The Virginia Gazette

Since our last, Capt. Coolidge, from London, and Capt. Lemesurier, from Guernsey, but last from Plymouth, arriv'd in James-River: By whom we have a Confirmation of the joyful News of the total Defeat of the Rebels in Scotland, by His Royal Highness the Duke of CUMBERLAND; as will appear by the following Accounts.

INVERNESS, April 16.

This Morning his Royal Highness march'd from Nairn at Eleven, and came within Sight of the whole Rebel Army, which was drawn up in order of Battle on a Moor or Common about 3 Miles East of Inverness. Our Army was formed, and the Artillery drawn up to the first Line at One in the Afternoon; upon which the Rebels began cannonading from their Left, but every Ball flew over our People: Our Cannon did not fire till the Rebels were within Musket-shot, and then began firing Grape Shot. The Situation of the Armies seem'd equally advantageous; we had the Wind on our Side, and the Rebels the rising Ground. I have not Time to give you the exact Disposition of the Troops on both Sides; however, our Army was drawn up in three Lines, the Foot in the Middle, and the Dragoons posted in each Flank. In this Manner the Action began. The Rebels, according to their Custom fired but once, and then rush'd on Sword in Hand, but our Foot kept so close together, and by continual firing, prevented their ever coming at us. In the first Attack they were disordered, and never rallied again. They lost eight Pieces of Cannon, and four Colours, which I saw myself, but what more will come in I know not. The Light Horse and Dragoons pursued them, and charged so briskly, that since the Action they have killed some Hundreds, and are still in Pursuit of them. The Courage and Bravery of the Duke of Kingston's Horse can not too much be praised; several of the private Men killed 15 of the Rebels for their Share. The shatter'd Remains of the Rebel Army fled into the Mountains South of this Place. They have lost all their Artillery & Ammunition, together with their Muskets, which they threw down when they advanced Sword in Hand. Their Slain computed to be 1500; and ours, one Officer, twenty Men killed, and some few wounded. Lord Kilmarnock, the French Ambassador, and several Persons of Note are taken Prisoners, but I defer the Particulars to my next. The French surrendered themselves Prisoners. This has been the compleatest Victory you ever heard of; and I shall soon transmit to you a full Account of the whole Affair.

Edinburgh, April 18. Yesterday was observed in solemn Fasting and Humiliation within this City and Presbytery, to implore Success to his Majesty's Arms against the Rebels, &c. The Transports with the Troops onboard from London, are just now seen coming up the Firth.

Extract of a Letter from Inverness, dated April 18.

I need not inform you that his Royal Highness has gain'd a compleat Victory over the Rebels; but it's possible that some Circumstances related in mine may not otherwise come to your Knowledge.

Previous to the Battle, to wit, on the 15th, before his Royal Highness had pass'd the Nairn, the Pretender's Son at the Head of about 3000 Men appear'd on the other Side the River; and by their Motions, seemed to intend attacking our Army, which had halted to refresh; but not liking their Countenances retir'd. On the 16th, early in the Morning, we pass'd the Nairn, and moved in good Order towards Inverness, which, when over the River, was about Eight Miles from us: After marching about 2 Miles, the Enemy appeared, as if intending to attack us. Our Troops thereupon form'd, and the Enemy retir'd; we thereupon fell into our marching Disposition again, and moved in the Order about four Miles further, which brought us upon Culloden Heath; when it appeared that the Enemy were determin'd to stand, as having the Advantage of several old Walls and Covers. The Wind was easterly, and therefore our Army drew up facing the West; by which Means we had both the Sun and Wind behind. Our Right Wing was flank'd by the Horse, our Left by Dragoons, His Royal Highness in the Front Line, in the Center.

The Rebels formed themselves into a close Body on our Left: and, after firing some of their Cannon to very little Purpose, push'd down upon our Left with great Impetuosity, and made at first some Impression on Barrel's Regiment, but they soon recovered again.

