In writing this record of the history of the Royal Scots Greys I have aimed at giving scenes and characters as exactly as possible. I have, therefore, used contemporary language without any modern editing. The book will contain particulars relating to every officer who has ever held a commission in the Regiment.
Before describing the origin of this famous Regiment, it will be well to refer briefly to the title Dragoon. It will be noticed that in the early official warrants, Horse, Foot, and Dragoons, are always three distinct forces. The Dragoon was nearly allied to the Mounted Infantryman, who, in modern times, has evoked such great public interest. A captain was usually described as appointed to command, not a troop, but a company.
On the breaking out of the war with Holland in 1672 a regiment of Dragoons was raised; the pay was at a lower rate than the Horse, and the men were armed as Infantry, except that a limited number carried halberds instead of pikes, and the others muskets and bayonets, and a few in each troop had pistols.
The warrant, dated 2nd April, 1672, requires that the new force—
"shall be armed out of our stoares remaining within Our office of the Ordinance as followeth; that is to say, three corporalls, two serjeants, the gentlemen at armes, and twelve souldiers of each of the said twelve Troopes, are to have and carry each of them one halbard, and one case of pistolls with holsters; and the rest of the souldiers of the several Troopes aforesaid, are to have and to carry each of them one matchlocke musquet, with a collar of bandaliers, and also to have and to carry one bayonet or great knife. That each lieutenant have andcarry one partizan, and that two drums be delivered out for each Troope of the said Regiment."
"shall be armed out of our stoares remaining within Our office of the Ordinance as followeth; that is to say, three corporalls, two serjeants, the gentlemen at armes, and twelve souldiers of each of the said twelve Troopes, are to have and carry each of them one halbard, and one case of pistolls with holsters; and the rest of the souldiers of the several Troopes aforesaid, are to have and to carry each of them one matchlocke musquet, with a collar of bandaliers, and also to have and to carry one bayonet or great knife. That each lieutenant have andcarry one partizan, and that two drums be delivered out for each Troope of the said Regiment."
By warrants dated 21st May, 1678, two independent troops of Dragoons were raised, their respective Captains being John Strachan and John Inglis.
This was the beginning of the Royal Scots Greys.
On 23rd September, 1678, Viscount Kingstoun was commissioned to be Captain of "a new company of Dragoons appointed by us to be forthwith levyed."
Four days later, Francis Stuart, of Coldingham, was appointed Lieutenant of this new company.
On July 24th, 1679, Francis Stuart became Captain of this new company in succession to Viscount Kingstoun who resigned.
By Royal Warrant on the 25th of November, 1681, three troops were ordered to be added to the three already raised, and the whole six formed into a regiment. See page13.
The following extract relates to the state of Scotland and proposed increase of forces there. (State Papers—Scotland—Warrant Books, vol. iv., folio 370):—
"CHARLES R."Right trusty and welbeloued Cousins and Councellors.—Wee greet you well. After full and satisfactory information from the Lords commissionated by you here, of what has been done by you in our Service, Wee doe againe approve of your proceeding, and thank you for your care, assuring you of our favour, assistance, and protection, upon all occasions; and for the more effectual prosecution thereof, wee find it necessary to signify to you, and by you to our people there, that wee are firmly resolved to owne and assert our authority, so as may equally encourage you and discourage all such as by seditious Practices endeavour in aspersing you to lessen our Prerogative: And finding by good information that the Phanaticks there, expecting encouragement from such as oppose you, and taking advantage of the present juncture of affaires here, have of late with great insolence flocked together frequently and openly in ffield conventicles those Rendevouses of Rebellion, and haue dared to oppose our fforces, though wee neither heed nor doe fear such insolent attempts, yet from a just care of our own authority, and a kindnesse to our good subjects there, we haue thought fit to order that some more fforces may be trained; and for that effect wee haue commanded the Lords of our Treasury to take an effectuall course for providing what money wee shall find necessary for raising and maintaining those Troopes at our charge, And wee expect from you an exact and speedy Account of what number and quality of Troopes may be necessary there upon this occasion; to the end wee may direct commissions, and give such other orders as wee shall find requisite. For doing whereof this shall be your Warrant, and so wee bid you heartily ffarewell."Given at our Court at Whitehall the 7th day of May 1678, and of our Reigne the 30th."
"CHARLES R.
"Right trusty and welbeloued Cousins and Councellors.—Wee greet you well. After full and satisfactory information from the Lords commissionated by you here, of what has been done by you in our Service, Wee doe againe approve of your proceeding, and thank you for your care, assuring you of our favour, assistance, and protection, upon all occasions; and for the more effectual prosecution thereof, wee find it necessary to signify to you, and by you to our people there, that wee are firmly resolved to owne and assert our authority, so as may equally encourage you and discourage all such as by seditious Practices endeavour in aspersing you to lessen our Prerogative: And finding by good information that the Phanaticks there, expecting encouragement from such as oppose you, and taking advantage of the present juncture of affaires here, have of late with great insolence flocked together frequently and openly in ffield conventicles those Rendevouses of Rebellion, and haue dared to oppose our fforces, though wee neither heed nor doe fear such insolent attempts, yet from a just care of our own authority, and a kindnesse to our good subjects there, we haue thought fit to order that some more fforces may be trained; and for that effect wee haue commanded the Lords of our Treasury to take an effectuall course for providing what money wee shall find necessary for raising and maintaining those Troopes at our charge, And wee expect from you an exact and speedy Account of what number and quality of Troopes may be necessary there upon this occasion; to the end wee may direct commissions, and give such other orders as wee shall find requisite. For doing whereof this shall be your Warrant, and so wee bid you heartily ffarewell.
"Given at our Court at Whitehall the 7th day of May 1678, and of our Reigne the 30th."
Charles the Second's Commission dated 19th July, 1666,Appointing "Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Captaine' of a Troupe of Horse, to be raised by you for Our Service, in the Regiment whereof Lieut.-Generall Drumond is Colonell."
Charles the Second's Commission dated 19th July, 1666,Appointing "Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Captaine' of a Troupe of Horse, to be raised by you for Our Service, in the Regiment whereof Lieut.-Generall Drumond is Colonell."
Charles the Second's Commission dated 19th July, 1666,
Appointing "Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Captaine' of a Troupe of Horse, to be raised by you for Our Service, in the Regiment whereof Lieut.-Generall Drumond is Colonell."
Directed on the back thus:—
"To our right trusty and welbeloved Cousins and Councellors ... our Privy Councell of our ancient Kingdome of Scotland."
"To our right trusty and welbeloved Cousins and Councellors ... our Privy Councell of our ancient Kingdome of Scotland."
The very next warrant makes John Strachan Captain of one of "ye two companies of Dragoons to be forthwith leavied." It was followed under the same date by others, one making John Inglis Captain of the other company, one making John Lauder Lieutenant of Strachan's company, and another making William Cleland Lieutenant of Inglis's company. Then followed still two more, one appointing John Livingston Ensign in Strachan's and the other, Henry Dundas, Ensign under Inglis.
