Series 3 > Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Fourth volume)
(118) Page 105
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MADE BY CHARLES EDWARD STUART 105
the enemy to the very end of the kingdom. The enter¬
prise was beset with many difficulties, both on account of
the very bad roads, which were all in a shocking state,
and because the question of transport was a serious one,
since he was obliged to take provisions and everything
else he required for a number of days with him on carts.
All the provisions in the districts through which he had
to pass were consumed by the enemy who preceded him.
Cumberland was also well aware that, with so much baggage,
he would be obliged to travel much more slowly than he
ought to do if he were to catch up an enemy who was
already some way ahead of him and marching vigorously.
But no difficulty, however great it seemed, could daunt
the noble youth in his desire for glory.1 Cumberland was
further spurred on by the example of Edward, his equal
in birth and age, though far inferior in strength and power,
for he could not endure that he should be ranked as his
superior in pluck.
Two things gave him anxiety. One was that it was
generally rumoured that the Jacobites had gone to meet
French help. They themselves had deliberately spread
this rumour in order to keep the people loyal, and it ap¬
peared to be confirmed by the fact that a section of them
had marched towards the coast. The other was that they
were divided and marching through different districts.
This was the more troublesome because Cumberland did
not want to divide his forces, and he was afraid that, after
he had followed them a long distance in one direction,
they might turn off in another, and recover all they had
once held on this side of the Tay. Then, if he were to
drive them off again, they would retreat once more, and,
by retiring and advancing according as necessity dictated,
they might prolong the war and fool him and his army.
To prevent this he took two measures. He ordered the
admiral of the English fleet, by letter, not to leave the east
coast of Scotland, but to continue to cruise there. He was
1 Cumberland’s caution appears, as usual, to have been a more marked char¬
acteristic of his military character than his thirst for glory.
the enemy to the very end of the kingdom. The enter¬
prise was beset with many difficulties, both on account of
the very bad roads, which were all in a shocking state,
and because the question of transport was a serious one,
since he was obliged to take provisions and everything
else he required for a number of days with him on carts.
All the provisions in the districts through which he had
to pass were consumed by the enemy who preceded him.
Cumberland was also well aware that, with so much baggage,
he would be obliged to travel much more slowly than he
ought to do if he were to catch up an enemy who was
already some way ahead of him and marching vigorously.
But no difficulty, however great it seemed, could daunt
the noble youth in his desire for glory.1 Cumberland was
further spurred on by the example of Edward, his equal
in birth and age, though far inferior in strength and power,
for he could not endure that he should be ranked as his
superior in pluck.
Two things gave him anxiety. One was that it was
generally rumoured that the Jacobites had gone to meet
French help. They themselves had deliberately spread
this rumour in order to keep the people loyal, and it ap¬
peared to be confirmed by the fact that a section of them
had marched towards the coast. The other was that they
were divided and marching through different districts.
This was the more troublesome because Cumberland did
not want to divide his forces, and he was afraid that, after
he had followed them a long distance in one direction,
they might turn off in another, and recover all they had
once held on this side of the Tay. Then, if he were to
drive them off again, they would retreat once more, and,
by retiring and advancing according as necessity dictated,
they might prolong the war and fool him and his army.
To prevent this he took two measures. He ordered the
admiral of the English fleet, by letter, not to leave the east
coast of Scotland, but to continue to cruise there. He was
1 Cumberland’s caution appears, as usual, to have been a more marked char¬
acteristic of his military character than his thirst for glory.
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| Scottish History Society volumes > Series 3 > Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Fourth volume) > (118) Page 105 |
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| Permanent URL | https://digital.nls.uk/127653321 |
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| Description | Edinburgh : Printed at the University Press by T. & A. Constable for the Scottish History Society, 1926. Contents: Commentary on the expedition to Scotland made by Charles Edward Stuart, Prince of Wales / by Guilio Cesare Cordara ; edited by Sir Bruce Seton -- The manuscript history of Craignish / by Alexander Campbell ; edited by Herbert Campbell -- Miscellaneous charters, 1165-1399, from transcripts in the collection of the late Sir William Fraser / edited by William Angus. |
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| Shelfmark | SCS.SHS.90 |
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| Description | Over 180 volumes, published by the Scottish History Society, containing original sources on Scotland's history and people. With a wide range of subjects, the books collectively cover all periods from the 12th to 20th centuries, and reflect changing trends in Scottish history. Sources are accompanied by scholarly interpretation, references and bibliographies. Volumes are usually published annually, and more digitised volumes will be added as they become available. |
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