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                 A SHORT NARRATIVE of the BATTLE of FALKIRK

                                                                                            Falkirk, Jan. 17, 1746.
EARLY this Morning, His Royal-Highness CHARLES, Prince Regent (having
left his Grace the Duke of Perth, with several Battalions, to push on the Siege of the
Castle of Stirling) drew up his Army in Line of Battle, a Mile East from Bannockburn, which
was the head Quarters, being inform'd, that the Enemy, who were incamp'd at four Miles
distance, a little below the Town of Falkirk, were advancing to give him Battle: But find-
ing about Mid-day they did not move, he resolved, in a Council of War, to march and attack
them. And immediately Lord George Murray marched at the Head of the Army in two
Columns, holding above the Torrwood; as the High-road, leading from Stirling to Falkirk,
was too narrow. The Army past the Water of Carron at Duniepace, the two Columns keep-
ing always an equal Distance of about two hundred Yards; they were then in Sight of the
Enemy, being about two Miles and an half distant. At the same time Lord John Drum-
mond, who commanded the Left-wing, had gone with most of the Horse, to reconnoitre the
Enemy, and made a Movement, as intending to march the High-way thro' the Torrwood.
     The two Columns continued their March without the least Stop, and went up the Hill of
Falkirk to take the Advantage of the Wind and Rising-ground. The Enemy were perceived
to be in Motion from the Time we past the Water, and were marching up the Hill Their
Cavalry being in their Front and a good way before them, had now taken Possession of a
Rising-ground opposite to our Right, and within half Cannon-shot; upon which we imme-
diately formed, being betwixt three and four o' Clock in the Afternoon. As it was believed
their Foot were forming close behind them, Orders were given by his Royal Highness for
the first Line to march softly forwards (the second Line keeping the usual Distance) to drive
them from that Eminence ; which was done accordingly, with the utmost Regularity and
Exactness; for when they were within Pistol-Shot, the Dragoons bore down towards us at the
Trott, in order to break us; then our Men gave part of their fire ſo a propos, that they en-
tirely broke them, doing great Execution.
     So soon as our Men who had fired charged their Muskets again (which they did in their
March) they advanced to attack the Infantry': But the Ground was so unequal, being inter-
spersed with Risings and Hollows, that they could not perceive what was doing on their
Left, only heard the firing upon that Side.
     Our Left not being fully formed when the Attack began on the Right, a considerable Body
of the Enemy's Horse came up also, to attack them; but receiving part of their Fire, they
broke and run off. Their Infantry coming in upon that Side with six Piece of Cannon, were
attack'd by some Battalions, who receiving the Fire of the Enemy, went in, Sword-in-Hand,
and drove them down the Hill with great Impetuosity and Slaughter : But not perceiving
our Right (by reason of the Unevenness of the Ground) they made a Stop till such Time as
the two Wings should join to the Centre, and the second Line come up.
     His Royal Highness who was mostly in the Centre, (attended by the French Ambassador)
and whose Attention was turned to all Parts, seeing that the Enemy had outlined us on the
Left Wing, sent Brigadier Stapleton and the Pickets of the Irish Brigade, with some other
Troops, to take up that Space upon the Left. Then the whole Army marched down towards
the Enemy, who were retreating on all Sides in great Disorder : But by reason of the Uneven-
neſs of the Ground, and Night coming on, with great Wind and Rain, they could not overtake
them, as they were positively ordered to keep their Ranks. Had the Enemy staid a Quar-
ter of an Hour longer on the Ground, they must have inevitably been cut to Pieces ; however
they went off with the utmost Precipitation, and were just got to the east End of the Town
of Falkirk, when Lord John Drummond enter'd on that Side, Lord George Murray in the
middle, and Lochiel in the west End. Lord John Drummond was slightly wounded in the
Arm by a Musket Shot, at the End of the Town, by one of the Soldiers, whom he was
taking Prisoner.
     We took all their Cannon, consisting of two large ones, five Field Pieces, all of Brass, three-
Iron Cannon, several Mortars and Coehorns, with a great number of Shells, all their Am-
munition, Waggons, Tents *, three Standards, two Stand of Colours, a Kettle Drum, many
small Arms, their Baggage, Clothing, and generally every Thing they had not burnt or
destroy'd †. We made above seven hundred Prisoners, beside Officers: And we reckon above
six hundred were killed in the Field of Battle, beſides what we are told were drowned
in fording the River Carron.
     We had not above forty Men killed on our Side, among which were two or three Captains
and some subaltern Officers. There was near double that Number wounded, amongst when
was young Lochiel, on the Ankle, but so slightly, that it did not hinder him from marching
in Pursuit of the Enemy, to the Town of Falkirk. His Brother was likewise wounded.
     His Royal Highness's first Care, early next Morning, was to send up to the Field of Battle
to cause bury the Dead, as well those of the Enemy, as our own People ; and some of their
Officers, that could be distinguish'd, (of which it is said are Sir Robert Monro and Col. Whit-
ney) were brought down to the Town to be decently interred, in the same manner as our
own Officers were.
     Had not the Night come on, and so stormy, his Royal Highness's Army would have got
betwixt them and Linlithgow, and would have utterly destroy'd them. All the Officers, an
private Men, behaved with invincible Courage ; and the Order which they kept in their
Marching and Attack, surprized even the Officers who had been in the former and present
Wars abroad.
     The Irish Officers were of vast use, in going through the different Posts of the Army, and
assisting in the various Dispositions that were made.
                                               Printed at Bannockburn. 1746.

* Which we found almost all standing, few of them having been consumed by the Fire which they had themselves
set to their Camp.
† The most valuable Part of the Effects are continually exposed to View, and shall be forthcoming whenever
the late Owners shall think proper to present themselves, and put in their Claim.