"CHARLES R."Charles the Second by yegrace of God king of Scotland, england, france and Ireland Defender of yefaith &c. to our trusty and welbeloved John Strachan greeting: Wee reposing speciall trust and confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and good Conduct, doe by these presents constitute and appoint you to be Captaine of one of yetwo Companies of Dragoones appointed by us to be forthwith leavied for our service in our ancient Kingdome of Scotland, which Company is to consist of one hundred men besides officers. You are therefore carefully to discharge the Duty of a Captaine by exercising yesaid Company in Armes, both Officers and soldiers, and keeping them in good order and Discipline. And wee doe hereby command them to obey you as their Captaine, and you likewise exactly to observe and follow all such Orders and Directions as you shall from time to time receive from Us, our Privy Councell, the Commander in chiefe of our fforces in that our Kingdome now or for the time being, or any other your superiour officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of Warre, in pursuance of yetrust which wee doe hereby repose in you."Given at our Court at Whitehall the 21th day of May 1678—and of our Reigne the 30th year."
"CHARLES R.
"Charles the Second by yegrace of God king of Scotland, england, france and Ireland Defender of yefaith &c. to our trusty and welbeloved John Strachan greeting: Wee reposing speciall trust and confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and good Conduct, doe by these presents constitute and appoint you to be Captaine of one of yetwo Companies of Dragoones appointed by us to be forthwith leavied for our service in our ancient Kingdome of Scotland, which Company is to consist of one hundred men besides officers. You are therefore carefully to discharge the Duty of a Captaine by exercising yesaid Company in Armes, both Officers and soldiers, and keeping them in good order and Discipline. And wee doe hereby command them to obey you as their Captaine, and you likewise exactly to observe and follow all such Orders and Directions as you shall from time to time receive from Us, our Privy Councell, the Commander in chiefe of our fforces in that our Kingdome now or for the time being, or any other your superiour officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of Warre, in pursuance of yetrust which wee doe hereby repose in you.
"Given at our Court at Whitehall the 21th day of May 1678—and of our Reigne the 30th year."
The following order relates in part to thethree Independent Troopes of Dragoones. (War Office Miscellany Orders, vol. v., folio 179):—
"Whereas his Majesty hath thought fitt to order the immediate Raiseing of three Regiments of Horse consisting of eight Troopes each Regiment, and sixty men in each Troope besides Officers: as also three Regiments of Foot consisting of four Companyes each Regiment, and one hundred men in each Company, besides officers; and one Regiment of Dragoons consisting of eight Troopes, and eighty men in each troope, besides officers,and three other Independent Troopes of Dragoons, of the like number; and three Troopes of Horse Granadiers, consisting of eighty men in one of the Troopes, and sixty men in each of the other two Troopes, besides officers."You are to pass and allow the said Regiments, Troopes and Companies, according to the directions following."The first muster of any of the troopes of Horse is to be from the officers first produceing twenty or more good men well mounted to be mustered, and the following musters shall be upon produceing five men with their Horses till the whole Troope be compleated. The officers are to be allowed and enter into Pay from their said first muster of Twenty."The foot are to be mustered as any of them are raised, and the officers of each Company are to be allowed from the time they muster twenty."The first muster of every Troope of Dragoones, is to be upon the officers produceing twenty-five good men suitably mounted, and the officers then are to be allowed, and the following musters shall be of eight men with their Horses till the troope be compleated. The first Muster of the Horse Granadiers is to be upon produceing thirty men well mounted and the officers then to be allowed, and the following Musters to be in the same manner as those of the Dragoons. The field officers of each Regiment are to be allowed from the first muster of their respective Companies, and you are to pay the staff officers from the time appointed for the Regiment to Rendezvous."Given at the Court at Whitehall this 11th day of June 1679."Monmouth."To Henry Howard, Esqre., Commissary General of the Musters."
"Whereas his Majesty hath thought fitt to order the immediate Raiseing of three Regiments of Horse consisting of eight Troopes each Regiment, and sixty men in each Troope besides Officers: as also three Regiments of Foot consisting of four Companyes each Regiment, and one hundred men in each Company, besides officers; and one Regiment of Dragoons consisting of eight Troopes, and eighty men in each troope, besides officers,and three other Independent Troopes of Dragoons, of the like number; and three Troopes of Horse Granadiers, consisting of eighty men in one of the Troopes, and sixty men in each of the other two Troopes, besides officers.
"You are to pass and allow the said Regiments, Troopes and Companies, according to the directions following.
"The first muster of any of the troopes of Horse is to be from the officers first produceing twenty or more good men well mounted to be mustered, and the following musters shall be upon produceing five men with their Horses till the whole Troope be compleated. The officers are to be allowed and enter into Pay from their said first muster of Twenty.
"The foot are to be mustered as any of them are raised, and the officers of each Company are to be allowed from the time they muster twenty.
"The first muster of every Troope of Dragoones, is to be upon the officers produceing twenty-five good men suitably mounted, and the officers then are to be allowed, and the following musters shall be of eight men with their Horses till the troope be compleated. The first Muster of the Horse Granadiers is to be upon produceing thirty men well mounted and the officers then to be allowed, and the following Musters to be in the same manner as those of the Dragoons. The field officers of each Regiment are to be allowed from the first muster of their respective Companies, and you are to pay the staff officers from the time appointed for the Regiment to Rendezvous.
"Given at the Court at Whitehall this 11th day of June 1679.
"Monmouth.
"To Henry Howard, Esqre., Commissary General of the Musters."
The next is of varied interest, giving the Duke of Monmouth supreme command, and urging to be kept informed by "flying packets." (Vol. v., page 156.)
"Whitehall, 11th June, 1679, at Midnight."May it please your Lordship I am commanded by his Majesty to acquaint you that in pursuance of his Resolution to send some Supplyes from hence to you for suppressing the Rebellion now amongst the Phanaticks in the West of Scotland, he hath ordered a Regiment of ffoote to be presently embarqued to goe by Sea to Barwick together with cannon and ammunitionsufficient, and his Majesty has ordered two Regiments of ffoote more to be presently leauied, the one to be commanded by the Lord Cavendish and the other by the Lord Gray of Wark, as also three Regiments of Horse under the command of the Duke of Monmouth, Duke of Albemarle, the Lord Gerard, Together with eight hundred Dragoons, There is likewise three troopes of Granadiers, and these last are to march towards Scotland to-morrow. The King has also thought fit to name the Duke of Monmouth Generall to command all his fforces so long as his Grace shall remaine in Scotland. His Majesty by this Expedition will be at the charge of upwards of five hundred pounds sterline a day, which is more than £150,000 sterline by year if they continue so long. And seeing the King has so early provided for the preservation of his royall government and your common safety, he has just reason to expect that in the meantime you will bestow your utmost care and diligence as far as possible to suppresse that vile Rebellion. His Majesty presseth much that frequent flying packets may be sent at least every other day that he may know all things that pass, and that they may bear large and exact accounts. All which by his Majesty's command is signified to your Lordship by my Lord, your Lordships most humble and most faithfull servant,Lauderdale."To the Right Honble.The Earl of Rothes, Lord high Chancellor of Scotland. To be communicated to the remnant Lords and other of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Councell of that Kingdome."
