Blackwood's Magazine/Volume 1/Issue 2/Anecdote of the Highlanders in 1745
ANECDOTE OF THE HIGHLANDERS IN 1745.
(Communicated by Mary Lady Clerk to the Publisher.)
Sir,
According to your request this morning, I send you some account of the particulars that attended my birth,—which I do with infinite pleasure, as it reflects great honour on the Highlanders (to whom I always feel the greatest gratitude), that at the time when their hearts were set on plunder, the fear of hurting a sick lady and child instantly stopped their intentions.
This incident occurred November 15, 1745. My father, Mr D'Acre, then an officer in his Majesty's militia, was a prisoner in the castle of Carlisle, at that time in the hands of Prince Charles. My mother (daughter of Sir George le Fleming, Bart, bishop of Carlisle) was living at Rose-Castle, six miles from Carlisle, where she was delivered of me.—She had given orders that I should immediately be privately baptized by the bishop's chaplain (his lordship not being at home), by the name of Rosemary D'Acre. At that moment a company of Highlanders appeared, headed by a Captain Macdonald; who, having heard there was came to plunder it. Upon the approach of the Highlanders, an old gray-headed servant ran out, and entreated Captain Macdonald not to proceed, as any noise or alarm might occasion the death of both lady and child. The captain inquired when the lady had been confined? "Within this hour," the servant answered:—Captain Macdonald stopped. The servant added, "They are just going to christen the infant." Macdonald, taking off his cockade, said, "Let her be christened with this cockade in her cap; it will be her protection now, and after, if any of our stragglers should come this way: We will await the ceremony in silence;"—which they accordingly did, and then went into the coach-yard, and were regaled with beef, cheese, ale, &c. They then went off, without the smallest disturbance.
My white cockade was safely preserved, and shewn to me from time to time, always reminding me to respect the Scotch, and the Highlanders in particular.—I think I have obeyed the injunction, by spending my life in Scotland, and also by hoping at last to die there.
Rosemary Clerk.
P.S. If the above anecdote can be of any interest to you or the public, it is very much at your service. I have mentioned all the names of the persons concerned, which you may retain or leave out, as you think fit.
Miss Law, Prince's Street, hearing of the above anecdote, sent me a present of the Prince's picture, and that of his lady, the Princess Stollberg.
Edinburgh, April 21st, 1817.
