d made a gallant stand, which favoured the retreat
of the rest to Falkirk, from whence they retired in confusion to
Edinburgh, leaving the field of battle, with part of their tents and
artillery, to the rebels; but their loss of men did not exceed three
hundred, including sir Robert Monro, colonel Whitney, and some other
officers of distinction. It was at this period, that the officers who
had been taken at the battle of Prestonpans, and conveyed to Angus and
Fife, finding themselves unguarded, broke their parole, and returned
to Edinburgh, on pretence of their having been forcibly released by the
inhabitants of those parts.*

* Sir Peter Halket, captain Lucy Scott, lieutenants
Farquharson and Cumming, with a few other gentlemen, adhered
punctually to their parole, and their conduct was approved
by his majesty.

{GEORGE II. 1727-1760}

THE DUKE OF CUMBERLAND COMMANDS THE ROYAL TROOPS.

General Hawley, who had boasted that, with two regiments of dragoons,
he would drive the rebel army from one end of the kingdom to the other,
incurred abundance of censure for the disposition he made, as well
as for his conduct before and after the action; but he found means to
vindicate himself to the satisfaction of his sovereign. Nevertheless, it
was judged necessary that the army in Scotland should be commanded by a
general in whom the soldiers might have some confidence; and the duke of
Cumberland was chosen for this purpose. Over and above his being beloved
by the army, it was suggested, that the appearance of a prince of the
blood in Scotland might have a favourable effect upon the minds of the
people in that kingdom; he therefore began to prepare for his northern
expedition. Meanwhile, the French minister at the Hague having
represented to the states-general, that the auxiliaries which they
had sent into Great Britain were part of the garrisons of Tournay
and Dendermonde, and restricted by the capitulation from bearing arms
against France for a certain term, the states thought proper to recall
them, rather than come to an open rupture with his most christian
majesty. In the room of those troops six thousand Hessians were
transported from Flanders to Leith, where they arrived in the beginning
of February, under the command of their prince, Frederick of Hesse,
son-in-law to his Britannic majesty. By this time the duke of Cumberland
had put himself at the head of the troops in Edinburgh, consisting of
f