"Whitehall, 11th June, 1679, at Midnight.
"May it please your Lordship I am commanded by his Majesty to acquaint you that in pursuance of his Resolution to send some Supplyes from hence to you for suppressing the Rebellion now amongst the Phanaticks in the West of Scotland, he hath ordered a Regiment of ffoote to be presently embarqued to goe by Sea to Barwick together with cannon and ammunitionsufficient, and his Majesty has ordered two Regiments of ffoote more to be presently leauied, the one to be commanded by the Lord Cavendish and the other by the Lord Gray of Wark, as also three Regiments of Horse under the command of the Duke of Monmouth, Duke of Albemarle, the Lord Gerard, Together with eight hundred Dragoons, There is likewise three troopes of Granadiers, and these last are to march towards Scotland to-morrow. The King has also thought fit to name the Duke of Monmouth Generall to command all his fforces so long as his Grace shall remaine in Scotland. His Majesty by this Expedition will be at the charge of upwards of five hundred pounds sterline a day, which is more than £150,000 sterline by year if they continue so long. And seeing the King has so early provided for the preservation of his royall government and your common safety, he has just reason to expect that in the meantime you will bestow your utmost care and diligence as far as possible to suppresse that vile Rebellion. His Majesty presseth much that frequent flying packets may be sent at least every other day that he may know all things that pass, and that they may bear large and exact accounts. All which by his Majesty's command is signified to your Lordship by my Lord, your Lordships most humble and most faithfull servant,Lauderdale.
"To the Right Honble.The Earl of Rothes, Lord high Chancellor of Scotland. To be communicated to the remnant Lords and other of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Councell of that Kingdome."
The next relates to the rebellion, and to the appointment of "Thomas Dalzell to be Lieutenant General of all His Majesty's forces in that his ancient kingdome." (Vol. v., folio 167.)
"Whitehall, 19thJune, 1679."May it please your Lordships. It was yesterday in the evening that your Letter of ye15thinstant (by a flying Packett) came to my hand, and I did immediately waite on the King with it, who after his reading it was pleased to declare that he was very well satisfied with your recommending Generall Thomas Dalzell to be Lieutenant Generall of all his Majesty's Forces in that his ancient Kingdome, and gave me a command for Preparing his Commission for that purpose; wherein I would lose no time, for it was ready this morning for his Royall hand, and he was graciously pleased to signe it, as you have it now hereinclosed. His Majesty is also exceedingly well pleased with the march of his fforces last Munday against the Rebells, and with the extraordinary care and diligence that have appeared in all your consultations and actions since the first notice you had of the breaking out of this Rebellion, which he hopes (by the blessing of God, and the continuance of your faithfull endeavours) will be soone crushed. It was likewise a great satisfaction to his Majesty to know that youwere resolved to send fflying Packetts frequently for he has a very earnest desire to be informed as often as possible, of the transactions there, during the continuance of this Rebellion. Your Lordships may be pleased to send this Letter to the Duke of Buccleugh, and this commission to the Lieutenant Generall with all speed."I am My Lords, ..."Lauderdale."To Earl Rothes...."
"Whitehall, 19thJune, 1679.
"May it please your Lordships. It was yesterday in the evening that your Letter of ye15thinstant (by a flying Packett) came to my hand, and I did immediately waite on the King with it, who after his reading it was pleased to declare that he was very well satisfied with your recommending Generall Thomas Dalzell to be Lieutenant Generall of all his Majesty's Forces in that his ancient Kingdome, and gave me a command for Preparing his Commission for that purpose; wherein I would lose no time, for it was ready this morning for his Royall hand, and he was graciously pleased to signe it, as you have it now hereinclosed. His Majesty is also exceedingly well pleased with the march of his fforces last Munday against the Rebells, and with the extraordinary care and diligence that have appeared in all your consultations and actions since the first notice you had of the breaking out of this Rebellion, which he hopes (by the blessing of God, and the continuance of your faithfull endeavours) will be soone crushed. It was likewise a great satisfaction to his Majesty to know that youwere resolved to send fflying Packetts frequently for he has a very earnest desire to be informed as often as possible, of the transactions there, during the continuance of this Rebellion. Your Lordships may be pleased to send this Letter to the Duke of Buccleugh, and this commission to the Lieutenant Generall with all speed.
"I am My Lords, ...
"Lauderdale.
"To Earl Rothes...."
Folio 168 contains the Commission.
All the foregoing are from documents in the Record Office.
The next extracts are picked from the British Museum copy of a rare autobiography, "The Memoirs of Captain John Crichton, written by Himself." Printed in the year 1731. The peculiar interest of the words that follow is that they were written wholly as the experiences of one of the first officers of the Greys.
Whereupon Mr. Francis Stuart, grandson to the Earl of Bothwell, a private gentleman in the Horse-Guards, like myself, and my intimate acquaintance, was sent for, in haste, by the General; because the Council of Scotland was then writing to the King that his Majesty would be pleased to grant commissions to those persons whose names were to be sent up to London that very night. Mr. Stuart gave me notice of this: whereupon, although I was not sent for, I resolved to go up with him to Edenborough, and solicit for myself.
The General: "Wha' the Deel sent for you up?" I answered that I hoped his Excellency would now make good his promise of preferring me ... the General stood my firm friend, and although the sons and brothers of Lords and Baronets and other persons of quality solicited to be made Lieutenants and Cornets, in these new raised Troops, yet the General in regard to my services, prevailed with the Council that I might be appointed Lieutenant to Mr. Stuart, who was then made Captain of Dragoons.
Soon after this, the Archbishop of St. Andrews was murdered by the Laird of Hackston and Balfour, assisted by four poor weavers.
Charles the Second's Commission dated 19th June, 1679.Appointing "Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Lieutenant Generall' over all the Forces within our ancient Kingdome of Scotland."
Charles the Second's Commission dated 19th June, 1679.Appointing "Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Lieutenant Generall' over all the Forces within our ancient Kingdome of Scotland."
Charles the Second's Commission dated 19th June, 1679.
Appointing "Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Lieutenant Generall' over all the Forces within our ancient Kingdome of Scotland."
