In 1719 the Spanish government, annoyed by the Royal Navy’s continual balking of its plans in the Mediterranean, decided to send an expedition to Scotland in support of James Edward. The weather seemed to be on King George’s side and a gale scattered the Spanish ships. Some got through to the western Scottish isles, however, and in due course landed their troops, amounting to approximately one battalion, on the west coast of the mainland. Some Jacobite support was forthcoming from the local clans, but not a lot. Commanded by George, Earl of Marischal, they began marching inland along the narrow and desolate pass of Glenshiel.
On 10 June the Jacobites learned that a government force, commanded by General Wightman, was moving towards them from the opposite direction. The Jacobites immediately deployed in an extremely strong position across the pass. Whiteman’s regiments closed up during the afternoon and launched a series of attacks. These proved too much for the Highlanders, who simply disappeared. This left the Spaniards, alone and under fire from four mortars, to face Wightman by themselves. Their position was hopeless and they surrendered next day.
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A letter, written apparently by one who sympathised with the rebels, which gives many interesting details of the action.
ANE ACCOUNT OP THE INGAGEMENT AT GLENSHEEL, JUNE 10th 1719.
June 15th 1719.
SIK,—When the regular forces were approaching, Tulliebardine was fully advertised both of their numbers and the day they were to march and attack, and accordingly he called a Councill of War, and by his and their unanimous advice and consent, Brigadeer Campbell made all the depositions for defending the pass and receiving the regular forces, which was in this manner. Glensheel being straight and narrow, both sides having highland rugged hills and a water running betwixt the hills, which is the only level phice there, Lord George, Macdougall of Lorn, M’Kenzie of Avoch, 100 of Seaforth’s men-, and 50 men of detachments, were placed upon a steep rising ground upon the south side of the Glen in ane advanced Post.
The Spaniards upon the Right and Borlum M’lntosh with them. Seaforth upon the left at some distance with 200 of his best men, upon a steep rock, the Earle of Marishall and 200 of the M’Kenzies a little below them, Sir John M’Kenzie of Coul with them and severall other Gentlemen of that name. Tulliebardine, Locheil with 80 Camerons, Brigadeer Campbell of Glendarnle, and severall others such as Hob Roy were in the center, being 400 in number, where it was supposed and believed the regular troops would chiefly attack, being the most open and the best and common passage and road.
The baggage was guarded by 30 Spaniards. There is no doubt but the King’s forces were advertised of all that passed in the Highlander’s camp, for all that did come were welcome, heard, and were informed of all, there having a division and emulation among them who should command them in chief, in so far as that the King’s troops made the best advantage of it, and instead of attacking the center, which was the best and common way, they attack’t Lord George and those with him, and beat them, they giving way; Lord George, M’Dougall, and Avoch drawing their swords and crying to them to stand, but all would not doe.
That post being gained, the other where Seaforth and Marishall were, was attacked by the English and Dutch, from which they were soon beaten, and Seaforth calling for relief to support him, Bob Roy was sent from the center and others after him, to support them both, yet before they arrived Seaforth and all gave way, and the relief not being able to maintain it, returned. Tul’lebardine seeing all irreparably lost, called the Spaniards and made one orderly retreat without the loss of any of the Spaniards or others, keeping constant fire with the King’s troops. Expecting they would all join next day and make a second tryall, but there were few or none to be had next day except the officers and the few men Locheil had, with some others, and the Spaniards.
Seaforth was shot in the arm, who behaved gallantly, but his friends were backward. In so far that it was with difficulty he had men to support him retiring to the top of the hill, and the next day very few. So that Tulliebardine was of neccessity forced to grant leave arid liberty to the Spaniards to surrender and make terms for their safety, there being no Meall or flowr, which they could not want, and that they could not march in these rough bounds, and wanted tents and all other Convenience for Subsisting them, which accordingly they did next day.
In all the attacks there are not upon the Highlander’s side ten men kill’d and wounded.
When all was over Tullieburdine ordered Rob Roy to set fire to their Magazines and provisions, which was executed accordingly and then they all separated.
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One technical curiosity relates to the British habit of using siege mortars for action in the open field in their Scottish campaigns. The weapons in question were little Coehorns – Small brass mortar invented by Dutch military engineer Baron Menno van Coehoorn (or Coehorn, 1641-1704) and first used at the siege of Grave in 1674. Originally intended to be set up m the forward trenches, the Hanoverians used them in the howitzer role at both Glenshiel in 1719 and Culloden in 1746. Such an employment of the Coehorns was unknown on the continent of Europe, but it made a lot of sense in difficult country, for these stubby little weapons were economical in powder, and with their flat beds could be transported readily on ordinary carts and lifted by a handful of men. Lord Cathcart’s map of Culloden shows that on that field the Coehorns were deployed in the second line, and were lobbing their bombs clear over the heads of the first line; a strikingly early application of indirect fire.
