Memoirs of the Rebellion in 1745 and 1746 (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1821. Excerpt: ... London on the 11th of September #, and, alarmed at the defeat of General Cope, he recalled the whole of the English troops in the army of the allies in Flanders. The chiefs represented to the Prince that nothing could be more ridiculous than to attempt an invasion of England with such a handful of men, when it was defended by fifty thousand regular troops and a numerous militia. Some of the chiefs even told him, that they had taken arms, and risked their fortunes and their lives, merely to seat him on the throne of Scotland; but that they wished to have nothing to do with England. However, the Prince pretending that he had received letters from several English lords, assuring him, that he should find them in arms on the borders, ready to join him with a considerable English force, the chiefs of the clans suffered themselves at length to yield, and, after many debates, gave their assent to his proposition. Thus the Prince, instead of remaining in Scotland on the defensive, set out with his army on the 1st of November from Edinburgh, where he had scarcely stayed long enough to perceive that he was entirely master of the kingdom; and that it was only necessary to adopt proper measures, and follow judicious counsels, to preserve his conquest. The enterprise was bold, nay rash, and unexampled. What man in Ins-senses could think of encountering the English armies, and attempting the conquest of England, with four thousand five hundred Highlanders? It is true they were brave, resolute, and determined to fight to the very last, selling their lives as dearly as possible, and having no alternative but victory or death; but still the disproportion between this handful of men and the whole force of England was so great as to preclude the slightest hope of success. Our army remained in the town ...