Diary of William Smythers Esq. - ‘The First Battle’

8th August 1745
It is my great fortune to encounter General Cope at about 8:30 in the morning. He invited me to follow him and his troops on an expedition into the clan lands of the Chisolms just outside of the fort.

Within the hour a large force of troops marched through the local village rounding up all the menfolk, where menfolk were not to be found the housed were put to the fire as they were likely off with the Prince.

Of the menfolk taken those that were known to have a good reputation were released the others were imprisoned at the Fort with a view to be deported.  As news of such harsh treatment got abroad then bands of clansmen made forays into the town and some serious but low scale fighting took place.

By nightfall the town was clear of all people, the menfolk in prison, the women and children fled. General Cope was extremely happy with the days work, I must admit that it did leave a rancid taste in my mouth, but this is war.

9th August 1745
Another early start and we journey to Inverness  where we hear disturbing news. It appears that the Earl of Cromerty is ralling forces to the east of here.

Many women and children of the Chisholm clan are encountered on the way, Cope and his men pay them little eheed and march on to Inverness where he and his men do terrible slaughter of cattle and men and they torched the dwellings of any family whose men folk were not to be found.

In the evening we hear more news of the rebels and their puny little army, it is in Elgin and has the audacity to off us battle, we will not disappoint.

10th August 1745
We rise at dawn and ride on to Elgin, which is strangely deserted, arriving at mid-day to see a strange sight, the army of the Prince in line of battle.

The Battle of Elgin
Below is a rough sketch of the initial deployments of the armies,

The two government regiments of foot deployed in line one behind the other with the protection of the stream to their front, on their left flank the two regiments of dragoons deployed, one on the road in column , the second in line between their foot and the Town of Elgin. In the town it’s self was the loyalist Grants lead by the Laid himself. Cope ordered the dragoons to ride up the coast road so as to get behind the Jacobite flank as soon as was possible, on the way they picked-up the Grants as support. Meanwhile the Earl of Cromerty lined his foot in one line of battle and had the advance up to the summit of the hill to their west, giving them command of the battlefield.

At this stage all seemed to be going well for the Earl, his line moved into place quickly and Cope’s dragoons seemed to b having some difficulty in advancing along the road, however they eventually reached their desired position. At this very stage the Master of Lovatt’s Regiment arrived on the field, on the flank of the dragoons who had thought that they had out flanked the Earl’s lines.

Hamilton’s Dragoons drew up in line of battle and manoeuvred to charge the advancing Lovatts, however they were not able to do this before the highlanders were able to form their own line of battle and when the dragoons finally charged the highlanders counterchanged. In the resulting melee, the dragoons took a surprisingly high number of casualties and were repelled.
 At this stage there appeared a second Lovatt regiment, this time that of the Lord of Lovatt who lead a loyalist force onto the field, to the rear of the Jacobite Lovatt regiment, see the diagram below….

Dismayed at the poor showing of the dragoons, Cope threw them into battle again, this time supported by the Laird of Grants’ regiment, as these highlanders moved forward all order seemed to degenerate into internal fighting and the regiment split, some 130 men going over to join the Master of Lovatt as allies, the balance of the regiment rallying back to reorganise. This left Hamilton’s dragoons to fight on alone and again their showing was poor, being pushed back again and forced to disengage.

Meanwhile the other Jacobite regiments played a waiting game on the highest hill on the battlefield, no doubt watching the slow deliberate deployment of the redcoat lines towards them from their vantage point.

Finally late in the afternoon the combined attacks of Hamilton’s dragoons and a ferocious charge by the Laird of Grant’s regiment into the Joacobite Lovatts and Grants broke the deadlock and smashed the Jacobite regiment. Much slaughter took place on the battlefield when the loyalist Grants caught up with the former confederates and the Lovatts, word has it that about 300 men were killed, wounded or captured within some 5 minutes.

With the Jacobites rear and right flank threatened, the pace of the battle seemed to escalate quickly. Gardiner’s Dragoons were soon able to bring a charge to bare on the right flank of the main Jacobite battle line. Here the Glenmoriston Grants were initially pushed back but were able to rally to spend some time firing volley after volley into the dragoons as they re-organised themselves. However the die was cast, the Dragoons charged home again and after a prolonged fight were able to put the Grants to flight and pursue with some heavy casualties being inflicted.

