A collection of ancient and modern Scottish ballads, etc

112^
THE BATTLE OF SKERIFF-MUIR,
[The Earl of Mar having been joined by the northern clani
under the Earl of Seaforth, and by General Gordon with:
a body of men from the west, prepared to carry the war
into the south of Scotland : accordingly, on the 10th November,
he marched from Perth to Auchterarder, where
he reviewed his army, amounting to about nine thousand
men; he continued there on the 11th, and resumed his
march on the 12th towards Stirling. The Duke of Argyle,
with the royal army, which did not exceed three thou-
sand five hundred men, hearing of £he approach of the
enemy, quitted Stirling on the 12th, and encamped the
same night, with his left at Dumblain, and his right to-
wards Sheriff moor. The rebels approached that night
•within two miles of his Grace's army, drew up in order
of battle, and remained underarms till day-break. Both
armies prepared for battle next morning. The Duke of
Argyle placed himself on the right, at the head of the
cavalry ; General Whitham commanded the left, and
Major-General Wightman the centre. The Earl of
Mar led on the clans under the Captain of Cianronald,
Glengary, Sir John M'Lean, and Campbell of Gienlyon^
who made such a furious charge on the left wing of the
royal army, " that in seven or eight minutes," says an
account of the engagement, published shortly after at
Perth, under the authority of the Earl of Mar, " we could
neither perceive the form of a battalion or squadron of