238 LAND OF THE LINDSAYS.
them by surprise at the woods of Halkerton. They were soon
repulsed, however, and leaving Fettercairn, Montrose crossed the
North Esk and West Water, and passed along the braes of
Menmuir and Feme, with the intention of crossing the Tay at
Dunkeld ; but observing Baillie's army lingering on his flank,
he halted two days on the north side of the Isla, while Baillie
lay on the south. As Baillie declined to fight, both armies con-
tinued their southward march, and Montrose being informed that
his antagonist had gone to intercept his progress at the main
fords of the Forth, determined to retrace his steps.
Aware of the unprotected state of the North, he immediately
fell back on the town of Dundee, which, from its wealth and
population, afforded considerable inducements ; and, about night-
fall on the 3rd of April, having previously despatched his baggage
and weakest soldiers to Brechin, he marched at the head of a
hundred and sixty horse, and six hundred chosen musketeers, and
reached Dundee early next forenoon.
He encamped on the Law, and despatched a trumpeter to
offer terms to the Magistrates ; but instead of returning with an
answer, as anticipated, the messenger was cast into prison. This
formed good grounds for Montrose wreaking his vengenance on
the town, to which he bore considerable enmity (because of the in-
habitants refusing to lodge his forces after the victory of Tipper-
muir), and his army were accordingly directed to storm the town
at three different places, when a fearful scene of bloodshed,
drunkenness, and debauchery ensued. The doors of the churches,
chapels, and wine-cellars were torn from their hinges, and the
town fired in two places — that part called the Bonnet Hill being
nearly consumed ; and, but for the alarm and cry of the enemy
being at hand, the sack might have ended in the complete de-
struction of the town and shipping.
Instead of going to protect the fords of the Forth, as was
rumoured, the Covenanters had only gone to Perth ; and intelli-
gence of Montrose's work being speedily conveyed to them, they
were close at his heels before he well knew his danger, — indeed,
the last of his army was only retreating from Dundee by the
east, when the Covenanters were entering by the west.
There was no time to lose ; and being a case of untoward
emergency, Montrose asked advice of his staff. Some advised that