With the right of his line of battle in flight Cromerty ordered his little army off the table, they exited without undue problems and travelled south to Grantown.

Offical Rolls – After Battle of Elgin – 11th August 1745


Known Casualties –

Colonel Gardiner – took a rather nasty blow from an axe to his right foot during the pursuit of the Glenmoriston Grants. Word has it that it was from the axe of Glenmoriston’s own tackman who was protecting the body of his fallen master.

Laird of Grant – seriously wounded, was found after the pursuit of the rebel Lovatts and Grants. As yet he has been unable to give details of the circumstances of his wounding – a pistol ball to his right side.

Gardiner’s Dragoons – 250 men reporting for duty, 50 killed, wounded and missing
Hamilton’s Dragoons - 250 men reporting for duty, 50 killed, wounded and missing

Current force under General Cope is as follows…

General Cope – Leader Leadership Value = 8

Guise’s 6th  Regt. – 600 men, Untried
Lascelle’s  Regt. – 600 men, Untried
Detachment 57th Regt. – 150 men, Untried

Gardiner’s  Dragoons. – 250 men, Tried
Hamilton’s  Dragoons. – 250 men, Tried

Laird of Grant’s Regiment. – 150 men, Tried

Diary of Alan Breck Stewart - ‘The First Battle’

8th August 1745
We are greatly heartened by the arrival of so many stout supporters for the prince’s cause. Our numbers continue to swell with new groups of clansman arriving in Edinburgh by the hour.

It is my great fortune to encounter his Majesty the Prince at about 8:30 in the morning – it is exceptional that the Prince is on the move at this early hour. However he bade me to complete a task for him, to which I was only too pleased to agree. Should I have known the adventure that it would lead me into at the time I may well have thought twice.

None the less I was tasked to meat the Earl of Cromerty and lead him and his party to the city of Edinburgh by the shortest route, the Earl being from the Islands was unsure of the exact route. I set off immediately with two good horses and a pair of splendid companions – Donald McIntyre and Hamish Grant – men who were familiar with the roads to Inverness where I had been told to meet the Earl.

By night fall we were at Stirling, we fed and watered the horses and then moved on in failing light to the town of Perth, we reached there after the midnight hour and took shelter for the night in a hayloft.

9th August 1745
Another early start and we journey to Blair Athol where we hear disturbing news. It appears that General Cope has moved out of ft. Augustus with his troops and has laid waste to the local village. Many women and children of the Chisholm clan having moved this way for shelter. Cope and his men have done terrible slaughter of cattle and men and they have torched the dwellings of any family whose men folk were not to be found as they determined they would be off a fighting for the Prince.

Furthermore Cope has moved on towards Inverness to press the matter with the clansmen known to be in the area. With heavy hearts we determine we must continue our journey until we know for sure that we would not be able to meet the Earl. We ride on to Kinguisse and find more distressed folk and hear that the Earl of Cromerty has rallied the local forces at Elgin.

Cromerty has with him the Roderick og Chisholm and Glenbucket Gordon regiments and he is expecting to be joined by the Glenmoriston Grants overnight and the Master of Lovatt’s Regiment in the Morning.

My-self and my companions determine to reach the Earl tomorrow, it is a long ride and likely to take all day, so we rest and feed well.

10th August 1745
We rise at dawn and ride on to Grantown, which is strangely deserted, we press on to Elgin arriving at mid-day to see a wondrous sight, the army of the Prince in line of battle awaiting orders to attack the redcoats who were drawing-up their final positions.

The Battle of Elgin
Below is a rough sketch of the initial deployments of the armies,

The two government regiments of foot deployed in line one behind the other with the protection of the stream to their front, on their left flank the two regiments of dragoons deployed, one on the road in column , the second in line between their foot and the Town of Elgin. In the town it’s self was the loyalist Grants lead by the Laid himself. Cope ordered the dragoons to ride up the coast road so as to get behind the Jacobite flank as soon as was possible, on the way they picked-up the Grants as support. Meanwhile the Earl of Cromerty lined his foot in one line of battle and had the advance up to the summit of the hill to their west, giving them command of the battlefield.

