Life and diary of Lieut. Col. J. Blackader

CHAP. XIX. REBELLION IN SCOTLAND. 463
his Majesty's forces, which he found much inferior
in number to the Rebels, he wrote instantly to the
city of Glasgow to assemble and march the above
corps of volunteers towards Stirling, for the defence
of that place, as the Highlanders were on their way
thither, having already seized and fortified the town
of Perth. In compliance with this request, the Lord
Provost put himself at the head of three battalions of
well-armed citizens, making in all ten companies, fy
is mentioned in their address that they prevailed with
Mr. Bruce, younger of Kennet, to be their Major,
and the Honourable Colonel Blackader to accept of
the office of Colonel, for the better ordering their
discipline ; a task which, as we shall find, he cheer-
fully performed. *
September 21. Providence has brought a business
to my hand that I was not expecting. I was desired
to take charge of these honest men come from the
West. I did it cheerfully. Lord, I devote both my-
self and them to thy care ; let thy presence be with
us. Next day I had another proposal of the same
kind, but was already engaged.
September 23. Exercising my new battalions, and
very well pleased with them. I hope God will bless
and reward their zeal and forwardness, who have so
willingly offered themselves. Let it not be the worse
for them that I am put at their head. Let God be
our Captain, and through him we shall do valiantly.
Without his commission, the best and strongest troops
are but broken reeds. He can save by many or by
few, and often works his purposes by feckless and
unlikely instruments.
* Rae's History of the Rebellion.