400 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



waiting for the Mackenzies, but Mar allowed the precious 

 time to slip by, until Argyll was joined by reinforcements 

 from Ireland, which enabled him to take the field with 

 some degree of confidence. 



The trial of strength between the opposing forces took 

 place at the famous, but indecisive, battle of Sheriffmuir, on 

 1 4th November, 1715. The men of Uist, under Sir Donald 

 Macdonald and Allan Macdonald of Clanranald, were on 

 the right wing of the first line of Mar's foot, commanded 

 by General Gordon, and the Lewismen, under Seaforth, 

 formed part of the centre of the second line.* The 

 memorable charge of the Highlanders on the right wing, 

 which scattered Argyll's battalions like chaff before the 

 wind, should have proved decisive, if Mar's generalship had 

 been equal to that of his antagonist. Mar made no attempt 

 to utilise the enormous advantage he had gained, whereas 

 Argyll profited by the steadiness of his right, when charged 

 by Mar's left, to throw a body of cavalry on the flank of 

 the Highlanders. This masterly movement disconcerted 

 the attack, and threw the Highlanders into confusion. 

 Mar's left wing and the whole of the second line were put 

 to flight ; and the curious spectacle was thus witnessed of 

 the left wing of both armies being broken and routed, 

 while the right wing of both was victorious and in pursuit. 

 Thus, with only half the number of men opposed to him, 

 the Duke of Argyll, by his superior skill and experience, 

 averted defeat and gained what, in effect, was a moral 

 victory. Had Montrose or Dundee commanded the High- 

 landers, it is permissible to say that Sheriffmuir would have 

 been no drawn battle, as it proved to be, but a crushing 

 defeat for the Government troops. But this supposition 

 in no way detracts from the conduct of Argyll, who, by his 

 skilful handling of his troops, and his humane treatment 

 of his prisoners, added to his reputation as a brilliant 

 general and a brave man. He saved the Government, 

 and afterwards got his reward by being deprived of all his 



* Macneill of Barra also took part in the rising (Burfs Letters , Vol. II., 

 p. 285). 