At this stage all seemed to be going well for the Earl, his line moved into place quickly and Cope’s dragoons seemed to b having some difficulty in advancing along the road, however they eventually reached their desired position. At this very stage the Master of Lovatt’s Regiment arrived on the field, on the flank of the dragoons who had thought that they had out flanked the Earl’s lines.

Hamilton’s Dragoons drew up in line of battle and maneuvered to charge the advancing Lovatts, however they were not able to do this before the highlanders were able to form their own line of battle and when the dragoons finally charged the highlanders counter changed. In the resulting melee, the dragoons took a surprisingly high number of casualties and were repelled.
 At this stage there appeared a second Lovatt regiment, this time that of the Lord of Lovatt who lead a loyalist force onto the field, to the rear of the Jacobite Lovatt regiment, see the diagram below….

Dismayed at the poor showing of the dragoons, Cope threw them into battle again, this time supported by the Laird of Grants’ regiment, as these highlanders moved forward all order seemed to degenerate into internal fighting and the regiment split, some 1230 men going over to join the Master of Lovatt as allies, the balance of the regiment rallying back to reorganise. This left Hamilton’s dragoons to fight on alone and again their showing was poor, being pushed back again and forced to disengage.

Meanwhile the other Jacobite regiments played a waiting game on the highest hill on the battlefield, no doubt watching the slow deliberate deployment of the redcoat lines towards them from their vantage point.

Finally late in the afternoon the combined attacks of Hamilton’s dragoons and a ferocious charge by the Laird of Grant’s regiment into the Joacobite Lovatts and Grants broke the deadlock and smashed the Jacobite regiment. Much slaughter took place on the battlefield when the loyalist Grants caught up with the former confederates and the Lovatts, word has it that about 300 men were killed, wounded or captured within some 5 minutes.

With the Jacobite's rear and right flank threatened, the pace of the battle seemed to escalate quickly. Gardiner’s Dragoons were soon able to bring a charge to bare on the right flank of the main Jacobite battle line. Here the Glenmoriston Grants were initially pushed back but were able to rally to spend some time firing volley after volley into the dragoons as they re-organised themselves. However the die was cast, the Dragoons charged home again and after a prolonged fight were able to put the Grants to flight and pursue with some heavy casualties being inflicted.

With the right of his line of battle in flight Cromerty ordered his little army off the table, they exited without undue problems and traveled south to Grantown.


Official Rolls – After Battle of Elgin – 11th August 1745

Known Casualties –

Leader Glenmoriston Grant – last seen wounded and fighting with claymore in hand believed to be ridden down by two dragoons as his regiment began to flee.

Glenmoriston Grant Regiment – 150 men reporting for duty, 300 killed, wounded and missing
Laird of Lovatt’s Regiment – 150 men reporting for duty, 150 killed, wounded and missing

Current force under the Earl of Cromerty is as follows…

Earl of Cromerty – Leader Leadership Value = 7

Glenbucket Gordon Regt. – 300 men, Tried
Roderick Og Chisholm Regt. – 300 men, Tried
Lovatts & Grants – 300 men, Tried, combined regiment under the Master of Lovatt.

Hanoverian Government Papers - 14th August 1745

Campaign Events

Word reaches Argyle that the Prince has raised his standard in Edinburgh on the 3rd August 1745, Argyle is in Glasgow on his way to Dumfries, he postpones his trip to Dumfries as he prefers to remain in Glasgow commanding the Royal Scots based there. However after prompting from his superiors he continues with his task and has collected the troops stationed at Dumfries and moved to Campbelltown to await the arrival of General Wade, who is at sea in the Irish sea region and expected to arrive at Campbell town in the next few days.

It is not until the 6th August that word reaches Cope in Ft Augustus of the calamitous events further south. Cope grasps the bull by the horns and led out his command to visit punitive justice against the rebels, torching the village of Ft. Augustus and rousting the town of Inverness before clashing with an ad hoc force put together by the Earl of Cromerty at Elgin.