The Council finding the Rebels daily increasing in their numbers ... his Majesty sent down the Duke of Monmouth ... to be Commander-in-chief.... General Dalziel refused to serve under him, and remained at his lodgings in Edenborough, till his Grace was superseded, which happened about a fortnight after.... The General Officers ... desired his Grace to let them know which way he designed to take to come at the Enemy, the Duke answered, it must be by Bothwell Bridge. Now the bridge lay a short mile to the right of the King's Army, was narrow, and guarded with 3,000 of the Rebels, and strongly barricaded with great stones; but although the Officers were desirous to have passed the river, by easy fords, directly between them and the Rebels and to march to their main body on the moor, before those 3,000, who guarded the bridge, could come to assist them; yet the Duke was obstinate, and would pass no other way than that of the bridge. Pursuant to this preposterous and absurd resolution, he commanded Captain Stuart (whose Lieutenant I was) with his troop of Dragoons, and 80 Musqueteers, together with four small Field-pieces, under cover of the Dragoons, to beat off the party at the bridge. The Duke himself, with David Lesly and Melvill, accompanyed us, and ordered the Field-pieces to be left at the Village of Bothwell, within a musquet-shot of the bridge. When the Duke and his men came near the bridge, the Rebels beat a parly, and sent over a Laird, accompanied with a Kirk Preacher.... While this Parly lasted, the Field-pieces were brought down and planted over against the bridge, without being perceived by the Rebels. The messengers ... they would not lay down their arms unless their conditions were granted them; whereupon the Dragoons and Musqueteers fired all at once upon those who guarded the bridge, and the Field-pieces played so warmly, that some hundreds of the Rebels were slain; the rest flying to the main body on the moor. The Duke, as soon as he had commanded to fire, retired into a hollow from the enemies' shot; ... and continued there till the action was over. Then Captain Stuart ordered the Musqueteers to make way for the Horse, to pass the bridge, by casting into the river the stones which had been placed there to obstruct the passage over it; but the army could not pass in less than five hours; and then marched up in order of battle towards the enemy, who waited for them on the moor, confiding in the superiority of their numbers. Clavers commanded the Horse on the right, and Captain Stuart the Dragoons on the left. The Field-pieces were carried in the centre of the Footguards, while the rest of the Officers commanded at the head of their men; and the Duke, after the enemy was beaten from the bridge, rodeat the head of the Army. Upon the first fire, the Rebel Horse turned about.... Sir John Bell, Provost of Glasgow as soon as he saw the Rebels fly, rode into the town; from whence, in a few hours, he sent all the bread he could find, together with an hogshead of drink to each troop and company in the Army, out of the cellars of such townsmen as were found to be abettors or protectors of the Rebels.
The Pursuers were no sooner returned, and the whole action over, than General Dalziel arrived at the camp from Edenborough, with a commission renewed to be Commander-in-Chief, which he received that very morning by an Express....
Charles the Second's Commission dated 11th November, 1681.Appointing "Lieutenant Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Colonell' of a Regiment of Dragoones to be formed out of the three Companies of Dragoones already standing in that our Kingdome, and three Companies more to be added to them."
Charles the Second's Commission dated 11th November, 1681.Appointing "Lieutenant Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Colonell' of a Regiment of Dragoones to be formed out of the three Companies of Dragoones already standing in that our Kingdome, and three Companies more to be added to them."
Charles the Second's Commission dated 11th November, 1681.
Appointing "Lieutenant Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Colonell' of a Regiment of Dragoones to be formed out of the three Companies of Dragoones already standing in that our Kingdome, and three Companies more to be added to them."
On Saturday morning when the army was to march to Glasgow, I desired the General's leave to go with twelve Dragoons in search of some of the Rebels, who might probably pass the Clyde, about Dunlatton, to shelter themselves in the Highlands. With these Dragoons, clad in grey coats and bonnets, I made haste down the side of the river; and about midnight, after travelling twenty-four miles, I came to a church, and while the soldiers stayed to refresh their horses in the churchyard, I spyed a country fellow going by, and asked him in his own dialect, "Whither gang ye this time of night?" He answered, "Wha are ye that speers?" I replied, "We are your ane Foke." Upon this the fellow came up and told me; there were 18 friends with horses at an old Castle waiting for a boat to pass over into the Isle of Arran. I mounted the man behind one of my Dragoons, and went towards the place; but the Rebels not finding a boat were gone off, and the guide dismissed. There was a great dew on the grass, which directed me and my party to follow the track of their horses for three or four miles, till the dew was gone off; I then enquired of a cowherd on a hill whether he saw any of our poor Foke travelling that way; he answered that they had separated on that hill and gone three several ways, six in a party, adding, that in one party there was a bra muckle kerl, with a white hat on him, and a great bob of ribbons on the cock o't. Whereupon I sent 4 of my Dragoons after one party, 4 more after another, and myself with the remaining 4 went in pursuit of him with the white hat.... The good man of the house returning from putting the horses to grass in the garden was going to shut the door, whereupon myself and one of the Dragoons commanded him, with our pistols at his breast, to lead us to the room where the man lay who wore a white hat. We entered the room, and before he awaked I took away his arms, and commanded him to dress immediately; then finding his companion asleep in the barn, I forced him likewise to arise, and mounting them both on their own horses, came at 9 o'clock in the morning with my two prisoners to the other Dragoons at the place where we appointed to meet. From thence we rode strait to Glasgow, and arrived thither about 8 in the evening, after a journey of 50 miles since we left the Army at Bothwell the day before. The man with a white hat had turned out to be Master John King.... About a month after I happened to dream that I found one Wilson, a Captain among the Rebels at Bothwell Bridge, in a bank of Wood upon the river Clyde. This accident made so strong an impression upon my mind that as soon as I awaked I took six-and-thirty Dragoons, and got to the place by break of day. Then I caused some of them to alight and go into the wood and set him up, as hounds do a hare, while the rest were ordered to stand sentry to prevent his escape. It seems I dreamt fortunately, for Wilson was actually in the wood with 5 more of his company, as we afterwards learned, who all seeing me and my party advancing, hid themselves in a little island on the river among the broom that grew upon it. Wilson had not the good fortune to escape.... I seized and brought him to my quarters, and from thence immediately conveyed him to Edenborough, where he was hanged; but might have preserved his life if he would have condescended only to say, God save the King. This he utterly refused to do, and thereby lost not only his life, but likewise an estate worth twenty-nine thousand marks Scots. For this service, the Duke of Queensberry, then High Commissioner of Scotland, recommended me to the King, who rewarded me with the gift of Wilson's estate; but although the grant passed the Seals, and the Sheriff put me in possession, yet I could neither sell it nor let it, nobody daring, for fear of the Rebels who had escaped at Bothwell Bridge, either to purchase or farm it, by which means I never got a penny by the grant; and at the Revolution the land was taken from me, and restored to Wilson's heirs....
