62 SCOTLAND ILLUSTRATED. 



enemy, with a tremendous shout, made such " lightsome room," that in ten 

 minutes they were masters of the field. 



Panic-struck at this novel system of warfare, which allowed neither room 

 for manoeuvring, nor time for reloading their muskets, but brought the English 

 bayonet and the Highland broadsword into immediate contact, the soldiers of 

 Cope were thrown into complete disorder ; and, broken at all points, fell, fled, 

 or surrendered, in every direction. To attribute the result of this brief con- 

 flict to the cowardice of one and the courage of the other, would be equally 

 rash and unjust : for the troops which fled before the Highlanders at Preston- 

 pans had conquered on the fields of Dettingen and Flanders, and were justly 

 considered among the bravest and best-disciplined in Europe. Nevertheless, 

 says the chevaHer Johnstone, they threw down their arms, that they might 

 run with more speed ; thus depriving themselves of the only means of arresting 

 the vengeance of the Highlanders. Of so many men in a condition to preserve 

 order in their retreat, not one thought of defending himself — terror had taken 

 entire possession of their minds. 



Of their unfortunate general, the most contradictory reports were set afloat, 

 and much invention employed to rouse the spirit of the country against him. 

 It was confidently reported that he had promised his army eight hours' pillage 

 in the capital, as a prospective reward for their defeat of the Rebels. But 

 this, like various other charges preferred against him, is supported by no 

 credible testimony ; and on an impartial review of the evidence afterwards 

 produced in court, it cannot be disputed but that many of the king's officers — 

 and particularly Cope himself— had done their duty. But skill and experience 

 on the part of a commander are nothing, when met by a refractory spirit on 

 the part of the commanded ; and though many of the latter, as we have stated, 

 were veterans, and well schooled in the wars of Marlborough, they but too 

 well illustrated a saying of that great captain, that the courage of no man, 

 however brave, is, on all occasions, a thing to warrant impHcit reliance. 

 Rymer, it appears, was the only officer present who had ever witnessed the 

 system of Highland warfare, opposed to that of regular troops, and felt justly 

 apprehensive of the result. The first charge reaUzed his worst fears ; and 

 when the line was broken, and all order subverted, he scorned to retreat, and 

 fell, like his friend Gardiner, " with his feet to the foe." 



The fate of the latter, " the gallant arid good," was sincerely lamented by 

 both parties. He had taken leave of his family at Stirling only a few days 

 previously — but with a fatal presentiment, it is said, of his approaching fall. 

 Observing his \vife more than usually affected at the moment of separation, 



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