Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

-j.o The Earls of Middleton.
Estates to raise a body of men (not to exceed forty
thousand) for the defence of the king. He openly
professed a great zeal for the Covenant, and a de-
termination to unite with the English Presbyterians,
but entered also into secret communication with some
Royalists of that country. Argyle and his party dis-
trusted from the first this " engagement " of Hamil-
ton's, as it was called, which they feared would end in
the restoration of monarchy without the establishment
of the Presbyterian religion, 1 and did their utmost to
stir up the people to oppose the levying of troops.
In June, 1648, the Earl of Callender and Middle-
ton were sent to the west with a force of 10,000 foot,
and 1600 horse, to the aid of Colonel Urry and
Colonel Turner. On the tenth day of that month
the Clydesdale men rose. Middleton, who led the ad-
vanced guard, charged them heavily, but only forty
men were slain. The remainder of Callender's force,
however, coming up soon afterwards, obliged the
Clydesdale men to retire.
Middleton after this was appointed lieutenant-
general of horse in Hamilton's army.
The most formidable rising occurred at Mauch-
line in Ayrshire, in which place a considerable body of
insurgents assembled, headed by several ministers ;
but these were defeated and dispersed by Middleton
1 Hume.