Earls of Cromartie > [NSLBLANK]

ccxl JOHN LORD MACLEOD. [1727-
Lord Macleod took part in the battle of Falkirk that ensued ; and after the
battle he rescued an officer of the Kingis army whom some Highlanders were threat-
ening to kill, after he had been taken prisoner. He conducted the officer to Lord
George Murray, who sent him to the rear-guard. Lord George Murray had a value
for Lord Macleod's advice, and followed it in drawing lip the men in line, without
regard to clans or regiments, in the confusion of the pursuit, when a new attack
was feared. Lord Macleod joined the Irish pickets, and remained with them till
after dark. He then mounted his horse and went to seek the Prince. He found
him in a little hut on the top of the hill, sitting by the fire-side, and with him
Sir Thomas Sheridan, Adjutant-General Sulivan, and others. On word being-
brought that the Highlanders had taken possession of Falkirk and the enemy's
camp, the Prince and his suite mounted and rode to the town, where shelter was
eagerly sought owing to the heavy rain. Lord Macleod had the honour to sup with
the Prince in the evening, who asked him about his father, who was reported to
be wounded. Lord Macleod, after supper, went through the town in search of
him, but got no account till next day, when he found the report erroneous.
After the battle of Falkirk, a great number of the Highlanders deserted. In
the retreat to the north Lord Macleod went along with his father's regiment, and
continued with his father for the rest of the campaign.
Under the Prince's orders, Lord Macleod was sent by his father into Caithness
with his regiment, to raise that shire for the Prince's service and take up the
public revenues. On his arrival at Wick, Lord Macleod wrote circular letters to
all the gentlemen of the county, requiring them to meet him on a certain day at
Thurso. He went thither himself, and was joined by the men from Lochbroom of
his clansmen, the Mackenzies of Ballone and Dundonell. On the clay after arriving
at Thurso, Lord Macleod sent Mr. Mackenzie of Ardloch with a party to the
Orkneys to take up the public moneys, and try if he could raise any men. Several
gentlemen of Caithness appeared at Thurso, and after dinner Lord Macleod made a
speech, exhorting them to take up arms for the Prince Regent. They all seemed
very hearty for the cause ; and his Lordship named a day when he would set up
the Royal Standard. Meantime he busied himself in gathering in the public
money. Lord Macleod marched with his regiment to the place appointed, being a
hill near Thurso. Two or three gentlemen of the shire went along with him,
but only one met them, with twenty or thirty men, who made but an indifferent
figure. Lord Macleod gave them leave to return home; and shortly afterwards