Red and white book of Menzies

388 THE "RED 6r> WHITE" BOOK OF MENZIES. [a.d. 1746.
parties reaching the summit about the same time, and possessing themselves
of two eminences within musket-shot of each other. To prevent the dragoons
gaining the advantage of wind, the MacDonalds, the Menzies', with the other men
forming the Athole Brigade, had advanced with such rapidity that they left the
rear columns considerably behind, and on reaching the height they halted to give
time for the rear to come up.
Meanwhile, Lord George Murray, who commanded the right wing, in forming
them for battle caused them to face to the left, thus making the east columns the
front line. The order of battle was thus : On the extreme right of the first line
stood the MacDonalds, the Farquharsons, MacKenzies, Macintoshes, MacPhersons,
Frasers, Stewarts of Appin, and Camerons, who were on the extreme left. The
second line consisted of the Athole Brigade, with the Menzies' forming the right
wing, close to the MacPhersons, then the Ogilvys and Gordons, with whom
were some of the Menzies' of Pitfodels, and some low - country regiments.
The prince was stationed in the rear of the centre ; the royal army was
also drawn up in two lines, but their superior numbers outflanked the
Highland left.
The battle commenced by General Hawley ordering his dragoons to attack
the Highlanders ; they therefore began by several movements to draw off the fire
of the Highlanders, but were anticipated by Lord George Murray, who, claymore
in hand, and targe on left arm, took his position at the head of the front line of
the right wing, and at his command both lines advanced, Clan Menzies being
about the centre of the right wing. The dragoons observing the Highlanders
advance began to move forward, and were instantly at full trot, coming up in
good order till within pistol-shot of the Highland first line. On the signal from
Lord George, the Highlanders discharged a volley with such precision and effect
that the dragoons on the extreme right were entirely broken, having many killed
and wounded ; the rest instantly wheeled and galloped down the hill, followed by
the Highlanders, who, claymore in hand, rushed after them, cutting them down.
The horse, in galloping down the hill, carried with them the infantry. Cobham's
dragoons, however, charged among the MacPhersons, who, on receiving the shock
of these veteran horse, reeled back, and the left of the right wing would have
become a total rout had not Chieftain Colonel Ian Menzies of Shian, observing the
surprise and dogged retreat of the MacPhersons, came to their rescue. He
instantly ordered his regiment of Menzies' to charge the dragoons ; this Clan
Menzies executed with such promptitude and rapidity that they drove the dragoons
in confusion off the field. Considerable confusion and hand-to-hand fighting
ensued at this point of the battle. The MacDonalds and Menzies', in supporting
the MacPhersons, fought furiously, using their dirks in close combat with the
dragoons, some, seizing the riders by their clothes, dragged them from their horses