Page:English Historical Review Volume 37.djvu/377

1922 IN THE ' FORTY-FIVE ' 369 altogether. It was, as he said, a cruel situation to have the name of numbers and to dare not fight. The rebels lay dispersed in country houses with small guards, and he flattered himself that but for this unhappy accident he would have broken the neck of the rebellion at one blow. 1 Jacobite legend has converted the Rout of Moy into the daring exploit of a handful of men. 2 But according to Loudoun's information the rebels were equally panic-stricken and fled from their quarters at the mere sound of the firing in great confusion. Since, however, the whole country- side was alarmed and his own men demoralized, his only course was to go back to Inverness. After this experience Loudoun and Forbes agreed that it was hopeless to make a stand at Inverness, with the certainty of disaster and the consequent loss of all their stores. They decided, therefore, on 18 February to retreat northwards, leaving a garrison to hold Fort George. Loudoun's rearguard had scarcely left the town on the one side, when the rebels began to march in on the other. Before leaving Inverness Loudoun had strengthened the garrison in Fort George by the addition of two of his highland companies. There was already one company of Guise's in the fort and the total of about 200 was sufficient. There was also an ample supply of provisions and stores of all kinds. Apart from the weakness of the fort itself, the only serious defect was the lack of gunners, of whom there were but three, the master- gunner being likewise storekeeper. But whatever the difficulties may have been, those in command made no real attempt to over- come them. They did not fire on the rebels in the town for fear of demolishing the houses, and alleged in excuse that the castle of Edinburgh had not fired on the city when the rebels were in occupation there ; an allegation which was not correct, and could not in any case excuse the timidity to take responsibility in a far more critical position. According to Major Grant, the governor, the duke of Perth twice sent a drummer with a summons to surrender, and offered honourable terms provided the besiegers were put to no further trouble. But when a prisoner escaped and reported the position of the garrison, Perth insisted on sur- render at discretion. Then the people in the fort being all seized of a panic, a council of war advised that they should yield. 3 Thus Fort George fell into the hands of the rebels after only two days' siege and no real defence. What actually happened is best 1 Ibid. 29, nos. 3 and 10. Loudoun's reports, on 22 February to Cumberland and on 2 March to earl of Stair. 2 The Lyon in Mourning, i. 149. This account suggests that the real cause of the failure was a treacherous message sent out from Inverness. 3 State Papers, Scotland, ii. 30, no. 30. Record of court martial (Jn Major Grant. VOL. XXXVII. NO. CXLVII. B b