App. 51. C. of G., ii. 223. (From Culloden.) The Aberdeen rebels much discouraged, for the most part separated, and will not easily be brought together again. The Jacobites’ intention is to capture Inverness and force all the neighbourhood into their service. Glengarry’s and Keppoch’s people and the Camerons are almost all gone home, but leaders are sent to fetch them out. All this will give time to the friends of government.
[572] App. 52. C. of G., ii. 232. (From Castle Grant.) A long letter of details of intelligence of the movements of the Jacobite army.
[573] App. 53. Further Intelligence, dated 15th Feb. 1746, Saturday 7 o’clock at night.—Two persons confirm that Letters from Lord Loudon, etc., were stopt at Ruthven. One of them says the Bearer was hanged this morning. Both agree the Bridges on the road to Athole are broke doun, That the Castle of Ruthven was burnt last night, and stables this morning. The Prince to be at Inverlaidnan this night, some of his People in Strathern,[665] the last at Avemore. The Macphersons to march to-morrow all for Inverness. Best Judges call them about 5000. The Campbells were at Blair. The Duke certainly at Perth the 12th. The Hessians certainly landed at Leith. Several Expresses for this are stopt. You know better than we do what is doing in Murray.
[574] Near Carrbridge.
[575] App. 54. Lord Loudon to Mr. Grant, dated Inverness, 15th Feb.—I have been honoured with a Letter from you last night, and another this morning, and I have seen yours to the Governor, all with the Intelligence which you have got for which I am very much obliged to you, and as we have had notice some time I hope if they do come, we shall be able to give them such a Reception as they will not like. I expect to be reinforced with 900 or 1000 men in two days, and every day to grow stronger. I have thought seriously on every method of sending you arms; but do not see as we are threatned with an attack, that I can answer sending such a detachment from hence. A march that must take up 4 days, as well bring the arms safe to you. Consider the Clan hattonn[666] are all come home. The Frasers and the Gentlemen of Badenoch are appointed to intercept them, and if we have any Business it must be over before they return. As to the number you mention, you know how small the number is, I have to give, and how many demands are made on me, and by people who are none of them near so well provided as you are. If you can send down 300 men, I shall endeavour to provide them as well as I can that is the outmost I can do. You are very good as you be advanced to send us constantly what accounts you get, but by all I can learn your accounts magnify their numbers greatly. I beg you will make my Compliment to all ffriends.—I am with real Esteem and Sincerity, Dr. Sir, yours etc.
[576] This date not quite right. The ‘Rout of Moy’ took place on the 17th. Loudoun evacuated Inverness on the 18th, and the Jacobite army reached the town the same day. The castle (Fort George), garrisoned partly by Grant’s company and commanded by his uncle, surrendered to the Prince on February 20th. (Scots Mag., viii. p. 92.)
[577] Sir Everard Fawkener, secretary to the Duke of Cumberland; b. 1684; originally a London mercer and silk merchant; the friend and host of Voltaire in England 1726-29; abandoned commerce for diplomacy; knighted and sent as ambassador to Constantinople 1735; became secretary to the Duke of Cumberland, and served with him in the Flanders campaign; for his services was made joint postmaster-general 1745; accompanied the Duke throughout his campaign in Scotland 1746; d. 1758.
[578] The Duke of Cumberland arrived at Aberdeen on February 27th or 28th.
[579] Not the modern Castle Forbes on the Don, in Keig parish, but the old Castle Forbes at Druminnor, in the parish of Auchindoir and Kearn.
[580] Cumberland crossed the Spey on April 12th.