Ossian Collection > History of the Highlands and of the Highland clans > Volume 3

SIEGE AND CAPTURE OF CARLISLE. 127
lants in defending the city, the whole militia of Cumberland and West-
moreland had been assembled within its walls.
When approaching the eity on the ninth, a party of the prince's horse
advanced to Stanwix Bank, a small hill near Carlisle, to reconnoitre ;
but they were forced to retire by a few shots froni the castle. The
whole of the army having passed the Eden next day, Charles proceeded
to invest the eity on all sides. One of his parties, in marching round
from the Irish to the English gate, was fired upon both from the castle
and the town, but did not sustain any loss. Having completed the
investment, the prince, about noon, sent a letter to the mayor of the
city, requiring him to open its gates, and allow the army to enter in a
peaceable manner, and promising, in case of compliance, to protect the
city from insult ; but threatening an assault in the event of a refusal.
The prince stated, that should an assault be made, he might not have it
in his power to prevent the dreadful consequences which usually befall a
city captured in that way. An answer was required within two hours, but
none was given, and a discharge of cannon from the besieged announced
their determination to hold out. In consequence of this reception, the
trenches were opened at night, under the orders of the duke of Perth,
at the distance of eighty yards from the walls. Mr Grant, an Irish
officer, of Lally's regiment, who had lately arrived from France, and
who was an experienced engineer, ably availing himself of some ditches,
approached close to the city without suffering from the fire of the be-
sieged. The artillery consisted of six Swedish field pieces, which had
been received from France, and of the pieces which had been taken
at Preston. *
Having received intelligence that Marshal Wade was advancing from
Newcastle to relieve Carlisle, and that he had already arrived at Hex-
ham, Charles resolved to meet him on some of the hilly grounds be-
tween Newcastle and Carlisle. Leaving, therefore, a sufficient force tu
blockade Carlisle, he departed with the remainder of the army on the
morning of the eleventh, and reached VVarwick castle about ten o'clock.
He then despatched Colonel Ker forward with a party of horse, in the
direction of Hexham, to reconnoitre, and ordered his men to take up
their quarters for the night. Ker having ascertained that the news of
Wade's march was false, returned to Brampton, and made his report.
After waiting two days at Brampton without hearing any thing of
Wade, a council of war was held, at which several opinions were otfered.
One opinion, in which Charles concurred, was that the army should advance
to Newcastle, and give battle to Wade. Some of the council thought
that this would be a dangerous step ; for even were they to defeat the
marshal, his army might take refuge in Newcastle, which it was in vain
fur them to think of taking, as, besides the strength of the place, the army
hail hi.-t many men upon its march. Others were for returning to Scot-
* J.^hnstoiif's Meinuirs p. 57-