uggested, had
he been first in command, appear to have been sufficiently trying. Yet,
in the extract from a letter dated Nov. 15, from Harraby, Lord George
does ample justice to the exertions of the Duke of Perth. This epistle
was written whilst the blockade and battery were going on.

"I am sorry to find that it is impossible to go on so quick with the
battery of cannon as would have been wished. By the report of those
I sent there, the ground is marshy, and vastly too much exposed;
and, notwithstanding all the pains taken by the Duke of Perth, who
is indefatigable in that service, and who meets with innumerable
difficulties, I suspect the place pitched upon will not answer. But,
if the thing be prosecuted, I think it my duty to tell you, so as
you may represent it to his Royal Highness, that the men posted upon
the blockade of Carlisle will not expose themselves, either in
trenches, or all night in the open air, within cannon-shot, or even
musket-shot of the town, except it be in their turn with the rest of
the army, and that it be decided by lot who is to mount the guard,
first night, second, and so on. The way I would propose, if it be
approved of by a council of war, is as follows:--that fifty men be
draughted out of each of the battalions that are at Brampton, with
proper officers, and at least two majors out of the six battalions,
and be sent to quarter at Butcherby, which, I believe, is within a
mile of the battery; and, as I suppose, one hundred and fifty men
will mount guard at the battery. These six battalions will furnish
two guards; your men will furnish one, General Gordon and Lord
Ogilvie's one, which, in the whole, makes four guards, or reliefs;
and I think, by that time, the town will be either taken or the
blockade removed. I don't mention the Duke of Perth's regiment,
because they have more than their turn of the duty already, besides
furnishing workmen, &c. And for Colonel Roy Stuart's regiments, I
suppose they have the guard of the equipage, &c.; and they will,
perhaps, be able to furnish some workmen. If anything be done of
this nature, the sooner I hear of it the better. I ever am, dear
brother, your most affectionate brother, and faithful humble
servant,

"GEORGE MURRAY."[82]

This advice was disregarded. A court-martial was held