Red and white book of Menzies

a.d. 1745.] THE THIRD BARONET OF CLAN MENZIES. 379
defeat of Cope's army, the prisoners being very numerous, all those who could
not be induced to join the Highland army, were transported as prisoners of
war to Perthshire, under a guard of Menzies' commanded by Junior Chieftain
Archibald Menzies of Shian, who had been made a colonel for his services in
the field. The prisoners were lodged at Logierait and other places. While in
command of the detachment of Menzies' who at first guarded the prisoners
quartered at Logierait, Junior Chieftain Colonel Archibald Menzies set about
raising a number of men from the surrounding district of Athole, who could not
go on active service, to guard the prisoners. In this he was successful, and he
then turned his attention to raise a still larger number of Clan Menzies and
others of their following, for the service of the prince. For this purpose Colonel
Menzies of Shian took up his quarters at Farleyer, one of the largest houses in
the parish of Dull, about a mile from Castle Menzies, which was originally built
as a dowager house for Lady Menzies, the daughter of the Earl of Huntly,
about 1530. From Farleyer Shian sent out the Menzies' who had been with him
at the battle of Prestonpans, to raise the clan all over their different districts.
With his headquarters so near Castle Menzies, and the chief acquiescing in the
movement, it gave the Menzies' encouragement to come out in greater numbers,
but it took time to marshal them again. It was while recruiting his forces here,
that orders arrived for Clan Menzies to rejoin the prince's army in its march into
England.
As the orders came through the Duke of Athole, as general of the Athole
district, the young chieftain returned the following reply to the Duke : —
" Arch d - Menzies of Shian to the Duke of Atholl.
" My Lord Duke, — The difficulties arises in conveening the men committed
to my care gives me a good deal of uneasiness, as it disappoints my joining your
grace, so as to pass the Forth on Munday.
" It will be Monday at soonest before I can expect the party or the Glenlyon
men back here, and Tuesday or Wednesday before I can march hence. In this
tardy way I would know your Grace's orders, as one who has ado with different
gentlemen's people, and such as does not incline to appear in a light to facilitate my
march. This goes by ane express from Strowan, to notifie to your Grace express
orders from his Royal Highness to join the camp w' all expedition, by whom your
Grace will please to let me know what I am to do ; and if your Grace has
absolutely promised to send a party to Breamarr and thinks it for the benefitt of
the service, I'll do in that what your Grace thinks proper. I have return'd a
letter addressed to Mr Ferquarson of Monaltry, which should have been deliver'd
by Mr Alexander, [who] I presume was to command the party. I shall be impatient
for your Grace's orders, tho' I trust to the bearer's quick return, yet sometimes
Strowan's expresses have other things ado on the way, and I would likewise