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A handful of Keppoch's clan, commanded by major Donald Macdonald, even before they joined the pretender, attacked two companies of new raised soldiers, who, with their officer, were disarmed after an obstinate dispute; another captain of the king's forces, falling into their hands, was courteously dismissed with one of the pretender's manifestoes, and a passport for his personal safety.
There is something strangely terrible in the calmness and conciseness with which the instructions are given. "Your troops will destroy entirely the country of Lochaber, Lochiel's lands, Keppoch's, Glengarry's and Glencoe's. Your power shall be large enough. I hope the soldiers will not trouble the government with prisoners."
"We are taking all we're likely to get in so barren a country." The stranger chuckled sourly as the three of us stood in a group surveying each other. "My name," said he, in his odd north Gaelic, and throwing out his narrow chest, "is John MacDonad I'm Keppoch's bard, and I've no doubt you have heard many of my songs. I'm namely in the world for the best songs wit ever strung together.
The foe most hated and dreaded by both was Colin Macdonald of Keppoch, an excellent specimen of the genuine Highland Jacobite. Keppoch's whole life had been passed in insulting and resisting the authority of the Crown. He had been repeatedly charged on his allegiance to desist from his lawless practices, but had treated every admonition with contempt.
He had provided for the expected refusal by orders of a ruthless severity. "Your troops," he wrote to the officer in command, "will destroy entirely the country of Lochaber, Locheil's lands, Keppoch's, Glengarry's, and Glencoe's. Your powers shall be large enough. I hope the soldiers will not trouble the Government with prisoners."
In all, he had from 10,000 to 12,000 men against, perhaps, 7000 at most, for 1200 of Charles's force were left to contain Blakeney in Stirling Castle. Both sides, on account of the heavy roads, failed to bring forward their guns. Hawley then advanced his cavalry up hill: their left faced Keppoch's Macdonalds; their right faced the Frazers, under the Master of Lovat, in Charles's centre.
The Revolution more violent in Scotland than in England Elections for the Convention; Rabbling of the Episcopal Clergy State of Edinburgh Question of an Union between England and Scotland raised Wish of the English Low Churchmen to preserve Episcopacy in Scotland Opinions of William about Church Government in Scotland Comparative Strength of Religious Parties in Scotland Letter from William to the Scotch Convention William's Instructions to his Agents in Scotland; the Dalrymples Melville James's Agents in Scotland: Dundee; Balcarras Meeting of the Convention Hamilton elected President Committee of Elections; Edinburgh Castle summoned Dundee threatened by the Covenanters Letter from James to the Convention Effect of James's Letter Flight of Dundee Tumultuous Sitting of the Convention A Committee appointed to frame a Plan of Government Resolutions proposed by the Committee William and Mary proclaimed; the Claim of Right; Abolition of Episcopacy Torture William and Mary accept the Crown of Scotland Discontent of the Covenanters Ministerial Arrangements in Scotland Hamilton; Crawford The Dalrymples; Lockhart; Montgomery Melville; Carstairs The Club formed: Annandale; Ross Hume; Fletcher of Saltoun War breaks out in the Highlands; State of the Highlands Peculiar Nature of Jacobitism in the Highlands Jealousy of the Ascendency of the Campbells The Stewarts and Macnaghtens The Macleans; the Camerons: Lochiel The Macdonalds; Feud between the Macdonalds and Mackintoshes; Inverness Inverness threatened by Macdonald of Keppoch Dundee appears in Keppoch's Camp Insurrection of the Clans hostile to the Campbells Tarbet's Advice to the Government Indecisive Campaign in the Highlands Military Character of the Highlanders Quarrels in the Highland Army Dundee applies to James for Assistance; the War in the Highlands suspended Scruples of the Covenanters about taking Arms for King William The Cameronian Regiment raised Edinburgh Castle surrenders Session of Parliament at Edinburgh Ascendancy of the Club Troubles in Athol The War breaks out again in the Highlands Death of Dundee Retreat of Mackay Effect of the Battle of Killiecrankie; the Scottish Parliament adjourned The Highland Army reinforced Skirmish at Saint Johnston's Disorders in the Highland Army Mackay's Advice disregarded by the Scotch Ministers The Cameronians stationed at Dunkeld The Highlanders attack the Cameronians and are repulsed Dissolution of the Highland Army; Intrigues of the Club; State of the Lowlands
He was proclaimed a rebel: letters of fire and sword were issued against him under the seal of James; and, a few weeks before the Revolution, a body of royal troops, supported by the whole strength of the Mackintoshes, marched into Keppoch's territories. He gave battle to the invaders, and was victorious.
After marching twenty miles the troops entered the narrow ravine of Spean Bridge, when they were suddenly attacked by a party of Keppoch's clansmen who were on their way to join the prince when they saw the English troops on their march.
Letters and receipts in the muniment room of a Highland chief show him directing large sums, probably out of the Loch Arkaig treasure, to be paid to Lochiel, to "Keppoch's lady," and to many poor clansmen. The receipts, written in hiding, and dried with snuff or sand, attest that the money came to the persons for whom it was intended. Charles' expedition could only be justified by success.
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