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

CHAPTER IX.
March of the duke of Cumberland lo the north — The duke crosses the Spey — Dissatis-
faction in the Highland army — Cause of it — Arrival of the duke of Cumberland at
Nairn — Retreat of the duke of Pertli — Prince Charles leaves Inverness with his army
— Forms his army on Drummossie moor — Night march lo Nairn resolved upon —
The march, its failure — Return of the Highland army to Culloden — Advance of the
duke of Cumberland— tialUe of Culloden,
Having spent upwards of five weeks at Aberdeen, Jie. duke of Cum-
berland began to prepare for his niareh to tlie north. As it was liis
intention to proceed by the coabt road, he liad ordered a number of vic-
tualling ships to rendezvous at Aberdeen ; and earlj' in April, these ves-
sels, escorted by several ships of war provided with artillery, ammunition,
and other warlike stores, had arrived at their destination, for the pur-
pose of following the army along the coast and affording the necessary
supplies. About this time the weather had become favourable, and
tliougli still cold, the snow had disapjieared, and a dry wind which had
prevailed for some days had rendered the river Spey, tlie |);issage ol
which was considered the most formidable obstacle to his march, ford-
able.*
• The publication of the Forbes Papers has recently biought to light the meanuessand
rapacity of the duke of C uinbcrland and General Ha"ley. The duke lived, all the time
he was at Aberdeen, in the house of Mr Alexander Thomson, advocate, and, although
he made use of every kind of pro^i^ions he found in tlie house, and of the coals and
candles, he did not pay Mr Thomson a single farthing, nor did he even thank him. He
left, however, six guineas for the servants, a boy and two women, one of whom had wash-
ed and dressed his linen. Mrs Gordon of Hallhead was induced to yield possession of
iter house in the town to General Hawley, under a promise that the greatest care woidd
be taken of every thing in the house. Having represented that she was unable to fur-
Mish linen and other necessaries for Hawley and his suite, Mrs G. was informed, that as
the general would bring every thing with him, she might lock up all she had, and iJiat all
that was wanted was the use of two of her maid-servants to do the work of the house.
Mis G. accordingly secured her elfects under lock and key ; but Hawley had not been
above a day in the house when he sent a messenger to Mrs G. demanding delivery of all
her keys, and threatening, in case of delay, to break open ail the locks. Having received
(lie keys, llie general sent Major Wolfe, one of his aides-de-camp, to Mrs G. in the
evening, who intimated to her that she was deprived of every thing except the clothes
on her back. The poor lady tlien desired to have her tea, but tlie major told her Ihat
it was very good, and tliat tea was scarce in the army. She next asked for her cho-
colate, and the same answer was returned. She expressed a wish to get other things, par-
ticularly her china, but the gallant major told her Ihat she had a great deal of it, that it
w'.is very pretty, and that the general and his friends were very fond of china themselves ;
but perhaps she might get hack some of it. Mrs G. petitioned the duke of Cumberland
(o order her property to be restored lo her. The duke, it is said, promised to grant the
pra}erof the petition, but no prohibitory order was issued, and General Hawley pro-