2nd Duke of Gordon and the part he played at the battle of Sheriffmuir

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I found Huntley's people in greater confusion
than any of the others, and at that time did not
know who to obey as their officers, and I spoke
to his lordship, >w-ho tknew them, to nominate
those he thought proper to be captains and other
officers, that they might be divided in troops;
and doe their service with the others as regularise
as it was possible for them; but to no purpose.
Here I don't pretend to excuse my friend, my
Lord Huntlie; for, either out of tear of disob-
lidgeing some, by advancing others, which would
give Mar a handle to work in upon him, as he
and Maa-ishall had attempted with his foot 01
out of a spirit of delaying, he contributed nO't a
little to their disorder.
In the beginning of November a move was mad.'
on Auohterarder, whither the western clans, who
had withdrawn from before Inverary, were ord-
ered. Sinclair says: —
Mar, as well as those about him, were glade of
the occasion to get ridd of Huntley's tuo squad-
rons, with whom there was a continuall struggell
in doeing 'their guards or pickets, and all duties ;
all being in confusion for "want of dividing- in
troops, and they rancour'd, by continueing still
to be the jeast of the whole, without the poor
gentlemen's knouing for what ; not being so wise
as those who had been longer with us, and sus-
pecting thait hardships were put upon them, in
oblidgeinc them to doe more dutie than the others,
which, I believe, was true, but not to be known
till out in order. So they were order'd out to
relieve Linlithgow and Bollo, and went with
pleasure, each being wearied of other, hopeing
they would get more justice done them when they
were goeing. Huntley spoke to me to marche
them to Auchterarduach, which I did, and en-
deavour'd to bring ithem in to a methode of
marcheing regularlie, but I found so many divi-
sions, and sub-divisions amonsst them, that I
did not know where to begin with them, for some
one or other wanted to be on the right of everie
troop, into which they had divided themselves
most unequallie; others, who composed such a
troop, would have the right in the squadron, or
marche in by droops alone ; and this had now
run on so longe, they were heated against one
another, there seem'd no appearance of ane ac-
commodation; and all this proceeded from Hunt-
ley's indulgence, out of fear of Mar's takeing ad-
vantage if any of them were disoblidged. Some,
who were wearied of all that contest, and saw how
Huntlie alloued them and himself to be treated,
stay'd in Peai-th, with a resolution to leave his
squadrons; which was all Mar askt of them, and
wrought his game. I was forced to tell them my
opinion, 'with a great dale of frankness, which
the better swrte was pleased with; and was in-