Topographical, statistical, and historical gazetteer of Scotland > Volume 1

278
CULLODEN
through these two regiments, the Highlanders, pass-
ing by the two field-pieces which had annoyed them
in front, hurried forward to attack the left of the
second line. They were met by a tremendous fire
of grape-shot from the three field-pieces on the left
of the second line, and by a discharge of musquetry
from Bligh's and Sempill's regiments, which carried
havock through their ranks, and made them at first
recoil ; hut, maddened by despair, and utterly re-
gardless of their lives, they rushed upon an enemy
whom they felt but could not see, amid the cloud
of smoke in which the assailants were buried. The
same kind of charge was made by the Stewarts of
Appin, the Frasers, Mackintoshes, and the other
centre regiments upon the regiments in their front,
which they drove back upon the second line, which
they also attempted to break ; but finding them-
selves unable'they gave up the contest, but not until
numbers had been cut down at the mouths of the
cannon. While advancing towards the second line,
Lord George Murray, in attempting to dismount
from his horse, which had become unmanageable,
was thrown ; but, recovering himself, he ran to the
rear and brought up two or three regiments from
the second line to support the first ; but although
they gave their fire, nothing could be done, — all was
lost. Unable to break the second line, and being
greatly cut up by the fire of Wolfe's regiment, and
by Cobham's and Kerr's dragoons, who had formed
en potence on their right flank, the right wing also
gave up the contest, and turning about, cut their
way back, sword in hand, through those who had
advanced and formed on the ground they had passed
over in charging to their front. In consequence of
the unwillingness of the left to advance first as di-
rected, Lord George Murray had sent the order to
attack from right to left ; but, hurried by the im-
petuosity of the Mackintoshes, the right and centre
did not wait till the order, which required some
minutes in the delivery, had been communicated
along the line. Thus the right and centre had the
start considerably, and quickening their pace as they
went along, had closed with the front line of the
English army before the left had got half way over
the ground that separated the two armies. The
difference between the right and centre and the left
was rendered still more considerable from the cir-
cumstance, as noted by an eye-witness, that the two
armies were not exactly parallel to one another, the
right of the Prince's army being nearer the Duke's
army than the left. Nothing could be more unfor-
tunate for the Prince than this isolated attack, as it
was only by a general shock of the whole of the
English line that he had any chance of a victory.
The clan regiments on the left of the line, apprehen-
sive that they would be flanked by Pulteney's regi-
ment and the horse which had been brought up from
the corps de reserve, did not advance sword in hand.
After receiving the fire of the regiments opposite to
them, they answered it by a general discharge, and
drew their swords for the attack ; but observing that
the right and centre had given way, they turned
their backs and fled without striking a blow. Stung
to the quick by the misconduct of the Macdonalds,
the brave Keppoch seeing himself abandoned by his
clan, advanced with his drawn sword in one hand,
and his pistol in the other ; but he had not proceeded
far, when he was brought down to the ground by a
musket-shot. He was followed by Donald Roy
Macdonald, formerly a lieutenant in his own regi-
ment, and now a captain in Clanranald's regiment,
who, on his falling, entreated him not to throw away
his life, assuring him that his wound was not mortal,
and that he might easily join his regiment in the re-
treat; but Keppoch refused to listen to the solicita-
tions of his clansman, and, after recommending him
to take care of himself, the wounded chief received
another shot, and fell to rise no more.'
Fortunately for the Highlanders the English armv
did not follow up the advantages it had gained by an
immediate pursuit. Kingston's horse at first followed
the Macdonalds, some of whom were almost sur-
rounded by them, hut the horse were kept in check
by the French piquets, who brought them off. The
dragoons on the left of the English line were in like
manner kept at bay by Ogilvy's regiment, which
faced about upon them several times. After these
ineffectual attempts, the English cavalry on the right
and left met in the centre, and the front line having
dressed its ranks, orders were issued for the whole
to advance in pursuit of the Highlanders. Charles,
who, from the small eminence on which he stood,
had observed with the deepest concern the defeat
and flight of the clan regiments, was about proceed-
ing forward to rally them contrary to the earnest
entreaties of Sir Thomas Sheridan and others, who
assured him that he would not succeed. All their
expostulations would, it is said, have been vain, had
not General O'Sullivan laid hold of the bridle of
Charles's horse, and led him off the field. It was,
indeed, full time to retire, as the whole army was
now in full retreat, and was followed by the whole
of Cumberland's forces. To protect the Prince, and
secure his retreat, most of his horse assembled about
his person ; but there was little danger, as the vic-
tors advanced very leisurely, and confined themselves
to cutting down some defenceless stragglers who fell
in their way. After leaving the field, Charles put
himself at the head of the right wing, which retired
in such order, that the cavalry sent to pursue upon
it could make no impression.
" The battle was fought on a ridge of the moor
j ust where its general surface begins to incline to-
wards the river Nairn. A new carriage road from
Inverness has recently been made through it, which
touches the principal line of graves at their northern
extremity. Before reaching them, the castle of
Dalcross, which had been seen raising its square mas-
sive form a little to the left of a wood which ter-
minates the moor on the east, disappears from the
view, and shortly afterwards, in the very opposite
direction, the pine-elad conoidal summit of Dun
Daviot comes in sight, closing in the vista on the
south-west. Then, where a considerable portion of
the road before the passenger — about ^ of a mile in
length— »leads the eye directly to the top of a tabular
rocky hill bearing south-east, at the distance of 5 or
6 miles, it will be found that a straight line drawn
from Dun Daviot, just mentioned, to Fort-George,
which is seen rising at the termination of a long
peninsula jutting out into the Moray Frith, will cut
across the public road just at the collection of graves
sought for. They consist of two or three grass-
covered mounds, rising slightly above the adjoining
heath, at the distance of about 200 or 300 yards from
a small patch of corn-land and a cluster of cottages,
between which and them a marshy hollow also in-
tervenes. On all sides the prospect is here bleak
and dreary ; while the general smoothness of the
ground" points it out as favourable for the move-
ments of' cavalry and artillery, but proportionably
ill adapted for the protection or defence of the foot
soldier. Such is the nature of the ground on which
Prince Charles Edward ventured to peril his cause
against the disciplined troops of England. His army
was drawn up a little to the west of the graves, in a
line right across the moor inclining towards the parks
of Culloden house." [Anderson's 'Guide to the
Highlands.' London: 1834. pp. 107, 108.]— We
close this article on a locality most deeply interesting