The Rebels were flank'd on their Left by our Cartridge Shot, which killed many of them. They fir'd but once, and then, as usual threw down their Firelocks. They clos'd upon Barrel's, Price's, and Monroe's, and the Battle was now entirely fought by Swords and Bayonets.

Our Soldiers by a new Practice of using the latter, became much too hard for the Swords; and the Rebels, as they push'd forwards, fell on certain Death. Ours at least kill'd ten Men to their one in this Kind of Fighting, besides what fell in the Musquetry and Cannon. The Rebels finding their only Manner of fighting obviated, and those who supported their Front cut off, they at first made a Pause, retreated a little, and then, turning short round, fled from us with the utmost Precipitation; but by this Time our Horse and Dragoons had clos'd in upon them from both Wings, and then followed a general Carnage. The Moor was covered with Blood; and our Men, what with killing the Enemy, dabbling their Feet in the Blood, and plashing it about one another, look'd like so many Butchers.

What followed, is rather to be imagined than described; the Fugitives, in their Flight, lost their Hearts, and were knock'd down like Birds. The Regiment, late Monroe's, remembered the villainous Cruelty committed on their Colonel in cold Blood, and amply revenged it. We have already counted above 1500 dead on the Spot, but they are not yet all told. We have strong Detachments out, which, we doubt not, will give good Account of the Residue. Their main Body, or rather Body of Reserve, amounting to about 3000, made a swift Retreat towards the Back of Loch Ness; but the flying Parties who could not join them, separated various Ways. The Prisoners taken are said to amount to upwards of 500, near half of them French, who never fired a Shot.

I shall be able in a few Days to give you a further Account, which I doubt not will be of routing entirely out these Wretches, who are the Tools of France, the Dupes of an Italian Priest, and the Pests of Britain.

I cannot omit one remarkable Instance of Bravery and Affection, which is, that there was not a Soul, either Horseman, Foot, or the People even employed in attending and driving the Train Horses, or any one in what Capacity soever of our whole Army, but what behaved in the Time of Action, at their respective Stations, with the utmost Bravery and Intrepidity.

P. S. The Rebels were not less than 12,000 strong at the first Onset.

Extract of a Letter from Edinburgh, April 22.

On Saturday last the Jacobites spread abroad the News of our Army's being defeated, and the Duke taken Prisoner; but Sunday Morning changed their Notes and baulk'd their Wishes; for about 3 o'Clock, the Castle and Ships in the Road fired, upon Information of the Duke's having entirely defeated the Rebels.

Early on Wednesday Morning Mr. Sullivan advised, that they should fall upon the Duke as his Army was overwhelmed with Sleep and Wine, the Day before being his Royal Highness's Birth-Day. But the Rebels were not a little surprised to find the Duke had Intelligence of their March, and was ready to receive them. They at first retreated, but soon feeling the Weight of the Duke's Cannon, they returned and made their Attack boldly in their ordinary Way by Columns, in some Places 10 or 12 Men deep. The Duke's Disposition was extremely fit to receive them, for he had his Horse on their Flanks, and Bodies of In-Entry behind the Line ready to oppose any Wedge of the Enemy. And these Soldiers by keeping up their Fire soon ended the Affair, whole Ranks of the Highlanders falling at once. The Chevalier fled by the Way of Fort Augustus; he was not within Cannon-shot of the Field of Battle. At the Beginning, our glorious Duke went up to Cobham's Dragoons, and clapping one of them on the Shoulders, call'd out, One Brush, my Lads, for the Honour of Old Cobham; upon which, rather like Devils than Men, they broke through the Enemy's Rank, and a total Rout followed. The Dragoons and Light Horse pursued, calling out, Cut hard, pay 'em home, &c.

