8 SCOTLAND ILLUSTRATED. 



manner gave a decisive turn to the contest on that part of the field, while 

 General Witham, with three battalions of foot, rapidly advanced to the support 

 of the Duke, who was now pursuing the advantage so suddenly obtained by 

 the first manoeuvre. The Highlanders, though compelled to retreat, retreated 

 like the Parthians. They harassed their pursuers rallied so frequently, and 

 repulsed the royal troops with such obstinacy, that in three hours they were 

 not three miles from the first point of attack. But, to all appearance, they 

 were completely broken, and the duke resolved to continue the pursuit as long 

 as the light would serve. He was suddenly recalled, however, by the circum- 

 stance of there being no appearance of the division of his army under Witham, 

 while a large body of the rebels were strongly posted behind him. Witham's 

 division, while advancing, had fallen in with a body of Marr's foot, concealed in a 

 hollow way full in front, while a squadron of horse stood ready to charge them in 

 flank. In this situation they were attacked by the Braidalbane men, supported 

 by the Clans, a great number of them cut to pieces, and the remainder driven 

 in among their own cavalry, who were thus thrown into confusion. Had the 

 rebel squadron on the right fallen in at the same time, that portion of the royal 

 army had been entirely cut off.* This neglect on the part of the insurgents 

 decided the day. The broken battalions were brought off with comparatively 

 little loss, but, unable to join the other part of the army under Argyll, or 

 to keep the field against the superior strength of the rebels, they retired 

 towards Dunblane, thence to Corntown, and at the end of the long causewayf 

 that communicates with Stirling bridge, took their station to defend the pass. 

 Had the rebels pursued them, Stirling itself would probably have received the 

 former as victors. 



The battle of Sheriff-Miiir reflected little credit upon the skill and experience 

 of the commanders on either side ; but, although in itself as indecisive as any 

 action on record, it was followed, nevertheless, by consequences which are 

 supposed only to attend the most signal victories, and, in the language of the 

 day, " broke the heart of the rebellion." Both armies claimed the honour 

 of a triumph, from the fact that the right wing of each had been victorious.^ 



" A Highlander, stung with indignation at the inactivity of his general, could not help exclaiming at 

 the moment, ' Oh, for one hour of Dundee !' conceiving, no doubt, that the hero of Killiecranky would 

 have shown very different generalship on such an occasion." Chambers' Hist. 



f Supposed to be the Roman military way, and continuation of that formerly traced through Camelon. 



J In allusion to this, many of our readers will remember the popular song 



" Some say that we wan, and some say that they wan ; 



And some say that none wan at a', man." Jacobite Rilics. 



