A history of the Highlands and of the Highland clans : with an ...

388 HISTORY OF THE HIGHLANDS.
Proceeding through Badenoch, Montrose crossed the Grampians, aiid
arrived by rapid marches on the banks of the river Airly, within seven
miles of Crawford's camp, before tlie latter was aware of his approach. He
would have assuredly annihilated Crawford's army, which he was prepar-
ing to attack, but an unexpected occurrence put an end to his design.
This was the desertion of the Gordons and their friends, who almost all
returned to their country. Intelligence, it would appear, had been re-
ceived by them that Baillie was laying waste their lands, to protect
which, they appear to have adopted the resolution of returning liome to
defend their possessions ; but Lord Gordon was very indignant at their
conduct, and it is said that he would have punished with death such of
his own retainers as left the army, had not Montrose prevented him.*
The desertion of this part of his forces forced Montrose to abandon
the idea of attacking Crawford ;
but the disappointment, instead of limit-
ing his operations, only served to incite him to follow out more extended
views. He now formed the resolution to attack Baillie himself, but be-
fore he could venture on such a bold step, he saw that there was an ab-
solute necessity of making some additions to his force. With this view
he sent Sir Nathaniel Gordon, an influential cavalier, into the north be-
fore him, to raise the Gordons and the other royalists ; and, on his
march north through Glenshee and the Braes of Mar, Montrose dis-
patched Macdonald into the remoter highlands with a party to bring
him, as speedily as possible, all tlie forces he could. Judging that the
influence and authority of Lord Gordon might greatly assist Sir Natha-
niel, he sent him after him, and Montrose himself encamped in the
country of Cromar, waiting for the expected reinforcements.
In the meantime, Baillie lay in camp on Dee-side in the lower
Mar, where he wa-s joined by Crawford, but he showed no dispo-
sition to attack Montrose, who, from the inferiority, in point of number,
of his forces, retired to the old castle of Kargarf. Crawford did not, how-
ever, remain long with Baillie ; but, exchanging a thousand of his raw
recruits for a similar number of Baillie's veterans, he returned with these,
and the remainder of his army, through the Mearns into Angus, as il
he intended some mighty exploit ; he, thereafter, entered Athole, and in
imitation of Argyle, plundered and burnt the country.
Raising his camp, Baillie marched towards Strathbogie to lay siege
to the marquis of Huntly's castle, the Bog of Gicht, now Gordon cas-
tle; but altliough Montrose had not yet received any reinforcements, he re-
resolved to follow Baillie and prevent him from proceeding in his intended
attack upon the castle. But Monti-ose had marched scarcely three
miles wlion he was observed by Baillie's scouts. Being desirous to
know liis strength and the position he occupied, Montrose sent out some
men acquainted with the country to examine the enemy's force at a dis-
tance. These speedily returned with information that Baillie's foot
• WiMiarl, p. 142.