32 Capture of Covenanting Town of Dumfries. 



sparing neither women nor children. It shows how little relia- 

 ance is to be placed on the estimate of one party concerning the 

 character of an opponent. 



Relative to the defenceless state of Dumfries, it appears that 

 in 1641 the town was garrisoned by a regiment under the com- 

 mand of Colonel Cochran, but towards the end of the year — 16th 

 September — it was withdrawn to Edinburgh, and the Earl of 

 Annandale, Lords Johnstone and Kirkcudbright, with the lairds 

 of Lag and Amisfield, were " enacted in the books of Parliament 

 to save the country scathless of the garrison of Carlisle." 

 This they seemingly failed to do. 



The Scottish Parliament, sitting in Edinburgh, had intelli- 

 gence of the movements of Montrose, and his entry on Scottish 

 ground in war array on Sunday night, the 14th April, and on 

 Monday, the 15th, took prompt action to repress the invasion. 

 " Forsameikle," their record say, "as the estates have thought 

 fitting that for securing the peace of the Borders from invasion 

 from England, that the Lord Sinclair's regiment march forthwith 

 thither ; these are therefore to require the Lord Sinclair and other 

 officers of that regiment to march presently with their regiment 

 towards Dumfries, the nearest way as he shall think fitting. 

 Herein he fail not to give speedy obedience, As he shall be 

 answerable." 



The committee of war of the shire and town of Stirling were 

 required to furnish three score of horse for carrying the ammuni- 

 tion and baggage of the Lord Sinclair's regiment, and " be in 

 readiness the morn, the 16th of this month, at seven hours in the 

 morning." 



The committee of Lanark and Hamilton each were ordered 

 to nrovide forty horse for carrying the baggage of Colonel 

 Campbell's regiment, quartered in their bounds, "to be at Carn- 

 wath on Tuesday in the morning, where he is to have his rendez- 

 vous, and to march from that towards Dumfries." 



The General of Artillery and his deputies were instructed to 

 deliver to Colonel Campbell three field pieces with 80 ball pro- 

 portionable, with powder, match, and other materials, and to 

 provide him two gunners for the use of his regiment going to 

 Dumfries. 



Harry Drummond, rootmaster, was instructed to march with 



