Argyll defeated and Captured

London Gazette #2045, June 22 to June 25, 1685

Edinburgh, June 19. 1685

This morning arrived an express with an account, that the Earl of Dumbarton, commander-in-chief of his majesties forces in this kingdom having notice that the Rebels passed the river Leven above Dumbarton, marched from Glasgow the 17^th very early in the morning after them. The Rebels are making their way to Sterling and the Kings forces over-took them in the parish of Kilsyth. The Horse and Dragoons kept up the Rebels till the Foot arrived, but the Rebels were posted in so strong a ground and it was so late in the evening, that it was not thought fit then to attack them. So, the Kings Army stood to arms all night, to be ready as day-light appeared to fall upon the Rebels. But with great silence they marched off in the Night towards the River Clyde.  Near a village called Kilpatrick, the Rebels swam with their Horse and carried over their Foot in boats, so got without much resistance into Renfrew. The Kings Army missing the Rebels in the morning marched with all diligence to Glasgow, where after they had two hours rest, the Earl of Dumbarton, with the Horse and Dragoons, marched after the Rebels, leaving the foot to follow with all the speed they could make.

Edinburgh, June 21. 1685

On the 17^th the Rebels in the night, passed the River Clyde, serval having run away in the dark. At Renfrew, Sir John Cochran undertook to provide guides to carry them safe into Galloway. But they mistake the way, he carried them into a bog, where having lost their Horses and Baggage, the Foot dispersed into small parties. Whereupon the Earl of Dumbarton likewise divided the Kings forces to pursue them. The Earl of Argyll now returned towards Clyde but was fallen upon by two of Greenock’s servants. He would not yield, firing at them when they called to him. Now he received a wound to the head, upon which trusting his horse, he alighted and ran into the water. The noise brought out a country-man, who ran into the water after him, where he was almost up to the neck. He presented his pistol to the country-man, but it mis-served, upon which the country-man gave him a wound in the head, which stunned him. So, as he fell, and called out, ‘oh unfortunate Argyll’. Before he recovered his mind, they carried him to their commander.

A party of 40 Horse commanded by the Lord Ross, with as many Dragoons commanded by Captain Cleland, fell upon a party of the stoutest of the rebels commanded by Sir John Cochran, who had taken the way to the sea. As the Kings officers came up to them, they posted themselves within a small enclosure, in which they were covered breast high. Notwithstanding whereof, the Lord Ross charged them, but the ground being to strong for the horse withdraw with lose. The Captain of the Dragoons being killed in the coming up, the Lord Ross slightly wounded, Sir Adam Blair shot through the neck, and Sir William Wallace of Craigie shot in the side. Before the Dragoons had time to come up on Foot, the Rebels had got into a wood just behind the enclosure. Now the Kings forces had to overcome the Rebels, so that the taking of all them is not doubted.

A party of five of the Earl of Aran’s Militia of Clydesdale took Mr Rumbold and his man, who fought desperately, killing one Militia man upon the place. Mr Rumbold is wounded, but they think not mortally. One Colonel Ayloff and about 200 more are already brought in as prisoners to Glasgow, and there are more coming in from parties who are still aboard in pursuit of Rebels. There is no doubt a good account will be given of them all. The Earl of Dumbarton with his majesties forces are marched into the south, to observe the motions on the border. Whilst 3000 highlanders are ordered into the west to secure that country, and so search out the lurking holes the Rebels.

Just now the Earl of Argyll is brought hither from Glasgow, by the east water-gate, all the way to the castle being guarded by his majesties company in this city, having his hands bound behind him. He is now prisoner in the castle. Colonel Ayloff, who should have been brought with him, the night before he ripped up his own belly with a penknife, so that his recovery is despaired of.

Whitehall, June 23. 1685

The Rebels according to the last account we have, were about Glastonbury. My Lord Churchill, observing them very narrowly with a party of the Kings forces. He sent out the 22^nd, a party of 40 Horse from Langport who met a squadron of the Rebels of double that number and beat them into their camp. The Duke of Albemarle, who has put 3 companies into Lyme, is with the Militia of Devon at Wellington about five miles from Taunton. The Duke of Somerset was with the Militia of that County at Bath. The Duke of Beaufort with the Militia of Gloucestershire and some adjacent counties at Bristol, where all things were in a very good posture. The inhabitants are very forward and zealous to express their loyalty to his majesty.

The Earl of Feversham, Lieutenant General of his majesties forces, arrived on Monday last with a detachment of Horse Guards of the Grenadiers, of the Earl of Oxfords Regiment and of the Dragoons at Chippenham, where the Earl of Pembroke with the Militia of Wiltshire joined him. Whilst, the Militia of Hampshire are expected to arrive on the next day. The Duke of Grafton is likewise marching with 2000 men of his majesties Foot Guards, followed by a Train of Artillery, to join the Earl of Feversham. So that we may, in few days expect a very good account of the Rebels.

We are informed by a letter from Captain Trevanion, commander of the Suadadoes, that on the 20th instant, he arrived at Lyme with his majesties ships, there he found two of the Rebel ships, a Pink and a Dogger in the Cobb. Along with 40 barrels of powder and back and breasts for between 4 and 5000 men in the town, which he secured together with the Rebel vessels. The chief of the corporation of Lyme had been made prisoners by the Rebels because they would not assist them.