"The winter following, General Dalziel, with a battalion of the Earl of Linlithgow's Guards, the Earl of Airly's troop of Horse, andCaptain Stuart's troop of Dragoons, quartered at Kilmarnock in the west, 50 miles from Edenborough. Here the general one day, happening to look on while I was exercising the troop of Dragoons, asked me, when I had done, whether I knew any of my men who was skilful in praying well in the style and tone of the Covenanters; I immediately thought upon one James Gibb, who had been born in Ireland, and whom I made a Dragoon. This man I brought to the General, assuring his Excellency that if I had raked Hell, I could not find his match for his skill in mimicking the Covenanters. Whereupon the General gave him £5 to buy him a gray coat and a bonnet, and commanded him to find out the Rebels, but to be sure to take care of himself among them. The Dragoon went 8 miles off that very night, and got admittance into the house of a notorious Rebel, pretending he came from Ireland out of zeal for the cause, to assist at the fight of Bothwell Bridge, and could not find an opportunity since of returning to Ireland with safety, he said he durst not be seen in the day-time, and therefore after bewitching the family with his gifts of praying, he was conveyed in the dusk of the next evening, with a guide, to the house of the next adjoining Rebel; and thus in the same manner, from one to another, till in a month's time he got through the principal of them in the west, telling the General at his return, that wherever he came he made the old wives in their devout fits tear off their biggonets and mutches; he likewise gave the General a list of their names and places of their abodes; and into the bargain, brought back a good purse of money in his pocket. The General desired to know how he had prayed amongst them; he answered that it was his custom in his prayers to send the King, the Ministers of State, the Officers of the Army, with all their soldiers, and the Episcopall Clergy, all broadsides to Hell, but particularly the General himself: "What," said the General, "did you send me to Hell, Sir?" "Yea," replied the Dragoon, "you at the head of them, as their leader....
"During the winter and the following spring I secured many of those whose names and abodes the canting Dragoon had given a list of.... In July following, the General, by order of Council, commanded me to go with a detachment of 30 Horse and 50 Dragoons in pursuit of about 150 rebels who had escaped at BothwellBridge, and ever since kept together in a body up and down in Galloway. I followed them for 5 or 6 days from one place to another; after which, on 22nd of July, they stayed for me at Airs Moss.... The Moss is 4 miles long from east to west and 2 broad. The Rebels drew up at the east end, and consisted of 30 Horse and 120 Foot. I faced them upon a rising ground with my 30 Horse and 50 Dragoons. The reason why the Rebels chose this place to fight on rather than a plain field was for fear their Horse might desert the Foot, as they did on Hamilton Moor, near Bothwell Bridge: and likewise, that in case they lost the day they might save themselves by retreating into the Moss. I placed myself on the left, as judging that the best officer the Rebels had would command on the right. The action began about 5 in the afternoon, but lasted not long; for I ordered my men first to receive the enemy's fire, then to ride down the hill upon them and use their broad-swords. They did so, and before the enemy had time to draw theirs, cut many of them down in an instant. Whereupon they wheeled about, and Captain Fowler, who commanded the Rebels on the right, being then in the rear, advancing up to me, I gave him such a blow over the head with my broad-sword as would have cleaved his scul had it not been defended by a steel cap. Fowler turning about, aimed a blow at me, but I warded it off, and with a back stroke cut the upper part of his head clean off from the nose upwards. By this time the Rebells, leaving their horses, fled to the Moss; but the Royalists pursuing them killed about 60 and took 14 prisoners. Here Cameron, the famous Covenanter, lost his life, and Haxton was taken prisoner, infamous for embruing his hands in the blood of the Archbishop of St. Andrews ... for which paricide both his hands were afterwards cut off, and he was hanged at Edenborough. But this victory cost me very dear, for being then in the rear I rode into the Moss after the Rebels where I overtook a dozen of them hacking and hewing one of my men whose horse was bogged; his name was Elliot, a stout soldier and one of Claver's troop. He had received several wounds, and was at the point of being killed when I came to his relief. I shot one of the rogues dead with my carbine, which obliged the rest to let the poor man and his horse creep out of the hole, but at the same time drew all their fury upon myself; for Elliot made a shiftto crawl out of the Moss leading his horse in his hands, but was wholly disabled from assisting his deliverer, and was not regarded by his enemies who probably thought he was mortally wounded, or, indeed, rather that they had no time to mind him; for I laid about me so fast that they judged it best to keep off and not to venture within my reach, till it unfortunately happened that my horse slipped into the same hole out of which Elliot and his horse had just got. When they had me at this advantage they began to show their courage and manfully dealt their blows with their broad-swords, from some of which the carbine that hung down my back defended me a little. As I was paddling in the hole, the horse not able to get out, one of the rebels ran me through the small of the back with his broad-sword, and at the same instant two more wounded me under the ribs with their small ones. Then I threw myself over the head of my horse, taking the far pistol out of the holster in my left hand, and holding my broad-sword in my right; and as one of the villains was coming hastily up to me his foot slipped, and before he could recover himself I struck my sword into his skull; but the fellow, being big and heavy, snapped it asunder as he fell within a span of the hilt. The Rebels had me now at a great advantage. One of them made a stroak at me which I guarded off with the hilt of the sword that was left in my hand, but the force with which he struck the blow—and I kept it off—brought us both to the ground. However I got up before him, clapped my pistol to his side and shot him dead. As soon as this was done another came behind me, and with some weapon or other struck me such a blow on the head as laid me flat on my back, in which posture I remained a good while insensible, the rogues taking it for granted that I was dead, scoured off.
"A little recovering my senses, I strove to lift up my head, which one of the rogues happening to see at some distance, immediately returned, and said in my hearing: 'God, the dog is no deed yet.' Then coming up to me, took his sword, and putting its hilt to his breast and guiding it with both his hands, made a thrust at my belly; but my senses were now so far recovered that I parried the thrust with the piece of the sword which remained still in my hand. The fellow, when he missed his aim, almost fell on his face, for the sword ran up to the hilt in the moss; and as he was recovering himself I gave hima dab in the mouth with my broken sword which very much hurt him, but he aiming a second thrust, which I had likewise the good fortune to put by, and having as before given him another dab in the mouth, he immediately went off for fear of the pursuers, whereof many were now returning. In this distress I made a shift, with much difficulty and pain, to get upon my feet, but my right leg being disabled by the wound I received from the broad-sword, I was forced to limp by the help of the carbine, which I made use of as a staff. I had lost my horse, for one of the rogues, when I had quitted him in the hole, led him away through the Moss. I recovered him about a year after from the man to whom the rebel had sold him."
