Letter from John Neilson, Glasgow

Reference No:
U DDSY3/1/55
Dates:
4 Jan 1746
Description:
Rebels arrived there 23 - 27 December and demanded 6,000 blue bonnets, pairs of shoes and pairs of hose and 1,200 shirts on account of the town militia having been raised and sent to Stirling. Also demanded names of all who went there but were refused. Levied £1,000 on Paisley for being in arms and sending 160 men to Stirling, but settled for £500. Marched away 2 - 3 January taking enough cloth for 2/3rd of their demands and 2 hostages for rest. Their army reviewed on the Green 30 December. Very hard on surrounding country for hay, straw and corn, and few paid for victuals or drink. Had 3 officers and 6 privates billetted on him. They behaved civilly enough though plenty of stealing in the town under pretext of searching for arms. Rebels thought to have gone to Stirling to secure a passage over the Forth. Many had been forced to join, and will desert once over the Forth. About 5,000 - 6,000 came from England '1/3 of whom I believe might be as good Men as in any Army in Europe, 1/3 of them I believe would pass in any Army in Brittain, the rest of them seemed to be a most despicable crew as ever Bore Arms'. A good part of Wade's army now in Edinburgh and hoped they will be joined by 2,000 - 3,000 from Argyll who have reached Dumbarton. Lord John Drummond, over from France, has issued a declaration of his being appointed General in Chief of the French Army in Scotland. Have been forced to send rebels a printing press
Format:
Archive Item
Extent:
1 item
Language:
Access Conditions:
Access will be granted to any accredited reader
Repository:
Hull University Archives
Collection:
Papers of the Sykes family of Sledmere