Page:History of the Scottish rebellion, 1745.pdf/9

 successively came up. But all was unavailing against the ferocious resolution of the Highlanders. One discharge of muskets — one burst of flame and smoke - one long re-echoing peal of thunder-like sound — when the lightning sword flashed out from the tartan cloud, and smote with irresistible vehemence the palsied and defenceless soldiery.

When the first line had passed the marsh. Lord George dispatched his aid-de camp to the second which the Prince conducted in person, to see that it passed without noise or confusion. Having examined the line, and seen that every thing was as it should be, in returning to Lord George he found the Prince at the head of the column, accompanied by Lord Nairn, just as he was begining to enter the marsh. Lord George Murray, at the head of the first line, did not give the English time to recover from their surprise. He advanced with such rapidity that General Cope had hardly time to form his troops in order of battle, when the Highlanders rushed on sword in hand. They had been frequently enjoined to aim at the noses of the horses with their swords, without minding the riders; as the natural movement of a horse, wounded in the face, is to wheel round; and a few horses wounded in that manner, are sufficient to throw a whole squadron into such disorder, that it is impossible afterwards to rally it. They followed this advice most implicitly, and the English cavalry were instantly thrown into confusion.

The victory began, with the battle, among the Camerons. That spirited clan, notwithstanding, their exposure to the cannon, and although received with a discharge of musketry by the artillery guard, ran on with undaunted speed, and were first up to the front of the enemy. Having swept