This next letter, from the King, taken from the Record Office, refers to the three Independent Troops of Dragoons, and orders three more Troops to be levied, and the whole six to be thenregimented, thus establishing the Royal Scots Greys:—
"CHARLES R."My dear and most entirely beloved Brother. Wee greet you well. Wee have thought fit for the good of our Service to retrench all the Companyes of ffoote of our Regiment of Guard commanded by the Earle of Linlithgow, and likewise all the companies of the Regiment of ffoote commanded by the Earle of Mar, as also to retrench every one of the three Companies of Dragoons now standing. Therefore you are to give order to Generall Thomas Dalyell, our Lieutenant Generall, to reduce and disband six men out of every Company of the above mentioned two Regiments of ffoote (and this ouer and aboue any former Retrenchment made by us as to the ffoote) and forty-five Dragoones of every one of the three Companies of Dragoones aboue mentioned, together with one Corporall of Dragoones out of every one of the said three Companies, and that this Retrenchment be made upon the last day of November instant, and that these Souldiers ffoote and Dragoones so disbanded receive pay till that day inclusive. Wee have likewise thought it necessary for our Service that three Companies of Dragoones be presently leavied, each Company consisting of fifty souldiers, centinell Standers (besides the officers' servants allowed by our Establishment), and wee appoint each Company to haue two Sergeants, two Corporalls and two Drummers, besides the officers commissioned by us.Wee haue likewise resolved that the three Companies of Dragoones already standing so reduced with those three to be Leavied shalbe Regimented; and to that affect wee have commissioned our saidLieutenant Generall to be Colonel thereof, Lord CharlesMurray to be Lieutenant Colonell and Sir James Turner to be Major;and that each of them have one Company in that Regiment. You are therefore to give order to our Lieutenant Generall to cause these Companies to be leauied accordingly, and to bring them as soon as can be to a Muster; at and after which Muster they are to enter into Pay conforme to our establishment. For doing of all which this shalbe your Warrant, and so Wee bid you heartily farewell. Given at our Court at Whitehall the 25 day of November 1681, and of our Reigne ye33dyear."By his Majesty's command,"Murray."To our most dear and most entirely beloved Brother James Duke of Albany and York, our high Commissioner in our ancient kingdome of Scotland."
"CHARLES R.
"My dear and most entirely beloved Brother. Wee greet you well. Wee have thought fit for the good of our Service to retrench all the Companyes of ffoote of our Regiment of Guard commanded by the Earle of Linlithgow, and likewise all the companies of the Regiment of ffoote commanded by the Earle of Mar, as also to retrench every one of the three Companies of Dragoons now standing. Therefore you are to give order to Generall Thomas Dalyell, our Lieutenant Generall, to reduce and disband six men out of every Company of the above mentioned two Regiments of ffoote (and this ouer and aboue any former Retrenchment made by us as to the ffoote) and forty-five Dragoones of every one of the three Companies of Dragoones aboue mentioned, together with one Corporall of Dragoones out of every one of the said three Companies, and that this Retrenchment be made upon the last day of November instant, and that these Souldiers ffoote and Dragoones so disbanded receive pay till that day inclusive. Wee have likewise thought it necessary for our Service that three Companies of Dragoones be presently leavied, each Company consisting of fifty souldiers, centinell Standers (besides the officers' servants allowed by our Establishment), and wee appoint each Company to haue two Sergeants, two Corporalls and two Drummers, besides the officers commissioned by us.Wee haue likewise resolved that the three Companies of Dragoones already standing so reduced with those three to be Leavied shalbe Regimented; and to that affect wee have commissioned our saidLieutenant Generall to be Colonel thereof, Lord CharlesMurray to be Lieutenant Colonell and Sir James Turner to be Major;and that each of them have one Company in that Regiment. You are therefore to give order to our Lieutenant Generall to cause these Companies to be leauied accordingly, and to bring them as soon as can be to a Muster; at and after which Muster they are to enter into Pay conforme to our establishment. For doing of all which this shalbe your Warrant, and so Wee bid you heartily farewell. Given at our Court at Whitehall the 25 day of November 1681, and of our Reigne ye33dyear.
"By his Majesty's command,
"Murray.
"To our most dear and most entirely beloved Brother James Duke of Albany and York, our high Commissioner in our ancient kingdome of Scotland."
[Folio 515.]
"CHARLES R."Establishment for the Pay of his Majesty's present standing Forces in his ancient kingdome of Scotland, according to twenty eight dayes in each month, and for twelve months in the year."Then are described the following; but I only give in full the Regiment with whose history we are dealing:—"His Majesty Troope of Guard."His Majesty's Regiment of ffoote Guard commanded by the Earle of Linlithgow."The Regiment of ffoote commanded by the Earle of Marr."The Troope of Horse commanded by the Earle of Airlie, and 2 more troopes, one commanded by the Master of Rosse, and the other by John Graham of Claverhouse.""The Pay of one Regiment of Dragoones consisting of Colonell, Lieutenant Colonell, and Major, and six Companies, and for each Company consisting of 50 souldiers, is as followeth, vizt.:
"CHARLES R.
"Establishment for the Pay of his Majesty's present standing Forces in his ancient kingdome of Scotland, according to twenty eight dayes in each month, and for twelve months in the year."
Then are described the following; but I only give in full the Regiment with whose history we are dealing:—
"His Majesty Troope of Guard.
"His Majesty's Regiment of ffoote Guard commanded by the Earle of Linlithgow.
"The Regiment of ffoote commanded by the Earle of Marr.
"The Troope of Horse commanded by the Earle of Airlie, and 2 more troopes, one commanded by the Master of Rosse, and the other by John Graham of Claverhouse."
"The Pay of one Regiment of Dragoones consisting of Colonell, Lieutenant Colonell, and Major, and six Companies, and for each Company consisting of 50 souldiers, is as followeth, vizt.:
PER DIEM.Colonell as Colonell00138Lieutenant Colonell as such7Major as Major5Quartermaster5Marishall2Chyrurgeon and Mate5Aid Major74£25Captaine 8s. and 2 Dragoones each 1s. 2d.104Lieutenant 5s., and 2 Dragoones each 1s. 2d.74Ensigne 4s., and 2 Dragoones at 1s.2d.52Two Sergeants each 2s.6d.5Two Corporalls each 1s.8d.34Two Drummers each 1s.8d.34Fifty Souldiers each 1s.2d.2184£41210"
After this come particulars of the gunners garrisoning Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, etc!
And lastly, the Militia, at an annual cost of £400 and occupying only half a page in the book!
The foregoing establishment is dated 25 November, 1681, and the following memorandum appears in the margin:—
"Nota.—That the Originall of this establishment was written upon a large sheet of velum in three columns; His Majesty having signed on the middle of yetop thereof, and added C:R: at the bottome of each of the columns."
"Nota.—That the Originall of this establishment was written upon a large sheet of velum in three columns; His Majesty having signed on the middle of yetop thereof, and added C:R: at the bottome of each of the columns."
