Red and white book of Menzies

a.d. 1746.] THE THIRD BARONET OF CLAN MENZIES. 389
and stabbed them with their dirks. Lord George was unable to restrain the
Highlanders on the flight of Cobham's dragoons after receiving the charge of Clan
Menzies, which turned the tide of battle, and the Highlanders then darted forward,
claymore in hand, upon the enemy, who, unable to resist the impetuosity of their
attack, the whole of the royal army gave way, with the exception of about two
regiments. General Hawley himself was huddled off the field among a confused
mass of horse and foot. The Highlanders who pursued them, when they got to
the bottom of the hill, received the fire of the regiments who had not been engaged,
and were obliged to retire.
Meanwhile, Lord George Murray, observing the confusion of Hawley's army,
moved down the hill with the Athole Brigade and the Clan Menzies regiment,
commanded by Chieftain Menzies of Shian, who had at once re-formed after forcing
the dragoons to flee. The Menzies' and other Athole men descended in good
order with these and other parties of Highlanders whom they rallied. They
entered Falkirk in three detachments — one under Lochiel at the west, the
Menzies' and other Athole men, with Lord George Murray, at the centre, the other,
under Lord John Drummond, by a lane — in this they captured a number of
stragglers.
In addition to seven pieces of cannon they captured the baggage and a large
quantity of military stores, and almost all their tents, besides other material of
the royal army ; several standards and stands of colours also fell into the hands of
the victorious Highlanders. The English acknowledged the loss of 280 killed,
including a considerable number of officers. The Highlanders only lost about 30
or 40 killed, and about double that number wounded. On the 19th January 1746,
the prince returned to Stirling and pressed on the siege, which, after several weeks,
was abandoned. On news of great reinforcements being received by the royal
army, now under the command of the Duke of Cumberland, the Highland army
began their retreat north, and on reaching Crieff were reviewed there, 2nd
February 1746. After the review a council of war was held, when it was agreed
to retreat north to Inverness. The prince, along with Lord John Drummond,
slept that night at Fairnton, or Ferntower, then belonging to Captain John Menzies
of the 42nd Highlanders, son of Captain James Menzies of Comrie.
The next day Prince Charles left Crieff, being the 4th February 1746, and
marched to Dunkeld, and thence to Blair Athole, where he halted the Highland
army, and with a detachment of Clan Menzies he went up the Appin-na-Meinerich,
or Strath Tay, to Castle Menzies, and was there the guest of the Chief Sir Robert
the Menzies, who received him with true Highland hospitality. The Chief Sir
Robert had been prevented through lameness from joining the prince's army, but
did all he could to honour his presence. We have the following minute of this
visit of the prince : —