The Virginia Gazette

Copy of a Letter from His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, to Lord Justice Clerk, dated at the Camp at Falkirk, Feb. 1, 1745-6.

My Lord Justice Clerk,

Thought it proper to give you an Account of what has happen'd since I left Edinburgh. Yesterday I march'd from Edinburgh with the Army, in Two Columns, consisting of 14 Battalions, the Argyle-shire Men, and the 2 Regiments of Dragoons of Cobham and Mark Kerr, and quarter'd myself at Linlithgow, with 8 Battalions; and Brigadier Mordaunt with 6 Battalions at Borrowstones; the Dragoons quartered in the adjacent Villages; and Col. Campbell with the Argyle-shire Men in the Front towards the Avon. A considerable Body of the Rebels were then at Falkirk, and some few of them appeared on the Hills betwixt that Place and Linlithgow: They gave out, that they intended to stand another Action with the King's Forces; but at the same Time seem'd very uneasy for their Baggage, which they were endeavouring to secure on the other Side of the Forth. They were very much disappointed at the Defence General Blakeney had made in Stirling Castle, and said it was impossible for Man to take it. This Morning early, Word was brought that the Rebels had ventur'd to the Forwood, and intend to make a Stand there, and that the rest of them from Stirling, would join them at that Place. I reviewed the whole Army, this Morning, before we march'd, who were in the highest Spirits. The advanced Parties of the Rebels, retired with Precipitation, on the Approach of ours, and our foremost Scouts brought in some Stragglers, who said the Rebels were re-passing the Forth, in a good deal of Confusion, being afraid, as they said, of another Battle, because of the Increase of our Strength, and the great Desertion there had been among the Clans, which had much diminish'd their Numbers. On our March, we heard two great Reports, like the blowing up of some Magazine, and it was soon confirmed to us, for the Rebels had blown up a very large Quantity of Powder, in the Church of St. Niniens, before they went off. On my Arrival here, I found all our wounded Men, whom they had made Prisoners in the late Action, and in their Retreat had been obliged to leave behind them. I hear they have left their Artillery at Stirling, spiked up. As soon as I came here, I detached Brigadier Mordaunt with the Argyleshire Men and all the Dragoons, in Pursuit of them; tho' it is imagined that most of them will have escaped at the Ford of Frew: They generally make a good deal of Haste, when they are going off. They have lost a great Number of Men at Stirling, and say it is all over with them; and that they shall march to Montrose. One Circumstance is particular, That Lady Kilmarnock, who 'til last Night had always staid at Callender-house, went off with them. I propose to march To-morrow Morning to Stirling, and there take Measures for further quieting these Parts of His Majesty's Dominions. I am, &c.

WILLIAM.