Page:Narrative of the battles of Drumclog, and Bothwell Bridge (2).pdf/3

THE

BATTLE OF DRUMCLOG.

———

⟨The⟩ following Account of the Battles of Drumclog and Bothwell Bridge, is taken from an American Newspaper, entitled the 'National Gazette.' It is written by the Laird of Torfoot, an officer in the Presbyterian army, whose estate is at this day in the possession of his lineal descendants of the fifth generation.

"It was a fair Sabbath morning, 1st June 1679, ⟨that⟩ an assembly of the Covenanters sat down on the ⟨heathy⟩ mountains of Drumclog. We had assembled ⟨not⟩ to fight, but to worship the God of our fathers. We were far from the tumult of cities.---The long dark ⟨heath⟩ waved around us; and we disturbed no living ⟨creatures⟩, saving the pees-weep and the heather-cock. ⟨As⟩ usual, we had come armed. It was for self-defence, ⟨for⟩ desperate and ferocious bands made bloody raids ⟨through⟩ the country, and, pretending to put down ⟨treason⟩, they waged war against religion and morals. ⟨They⟩ spread ruin and havoc over the face of bleeding ⟨Scotland⟩.

The venerable Douglas had connmenced the solemnities ⟨of⟩ the day. He was expatiating on the execrable evils ⟨of⟩ tyranny. Our souls were on fire at the rememberance of our country's sufferings and the wrongs of the ⟨church⟩. In this moment of intense feeling, our watchman posted on the neighbouring heights fired his ⟨carabine⟩ and ran towards the congregation. He announced ⟨the⟩ approach of the enemy. We raised our eyes to the ⟨minister⟩. "I have done," said Douglas with his usual ⟨firmness⟩-"You have got the theory,-now for the