Cope quickly earns the name ‘Butcher’ Cope – summarily hanging a number of clansmen in both Ft Augustus and Inverness, after the Battle of Elgin his Dragoons run amok amongst the fleeing Grants and Lovatts killing dozens as they try to surrender.

To the south of Cope, in Fort William, the garrison came under sustained fire form several hundred clansmen on the night of the 9th Aug. Casualties were light but the garrison was disconcerted without the presence of a recognised leader when attacked.

George II is awaiting a transport that which dispatched from Liverpool to collect him, the Dutch leader Nassau and 1200 Dutch troops, he will be displeased if he has to wait much longer.

After the Battle of Elgin Cope and his force do not pursue Cromerty, rather they move west passing back through Inverness, picking up Forbes and a detachment of the 57th Foot  before heading north to Straith Farrar, clanlands of the MacKenzies, here he rounds up all men between the ages of 15 and 65 years and puts them in the goal, burning the houses of all who resist.

French Support 

Currently the level of French Support for the Jacobites is 4 (Four) out of 5 (Five), it remains unchanged from previous levels. (News of the victory at Elgin has not yet reached France).

Intelligence

The following information has been compiled over the past few days activity and is summarised as below.

It is estimated that the Earl of Cromerty has about 1000 men with him after the Battle of Elgin.

It is known that there are several hundred rebels travelling down the east coast road through Dundee and Perth heading for Edinburgh. Their numbers are too large for the garrison there to interdict effectively.

In the Western Isle it is estimated that there are about 2000 rebels massing, mostly McDonalds.

It is believed that the Prince has approximately 5000 men in Edinburgh, including French, Spanish and Irish Regulars.

Cope learns that the Prince was staying in Straith Farrar between the 16th & 23rd July with a force of some 300 French Regulars.

French action in Flanders does not appear to have been affected by the rebel action in Scotland. There is a possibility of releasing troops from Flanders to be shipped to Britain in the coming weeks, to do this there will be a need to replace British troops with German mercenaries at a heavy cost to the King’s purse.

The Jacobite Papers - 14th August 1745

Current Situation
The Earl of Cromerty was defeated by Cope at Elgin on the 10th August, he retires to Grantown overnight and pulls back further to Ballater on the 11th. There he is joined on the 14th August by a force lead by the Duke of Athol and Lord Strathalan. This force has orders issued directly by the Prince to pursue and destroy Cope before he can burn the highlands to the ground. It is anticipated that Athol will take command of this whole force.

In the north the McDonalds under Sir Alexander McDonald, have finally been able to move onto the mainland, helped by poor weather in the Isles, he is now at Gairlock with McLeods and McKinnons.

In Edinburgh the Prince continues to rally his forces and to recruit locally.

Recruiting & Spies etc
You have no firm intelligence on Cope’s current location other than he moved north from Inverness, he is likely to try and sack other clan homelands. Reports from Fort Augustus indicate that it will not be possible to recruit any men from the Chisholm clan from that area for several months due to the ravages laid upon the area.

The noises coming from the French are promising, there is word that they will make more regulars available to you in the next few weeks, these are likely to be Irish and Scots regiments in French service, foot and horse, some 1000 men.

Colonel Loudon has now been paroled and he has given his word not to raise his sword against the Prince or his forces in Britain

Hanoverian Government Papers - 1st September 1745

Current Situation

Over the past days a large number of survivors of the defeat at Rannoch have straggled into various lowland towns and cities. To a man all are badly traumatized and not capable of fighting.

Gardiner’s Dragoons managed to retire to Perth, arriving on the 26th August and joining there with detachments of Foot. Together the small force determines to hold out until relived or until their position becomes untenable.

Of Cope and his army little is known, it is believed that they will be offered parole but no offers for exchange have yet been received.

Large numbers of reinforcements  have landed – not before time, in Newcastle General Huske has landed with 6 battalions, 3 English  and 3 Dutch-Swiss. In London the King has landed with the rest of the Dutch Brigade – another 3150 foot.

