On November 12th he had been created Viscount of Dundee.
In the royal camp all was confusion and doubt. William was at Axminster,
and not a single enemy was in his rear. Many of the great English houses
had already joined him, and each hour brought news to Salisbury of fresh
disaffection in every part of the kingdom. James was at first anxious to
fight, but Feversham warned him that, though the men were steady, few of
his officers could be depended on. Before leaving London the King had
called his chief captains together and offered passes to all who were
desirous to leave him for the Prince of Orange, "to spare them," he
said, "the shame of deserting their lawful sovereign." All were profuse
in professions of loyalty, and among them were Churchill, Grafton, and
the butcher Kirke. Churchill, we know, continued these professions up to
the eleventh hour. On the evening of the 24th James held a council of
war, in which Churchill's voice was loudest for battle. That night he
left Salisbury for Axminster, and Grafton went with him. Some of the
Scottish officers stood firm, but not all. Dumbarton offered to lead his
regiment alone against the enemy. Dundee urged James to do one of three
things: to fight the Prince, to demand from him in person his business
in England, or to retire into Scotland with his faithful troops.
Pages:
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184