This next extract is Charles the Second's commission to Lord Charles Murray as first Lieutenant-Colonel:—
"CHARLES R."Charles the Second by the grace of God, King of Scotland, England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., To our right trusty and welbelovedLord Charles Murray, greeting."We reposing speciall trust and confidence in your loyalty, courage and good conduct. Have nominated, constituted and appointed, and by these presents doe nominate, constitute and appoint you to be Lieutenant Colonell of that our Regiment of Dragoones in our Ancient Kingdome of Scotland, Whereof Wee have appointed our right trusty and welbeloved Councellor Thomas Dalyell Lieutenant Generall of all our Forces there to be Colonell: As alsoe Wee doe nominate, constitute and appoint you to be Captain of a Company thereof."You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Lieutenant Colonel and Captain of the said Regiment and Company respectively by exercising the saem in armes both Officers and Souldiers, and keeping them in good order and discipline. And Wee doe hereby command them to obey you as their Lieutenant Colonell and Captain, and your selfe likewise exactly to obserue and follow all such Orders and Directions as you shall from time totime receive from Us, our most Dear and most entirely beloved Brother James Duke of Albany and York, our high Commissioner or our Privy Councell of that our kingdome, our Lieutenant Generall and Commander in Cheife of our Forces there, now or for the time being, your Colonell or any other your superiour Officer, according to the Rules and Dispositions of Warre, in pursuance of the trust hereby reposed in you. Given at our Court at Whitehall the 25thday of November 1681, and of our Reigne the 33dyear."By his Matiescommand"Murray."
"CHARLES R.
"Charles the Second by the grace of God, King of Scotland, England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., To our right trusty and welbelovedLord Charles Murray, greeting.
"We reposing speciall trust and confidence in your loyalty, courage and good conduct. Have nominated, constituted and appointed, and by these presents doe nominate, constitute and appoint you to be Lieutenant Colonell of that our Regiment of Dragoones in our Ancient Kingdome of Scotland, Whereof Wee have appointed our right trusty and welbeloved Councellor Thomas Dalyell Lieutenant Generall of all our Forces there to be Colonell: As alsoe Wee doe nominate, constitute and appoint you to be Captain of a Company thereof.
"You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Lieutenant Colonel and Captain of the said Regiment and Company respectively by exercising the saem in armes both Officers and Souldiers, and keeping them in good order and discipline. And Wee doe hereby command them to obey you as their Lieutenant Colonell and Captain, and your selfe likewise exactly to obserue and follow all such Orders and Directions as you shall from time totime receive from Us, our most Dear and most entirely beloved Brother James Duke of Albany and York, our high Commissioner or our Privy Councell of that our kingdome, our Lieutenant Generall and Commander in Cheife of our Forces there, now or for the time being, your Colonell or any other your superiour Officer, according to the Rules and Dispositions of Warre, in pursuance of the trust hereby reposed in you. Given at our Court at Whitehall the 25thday of November 1681, and of our Reigne the 33dyear.
"By his Matiescommand
"Murray."
This next is the King's commission to Thomas Dalyell as Colonel of the Regiment; it recites particulars of the founding of the Regiment:—
"CHARLES R."Charles the Second by yegrace of God king of Scotland, England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c.: To our right trusty and welbeloved Councellor,Thomas Dalyellour Lieutenant Generall of all our fforces in our ancient kingdome of Scotland, greeting: Whereas Wee have thought fit for the good of our Service to order a Regiment of Dragoones to be formed out of the three Companies of Dragoones already standing in that our kingdome, and three Companies more to be added unto them; Wee doe now (out of the great experience wee haue of your Loyalty, Courage, and good conduct) Nominate, Constitute and appoint you to be Colonell of our said Regiment of Dragoones, as also Captain of a Company thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Colonel and Captain of the said Regiment and Company respectively, by exercising the same in Armes both Officers and Souldiers, and keeping them in good Order and Discipline. And wee doe hereby command them to obey you as their Colonell and Captain, and yourself likewise exactly to observe and follow all such Orders and Directions as you shall from time to time receive from Us, our most Dear and most entirely beloved Brother James Duke of Albany and York, our high Commissioner, or our Privy Councell of that our kingdome, in pursuance of the Trust hereby reposed in you. Given at our Court at Whitehall the 26thday of November 1681, and of our Reigne ye33dyear."By his Majesty's command"Murray."
"CHARLES R.
"Charles the Second by yegrace of God king of Scotland, England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c.: To our right trusty and welbeloved Councellor,Thomas Dalyellour Lieutenant Generall of all our fforces in our ancient kingdome of Scotland, greeting: Whereas Wee have thought fit for the good of our Service to order a Regiment of Dragoones to be formed out of the three Companies of Dragoones already standing in that our kingdome, and three Companies more to be added unto them; Wee doe now (out of the great experience wee haue of your Loyalty, Courage, and good conduct) Nominate, Constitute and appoint you to be Colonell of our said Regiment of Dragoones, as also Captain of a Company thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Colonel and Captain of the said Regiment and Company respectively, by exercising the same in Armes both Officers and Souldiers, and keeping them in good Order and Discipline. And wee doe hereby command them to obey you as their Colonell and Captain, and yourself likewise exactly to observe and follow all such Orders and Directions as you shall from time to time receive from Us, our most Dear and most entirely beloved Brother James Duke of Albany and York, our high Commissioner, or our Privy Councell of that our kingdome, in pursuance of the Trust hereby reposed in you. Given at our Court at Whitehall the 26thday of November 1681, and of our Reigne ye33dyear.
"By his Majesty's command
"Murray."
Warrant of Charles II.,Granting "certain revenues to Thomas Dalzell as Lieutenant Generall in command of the Forces in Scotland."
Warrant of Charles II.,Granting "certain revenues to Thomas Dalzell as Lieutenant Generall in command of the Forces in Scotland."
Warrant of Charles II.,
Granting "certain revenues to Thomas Dalzell as Lieutenant Generall in command of the Forces in Scotland."
John Creichton, of the Massacre of Glencoe, writes:—
"McDonnal, Laird of Cappagh, in the Highlands, ... was unjustly possessed, as most men believed, for many years, of an estate, which in right belonged to the Laird of Mackintosh.... Soon after, the Government ordered me to detach 60 Dragoons, with a Lieutenant, Cornet, and Standard, and to march with Captain Streighton, and 200 of the Foot Guards against the McDonnels.... Whereupon we, who were sent against him, continued to destroy all the houses and corn, from the time of Lammas to the 10th of September; and then we advanced towards the Borders, to join the Scotch army, at that time marching towards England, against the Prince of Orange, then intending an invasion."
"McDonnal, Laird of Cappagh, in the Highlands, ... was unjustly possessed, as most men believed, for many years, of an estate, which in right belonged to the Laird of Mackintosh.... Soon after, the Government ordered me to detach 60 Dragoons, with a Lieutenant, Cornet, and Standard, and to march with Captain Streighton, and 200 of the Foot Guards against the McDonnels.... Whereupon we, who were sent against him, continued to destroy all the houses and corn, from the time of Lammas to the 10th of September; and then we advanced towards the Borders, to join the Scotch army, at that time marching towards England, against the Prince of Orange, then intending an invasion."
[Creichton now goes on with his account of the coming of William the Third, which is, of course, a mistake in order.]
