Red and white book of Menzies

354 THE "RED &> WHITE" BOOK OF MENZIES. [a.d. 1715.
On the other hand, Mar waited at Perth until joined by the Gordons, the
Menzies' of Aberdeenshire under Chieftain Menzies of Pitfodels, the Mackenzies,
and the Northern Highlanders. He then left Perth on the 10th November 1715,
and advanced towards Stirling. Argyle, on his part, crossed the Forth and
advanced to meet Mar's army. They came in sight of each other at Sheriffmuir
near Dunblane, 12th November 17 15. On the side of Mar there was a considerable
number of gentlemen of Clan Menzies ; these were — Chieftain Alexander Menzies
of Garth, Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Shian, Chieftain John Menzies, younger
of Shian, Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Bolfrax, Chieftain Robert Menzies of
Glassie, Chieftain William Menzies of Pitfodels, each at the head of a body of
clansmen. The latter seems to have been on the left wing of Mar's army, who,
at their first charge, made the veteran regiments of the right wing of Argyle's
army reel. In that charge they did great work with the favourite weapon of the
Highlander — the claymore. Argyle, perceiving the dangerous position in which
his left wing was thrown by the furious charge of these Highlanders, ordered up
his cavalry, who, outflanking Mar's left wing, drove them back and captured
several prisoners, but every inch of the ground was disputed by the horse and
Highlanders. On the right wing of Mar's army were Chieftains Alexander and
John Menzies of Shian, Chieftain Alexander Menzies of Bolfrax, Chieftain
Alexander Menzies of Garth, and Chieftain Robert Menzies of Glassie. These
men, at the head of their branches of Clan Menzies, charged along with the
MacDonalds and other Highlanders the left wing of Argyle's army, upon which
they rushed forward until they came within range of the enemy, when they
discharged a volley with great effect. A volley being returned by Argyle's army,
the gallant Chief of the MacDonalds fell, mortally wounded. This almost broke
up the right wing, as his men clustered round him ; he, quieting their grief,
requested them to stand firm. At that moment, Chieftain MacDonald of
Glengarry sprung forward, and throwing his bonnet in the air, cried aloud,
" Revenge ! Revenge ! Revenge to-day, mourning to-morrow ! " No sooner were
the words uttered than the Highlanders rushed forward, claymore in hand, with
the greatest fury. In this charge the Menzies' joined, headed by Chieftain
Menzies of Bolfrax, shouting their war-cry or " cath ghairm " in Gaelic, " Geal 's
dearg gu brath" or " The Red and White for ever ! " This mingled with the
slogan of the MacDonalds, and, burning for revenge, both clans rushed on the
levelled bayonets of Argyle's army, tilted them in the air with their targes, and
with their claymores in the right hand, cut the front rank of Argyle's veteran
soldiers down. The dirk in the left hand under the targe was reserved for the
second line at close quarters. Argyle's trained veteran troops could not withstand
the impetuosity of the Highlanders, who, once through their front rank, at every
sweep of their claymores brought death and terror among them. They were