Page:History of the Scottish rebellion, 1745.pdf/6

 to meet him. This was a new sight, Scotland having been deprived of its kings since the Revolution: and indeed they had seldom visited it since the union of the two crowns. The next day King James was proclaimed in Edinburgh, and the Prince declared Regent to govern the kingdom in the absence of his father.

General Cope, after a tedious march to Inverness and back to Aberdeen, embarked his army in order to return to the south by sea, and landed at Dumbarton on the 17th, where he was joined by two regiments of dragoons newly arrived from England, and the dragoon regiments whom he had left at Stirling under the command of Hamilton and Gardiner. On the 19th of September, he encamped his army at Haddington, and on the 20th arrived at Preston about 9 miles from Edinburgh. When the first files of his troops were entering the plains betwixt Seton and Preston, intelligence was brought to him that the Highlanders were in full march towards the Royal army. The general surprised, but not disconcerted by this intelligence, and thinking this a proper place to receive the enemy, called a halt, and drew up his troops, with a front to the west. His right was extended to the sea, and his left to the village of Tranent. Soon after he had taken up his ground, the Prince's army appeared in sight. The army of Cope consisted of 2100 men, besides some new raised companies of Lord Loude's regiment, and the 42d, who were sent to Cockenzie, as the baggage-guard.

When the rebel army entered Edinburgh, they were somewhat under 2000 men, but were there joined by 150 McLauchlans, and on the march were joined by 250 men, so that at Preston they amounted in all to nearly 2400. In point of