Agnews of Lochnaw

1704.] YOUNG LAIRD OF LOCHNAW. 483
relatives to the first Lady Stair : there wei'e two branches of this
family in Wigtownshire during the eighteenth century, who
acquired the small properties of Balsarroch, Cairnbrock, and
Balkail. The elder was appointed by Sir James his depute;
the junior was factor to Lord Stair. The first was progenitor of
Admirals Sir John and James Clark Eoss, the well-known arctic
voyagers ; and the latter of General Sir Hew Dalrymple Eoss,
a distinguished artillery officer, still living, who has filled with
much credit to himself various responsible situations during his
long military career.
Early in 1705, the Sheriff parted with his eldest son, who at
the age of seventeen joined the army in Flanders as a volunteer.
The Sheriff did not seek to control his son's zeal, roused to a
boiling pitch by the news of the victory of Blenheim. Pleased
at the idea of the boy's winning his own spurs, he supplied
him with a moderately well-filled purse, whilst his mother, along
with her blessing, furnished him with an introduction to the Duke
of Marlborough, obtained through her brother, Lord Eglinton
(then a Privy Councillor) ; as well as other letters of introduction.
Thus furnished, the youth embarked, and reached the camp
in Germany in safety, where he attached himself to " the Eoyal
Grey Dragoons."
At the mess of this distinguished corps he met many friends
from Galloway — his brother-in-law, Colonel Agnew, was major,
whose brother Thomas also was a captain in the regiment, and
among the subalterns were the young Laird of Mochrum, George
Dunbar, as well as John Dunbar, his youngest brother.
Within a few weeks of his arrival he received, to his no
small gratification, a commission signed by the Duke of Marl-
borough in camp at Eastad, on the 11th of May 1705, appointing
"Andrew Agnew to be cornet of that troop in Her Majesty's
Eoyal Eegiment of Scotts Dragoons commanded by the E*. Hon ble .
the Lord John Hay, whereof Major Andrew Agnew is Captain."
(Majors and lieutenant-colonels in these days had each their
nominal troops and companies, for which they received the con-
tingent allowance.)