In the early part of November, the rebel army advanced towards the Forth, with the view of penetrating to England, and the Duke of Argyle marched from Stirling to Dumblaine, near Sheriffmuir, for the purpose of opposing the progress of the insurgents. On the morning of Sunday, the 13th of November, the enemy, ten thousand strong, was seen advancing in order of battle; and the King’s troops, not mustering four thousand men, moved forward to engage their opponents. The Thirty-sixth regiment was in the left wing of the royal army. At a critical moment it was ordered to make a change of position, and, while in the act of re-forming, it was attacked by an immense body of Highlanders, the élite of the insurgent host. The soldiers were unable to withstand the very superior numbers of their opponents, and the left wing became separated from the main body of the army, and retired beyond Dumblaine, to gain possession of the passes leading to Stirling. In the meantime, the right wing of the royal army had overpowered the left wing of the rebels, and chased it from the field. Thus both generals had one wing victorious, and one wing defeated: both in consequence claimed the victory. The insurgents were, however, prevented penetrating southward, and were defeated in their object. The Thirty-sixth had one serjeant and twenty-one rank and file killed; Captain Danoer, and fourteen rank and file, were wounded. From the field of battle the troops proceeded to Stirling, where they again encamped.
1716.
Towards the end of December the Pretender arrived in Scotland, and assumed all the ensigns of royalty. He held his court at Scone, and his head-quarters were at Perth: but the Highland chieftains finding it impossible to resist the royal forces, resolved to abandon the enterprize. They, however, burnt several villages, to distress the Duke of Argyle in his march, who, in January 1716, obliged them to abandon Perth, whence they retired to Montrose, where the Pretender escaped on board a French ship, together with the Earl of Mar and other adherents. After this the rebels dispersed to the Highlands.
The Thirty-sixth regiment was subsequently stationed at Dumbarton.
1718.
In the year 1718 the Thirty-sixth regiment proceeded to Ireland. In July 1718, the King of Spain having taken Sardinia and invaded Sicily, the “Quadruple Alliance” was formed between Great Britain, France, Germany, and Holland. War was declared against Spain in December by England and France.
1719.
The King of Spain afterwards made preparations in favour of the Pretender, and the Thirty-sixth regiment embarked, in March 1719, at Cork for Great Britain.
Brigadier-General Sir Charles Hotham, Bart., was appointed Colonel of the Thirty-sixth regiment on the 7th of July 1719, in succession to Colonel Egerton, removed to the Twentieth regiment.