Clifford. – Is it possible that the Duke of Cumberland could have authorised such atrocities, as the hanging up innocent servants in the way you describe, Mr. Macpherson?
Dominie [Macpherson]. – I am afraid that what I have asserted is but too true, sir.
Author [Lauder]. – I am sorry to say, that I am in possession of a document which but too satisfactorily proves, that he did give most cruel orders. It is an orderly book of the thirty-seventh regiment, which was called Cholmondeley’s Regiment; and in that I find, in the general orders, dated “The Camp at Enverness April, 17th, 1746,” the following entry:- “A captain and fifty foot to march directly, and vizt all the cothidges in the naberhod of the field of battal, and to search for rebbels, the officers and men will take notiss, that the pubilick orders of the rebbels yesterday was to give us no quarters.” This, I think, was a pretty broat hint to the men and the officer commanding them, what it was that the Duke expected of them.*
Grant. – Very distinct, indeed.
Author. – Not to be mistaken, I think.
Clifford. – Is there anything existing to establish that any such order was given by the Prince, previous to the battle, as that to which the Duke here alludes!
Author. – Not a vestige of anything that I am aware of. But if such orders had been given by the Prince, that circumstance would have afforded no apology for him to have issued the order I have now repeated to you, after the battle was over, and the enemy so effectually cut to pieces in the field. Nothing, I think, could more mark a sanguinary temper than his thus letting loose a body of men, to visit all the neighbouring cottages, and to put to death, in cold blood, all whom his ignorant and bloodthirsty myrmidons might choose to consider as rebels. The slaughter in this way, of the innocent as well as of the guilty, was said to have been immense.”
Clifford. – The picture is horrible!
Grant. – It is horrible to think of it, even at this great distance of time, seated comfortably, as I am at this moment, in this great oaken arm chair.
Serjeant. – And a comfortable arm-chair that is, sir; and many a good day and queer night has it seen. If I am not mistaken, that was old Allister Shaw of Inchrory’s very chair.
Author. – Ay – who was Allister Shaw, Archy?
Serjeant. – Faith sir, he was a queer tough little fellow, Inchrory – for by that name he was always best known in the country – as proud as a bantam cock on his own midden-head. The body cared not for the King. I have two or three curious little anecdotes about him, which I can tell you and the gentlemen, if you have no objections.
Clifford. – Objections, Mr. Serjeant! I, the secretary, desire that you shall tell them, without another moment’s delay.
Serjeant. – Aweel, aweel, sir! I’ll do that at your bidding. I’m not accustomed to disobey the adjutant.
5 thoughts on “Cruelty of the Duke of Cumberland after the Battle of Culloden, pp.322-323.”