Anonymous

“ His troops around him, and still the gaps were filled up. A galled trooper would occasionally flinch; but ere he could turn or flee, the sword of Clavers was waving over his head. I could see him in his fury strike both man and horse. In the fearful carnage, he himself sometimes reeled. He would stop short in the midst of a movement, then contradict his own orders, and strike the man, because he could not comprehend his meaning.
He ordered flanking parties to take us on right and left. 'In the name of God' cried he, 'cross the bog, and charge them on the flanks, till we get over the morass. ”

“ Our swords speedily severed the ropes which tyranny had bound on the arms of the men. The weapons of the fallen foe supplied what lacking of arms; and with great vigour we moved forward to charge the enemy on the left flank, Claverhouse formed a hollow square—himself in the centre; his men fought gallantly, they did all that solders could do in their situation. Wherever a gap was made Clavers thurst his men forward, and speedily filled it up. Three times he rolled headlong on the heath, as he hastened from rank to rank, and as often he remounted My little band thinned his ranks. ”

“ As often as the lazy rolling smoke was carried over the enemy's heads, a shower of bullets fell on his ranks Many a gallant man tumbled on the heath. The fire was incessant. It resembled one blazing sheet of flame, for several minutes, along the line of the covenanters. Clavers attempted to cross the morass, and break our centre. 'Spearmen! to the front,'—I could hear the deep-toned voice of Hamilton say—'Kneel, and place your spears to receive the enemy's cavalry; and you my gallant fellows fire—'God and our Country' is our word,' Our officers flew from rank to rank. ”

“ The gallant Hamilton snatched the white flag of the Covenant, and placed himself the forefront of the battle. Our men shouted 'God and our Country,' and rallied under their flag. They fought like heroes. Clavers fought no less bravely. His blows were aimed at our officers. His steel fell on the helmet of Hackstone, whose sword was entangled in the body of a fierce dragoon who had just wounded him. He was borne by his men into the rear. I directed my men on Clavers. ”

“ The Government against whom we hawe risen, refuses to redress our grievances, or to restore to us our liberties. Had the tyrant wished to render us justice, he had not sent by the hands of such a ferocious assassin as Claverhouse. Let him, however, shew his powers, and we refuse not to treat; and we shall lay down our arms to treat, provided he also lay down his. Thou hast my answer.'—'It is a perfectly hopeless case.' said Burley, while he called after the flag-bearer—'Let me add one word, by your leave, General. ”

“ It is stated that Burley was heard to say 'Then be it so—even let their be 'no quarters'-at least in my wing of the host So God send a meeting,' cried he aloud, 'with that chief under the white plume. My country would bless my memory, could my sword give his villainous carcase to the crows.'
Our raw troops beheld with firmness the approach of the foemen: the whole of our foot dropped on the heath. Not a man was seen to remain down, when the order was given to rise, and return the fire. The first rank fired, then kneeled down, while the other fired. They made each bullet tell. ”

“ He threw himself on a horse, and without sword, without helmet, he fled in the first ranks of the retreating host. His troops galloped up the hill in the utmost confusion. My little line closed with that of Burley's and took a number of prisoners. Our main body pursued the enemy two miles and strewed the ground with men and horses. I could see the bareheaded Clavers in front of his men, kicking and struggling up the steep sides of Calderhill. ”

“ They manifested more concern for the fate of relatives, for the fate of the church, than for their own personal safely. As Claverhouse descended the opposite mountain, they retired to the rising ground in the rear of our host. The aged men walked with their bonnets in hand. Their long grey locks waved in the breeze. They sang a cheering psalm. The music was that of the well-know tune of 'The Martyrs;' and the sentiment breathed defiance. The music floated down on the wind. Our men gave them three cheers as they fell into their ranks. Never did I witness such animation in the looks of men. ”

“ Sir Robert Hamilton placed the foot in the centre, in three ranks A company of horse, well armed and mounted, was placed on the left; and a small squadron also on the left. These were drawn back, and they occupied the more solid ground; as well with a view to have a more firm footing, as to arrest any flanking party that might take them on the wings. A deep morass lay between us and the ground of the enemy. Our aged men, our females, and children, retired ”

“ He announced the approach of the enemy. We raised our eyes to the Minister. 'I have done,' said Douglas, with his usual firmness —'You have got the theory,—now for the practice; you know your duty; self-defence is always lawful. ”

“ In his 'Battle of Drumclog' the 'great wizard' makes the covenanters' army murder a gallant young officer, who came as the flag. Nothing can be more erroneous and slanderous. It is an outrage to history. ”