The Success has been greatly owing to three Points of Generalship, not thought of in the preceding Actions, or perhaps, then esteem'd of little Importance: The first is the Manner of placing the Cannon, which were at this Time so disposed among the respective Regiments, that no Impression on any particular Part of the Line could divert us of any significant Part of our Artillery; and by being placed in the Centre of each Regiment, some Pieces were always capable of flanking the Enemy, let their Attack be on which Part of the Line soever. This answered the End proposed effectually, and, as far as we could conceive, more of the Enemy fell by the Fire of the Cannon with Cartridge Shot, from our Right, than by the Musketry and Bayonets on the Left. His Highness had likewise taken Care to observe which Way the Wind sat. This may seem of little Importance to some People; but as many Battles have been lost, or gain'd by it on Land, as well as at Sea, and for exactly the same Reason, and as we have a very remarkable Instance in our View, we can't help esteeming it of Consequence; as those who have the Wind, see the Enemy clearly, and neither have their Nostrils filled with Sulphur, or their Faces burnt with Wadding.

The next was the Direction given about the Use of the Bayonet; the Alteration was mighty little, but of the last Consequence: Before this, the Bayonet Man attacked the Sword Man Right-fronting him; now the left Hand Bayonet attack'd the Sword fronting his next Right Hand Man; he was then covered by the Enemy's Shield, where open on his Left, and the Enemy's Right open to him. This Manner made an essential Difference, stagger'd the Enemy, who were not prepared to alter their Way of fighting, and destroy'd them in a Manner rather to be conceived than told. The Rebels making some little Impression on Barrel's Regiment, and they giving Ground, prov'd fatal to Lord Robert Kerr; Who not observing his Men's giving back, remained a few Yards forward alone. He had struck his Spontoon into the Body of an Highlander Officer; but before he could disengage himself, was surrounded by several, and cut to Pieces; and has only left us to bewail the Fate of a brave young Gentleman. All the Residue of Fitz James's Regiment are come in, and surrendered Prisoners of War. But 'twill be extremely difficult to distinguish such of the common Highlanders who were in Arms, from those who were not, if they throw their Arms away; but it is immaterial, since nothing but their own pertinacity can occasion their Destruction; his Royal Highness being best pleased, when he finds them disowning their having any Hand in the Battle.

There is just now a strong Rumour spread, that the Pretender's Son is taken, desperately wounded; together with his two Privy Counsellors Sheridan and Sullivan, in a Barn, in the Neighbourhood of Aird; and that Lord Lovat has been found dead near his own House, and by all Appearance shot himself.

Mr. Roe, Minister of Nairn, having been instrumental in Some Prisoners making their Escape, was seized by the Rebels and tied to the Cross, where they most inhumanly gave him two hundred Lashes. The Duke as he passed his House said, he felt every Lash the poor Gentleman had received, and would revenge it.

Our Men have really been pretty severe, and have gave little Quarter, being exasperated at the Treatment our Prisoners met with, they being found in dark Dungeons at Inverness, almost naked and eat up with Vermin.

LONDON, May 3.

We hear that his Majesty was pleased to give the Lord Bury one Thousand Guineas; and also, that he is to have a Regiment of Foot, for bringing the agreeable News of the Defeat of the Rebels in Scotland.

It was said Yesterday that an Express was arrived from the Duke, with Particulars of the Defeat of the Rebels.

We hear, that when the Duke's Forces were encamped the Evening before the Battle of Culloden, some Parties of the Rebels came forward to Reconnoitre them, upon which the Tattoo was beat, and no Notice taken of them; but immediately after they were gone, his Royal Highness ordered the Tents to be struck, and marched all Night towards the Rebels; whose Scheme could not be to fight the Duke, as they seem'd to be packing up, in order to haste through the Western Road, and rather stand the Chance of a Battle with the Hessians.

We are assured that General Barrel's Regiment have gained the greatest Reputation imaginable in the late Engagement, best of the Clans having made their strongest Efforts to break them; but without Effect, for the old Tangierines bravely repulsed those Boasters, with a dreadful Slaughter, and convinc'd them that their Broad Sword and Target is unequal to the Musket and Bayonet, when in the Hands of Veterans who are determined to use them. - After the Battle, there was not a Bayonet in this Regiment but what was either bloody or bent.

