[A composite volume : containing The ballads and songs of Ayrshire ...

mi
THE BATTLE OF LOUDOUN HILL.
nanters while engaged in worship near the base of the hill.
The latter
* were headed by Robert Hamilton, brother of Sir Robert Hamilton of
Preston, Balfom- or Bm-ly of Kinloch, and Hackston of Rathillet.
They
j
obtained a complete victory over Claverhouse, who was compelled to seek
^ safety in flight. His nephew, Robert Graham, the " cornet " of the ballad
— -who seems to have had some foreboding of his fate—was left dead on
the field.
With the exception of William Clealand, who, along with Hack-
I
ston, led on the foot, the history of all the others who took a prominent
( part in the conflict is familiar to most readers. Of his parentage little
I
is known ; but there can be no doubt that they were respectable. He was
{ born in 1671, so that, at the battle of Drumclog, he would be no more
than eighteen years of age.
He held the rank of Captain both there and
I
at the disastrous affair at Bothwell Brig. His enthusiasm in the cause
I
may be guessed from the fact of his having been attending his classes at
l the college immediately prior to the rising. Whether he afterwards went
I
I
I
^
^
abroad is unknown. If so, he must have returned in the equally unfortunate
expedition of Argyle, for he is known to have passed the " summer
of 1685 in hiding among the wilds of Clydesdale and i\yrshire." After the
Revolution, Clealand was rewarded for his zeal and consistency by having
conferred upon him the appointment of Lieutenant-Colonel of the Camer-
I
onian Regiment, of which the Earl of Angus was Colonel. Clealand did
I not long enjoy his preferment. In 1689, immediately after the battle of
I
Killicrankie, he was despatched to the Highlands with a small force, as an
i advanced corps of observation. Taking post at Dunkeld, he was sur-
\ rounded by the remains of that army whom Dundee had so often led to
victory.
I
Though he had only 800 men to oppose 4000, he gallantly resolved
to fight to the last, declaring to his soldiers " that, if they chose to
I
desert him, he would stand out by himself, for the honour of the regiment
and the good cause in which he was engaged." His enthusiasm produced
a corresponding spirit amongst the Cameronians. The town of Dunkeld
I
was attacked by the Highlanders in the most determined manner ; but
they were met with such resolution that they were ultimately compelled
to retire, leaving three hundred dead on the field. This, the most gallant
\
action during the whole of the civil
war of that period, was dearly purchased
by the death of the Colonel himself.
While encouraghig his sol-
54