The Virginia Gazette Foreign News January 2, 1746

NEWCASTLE, September 28.

When the pretended Prince of Wales landed in Scotland, he had a Retinue of 25 Persons, among whom were the Marquis of Tullibardine, Mr. Kelly, (who was concern'd with the Bishop of Rochester, and some Years ago escap'd out of the Tower of London after he had obtain'd Leave to go to any Place within ten Miles of the Town for the Preservation of his Health) and one Mr. Selwyn, a Frenchman, who 'tis said had been employ'd by a French Minister to raise a Rebellion amongst the Corsicans against the Genoese, and so judg'd a proper Hand to employ among the Highlanders for a like Purpose. The Chevalier took up his Lodgings at the House of Lochyell, a Gentleman who was in the late Rebellion; whose Son, though he enjoy'd his Estate by the Lenity of the Government, immediately joined him, and rais'd what Men he could for his Service. There they continued for some Time in a private Manner, 'til hearing of Sir John Cope's Design to march and disperse them, they found it necessary to set up their Standard, and raise all the Force they could to oppose him. On this they were join'd by several of the other Clans of that County, and chose, as the most advantageous Situation, the Pass of Corrieyerroch, where they determin'd to meet him; this Pass being so form'd both by Nature and Art, that 100 Men could destroy 1000 in attempting to pass that Way.

Sir John Cope's Orders being express, either to go to Fort Augustus or Inverness, his Intention was to make for the first of these Places; but being advertis'd from Inverness of the Danger of passing that Way, and that the Rebels wished he would attempt it, he made a Shew of marching thither, but turned towards Inverness, expecting in his Route to be join'd by several of the well-affected Clans: But some of their Chiefs being out of the Way, and their Tenants mostly employed in Harvest, none of them join'd him 'til he left Inverness, when 200 of the Monroes follow'd him to Aberdeen, most of whom would have embark'd with him, had it been thought necessary; but it was judged more advisable to let them return home, for the Defence of their own Country, and to quell any Insurrections of the Disaffected that might be in these Parts; and no other Highlandman accompanied Sir John but three Companies of Lord Loudon's new-rais'd Highland Regiment.

The General came to Dunbar on the 12th Inst. and landed next Day, having brought with him all the Town of Aberdeen's Arms, because it was thought the Rebels, under Gordon of Glenbucket, would visit that Town soon after he left it.

When the General took his Route towards Inverness, the Rebels came down to the Low Country, and were joined by the Athol and Perthshire Men at Perth; where they remained about ten Days, and when they went off they exacted 1000l. from the Town, and then marched Southward, and crossed the Forth above Stirling; whence it was thought, they would have directed their March to the Shire of Ayr by Glasgow, and proceeded thence by Dumfries to England: But, instead of this, they only deputed two Persons to go to Glasgow, and demand 15,000l. and turned towards Edinburgh directly, being not only invited, but solicited thereto, by the Jacobites in and about the City, who well knew that the well affected Inhabitants would have baffled any Attempt upon it, if they had got the Fencing of the City finished, and the thousand Men levied and trained, who were to be rais'd by voluntary Subscription. Besides these, 800 of the chief Inhabitants of the City, Lawyers, Writers, Physicians, and even Divines, took up Arms for the Defence of the Town. About 23 Patteraroes and Ship Guns were placed at the Gates, and on the Bastions of the City-

Walls. These Volunteers, &c. continued under Arms all Sunday Night, and likewise on Monday 'til Five o'Clock in the Afternoon; at which Time Gardner's and Hamilton's Dragoons not only retired from the Colt Bridge towards the City, but likewise precipitately retired thence towards Musselburgh, on the Approach of the Van Guard of the Rebels, and that in the Sight of the Inhabitants of the City; which put them into no small Confusion, imagining the Rebels were at their Heels with their whole Force, and that the Dragoons had entirely deserted them. However, the Volunteers, &c. continued under Arms, waiting Orders to take their respective Stations, which they were resolved to defend to the last. At this Time several Persons presented a Petition to the Provost, desiring a Meeting of the Inhabitants might be called, to consider whether they should hold out, or deliver up the City. The Fire Bell was accordingly rung, which the Persons under Arms took as a Signal for bringing them to the Place of Rendezvous, and immediately drew up, headed by their Officers. The Meeting of the Inhabitants, in the New Kirke Isle, was filled immediately with Persons who had been strolling through the Street, many of them disaffected to the present Government. In this Meeting a Letter from the Chevalier was presented, intimating his Intention to enter the City; but the Reader was soon interrupted and the Question put, Whether the Town was or was not tenable? some affirming, that the Dragoons had left them, and others, that it was false, and that they were ready to defend the City to the last, if required. In the mean Time the Secretary at War acquainted them that he had an Order from the General, to desire the two Regiments of Dragoons to enter the City, if the Inhabitants desired it. This occasioned some warm Debates, when a Gentleman, who had been present at a Council of War some Days before, asserted, that the general Opinion of the Officers was, that the City was not tenable, and that bringing the Dragoons into it would be cooping them up to their Destruction. Immediately the Vote was put, Receive the Dragoons or not? when it passed in the Negative, and they joined General Cope. No Orders being given what Part the Volunteers should act, they delivered their Arms into the Castle; the Governor of which sent for the Cannon on the Walls and Gates, to be brought to the Castle or nailed up; but for want of Orders from some Person in Town, they could not be carried away, but fell into the Rebels Hands, Part of whom entered the Town next Morning, by the Nether Bow Port, when open'd to let in a Coach. The Remainder took Possession about Noon that Day, where they continued 'til Thursday, when, hearing of Sir John Cope's Approach to attack them, and the Garrison having thrown some Grenades into the Town, to force them out, they marched to Falside Hill, in View of our Camp, on the Sea side, near Preston-pans, where our Army lay all Night under Arms.

In the Morning, about Five, the Highlanders marched up to our Army in Battle Array, and began their Attack on the Right Wing, in which Gardner's Dragoons were placed, who broke upon receiving the first Fire of the Rebels, and went off. Their Officers persuaded them to rally, but just as they were returning along-side of Lord Grange's Park dyke, an Ambuscade of Rebels gave them a second Fire, which made them run off altogether, notwithstanding the most earnest Entreaties of their Officers. Hamilton's Dragoons went off immediately also, without firing a Shot; and the Foot, surprized at the Flight of the Dragoons, (on whose Service they placed such great Confidence) and it being very dark, their Bayonets not fix'd, and a great Number of new-raised Men among them, they fir'd too soon; on which the Highlanders rushed upon them, Sword in Hand, with great Fury, surrounded them, killed about 150 Men, and made about 2000 Prisoners. The Highlanders, of Loudon's Regiment, placed with General Cope's Baggage, and as a Body of Reserve, were fallen upon next, who behav'd very well, gave the Rebels a smart Fire, and killed several of them; but being overpower'd by Numbers, they were obliged to surrender Prisoners.

Our Army consisted only of 2800 Men, and the Rebels were reckoned at 6000. A great Number of Volunteers from Edinburgh and the Country round it, offer'd to fight the Rebels, but Sir John refused their Assistance, for Fear of confusing his Men. The Rebels had about 100 Men killed, and double that Number wounded.