Red and white book of Menzies

394 THE " RED & WHITE" BOOK OF MENZIES. [a.d. 1746.
barricaded the doors and windows. The house was soon surrounded by
Cumberland's butchers, who commenced to fire upon the defenders. Chieftain
Menzies and those with him kept up a raking fire from the inside with such effect
that many were killed of the enemy, who were driven back only to return in
greater force, bringing with them straw and every combustible they could procure.
Menzies of Shian, seeing that it was impossible for him in his wounded state to
make his escape, determined to hold out to the last. He took off his claymore,
powder-horn, water-flask, and some papers, and gave them to a young Menzies,
a nephew, who, faithful to the last would not leave him, and implored him to take
advantage of the darkness and make his escape on the first opportunity, which
soon after occurred. Owing to Cumberland's men having been beaten back by the
destructive fire of the wounded Highlanders, the nephew of Chieftain Ian Menzies
made his escape ; but he had not gone far in the dark when a great blaze was
raised about the house where the wounded chieftain was. Cumberland's men,
having piled up the straw and other combustibles round the house, set the whole
on fire ; and Chieftain Colonel " Ian Vohr" Menzies of Shian perished in the flames,
with several other Highland officers and wounded clansmen.
The powder-horn and water-flask of Menzies of Shian was presented by his
descendant, Robert Menzies, Esq., J. P., Tirinie, to the collection of relics of the
Menzies' Clan Society.
Of the Menzies' of note who were at the battle of Culloden, and who, with the
Clan Menzies regiment are always included in the Athole Brigade — most of whom
were afterwards proclaimed outlaws, and had their estates confiscated — as follows : —
Chieftain Colonel John Menzies of Shian, otherwise " Earl Menzies,"
or "LORD Menzies." His whole estates in Glenquiech were confiscated to the
Crown, and afterwards got by the Breadalbane Campbells, who hunted every
Menzies out of the glen, which was at this time thickly populated by them, as is
proven by the parish records, but now not one remains.
Chieftain James Menzies of Bolfrax was also at Culloden, but seems to
have escaped detection, the Highlanders being above becoming informers. The
Bolfrax estates were therefore saved. The claymore which this chieftain used at
Culloden is one of the finest in Scotland, and is inscribed " Andrea Ferrara." It is
now in the possession of his descendant, Major James Stewart Menzies, late 74th
Highlanders, at Perth.
Chieftain Gilbert Menzies of Pitfodels, shire of Aberdeen, parish of
Maryculter, " formerly an officer in the French army, had his estates confiscated
and proclaimed outlaw for carrying arms during the whole rebellion, being with
the army at Prestonpans, ' in England,' and at Clifton, Falkirk, and ' Colloden.' "
Captain John Menzies, son of Menzies of Pitfodels, in the county of
Kincardine and parish of Maryculter, outlawed for carrying arms through the