A collection of ancient and modern Scottish ballads, etc

129
attack them, they immediateJy wheeled about and fieJ,
leaving the flank of the foot unguarded. The regiment
which was next them (Murray's) gave their fire and fol-
lowed the dragoons. In a very few minutes after the
first cannon was fired, the whole arm}', both horse and
foot, were put to flight; none of the soldiers attempted
to load their pieces again, and not one bayonet was stain-
ed with blood. In this manner the battle of Preston
was fought and won by the rebels : the victory was com-
pleat, for all the infiintry of the King's araiy were either
killed or taken prisoners, except about ITO, who escaped
by extraordinary swiftness, or early flight.
" The number of private men of the King's army who were
killed in the battle did not exceed 200, but five officers
were killed, and 80 officers (many of them wounded)
were taken prisoners. Four officers of the rebel army,
and 30 private men were killed : six oificers and 70
private men were wounded. The cannon, the tents, the
baggage, and the military chest of the King's army, with
the men that guarded it^ fell into the hands of the enemy.
The dragoons after their first fllgfjt halted once or twice,
but fled again, whenever any party of the rebels came
up and fired at them. General Cope with the assistance
of the Earls of Home and Loudon,, gathered together
about 450 dragoons at the west end of the village oi
Preston, and marching them by Soultra Hill and Lauder,
reached Coldstream that night." Home's Hktorij of the
Rebellion in 1745.
The poem is written by Mr Skirvin, and, it will be seen, is
—
in strict conformity with historical truth.]