Red and white book of Menzies

a.d. 1689.] THE FOUNDER OF THE BLACK WATCH 327
of Mackay were cut down and driven into utter confusion. The greater part
of the English and Dutch soldiers behaved like the vilest cowards. The only
regiments who made any stand were Leven's and Hastings', but these were
supported by the friendly Highlanders of Clan Menzies, Mackay, Ross, and others.
While the Highlanders were hewing down the English and Dutch, Dundee, at
the head of the horse, attacked Mackay 's own battalion, breaking through it and
scattering the English horsemen like chaff before them. In this charge the
Menzies' of Aberdeenshire, under Chieftain Menzies of Pitfodels, were among
the first. Pitfodels was particularly taken notice of by Mackay's men for his
stalwart form, dark complexion, splendid charger and appointments, and his great
bravery, by which he distinguished himself so much that afterwards he became one
of the marked men for an example of the vengeance of the Government. The
courage of the stoutest-hearted of Mackay's men did not avail. Their arms were
insufficient to parry the tremendous strokes of the Highland claymores or broad-
swords, dirks, and Lochaber axes, which, with a single blow, either felled their
opponents to the earth or struck off a member from their bodies and at once disabled
them. Mackay was himself surrounded by the Highlanders, but they, probably
because he was a Highlander himself, did not attempt to injure him ; on getting
clear of whom and being out of danger, he turned round, when to his surprise
both armies had disappeared, as he says himself, " in the twinkling of an eye in a
manner," his army being driven pell-mell down to the river Garry, where many
of them perished. In the conflict Captain Robert Menzies, the young chief, and
his hundred Menzies' appear to have acted very coolly, who, being Highlanders
themselves in the Highland garb, and having many clansmen on the side of
Dundee, were consequently not the subject of so much animosity as were the
English and Dutch. The company of Menzies' knowing the country and keeping
together in good order when they saw that the day was lost, did all in their power
to stay the carnage — they, having many clansmen and friends in Dundee's army,
were anxious to save Celtic blood ; but those who did not know the district, or who
were English or Dutch in Mackay's army, were cut off. It was with great difficulty
that the devoted Mackay himself got to Castle Menzies with the remains of his
army, where he was hospitably received by the venerable old chief of Clan Menzies,
who extended shelter and refreshment to him and the fragments of his army.
After the battle of Killiecrankie, where several of the Clan Menzies had
distinguished themselves on the side of the great Dundee, among whom were
Chieftain Menzies of the Pitfodels' branch of the clan in Aberdeenshire, and
Major Duncan Menzies, who had held a commission in the army of Charles II.
and James VII., both of whom, by their great courage and activity that day,
did much to gain the victory. One of their company, young Stewart of
Ballachen, being captured some time after, became king's evidence, and, when