■S life of John earl of Buchan. July t\. 



On his retreat, JBuchan being desirous of relinqaifh- 

 ing the siege, when he had just struck terror on the 

 enemy, attacked Salifbury, and, cutting off three or 

 four hundred of his troops, penetrated into the coun- 

 try without the disadvantage of seeming to relinquxfli 

 the siege of Alen^on from motives of prudence. In 

 this conduct Buchan seems to have exhibited the cau- 

 tion and foresight of a political commander, who 

 looked to the general posture of the kingdom, and of 

 the dauphin's affairs, rather than to the fafliionable 

 impetuosity of the times ; and to have gained credit 

 for his conduct at Verneuiel, wliich, notwithstanding 

 the French accounts, I believe, was fox waving battle 

 and protracting the war, rather than hazarding a ge- 

 neral engagemeiit with disadvantage, and nty opinion 

 is founded on this affair at Alen9on. 



The accounts of the victory at Baugc were received 

 by the dauphin at Tours, who, with a view to attach 

 the Scots, whose valour had so signally contributed to 

 gain this advantage, bestowed the sword of constable 

 of France, which had remained unpofsefsed since th« 

 death of the count d' Armagnac, on the brave earl 

 of Buchan* ; who was not long after permitted to re- 

 turn to Scotland, with a view to obtain another rein- 

 forcement of his brave countrymen to support the 

 cause of France and the dauphin. 



To he continued. 



♦ L'H'sloire de^France par Villaret, p- aSz. Mizcrai,.DamcI,'Sff. 