Additionally a second ‘lift’ of reinforcements is assembling in the Netherlands, these will be available for shipping to Great Britain by the 8th September, but 6 transports are needed.

It is now clear that the Jacobites are laying siege to Carlisle, word has not been heard from thus city since late August, a transport ship from Campbeltown carrying artillery to stiffen the city’s defenses has taken the precaution not to land it’s cargo lest it falls into rebel hands, the vessel lies off Whitehaven where rebel troops are clearly visible.

Wade has initiated a policy of striking at the rebel homelands, he has led a small force of Lee’s 55th Foot to Mull to raise the lands of Sir Hector MacLean the first to join the rebel standard when the Prince landed.

The weather in Scotland takes a turn for the cooler, it is raining most days.


Intelligence

The French continue assembling a fleet at Boulogne, a number of warships and additional transports are assembling there, however it appears that there are no troops massing here. Militia is being raised in Calais.

Tobias Woodstock a gentleman from Dublin has presented himself to you at Newcastle. He states that he has traveled by way of Carlisle to offer his services to the King. He maintains that he is well versed in the ways of Spies and Agents and would do your bidding as you please – by way of proving his noble intent he informs you that the Price and his army is currently at Carlisle where they number some 1500 Horse and 3000 Foot but no artillery that he could see.

Agents of the King continue to report from across the country, there are a number of concerns to the government.

In Sussex and Kent groups calling themselves the ‘Southern Rebels’ have been spoken of. In all likelihood these rebels are one and the same as the robber and smuggling bands that frequent the Weald area. These gangs have smuggling connections with businessmen in the French ports.

Other new concerns are heard from Ireland where there is some interest in the present troubles. Agents speak of disaffection amongst the Irish regiments and calls from radicals to volunteer for service with the prince.

The Jacobite Papers - 1st September 1745

Current Situation

Winning the Battle of Rannoch has caused some serious problems in your army, a number of highlanders appear to have taken leave of absence whilst some 300 former government troops have joined the ranks of your forces, overall it evens out.

What to do with the captured men was the next problem, in the end it is determined to move the captives to Blair Athol under the protection of the Robertson Regiment, this is their home territory and they will be able to raise a second battalion whilst guarding the prisoners.

Wagons were rounded up to transport arms and artillery and other booty from the battlefield - 100 horses were recovered and volunteers were obtained who enabled the re-fitting of Pitslgo’s horse to their original numbers.

The McDonald Division under young Donald McDonald, a mere boy of 23 years, marches south to join the Prince in Carlise, with him is taken the captured artillery train which slows his progress mightily, not reaching the English city until 1st September.

Cromarty then leads the rest of his army back to Edinburgh, with a view to secure the Scottish capital. On reaching the city they surprise the garrison that in the absence of the Prince’s forces had sallied forth and done great injury to the prince’s supporters. In the race for the Castle gate the Farquharson regiment were literally within a dozen strides of the gate before it was closed.

The Prince has surrounded Carlisle and laid siege to the city which as yet has not capitulated, with the arrival of additional guns from Rannoch then the garrison could not be expected to last long. There are reports of government transports laying off the shore at Whitehaven, not putting into port, their cargo is unknown.

Recruiting & Spies etc
Agents tell you that Wade has moved a force by ship to the Western Isles with a view to sack the McDonald homelands. Spies on the continent report large numbers of English and Dutch troops being prepared for sailings to Britain.

It is thought that the Hanoverian King may even return to England to rally his defeated armies.

Whig militias are being raised in Glasgow, Paisley and Lanark however they have very few weapons at hand. The Campbells are beginning to stir, it is likely that they would be able to field a number of militia battalions.

Dudley Bradshaw a gentleman from Dublin by way of London has presented himself to you in Carlisle. He states that he is prepared to offer his services to the Prince. He maintains that he is versed in the ways of Spies and Agents and would do your bidding as you please. He brings news that Huske has landed at Newcastle with 3,000 men

In France the latest news is mixed, there is disappointment in the loss at Elgin but this will be countered by the Rannoch triumph as soon as this is heard about. They have provided a battalion of marines plus siege guns in Flanders and the services of the excellent Colonel Grant an expert in siege warfare and engineering.