Red and white book of Menzies

a.d. T746.] THE THIRD BARONET OF CLAN MENZIES. 393
and the terrible effect of the Highland claymores, that they would have been
entirely cut to pieces had they not been immediately supported by two regiments
of the second line — having sustained a loss in killed of over 200 men in this
charge by the powerful strokes of the claymores of the Highlanders, who from
their commander to the humblest clansman fought side by side as if the victory
depended on him. In this charge Chieftain Colonel John Menzies of Shian did
great havoc with his claymore among the English. He, from his stature, being
over six feet and powerfully built, was called by the Highlanders, " Ian Vohr
Meinerich" or " Muckle John Menzies." On the Highlanders cutting away the first
line, they then rushed upon the second line, who gave them a tremendous fire of
grape-shot and musketry, which carried havoc through their ranks, making them
waver ; but, maddened by despair and utterly regardless of their lives, they rushed
upon the enemy amid a cloud of smoke, and although they cut down many of the
second line were unable to break through, as the other lines of the Highlanders had
not come up to support them. The same kind of charge was given by the Stewarts of
Appin, Frasers, Macintoshes, and the centre regiments, driving back the front lines
of the enemy upon their second, which they also attempted to break ; but, finding
themselves unsupported and unable to break through, gave up the contest, not,
however, until numbers of them were shot down at the cannon's mouth. Unable to
break the second line, the right wing, consisting of the Clan Menzies and other
Athole clans, turned about and cut their way back with their claymores through
those of the enemy who had advanced and formed on the ground they had
passed over. In charging back to the front, Chieftain Ian Menzies of Shian was
severely wounded, and many of his officers, by the fire of the enemy, which was on
all sides.
The clan regiments of MacDonald on the left contented themselves by firing
at the enemy, and had only drawn their claymores when the clans who had broken
the first line of the enemy had to retire. They therefore marched off the field
without striking a stroke. All was now lost, and the whole army in full retreat.
Cumberland's army was so much cut up and crippled that they could not at once
pursue. This was fortunate for the Highlanders. But after dressing their lines
they marched forward in a body, and in the most barbarous manner stabbed the
wounded Highlanders with their bayonets and swords as they lay wounded on the
field. Their cavalry in the same way cut every man down who wore the " kilt."
Thus many of the citizens of Inverness — their own friends who had come out to see
the battle — were butchered. The carnage of helpless men was appalling.
In this retreat Chieftain Ian Menzies of Shian, with several officers and men
of Clan Menzies who had been wounded, and unable through loss of blood to
proceed further, were obliged to take refuge in a house, where they prepared to
defend themselves as best they could with their pistols and guns, having