"We arrived thither October 1st, after a march of 200 miles.... The army did not reach London till about 25th October.... The Earl of Airly, when he was Lord Ogleby, had attended the great Marquess of Montrose in all his Actions, for King Charles the First and Second. But at this time being old, it was reported that he was dead, before the Scotch Forces went into England, to oppose the Prince of Orange; whereupon the King had given his troop in Dundee's Regiment to the Earl of Anandale: but the Earl having overtook the Army at Cambridge, in their march, went on to London, and there presenting himself before the King; his Majesty ... immediately restored his Lordship to his Troop, ordering him at the same time to command those 200 men who attended him down to Salisbury. When all the Forces were arrived at Salisbury, the Earl of Dunmore, with his Regiment of Dragoons, wherein I served, was ordered to a Pass 3 miles below the City, where I commanded the Guard that night."I now return to my Lord Dundee, and my Lord Dunmore. Their Lordships acted no longer as Colonels, when they understood that the Prince intended to place himself on the throne during his Majesty's life.... After their Lordships were gone to Scotland, I went to Watford, where my Lord Kilsythe, as Lieutenant Colonel, commanded the Lord Dunmore's Regiment of Dragoons.... Major General McCoy ordered the Lord Kilsythe to march the Regiment from place to place till they should come to Congerton, a town in Cheshire. Here they quartered, when the Prince and Princess of Orange were proclaimed King and Queen of England, &c., by the Sheriff and 3 or 4 Bailiffs. It happened to be a very stormy day; and when the Sheriff had done his Office, a crack-brained fellow, at the head of a great rabble, proclaimed the Duke of Monmouth king, to the great diversion of the Regiment; not believing he hadbeen beheaded. When my Lord Dunmore refused to serve the Prince of Orange, Sir Thomas Levingston, of my Lord Kilsythe's family, got the Regiment. This gentleman was born in Holland, and often used to raise recruits in Scotland; upon which account he was well known to the Regiment. He came down, Post, to Congerton, and at Supper, told the officers that he was sent to know, which of them would serve King William and which would not? Now the oath of allegiance to that Prince, having not been offered to that Regiment, one of the Company answered that we having sworn Allegiance to King James, could not, in conscience and honour, draw our swords against him: Whereupon Sir Thomas, drinking an health to King James, upon his knees, answered that he wished he might be damned, whenever he should command them to break that oath: and in order to ingratiate himself further with the Regiment, added: that he would return to London next day, for a command to march them strait to Scotland, where their wives and friends were; and likewise to procure a Captain's commission for me, since Sir Adam Blair, who commanded the troop, in which I was Lieutenant, had refused to serve King William, both which he accordingly obtained. When he returned from London, he marched with the Regiment, directly through Berwick, into Scotland."From this period, my troubles began; for I was then sent up to Edenborough, and there imprisoned in the Tolbooth, together with my Lord Kilsythe, Captain Levingston, Captain Murray, and Lieutenant Murray, each of us in a separate dungeon; with orders that none should be permitted to speak with us, except through the keyhole; and in this miserable condition we lay for two months.... The Council, although they could force no confession from me, or my companions, that might affect my Lord Kilsythe, on whose estate their hearts were much set, yet resolved to make a sacrifice of someone among us ... the lot fell on me.... Lord Dundee, then at Blair Castle in Athole, hearing this, wrote to the Council—that if they hanged Captain Creichton, he would cut the Laird of Blair, and the Laird of Pollock, joint by joint, and would send their limbs in hampers to the Council."
"We arrived thither October 1st, after a march of 200 miles.... The army did not reach London till about 25th October.... The Earl of Airly, when he was Lord Ogleby, had attended the great Marquess of Montrose in all his Actions, for King Charles the First and Second. But at this time being old, it was reported that he was dead, before the Scotch Forces went into England, to oppose the Prince of Orange; whereupon the King had given his troop in Dundee's Regiment to the Earl of Anandale: but the Earl having overtook the Army at Cambridge, in their march, went on to London, and there presenting himself before the King; his Majesty ... immediately restored his Lordship to his Troop, ordering him at the same time to command those 200 men who attended him down to Salisbury. When all the Forces were arrived at Salisbury, the Earl of Dunmore, with his Regiment of Dragoons, wherein I served, was ordered to a Pass 3 miles below the City, where I commanded the Guard that night.
"I now return to my Lord Dundee, and my Lord Dunmore. Their Lordships acted no longer as Colonels, when they understood that the Prince intended to place himself on the throne during his Majesty's life.... After their Lordships were gone to Scotland, I went to Watford, where my Lord Kilsythe, as Lieutenant Colonel, commanded the Lord Dunmore's Regiment of Dragoons.... Major General McCoy ordered the Lord Kilsythe to march the Regiment from place to place till they should come to Congerton, a town in Cheshire. Here they quartered, when the Prince and Princess of Orange were proclaimed King and Queen of England, &c., by the Sheriff and 3 or 4 Bailiffs. It happened to be a very stormy day; and when the Sheriff had done his Office, a crack-brained fellow, at the head of a great rabble, proclaimed the Duke of Monmouth king, to the great diversion of the Regiment; not believing he hadbeen beheaded. When my Lord Dunmore refused to serve the Prince of Orange, Sir Thomas Levingston, of my Lord Kilsythe's family, got the Regiment. This gentleman was born in Holland, and often used to raise recruits in Scotland; upon which account he was well known to the Regiment. He came down, Post, to Congerton, and at Supper, told the officers that he was sent to know, which of them would serve King William and which would not? Now the oath of allegiance to that Prince, having not been offered to that Regiment, one of the Company answered that we having sworn Allegiance to King James, could not, in conscience and honour, draw our swords against him: Whereupon Sir Thomas, drinking an health to King James, upon his knees, answered that he wished he might be damned, whenever he should command them to break that oath: and in order to ingratiate himself further with the Regiment, added: that he would return to London next day, for a command to march them strait to Scotland, where their wives and friends were; and likewise to procure a Captain's commission for me, since Sir Adam Blair, who commanded the troop, in which I was Lieutenant, had refused to serve King William, both which he accordingly obtained. When he returned from London, he marched with the Regiment, directly through Berwick, into Scotland.
"From this period, my troubles began; for I was then sent up to Edenborough, and there imprisoned in the Tolbooth, together with my Lord Kilsythe, Captain Levingston, Captain Murray, and Lieutenant Murray, each of us in a separate dungeon; with orders that none should be permitted to speak with us, except through the keyhole; and in this miserable condition we lay for two months.... The Council, although they could force no confession from me, or my companions, that might affect my Lord Kilsythe, on whose estate their hearts were much set, yet resolved to make a sacrifice of someone among us ... the lot fell on me.... Lord Dundee, then at Blair Castle in Athole, hearing this, wrote to the Council—that if they hanged Captain Creichton, he would cut the Laird of Blair, and the Laird of Pollock, joint by joint, and would send their limbs in hampers to the Council."
The following entries are from two large folio manuscript Establishment Books in my possession. Each volume is bound in boards covered with fine white vellum, with gold tooling in Mearne's style.
The first opens with the Accession of James the Second; but the first entry that concerns us is on page 63:—