All that his faithful
attendant saw farther at this time was that, as his hat was fallen off,
he took it in his left hand and waved it as a signal to him to retreat,
and added, what were the last words he ever heard him speak, "Take care
of yourself"; upon which the servant retired.'--Some Remarkable Passages
in the Life of Colonel James Gardiner. By P. Doddridge, D.D. London,
1747, P.187.
I may remark on this extract, that it confirms the account given in the
text of the resistance offered by some of the English infantry. Surprised
by a force of a peculiar and unusual description, their opposition could
not be long or formidable, especially as they were deserted by the
cavalry, and those who undertook to manage the artillery. But, although
the affair was soon decided, I have always understood that many of the
infantry showed an inclination to do their duty.
NOTE 34
It is scarcely necessary to say that the character of this brutal young
Laird is entirely imaginary. A gentleman, however, who resembled
Balmawhapple in the article of courage only, fell at Preston in the
manner described. A Perthshire gentleman of high honour and
respectability, one of the handful of cavalry who followed the fortunes
of Charles Edward, pursued the fugitive dragoons almost alone till near
Saint Clement's Wells, where the efforts of some of the officers had
prevailed on a few of them to make a momentary stand.
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