Letter from John Neilson, Glasgow

Reference No:
U DDSY3/1/62
Dates:
22 Jan 1746
Description:
Battle of Falkirk. About 140 loyalist dead and 3 - 4 times as many rebels. Rebels kept field and captured 7 cannon. They would have had as complete a victory as that over Cope but for Huske, who made a stand with Barrell's, Ligonier's and another regiment of foot, and covered retreat of rest to Linlithgow from where they marched next day to Edinburgh. Our troops' chief trust in guns, rebels in broadswords. Lucky for loyalists that night came on, since storm of wind and rain prevented reloading after first discharge. Storm not so violent at foot of hill where Huske was. Rebels about 7,000; loyalists about 8,000. Hawley much blamed for neglect in drawing up troops and not possessing himself of proper ground. About an hour before the action some officers were riding about asking if anyone knew the moor, and whether there were morasses or ditches. If the army had behaved but tolerably, a complete victory might have been won, for rebels were running away before the battle 'in scores, thirtys and fiftys'. Poor creatures forced into rebellion by masters and chiefs, and only wanting chance to desert. Army now joined with 2 regiments of foot at Edinburgh
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