As there never was a nobler Subject or Festivity, than the late Defeat of the Rebels, by the Conduct of the valiant Duke of Cumberland, and the Bravery of his Troops, none in general was ever exhibited with more decent Transports; a general Spirit of good Humour and Benevolence seeming to disperse itself among all Ranks of People last Thursday Night. This Joy was not more sensibly expressed by any Circumstances than by the Illuminations, it being (like that of the Lanthorn Feast in China) universal; and, whilst it seem'd to change Night into Day, very much exercised the various Fancies of People, in the Disposals of their Lights. Persons of Distinction, about the New Buildings, &c. had their Iron Rails stuck full of Flambeaus, some of which were of white Wax; and others illuminated the out Sides of their Windows with Wax Candles; many adorn'd the Roofs and Eves of their Houses with Candles; and others again set their Lamps or Candles, in the most pleasing Figures; the very Garrets and Cellars were lighted up, and even the Chairmen's Vehicles, and not a Malecontent was seen in the Streets; this infamous Rebellion, hatch'd in Obscurity, being hooted off with so much Splendour, that none of those Birds of evil Omen (the Jacobites) dar'd, spite of their Gallico Roman Bronze, to face it.

The Mob were so enraged at those who did not light up Candles on Thursday Night, that they broke all the Windows of empty Houses, and of those who were in the Country, all over the City and Liberty of Westminster.
The following is a Copy of the Rebels Orders, before the Battle of Colloden; found in the Pocket of one of the Prisoners.

Parole
Roy Jacques.

It is his Royal Highness's positive Orders, that every Person attach himself to some Corps of the Army, and remain with the Corps Night and Day, until the Battle and Pursuit be finally over, and to give no Quarter to the Elector's Troops, on no Account whatsoever. This regards the Foot as well as Horse.

The Order of Battle is to be given every General Officer, and every Commander of a Regiment or Squadron.

It is required and expected of each Individual in the Army, as well Officer as Soldier, that he keep the Post he shall be allotted; and if any Man turn his Back to run away, the next behind such Man is to shoot him.

No Body, upon Pain of Death, is to strip the Slain, or plunder, until the Battle is over. The Highlanders to be in Kilts and no Body to throw away their Guns.

Sign'd,
George Murray, Lt. Gen.
The Humble ADDRESS of the Right Honourable the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled.

Die Lunæ, 28° Aprilis, 1746.

We Your Majesty's most
Most Gracious Sovereign,
the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, beg Leave with Hearts full of the most unfeigned Joy, to congratulate Your Majesty on the happy Success with which it has pleased Almighty God to bless Your Arms against the Rebels.

When we consider the Value and Extent of that Happiness which this execrable Rebellion Was formed to take from us, our Holy Religion, our Laws and Liberties, and the great Support of them all, Your Majesty mild and gracious Government, and the Protestant Succession in Your Royal House; when on the other Hand we consider the insupportable Miseries designed by the wicked Authors of this detestable Scheme to be brought upon this Nation, our Thankfulness to Heaven, and the Transports we feel in our Breasts on this Occasion, are raised beyond the Power of Words to express.

The just and wise Use which Your Majesty has made of those necessary Measures, which were taken to strengthen
Your
Your Hands in this Conjuncture, for the Defence of Your
Majesty's Crown, and the Protection of Your People, demands
all the Returns of Gratitude, Zeal, and Affection, which the
most faithful Subjects can pay to the best of Kings; and the
unprovoked Treason and Perfidy with which this Rebellion has
been begun, and obstinately carried on, as well as the many
Calamities this Nation has suffered from it, call for exemplary
Justice against those Disturbers of our Peace.

It is with the greatest Pleasure and Admiration we behold in
how eminent a Manner this signal Victory has been owing to
the Valour and Conduct of His Royal Highness the Duke.

If any Thing can add to our Joy on such an Event, it is to See
a Prince of Your Majesty's Blood, formed by Your Example, and
imitating your Virtues, the glorious Instrument of it. And happy
should we be in any Opportunity of testifying the high Sense We
have of such illustrious Merit.

