Series 1 > Jacobite attempt of 1719

270
THE JACOBITE ATTEMPT OF 1719
life in the affair till we should have some certain accounts of
the expedition from Spain, or else the Kings commands, which
would enliven every body and make things go right, in expec¬
tation of that with a great deal adoe a few of the Clans were
prevailed on to send some small assistance, which was gather¬
ing, that we might be able to keep together when their came
accounts of the Enemys march from Inverness with above
twelve hundred horse and foot. On the fifth Lochiel came first
up with near one hundred and fifty men, and finding others
could not soon enough join us, so as that we might be in a
condition to fight the Ennemy, we went about three miles from
Glenshell to view the narrow passes in the little Glen, hoping
to maintain the Rough Ground till people that were expected
should come up on the seventh. My Lord Seaforth met us and
told me he had brought to the Crow of Kintaile about five
hundred of his men who, it was thought, would heartily defend
their own Country. On the eight Rob Roy’s son brought a
Company of men who, with some volunteers, made up near
Eighty. That night we got accounts the enemy were removed
from Gilly whining1 to the Braes of Glenmoriston, which made
us march early next morning, till that part of the pass at Glen-
shellbegg, which every body thought the properest place for
defence, in which we posted our selves the best way we could.
In the evening one hundred of Mr Lidcoats2 people came to
us, and the same night my brother George who was on the
outguard sent word that he saw the Enemy in Camp at the
end of Loch Clownie, within four or five miles of us. Next
morning he sent again to inform us they were decamp’d
and moving slowly forward. About ten a Clock fifty men joined
us, and at twelve McKinnin came with fifty more which were
the last, for tho’ several men that were to been with us [were] on
the top of the mountains on each side, yet they did not descend
to incorporat with the rest. I suppose because they thought the
Enemy too near us, who as they advanced Lord George retyrd,
keeping all the way about half a mile from them till they came
in our sight, which was at two a clock in the afternoon. They
1 Cilla-chuimein, ‘the church of Cumin,’ the old Gaelic name of Fort
Augustus. It is spelt in a great variety of ways.
2 See Introduction, p. 1. note 2.