Series 2 > Origins of the 'Forty-five

412 A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLES OF
in flank, whom they also immediately broke. Our right,
marching down the hill, fell in with the Glasgow militia,
whom they severely chastised.
The Prince, who was mostly in the center, and whose
attention was turned to all parts, observing some regiments
of the enemys foot, and the remainder of the dragoons,
marching up the hill, put himself at the head of the Irish
pickets, and such of the scattered highlanders as were
nearest to him, with a few gentlemen a horse-back, and
advanced to attack them. But seeing the order of the
pickets, and having a great storm of wind and rain in their
faces, they fled precipitantly to their camp, as did all the
rest of their troops.
As the action began late in the afternoon, it was now
dark, the storm still continuing. However, the Prince
made all the dispatch immaginable to put his troops in
order, as he intended to beat the enemy from their camp.
But hardly were the half of our men drawn together, when
we observed many fires in Hawley’s camp, and his men at
the same time marching, with great hurry, between the
camp and town of Falkirk. We immediately conjectured
that they were burning their camp (which they indeed
endeavoured, but were prevented by the rain) and were
to take possession of the town of Falkirk. Had they taken
this course, a few men properly posted could have hindered
the highlanders from entering that night, and obliged us
either to have abandoned the field of battle, or to have
stood all night under arms, wet and fatigued as we were,
and exposed to the inclemency of the weather, a thing
impossible.
Mr. Drummond, now Lord Strathallan, and Mr. Oliphant
younger of Cask, disguised in peasants dress, went into the
town to reconnoitre, and to get intelligence of the enemy.
They soon returned with information, that they were
flying in confusion to Linlithgow. The Prince immedi¬
ately ordered his men to march, and attack them in the
rear. As we marched we fell on the enemy’s canon, which
they had left between the field of battle and the town :
they could not draw them up the hill, on account of the