REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1904 125 



of a surprise, cannot be with certainty determined, but its 

 distinctive features are beyond dispute. A series of success- 

 ful encounters in the Northern parts of the kingdom had 

 emboldened Montrose to push Southwards, in the hope of 

 receiving reinforcements from beyond the Borders to fill the 

 ranks now thinned by the withdrawal of his Highland 

 followers, who had returned to their homesteads to enjoy the 

 fruits of victory. To intercept him, General David Leslie, 

 on the representation of the Scottish Parliament, was com- 

 missioned to cross the Tweed, and, learning that Montrose lay 

 entrenched near Selkirk, he quartered his army near Melrose, 

 at a convenient striking distance from the enemy. The main 

 portion of the Royalists occupied positions in the neighbourhood 

 of Philiphaugh, the artillery being stationed near the old 

 Mansion-house, and the main body posted on the hillside that 

 runs Eastward for a considerable distance, their leader with 

 the cavalry being quartered in the town of Selkirk. On 

 the following day the Covenanters* array was again on the 

 march, and their leader, taking advantage of a prevailing mist, 

 despatched two thousand of his troops across the Ettrick and 

 up the valley between Philiphaugh and Linglie Hills, in order 

 to attack the left flank of the Royalists. Allowing sufficient 

 time for them to gain their position and carry out a 

 simultaneous attack, Leslie ordered a goperal advance, and 

 gained unawares — such was the hostility of the inhabitants 

 of this region — a position of advantage in front of the main 

 body of the enemy. Taken by surprise, the Royalists were 

 thrown into confusion, and even on the arrival of Montrose, 

 with what horsemen he could hastily gather in the town, 

 were so sorely pressed that in spite of his efforts to rally 

 them they broke and fled, a large number of them being taken 

 prisoners and afterwards ruthlessly slaughtered. Realising that 

 the day was lost, Montrose fought his way through the exultant 

 forces of the enemy, and crossing the hills by Minchmoor 

 with a few followers sought refuge under the hospitable roof of 

 Traquair. Leslie's victory was complete, but stained through 

 the wanton butchery of many captives in the courtyard of 

 Newark Castle, a field in whose neighbourhood still bears 

 the name of Slain Men's Lea, and is believed to be the 

 place of their sepulture. 



