Capture of Covenanting Town of Dumfries. 29 



ravages committed by Montrose on that devoted land/' says Sir 

 Walter Scott, " although too consistent with the genius of the 

 country and time, have been repeatedly and justly quoted as a ' 

 blot on his action and character." Partly on this account the 

 name of Montrose has been held in disfavour by the mass of the 

 people of Scotland for generations, almost to our own time. 

 A single dry, business-like sentence contained in the records of 

 the Presb\tery of Dumfries is expressive of the facts. In the 

 first minute extant, of date 5th April, 1647, occur the words 

 referred to : — " Ordains the brethren to have the contribution for 

 the distressed people of Argyle in readiness next day." 



Passing to the details of the capture of Dumfries, I have 

 before me a news-sheet contemporary with the event. It is 

 headed: — " Mercurius Aulicus (the Court Messenger), Com- 

 municating the Intelligence and affairs of the Court to the rest 

 of the Kingdome. The eighteenth Weeke, ending May 4, 1644." 



It contains the express to the Court, before alluded to, 

 narrates the day-to-day march of Montrose between Penrith and 

 Dumfries, and takes note of the arrival of the troops, the 

 negotiations for surrender, and the terms agreed on. It pro- 

 ceeds : — 



" Sunday, April 28. 



'' The first news of this week was from Scotland, (and which 

 is more) 'tis good news ; for this day we were certified by an 

 Express dated from Dumfries, April 17, that the Lords Montrose, 

 Crawford, Aboyne, etc., took the town for his Majesty with all 

 its ordnance, arms, and ammunition." The description of the 

 march of the troops follows : — " Their Lordships came to Penrith 

 on the tenth of this month, and so soon as it was known Sir 

 Philip Musgrave and divers of the gentry attended their lord- 

 ships. On Thursday they were forced to stay at Penrith till their 

 carriages came up. On Friday they went to Carlisle, leaving 

 their troops at Penrith. On Saturday the 13th they appointed 

 their rendezvous within five miles of Carlisle ; and having ordered 

 their men, that night they marched to a place called Rookley, 

 within three miles of Carlisle. On Sunday three regiments of 

 foot and six troops of horse were sent in by the committees of 

 Cumberland and Westmoreland to increase the armv. That 

 night they quartered in Scotland at Redchurch [Redkirk] in 



