Agnews of Lochnaw

484 BATTLE OF RAMILIES. [ l 7^S-
After various marches and counter-marches during the sum-
mer, and having gone into winter-quarters in Dutch Brabant,
the young Laird of Lochnaw was thoroughly initiated in the
mysteries of drill, and had become a good dragoon, showing from
the first a tact for the service, which ingratiated him with his
commanding officers.
As the Greys bivouacked on the evening of the 22d of May
1706, they received an order to advance that very night, and feel
their way cautiously to the front. Young Agnew mounted his
charger as he turned out at one, the appointed hour, in no little
excitement at finding himself likely to be in actual presence of
the enemy for the first time.
The Greys advanced silently and unopposed, in extended order,
theirpatrols sweeping over the undulating ground on either side ; the
whole Allied army following them after the interval of a few hours.
As morning broke, a thick mist rendered distant objects im-
, perceptible, and the dragoons drew up on the crest of the rising
ground at the heights of Miersdorp. Here they halted for rest
and refreshment, a thick fog hanging over the plains below ;
and as this slowly rose, they saw the whole French army before
them in position at Eamilies. . •> I
Orderlies quickly carried the intelligence to the rear ; Marl-
borough hastened his march, forming the order of battle as he ^
advanced. The first formation was to the left of the Greys and
Eoyal Irish Dragoons, who received orders to stand fast : whilst :
the centre moved forward to the attack.
At half-past one a volley of artillery roared along the whole
line ; and a magnificent military spectacle was presented to the
eyes of the young cornet as he gazed with a beating heart at the
stirring scene below ; where the action became general.
Suddenly an aid-de-camp dashed up to Lord John Hay,
his colonel ; the trumpet sounded the advance, and immediately
afterwards the Greys " prepared to charge." A range of swampy
ground separated the British from the French cavalry. The
French considered themselves protected from cavalry attacks ; but
to Scotchmen a bog was no very serious obstacle. The Agnews