A veteran serjeant of the regiment, named Molloy, and twelve men were left in charge of the little fort at Ruthven, which they defended against the rebel host with such distinguished bravery, that the following letter from this brave man to Sir John Cope deserves a place in this memoir.
"Ruthven Redoubt, 30th August, 1745.
"Hon. General,
"This goes to acquaint you, that yesterday there appeared in the little town of Ruthven about three hundred of the enemy, and sent proposals to me to surrender this redoubt upon condition that I should have liberty to carry off bag and baggage. My answer was, 'I was too old a soldier to surrender a garrison of such strength without bloody noses.' They threatened hanging me and my men for refusal. I told them I would take my chance. This morning they attacked me about twelve o'clock (by my information) with about a hundred and fifty men: they attacked fore-gate and sally-port; and attempted to set sally-port on fire with some old barrels and other combustibles, which took place immediately, but the attempter lost his life by it. They drew off about half an hour after three. About two hours after they sent word to me that two of their chiefs wanted to talk to me; I admitted and spoke to them from the parapet: they offered conditions; I refused; they desired liberty to carry off their dead men; I granted. There are two men since dead of their wounds in the town, and three more they took with them, as I am informed. They went off westward about eight o'clock this morning; they did the like march yesterday in the afternoon, but came back at night-fall. They took all the provisions the poor inhabitants had in the town, and Mrs. M'Pherson, the barrack-wife, and a merchant of the town, who spoke to me this moment, and who advised me to write to your honour, and told me there were above three thousand men, all lodged in the corn-fields west of the town, last night, and their grand camp is at Dalwhinnie. They have Cluny M'Pherson with them prisoner, as I have it by the same information. I lost one man, shot through the head by foolishly holding his head too high over the parapet. I expect another visit this night, I am informed, with their pateraroes; but I shall give them the warmest reception my weak party can afford. I shall hold out as long as possible. I conclude, honourable general, with great respect,
"Your most humble servant,
"J. Molloy, Serjt. 6th.[33]"
From Inverness Lieut.-General Sir John Cope marched to Aberdeen, where he embarked the troops in transports, in order to proceed by sea to Leith, to oppose the progress of the rebels southwards; and two companies of the Sixth, commanded by Captains Pointz and Holwell, were employed in this service. Arriving at Dunbar, on the 16th of September, they landed on the south side of the Firth, and, to their great mortification and disappointment, learnt that the rebel highlanders and their adventurous chief had gained possession of Edinburgh, towards which city Sir John Cope commenced his march on the 19th of September.
Information having been received of the approach of a rebel force of very superior numbers, the King's troops took up a position a short distance to the east of the village of Preston-pans, near the sea, and seven miles from Edinburgh. Several changes of ground were made as the rebels menaced various parts of the line; but the attack was delayed, and the soldiers passed the night under arms: the two companies of the Sixth, and eight companies of Lascelles' (forty-seventh) regiment, formed one battalion, and were posted in the right centre of the front line[34].
About three o'clock on the morning of the 21st of September, large bodies of rebel Highlanders were seen in motion, and before day-break a chosen band of these hardy mountaineers was discovered through the thick atmosphere, moving like a dusky phantom swiftly along the undulating grounds to attack the right. As they drew near they raised a dismal yell, fired a volley, threw down their muskets, and rushed sword in hand upon the troops which guarded the artillery. The sudden advance of the Highlanders in the dark, their superior numbers, and peculiar mode of fighting, struck with dismay the two hundred soldiers appointed to guard the artillery on the right, who saw themselves assaulted by more than three times their own numbers, and as they caught the gleam of steel flashing in their faces, they gave way and fled. The two hundred and fifty dragoons on the right, seeing the artillery lost, became disheartened; they advanced to charge a large mass of Highlanders; but observing the disparity of numbers, they were seized with a panic and galloped out of the field. Their conduct damped the courage of the infantry, and the panic spread from rank to rank; but several companies made resistance, and feats of valour were nobly displayed by individuals and small parties; all semblance of order was, however, soon lost, and a confused rout ensued. The two companies[35] of the Sixth were among the troops who resisted the Highlanders; Captain Hollwell was killed; Captain Pointz was surrounded, dangerously wounded, and taken prisoner; Lieutenants Cumming and Paton, and Ensigns Wakeman and Irwine, were also made prisoners; and the two companies had nearly every man either killed, wounded, or taken prisoner: such were the disastrous results of this battle, that of the King's forces, not more than one-half escaped from the field. The prisoners were removed to Edinburgh, and afterwards to the Highlands.
1746