Gentle means were not much to the taste
of the presiding spirits of the Council-Board at Edinburgh, whose native
ferocity had certainly not been softened by the fright and confusion of
the last few days. It was particularly requested, therefore, that
Dalziel might be named second in command, who might well be trusted to
counteract any unseasonable leniency on Monmouth's part. Fortunately for
the insurgents the old savage did not receive his commission till the
day after the battle.
Monmouth left London on June 15th and reached Edinburgh on the 18th. He
at once took the field. Montrose commanded the cavalry, Linlithgow the
foot: Claverhouse rode at the head of his troop under his kinsman, and
the Earls of Home and Airlie were there in charge of their respective
troops: Mar held a command of foot. Many other Scotch noblemen and
gentlemen of position followed the army as volunteers. Some Highlanders
and a considerable body of militia made up a force which has been put as
high as fifteen thousand men, but probably did not exceed half that
number.
The near approach of the royal troops only increased the quarrelling and
confusion in the insurgent camp, which was pitched now at Hamilton. Some
friends at Edinburgh had sent word to them that Monmouth might be found
not indisposed to treat; and that it would be best for them to stand off
for a while, and not on any account be drawn into fighting.
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