Tuesday 11 June 2013

Diary of Alan Breck Stewart - ‘The Great Adventure Begins’

9th July 1745
The Prince and his advisors are aware of the need or great speed and guile if this adventure is to lead to success rather than abject failure. We almost immediately move out of Oban escorted as we are by Sir Hector McLaren and his men alongside the French and Irish troops.

The Prince has arranged a number of meetings with Clan chieftains over the next few days, mostly with those that lead families that have expressed some reluctance to follow our cause.

10th July 1745
We stop at the government military camp at Fort William to spy on the comings and goings there. All seems calm, no-one is aware of our near presence, however , it is clear from talking to our local supporters that the fort it’s self is too strong to take without artillery to reduce the walls.

The Prince was clearly disappointed, saying “ Give me a pick and a strong man and we can breakdown the walls ourselves by nightfall”. There was much hussaring to this notion amongst the gentlemen with the party but no-one volunteered to help.

11th July 1745
We rested a day in the pleasant surroundings in the country side around fort William, at day break it was clear that the Prince had not found his pick, nor the strong man as the walls were still complete around the fort. The professional soldiers such as O’Sullivan were clearly agitated at the prince’s notion of urgency.

We prepared to move to Fort Augustus overnight.

12th July 1745
We arrived at Ft. Augustus at daybreak, settling some two miles from the fort and making contact with our local supporters here. The Prince met with Roderick og Chisholm and clinched their support for the coming campaign. Chisholm was able to give much good information about the soldiers activities and in particular note that their spirits were low.

Again the Prince felt it necessary to rest – “A gentlemen cannot miss his sleep and not recover his constitution’”. In the event he Prince slept most of the day, rising on the 13th and spending much time preparing a speech that he gave to the townsfolk about hid righteous place at the head of the Scottish nation.

16th July 1745
We’re on the road again, arriving at Lochalsh in the evening, we’re then moving tomorrow to Straith Farrar. We have noticed an increase in the number of reports coming in regarding patrolling activity by the Hanoverian troops. We determine that they must be aware that we have landed.

Today we stopped at a roadside Inn, run by Maggie Kirk, she was able to feed and vitel the party well. Many of the fellows accompanying us are hungry, it is hard for a group of some 400 men to arrive at a location and demand food from the people. To date we have been received with grace, if not favour, however, we need to ensure that we put correct supplies in place or we shall loose the very men that follow us to hunger.

20th July 1745
This morning there were meetings with Roderick McNeil and William McKenzie who together indicated that they would in no way ever support the cause. Roderick McNeil disgraced himself and his clan by his words – “In the name of God almighty and the people you say you love, go home!”

It was all that could be done to stop the Prince’s champion, Alistair McBean, from demanding a retraction from McNeil.
23rd July 1745
Fully rested and in the prime of his health, the Prince travelled from Straith Farrar to Inverness, arriving in the evening. The decision has been made that no night marches should be made as it makes the whole party irritable and melancholy.

At Inverness the Prince meets with Grant of Glen moriston, outwith the city walls. Grant pledged his support but local rumour has it that the majority of the clan will not support the Prince for their Chief is unpopular with all.

Reports have it that the Grants had, however, repelled a large party of Dragoons from entering the town. They did not want the dishonour of allowing the prince to be taken in their homelands.

25th July 1745
Yesterday we travel to Grantown and then onto Ballater today, arriving in the evening once again. Our aim is to reach Dundee by tomorrow night. In this the Prince is remarkably eager and drives forward like I have not seen him do since arriving in Scotland. Maybe the promise of a soft bed and good food in Dundee is what appeals.

26th July 1745
We meet with Lord George Murray, who declares for the Prince, Murray and Ogilvy have each raised fine regiments in the town. I have not met either man before – Murray is from a fine Jacobite family, although his elder brother is now with the Hanovarians. He is of medium build, in his forties and a cool and calculating man, Ogilvy is much more genial, possiblely less worldly wise and has great enthusiasm. Good men both.

Murray and O’Sullivan seem to clash almost at once, Murray expecting to have the honour of the Prince’s right hand seat at supper, an honour until now reserved for the Irishman.

We get word over supper that General Cope has marched a large force of men north out of Edinburgh and Glasgow . Our spy tells us that Edinburgh is now empty!

28th July 1745
We arrive in Stirling, the gateway to the Highlands and the place is deserted of Hanovarians. The prince rejoices and plans a great speech to the townsfolk tomorrow.

29th July 1745
The Prince is taken ill overnight with a dose of the vapours, he determines that we should rest here before we journey to Edinburgh. He does not want the gentlemen of his capital to think that he is a of a poor constitution.

30th July 1745
Still we wait. Each day our position becomes more difficult, finally Lord Murray convinces the price to march overnight to Edinburgh.

31st July 1745
We are at the gates of Edinburgh but we are unable to enter as they are locked closed. Murray demands the gates to be opened and after a long delay the course reply is received from the City’s Trained Bands.

The gates and walls are manned by uniformed troops and it appears that an attack would not work – clearly not possible with only 600 men. We retire for the night to plat and scheme.

1st August 1745
Today is market day in the city and we waylay a number of market folk and their wagons on the way to the city. These carts are then allowed to continue their journey to the gates with our fellows leading the horses.

However, again we are foiled as the guards will not allow our carts in the city as they recognise our voices as that of highland folk. In exasperation O’Sullivn leads a party of 25 Irish Picquets and force the gate open as the next caravan of carts arrives. The City Guards melt away and the gatehouse is ours, at 11o’clock we enter the city of Edinburgh as liberators.

On our arrival we are greeted by Lord Elcho who parades his fine troop of horsemen. The McLarens, French and Irish troops with us billet them selves in the city and the Prince and his party travel on to Holyrood House where he takes up residence.

2nd August 1745
The Prince raises his standard at Hollyrood House and declarees that he is the rightful heir to the Scottish throne and that his father James will soon be travelling here for coronation.

Meanwhile the city is patrolled by Irish and French regulars to keep order whilst the McLarens ensure that he many public houses in the city are still functioning.

4th August 1745
Troops from Perth and Dundee start to arrive in the city in support of the King, troops also arrive from the Highlands and in all we have a small army of some 2000 men in the matter of a few days.

On this day also we learn of the capture of Colonel Loudon who commands a Hanovarian Highland regiment. With him are captured a number of his men – about 150 in all.

As gentlemen we offer him the best of our facilities and notify the world that we will offer Parole on him if he pledges not to raise his sword against us a gain. His men, meanwhile, reside in the city goal.

7th August 1745
Still more men arrive by the day, our numbers are upto 3000 or more, it is hard to tell as they are distributed about the city in may areas. We must be careful that the men do not become too accustomed to life in the city where ale and whiskey are easily found.

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