Red and white book of Menzies

37S THE "RED 6- WHITE'' BOOK OF MENZIES. [a.d. 1745.
MacLauchlans, and Maclans of Glencoe, on the extreme left. When Cope
observed at break of day the Highland army formed in order of battle, he mistook
them for bushes ; but the rays of the sun breaking out showed the lines of both
armies drawn up, Cope's having a magnificent appearance, their polished arms
glittering in the sun. On the word of command, the left wing of the Highland
army began to advance, followed by the right and centre. The left first charged
Cope's cannon, whose gunners fled from the fire of the advancing Highlanders.
A squadron of dragoons then advanced to check their charge, but the Highlanders
rushing past the cannon, brought a number down by their fire, and flew upon
them claymore in hand. The dragoons when thus attacked were reeling from the
effects of the fire of the Highlanders, who, striking the noses of their horses,
completed their disorder. In a moment the dragoons wheeled and fled. Imme-
diately on the flight of the horse, the left wing, centre, and right wing, consisting
of the Camerons, Stewarts, Murrays, Drummonds, MacGregors, Robertsons, and
Clan Menzies, led by their chieftains of Shian, Bolfracks, and Pitfodels, rapidly
advanced upon Cope's infantry, who opened a fire from right to left along their
line. This the clans received with the loud shouts of their war-cries, that of Clan
Menzies being " Geal 's dearg gu brdth!" ("the Red and White for ever!") The
Highlanders, throwing away their muskets, drew their claymores and rushed upon
the foot soldiers before they had time to reload their guns. Confounded by the
flight of the dragoons, and the furious onset of the clansmen, the astonished
infantry threw down their arms and took to their heels. Hamilton's dragoons,
stationed on Cope's left, observing these squadrons giving way, turned their backs
and fled. Murray's regiment being left, poured in their fire upon the advancing
MacDonalds and Menzies', but fled before their furious charge. Thus, within a
few minutes the whole army of General Cope was put to flight. Such was the
impetuosity and rapidity with which the Highlanders broke through Cope's ranks,
that they left numbers of his men in their rear, who attempted to rally, but on
seeing the second line coming up they endeavoured to make their escape, but were
either cut down or taken prisoners.
In the first onset Colonel Gardiner was wounded at the head of his dragoons,
but refused to follow in their flight. He joined a small body of foot which
attempted to rally near the wall of his garden, and while fighting at their head
was cut down by the broadsword of the servant of Chieftain James Menzies of
Culdares, who had brought the present of the charger to the prince, which he rode
that day at the battle of Prestonpans. Of Cope's army of between 2500 and 3000
men, only about 170 escaped. The prisoners numbered about 1700, besides the
cannon, baggage, and military chest, containing ^"4000, fell into the hands of the
Highlanders, who gained a complete victory, and if they had thereafter pushed
up to London, the royal Stewarts would have " had their own again." After the