Red and white book of Menzies

392 THE "RED 6- WHITE" BOOK OF MENZIES. [a.d. 1746.
When Cumberland and his army had got up to Nairn it was agreed by the Prince
and the Highland chiefs to make a night attack on the Duke's army ; but, from
want of food and fatigue, after getting within three miles of them, the Highlanders
considered it best to retrace their steps to Culloden, where they, after snatching a
little rest, prepared to meet Cumberland and his powerful army. The latter soon
appeared, and began to take up an advantageous position. The position taken up
by the Highland army was chosen by General O'Sullivan, who was utterly unfit for
handling Highland troops ; but had the advice of Lord George Murray been taken,
another and more suitable site for the action would have been selected.
The Highland army was drawn up in three lines. The first line consisted of
the Athole Brigade, of which was the Clan Menzies regiment, under the command
of Chieftain Colonel Ian Menzies of Shian, with the Robertsons and MacGregors
forming the right wing ; next were the Camerons, Stewarts of Appin, Frasers,
Macintoshes, MacLachlans, MacLeans, John Roy Stewart's regiment and the
Farquharsons united into one regiment, the MacLeods, Chisholms, MacDonalds of
Clanranald, Keppoch and Glengarry ; the MacDonalds formed the left. Lord
George Murray commanded the right ; Lord John Drummond the centre ; the
Duke of Perth the left of the front line. The second line consisted of the Gordons,
Menzies' of Pitfodels, French Royal Scots, Irish Picquets, Kilmarnock's Guards,
Drummond's and Glenbucket's regiments ; the horse on the left were Elcho's Horse
Guards and others. The third line, or reserve, consisted of Perth's and Ogilvy's
regiments ; in the rear of the centre was the prince, who from a small eminence
could see the whole field of battle.
The army of Cumberland came forward in order of battle, also in three lines.
The battle was opened by a cannonade on both sides, followed by the counter
movements of each army. The Highlanders getting impatient, and galled by the
fire of Cumberland's army, the Macintoshes rushed forward just as Lord George
Murray was about to give the command, received the fire of the enemy's centre
and inclined to the right, but all the regiments to the right, including the Menzies
regiment of the Athole Brigade, coming down close after them, the whole moved
forward at a pretty quick pace. When within pistol-shot of the enemy they received
a murderous fire, both in front and in flank, of grape-shot and small arms. Whole
ranks were literally swept away by this terrible fire ; yet notwithstanding the
dreadful carnage the Highlanders continued to advance, and after giving their fire
close to the enemy's line, which from the smoke was scarcely visible, the right wing,
consisting of the Clan Menzies regiment, led by their gallant Chieftain Ian Menzies
of Shian, and the rest of the Athole Brigade and Camerons rushed, claymore in
hand, breaking through Barrel's and Monroe's regiments, forming the first line on
the left of the enemy. These regiments defended themselves bravely with their
bayonets, but such was the impetuosity of the onset by the Highland clans,