William Craig Brownlee

“ We marched on the enemy's flank. 'Yonder is Clavers,' said Paton, while he directed his courser on him. The bloody man was, at that moment, nearly alone, hacking to pieces some poor fellows already on their kness disarmed, and imploring him by the common feelings of humanity to spare their lives. ”

“ He collected his whole troops to make his last and desperate attack—He charged our infantry with such force, that they began to reel. It was only for a moment, The gallant Hamilton snatched the white flag of the Covenant, and placed himself in the fore-front 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. ”

“ Sir Robert Hamilton was our Commander-in-Chief.— The gallant General Hackstone stood on that spot with his brave men. Along the river, and above the bridge, Burley's foot and Captain Nesbit's dragoons were stationed. For one hour we kept the enemy in check; they were defeated in every attempt to cross the Clyde. Livingstone sent another strong column to storm the bridge. I shall never forget the effect of one fire from our battery, where my men stood. We saw the line of the foe advance in all the military glory of brave and beautiful men; the horses pranced—the armour gleamed. ”

“ Our sword speedily severed the ropes which tyranny had bound on the arms of the men. The weapons of the fallen foe supplied what was 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 tire centre. ; his men fought gallantly; they did all that soldiers could do in their situation. Wherever a gap was made, Clavers thrust the 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. ”

“ Livingstone and Dalzeil were actually taking us on the flank---A band had got between us and Burley's infantry. 'My friends.' said Hackstone to his officers, we are last on the field. We can do no more.—We must retreat.—Let us attempt, at least, to bring aid to the deluded men behind us. They have brought ruin on themselves and on us. Not Monmouth, but our own divisions have scattered us.'
At this moment one of the life-guards aimed a blow at Hackstone. My sword received it—and a stroke from Nesbit laid the foeman's hand and sword in the dust. ”

“ Our houses they convert into barracks, They drag free men into chains. They bring no witnesses of our guilt.—They invent new tortures to convert us. They employ the thum-screws and bootkins. If we are silent they condemn us. If we confess our Christion creed, they doom us to the gibbet. Not only our sentance, but the manner of our execution, is fixed before our trial. Clavers is our judge; his dragoons are our executioners ”

“ He had just finished his usual oath against their 'feelings of humanity,' when Paton presented himself. He instantly let go his prey and slung back into the midst of his troopers. Having formed them, he advanced.— We formed, and made a furious onset. At our first charge his troop reeled. Clavers was dismounted.— But at that moment Dalzel assailed us on the flank and rear.———Our men fell around us like grass before the mower. The buglemen sounded a retreat. Once more in the mele I fell in with the General and Paton, We were covered with wounds. ”

“ In the fierce combat, the soldier suffers most from thirst. I stooped down, to fill my helmet with the water which oozed through the morass. It was deeply tinged with human blood, which flowed in the conflict above me. I started back with horror; and Gawn Witherspoon bringing up my steed, we sat forward in the tumult of the battle
All this while, the storm of war had raged on our left. Cleland and the fierce Burley had charged the strong company sent to flank them. These officers permitted them to cross the swamp, then, charged them with a terrible shout. 'No quarter', cried the dragoons. ”

“ Its well known blue and scarlet colours, and its motto, 'Christ's crown and covenant,' in brilliant gold letters, inspired us with a sacred enthusiasm.— We gave a loud cheer to the wounded ensign, and rushed into the combat. The redemption of that flag cost the foe many a gallant man. They fell beneath our broad swords; and, with horrible execrations dying on their lips, they gave up their souls to their Judge.
Here I met in front that ferocious dragoon of Clavers, named Tam Halliday, who had more than once, in his raids, plundered my halls ”

“ The priest imposed on us by tyranny. instead of wooing us over by the loveliness of religion, have thrown off the bowels of mercy. They occupy seats in the bloody Council. They stimulate the cruelties of Lauderdale, M'Kenzie and York. Their hands are dipt in blood to the wrests. ”

“ On a knoll we faced about— the battle raged below us. We beheld our commander doing evey thing that a brave soldier could do with factous men against an overpowering foe. Burley and his troops were in close conflict with Clavers' dragoons. ”

“ 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 ”