Page:History of Prince Charles Edward Stuart.pdf/6

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waited on him to treat concerning a capitulation. In the mean time one of the gates being opened for the admission of a coach, Cameron of Loch- iel rushed into the place with a party of his men, and secured it without opposition. Next morn- ing the whole army entered, Charles took posses- sion of the royal palace of Holyrood House, and having caused his father to be proclaimed at the market cross, ordered a manifesto to be read, in     which the Chevalier declared his son Regent of      his dominons, and promised to redress all the grievances of Scotland. During these transactions, Sir John Cope be- gan his march towards Edinburgh, to give the rebel army battle, and on the 20th of the month encamped in the neighbourhood of Preston Pans with all his troops, amounting to nearly three thousand men. Early next morning he was at- tacked by Charles, at the head of about the same number of Highlanders, who charged sword in     hand, with such impetuosity, that in less than ten minutes the King's troops were broken and totally routed. The dragoons fled in the utmost confusion, and the General Officers, after some unsuccessful efforts to rally their men, retreated towards Coldstream on the Tweed. Never was a victory perhaps obtained at a smaller expence : only fifty of the rebels lost their lives, while five