Genealogical memoir of the most noble and ancient house of Drummond

102 Genealogical Memoir sect. iv.
rose by his merit to the highest rank, and was inferior to
none of his contemporaries in the knowledge of the art
of war. He was steadily attached to the interest of the
royal family, and had a considerable command in the ar-
my that was raised for the relief of Charles I, when he
was a prisoner in the isle of Wight, in 1648. He com-
manded a regiment at the battle of Worcester, but fall-
ing into the hands of the usurper, he made his escape
from prison, and kept close with the loyalists in the north
till they were dispersed by General Morgan in 1054.
When his services were no longer availing at home, he
went abroad to the czar of Muscovy, rose to the highest
command in the Russian army, and gained distinguished
reputation by his bravery and military skill. After the
restoration, King Charles II recalled him home, and, in
3 666, made him major-general of all the forces in Scot-
land. In this appointment he continued for many years ;
and having discharged his duty with great fidelity, he was
nominated general of the ordnance in 1684. When
James VII succeeded to the crown, he was made general
of all the forces in the kingdom, and one of the lords of
the treasury ; and as a farther mark of his majesty's fa-
vour and esteem, he was raised to the dignity of the
peerage, by the titles of viscount of Strathallan, Lord
Drummond of Cromlix, &c. by patent, in which all the
great services he performed to the crown are fully nar-
rated, to him and the heirs male of his body, which fall-
ing, to his nearest male heirs whatever, dated l6th Au-
gust 1686.
In the manuscript history of the house of Drummond,
written by this great and distinguished nobleman, the
following is the modest account which he gives of him-
self, under the family of Lord Madderty : ' William