The Bravery, Fidelity, and Firmness, by which the Officers and
Soldiers of Your Majesty's Army have distinguished themselves
on this Occasion, give us the utmost Satisfaction; and will, we
doubt not, convince Your Enemies, how much they have to fear
from such Troops; led on by such a Commander.

May the Divine Providence continue to preserve Your Majesty's
precious Life, and to prosper Your Councils and Arms with
Success; and permit us, in the most Solemn Manner, to render the
strongest Assurances to Your Majesty of our most zealous and
vigorous Support and Assistance entirely to extinguish this
Rebellion, absolutely to crush this last desperate Effort of a
Popish, abjured Pretender, and to improve the Consequences of
it to add Stability to Your Throne.

His Majesty's most Gracious Answer.

My Lords,

The Success of My Arms against the Rebels, is the more
agreeable to Me, as it gives such universal Satisfaction to all
My loving Subjects. Your Joy on this Occasion is a fresh Mark
of your Zeal and Affection for Me, and My Family; and the
Approbation you express of the Services of My Son the Duke,
gives me great Pleasure. You may depend on My utmost Care to
improve this Success to re-establish the Tranquility and Security
of My Kingdoms.

The Thanks of the House of Peers, to his Royal Highness the
Duke of Cumberland, for the Glorious Victory obtain'd by him
against the Rebels, and which has been transmitted to his Royal
Highness, is (as we are inform'd) to the following Effect.

For the great and eminent Services performed by him to his
Majesty, and this Kingdom, against the Rebels; and that his
Royal Highness be assured of the just Sense, which this House
has, in how distinguished a Manner the late Victory was owing
to his Valour and Conduct, and to his indefatigable Zeal,
Activity and Labours, in the Cause of his Royal Father, and of
his Country, &c.

By Letters from Aberdeen we are informed, that since the late
Victory obtained by his Royal Highness the Duke, upwards of
700 of the Rebels have been brought in or voluntarily surrendered
themselves to his Royal Highness at Inverness; and that those
who surrendered, were permitted to go to their respective Homes.

And by Letters from Edinburgh we learn, that upwards of 1200
have either been brought in Prisoners, or voluntarily surrendered
themselves as such; and that the latter had the same Favour
granted as those before-mentioned.

By Letters Yesterday from Scotland we learn, That the young
Pretender is at the Head of 800 Men in Badenoch, where it is
thought he cannot possibly escape.

Thursday the following List of the Kill'd, &c. at the late Battle
in Scotland, was handed about as the most exact one yet published.
Kill'd in the Field of Battle 2500; in the Pursuit 500; taken
Prisoners 1800; total kill'd and taken Prisoners 4800. Lord
Ogilvie kill'd. Thirty Cannon taken, and 3500 Small Arms. The
Duke of Perth, Lord Kilmarnock, Lord George Murray, Gordon of
Glenbucket, and Lord Balmerino, taken Prisoners; this last was a
Captain of Horse in the Duke of Argyll's Army, in the Rebellion
in the Year 1715, viz. Capt. Elphington's, and deserted then with
his Troop to the Pretender's Army.

It is said that the Hessian Troops are to be immediately embarked
from Leith for Flanders, and also that several British Regiments
will be sent thither with all possible Expedition.

We hear that the Rebel Prisoners in Newgate and New-Prison have
received Notice, that they are to be tried at the ensuing Sessions
at the Old Bailey.

Durham, April 27. The late glorious Victory obtained over the
Rebels may very justly be called a seasonable one; for I verily
believe the Loss of it would have been attended with the most
fatal Consequences to this Nation. --The Papists and Jacobites,
in this County and Northumberland, waited only the Event of this
Battle, to shew themselves in all Shapes of Savage Cruelty: and
if Victory had declared on their Side, I am informed an
Insurrection and general Massacre would have immediately ensued,
which, thank God, I hope is now prevented.

This horrid Conspiracy was discover'd at Hexham, and the Day
for putting it in Execution was fixed; but the principal Persons
concerned in it, I am told, have made their Escape.

Several Hundred Arms have been found in some Coal Pits near
Newcastle.