A collection of ancient and modern Scottish ballads, etc

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Mean time General Cope had marched from Inverness
to Aberdeen, where he embarked his soldiers, lie land-
ed at Dunbar on the 18th, where he w:is joined by two
regiments of dragoons, which increased his army to^up-
wards of two thousand men ; with these he considered
himself able to drive the enemy from the capital, and
accordingly moved forward with this intention. Charles's
army amounted to two thousand four himdred, with
which he left Edinburgh on the morning of the 20th,
and in the afternoon came in sight of Sir John's army,
drawn up in a field betwixt the villages of Preston and Tra-
nent, having a deep swamp in its front, in endeavouring
to ford v.'hich Charles spent the rest of the day. Next
morning he crossed by a ford which was pointed out to
him, and instantly attacked the royal army.—Mr Home,
who was an eye-witness, gives the following minute ac-
count of the engagement :
—
" The ground between the two armies was an extensive corn
field, plain and level, without a bush or tree. Harvest
was just got in, and the ground was covered with a thick
stubble, which rustled under tlie feet of the Highlanders
as they ran on, speaking and muttering in a manner that
expressed and heightened their fierceness and rage.
When they set out, the mist was very thick: but before
they had got half-way, the sun rose, dispelled the mist,
and showed the armies to each other. As the left
wing of the rebel army had moved before the right, their
line was somewhat oblique, and the Camerons, who were
nearest the King's army, came up directly opposite to the
cannon, firing at the guard as they advanced. The peo-
ple employed to work the cannon, who were not gunners
or artillery men, fled instantly. Colonel Whiteford fired
five of the six field pieces with his own hand, which kill-