In my last, I told you, That Collonel Lydcot attempted by boats
over the water and had possest himselfe of a Castle there; But I must
now retract as to this latter clause: He designt, in deed, a strong
castle on that Side; But he was disappointed, the weather proving
so stormy, that he could not land his men. The Enemy received
a strong alarum, & began to Draw some of their forces thither wards,
as supposing wee meant the transporting of a great part of our Army.
Wee are narrowly observing the Enemy's motions, upon which
ours must depend, Wee received intilligence, that they are designing
six thousand horse and foote into the west to be commanded by
Major generall Mongomry. But I am not apt to believe it; I suppose,
that intelligence arose from the march of a small party that way, who
fell into Cornwarth, where a Troop of our Dragoons were; They kild
12, and took about 16 Prisoners, whom they found stragling about in
the Town. But those that were in the House gave them the Repulse,
& secured themselvs. This party afterward marched to Douglas, where
another Troop of Dragoons were: And they swept away most of
their Horses, which were grasing carelesly abroad. Wee cannot but
expect sometimes such little losses; In such attempts they have the advantage
over us strangers; But I doubt not but in time we shall regain
Scotch Gallawayes enow for Dragoon-Recruits.
This weeke (we here) The Scottish King, and Middleton, have bin
viewing Torword, two miles on this side sterling, in order to the remove
of their Camp thither; But as yet they are not stir'd
They speake of some sudden motion; and the voge is for England;
It may be their high flowne resolutions may carry them that
way to their distruction. Only the present divisions in their Parliament,
seem to put some demuro upon the face of their affaires; The
great contests are about the command, and guidence of the Army;
No resolutions are past yet about them; Argyle bestirs himselfe:
Hee would not have it fall into his adversaries hands; But I am afraid
to little purpose Hammilton swayes much; and no question but
his counsels will be at length hearkned unto; And then farwell
Argyle, and his abetters. They are hastning their new Levies; the (Marquess
of Huntly is dispatcht down to countenance them in the Northern
parts. They give out that they wil raise 10000. Foot, & 5000, horse
But they that know Scotland, know that men and horse are not so
cheap, and numerous in the highlands.
Edinburg May. 31. 1651.