Lord Kilmarnock's account of his capture at Culloden.

I'm told the Duke is informed, by some of his Retinue, that I could not escape at the Battle of Coloden, because a Hussar got before me and the Dragoons were about me.

It is very certain that when 1 came to where the Dragoons were or near it I could not escape, but I came there of my own accord, for when the second Line, where I was, broke, 1 was next to Lord John Drummond's Regiment, and went with them and the other Low Country Foot along by the Wall to the South of the Field of Battle, which covered us from the Cannon shot of the Duke's Army. There were a great many of us together, and I have never heard that any of them were taken, neither of Lord John Drummond's or the Low Country Foot. When I had gone a good way with them I think past the wall, but 1 am not positive as to that) 1 saw the Dragoons a good way off, I believe a quarter of a mile, to my Right Hand, and immediately turned down to them, alone. Just as I turned off I looked back and saw Lord Perth coming up behind the way; the Rest, whom 1 left, were going on. When the second line was beginning to break, I heard there was a Body of Dragoons coming round from the Duke's Left, and I was told afterwards at Inverness that General Huske, with some Regiments of Dragoons, came round that way, but I never saw them, and if they had been as far forward as I was when I turned down to the Dragoons, they must have taken some of John Drummond's and the others whom I left; and Lord Perth, who, as I have said, war, behind me, could not have escaped them, especially as he staid to change his clothes, those he had on at the Battle being found somewhere thereabouts, and a day or two after his Jacquet and Wastcoat was brought to me to see if I knew them. As the Hussars, I don't remember to have seen one, and I'm sure I was, neither spoke to, stop'd, nor disturb'd, from the time I left the Body I broke with, till I came up to Lord Mark Kerr's Dragoons, of which some rid at me, and I was saved by Lord Ancrum. I remember, when I had got half way or more to the Dragoons, a Highlander crossd'd me, and I advised him to go down with me. He turned with me and followed me a little way, and then left me without speaking to me or my observing his leaving me. I look on it that he had endeavoured to get up with those I had left, but, being by that time a good way behind them, he was not able to overtake them; because, when I was standing by the FirrWood, where the Duke made a Halt, about an hour after, I saw the Same Man brought down Prisoner. Whither that might cause a Mistake, and the Hussar might take him for me, as I suppose he was taken somewhere not far from me, or if any Body who saw him taken, and hearing afterwards of me, sight mistake him for me, and believe he saw a Hussar take me or keep me from escaping, I don't know; but I'm sure I neither saw nor met with a Hussar.

With Respect to the Order for giving no Quarters at the Battle, and putting the Prisoners, in hands before it, to Death, The Petition sets forth that this Report has been probably spread by a Mistake of Names, and Mistakes of that kind be endless to enumerate. I shall give but two Instances. When I was told of that Order at Inverness, I was assured by a Captain that was on my Guard that the Order was signed Cromarty, I knew and told him it was impossible, but could not convince him. The other happened in the - house of Lords, the 28th, in the Pleadlings against L^d. Balmerino, where an Evidence was called as having been in L^d. Kilmarnock's Horse, who declared himself Lord Elcho's Drum, as 1 was told by some who came out of the House to where I was, who likewise told me that my Name was often mentioned as commanding Partys and in Places where 1 knew my Name was mistaken.

The Chanceler.

To His Grace The Duke of Hamilton. e

My Lord Duke,

M^r. Ross showed me this morning a Letter from Lord Boyd, in which he tells him that he applyed to Lord Albemarle for Leave to come up to see me before 1 suffered, but that it was refused him. I approve much of your Grace's kind proposition of mentioning this Refusal in the Closet, and requesting that Leave may still be granted ; which will of consequence produce a Reprieve, and what may be the good Effects of That nobody knows.

As this may prove the Last and only Effort to be made, and as I am fully satisfy'd of the Duke of Argyle's kind Endeavours, I must beg your Grace would, in Addition to all your former goodness, take the trouble of going out and consulting with him to-morrow at Whitten. Your Grace will then have an opportunity of discovering his real friendship for me by the Answer he will make to the request which I humbly think your Grace may make of his attending and backing you in this, I may say, the last Application. I need not mention any Arguments to your Grace for inforcing the Utility and Necessity of seeing my Son before I leave this World, nor need I mention the Sorrow he feels from the Refusal. They will all occur to your Grace, and you can put them in their proper Light and inforce them, and represent the Inconvenience that will ensue, in his private Affairs, from my not seeing him, as I only can inform him thoroughly of them.

The freedom I take in making this proposal to your Grace is a strong Evidence of the great Sense 1 have of the friendship you have shown me, and that I shall always remain for what time I have to live,

My Lord Duke,

your Grace's most obliged and most obedient humble serv^t., Tower, Saturday, Aug^t. 9^th, I746. Wm. BOYD.

Cottage at Culloden battlefield

Culloden Memorial cairn