d by lord John Drummond, invested
the castle of Stirling, in which general Blakeney commanded; but his
people were so little used to enterprises of this kind, that they made
very little progress in their operations.

{GEORGE II. 1727-1760}

THE KING'S TROOPS UNDER HAWLEY ARE WORSTED AT FALKIEK.

By this time, a considerable body of forces was assembled at Edinburgh,
under the conduct of general Hawley, who determined to relieve
Stirling-castle, and advanced to Linlithgow on the thirteenth day of
January; next day his whole army rendezvoused at Falkirk, while the
rebels were cantoned about Bannockburn. On the seventeenth day of the
month, they began then-march in two columns to attack the king's forces,
and had forded the water of Carron, within three miles of Hawley's
camp, before he discovered their intention. Such was his obstinacy,
self-conceit, or contempt of the enemy, that he slighted the repeated
intelligence he had received of their motions and design, firmly
believing they durst not hazard an engagement. At length perceiving
that they had occupied the rising ground to the southward of Falkirk, he
ordered his cavalry to advance and drive them from the eminence;
while his infantry formed, and were drawn up in order of battle.
The highlanders kept up their fire, and took aim so well, that
the assailants were broke by the first volley; they retreated with
precipitation, and fell in amongst the infantry, which were likewise
discomposed by the wind and rain beating with great violence in their
faces, wetting their powder, and disturbing their eyesight. Some of the
dragoons rallied, and advanced again to the charge, with part of the
infantry which had not been engaged; then the pretender marched up at
the head of his corps de reserve, consisting of the regiment of lord
John Drummond, and the Irish piquets. These reinforcing the Camerons and
the Stuarts in the front line, immediately obliged the dragoons to give
way a second time, and they again disordered the foot in their retreat.
They set fire to their camp, and abandoned Falkirk with their baggage
and train, which last had never reached the field of battle. The rebels
followed their first blow, and great part of the royal army, after
one irregular discharge, turned their backs and fled in the utmost
consternation. In all probability few or none of them would have
escaped, had not general Huske, and brigadier Cholmondeley, rallied part
of some regiments, an