Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

John Middleton, First Earl of Middleton. 79
Captain M.'s x letter is dated Thurso, 4th June,
1654. — "Account of the proceedings of Middleton's
forces from the time of his landing : Upon their first
landing, the Earl of Sutherland left his house and
retreated to the rebels. They marched, therefore, at
once to the fastest and most inaccessible places, and
met with no opposition, although encountering many
difficulties, such as ways more tiring to describe than
to travel, and the drinking water, and wading rivers,
when warmer accommodation was required — but all
were thoroughly warmed by the example of the
general. The other ship arrived safely, with the
main stock of arms and ammunition, and sixty
gentlemen. Skelbow, belonging to Dovehouse " (Duf-
fus), "was garrisoned to secure the stores and a
neighbouring pass. Lord Reay having raised his
men, Middleton then marched into Caithness, near
Wick, where the rebels had a garrison of one hundred
men, who could not be attacked for want of guns,
nor blockaded for want of ships to command the
sea — but a regiment of six hundred men was raised.
The general next marched into Sutherland to
meet Lord Glencairn. Between two and three thou-
sand appeared at the first rendezvous, with whom
were Glencairn, Athole, Kenmure, Major-General
1 This letter is given entire, although some of the facts stated have
been already related, because it was probably written by Charles
Middleton.