Series 2 > Origins of the 'Forty-five

406 A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLES OF
walls of the gardens of Preston, where he had made several
breaches to retire into, if needful: The house of Seton and
a small morass on the left: An inclosure not half a gun
shot over, surrounded with a ditch three or four feet deep,
and five or six broad, covered his front; which made two
ditches of that breadth and depth to pass: And the sea was
in his rear, at no great distance from him : His canons and
coehorns were planted on a high way that led to Tranent,
between the above inclosure and morass. Thus his front
was to the south, his rear to the north, his right to the
west, and his left to the east.
In this situation what was to be done ? It was about
two o’clock in the after-noon. The Prince made several
movements to amuse the enemy, and placed guards on the
several roads that led to their camp. In the mean time
General Cope discharged several canon at us, but without
effect.
At twilight the Prince drew off his men, and marched
to Tranent. From hence he detached Lord Naime, with
500 men, to guard the road that led from Preston to
Edinburgh, to prevent Cope from marching thither. On
the other hand General Cope, afraid that the Prince should
have directed his march eastwards, altered his disposition,
and faced east, having now the morass in front; and his
troops were thus disposed. General Hamilton’s dragoons
were on his right, and Colonel Gardiners on his left. The
regiment of Lascelle’s and Murray, with five companies
of Lees and four of Guises formed the center. And his
second line consisted of three companies of the Earl of
Loudun’s regiment, two of Lord John Murray’s, a body
of Monros, and a great number of recruits for regiments
abroad. Amounting in all to about 2000 foot, and 700
dragoons.
As it was now dark, the Prince ordered the army to
march and to take possession of the ground on the south
east of the morass which they did, at about half canon
shot of the enemy. We continued under arms in the order
of march, observing the greatest silence, so that Cope did
not perceive where we were.