IT is a mercy never to be forgotten, that when the Lord might justly quarrell with a sinful Na­tion for their transgression, he powreth out his wrath on their enemies; and as the malice and rage of our adversaries is renewed against us, so are the Lords mercies much more manifested from yeer to yeer. It is much about this time the last yeer when our Commissioners were treating with his Ma­jesty, that the enemy having gathered together, were broken in pieces by a handfull of our forces: and now this yeer, after long preparations made in forraigne Countries, the excommunicated Traytor James Gra­ham, having landed some friend in Orkney, did about the tenth of April, in the midst of the Treaty with the King, comming to Caithnes in a hostile manner, to kill, plunder, and destroy after his wonted manner. But the Lord out of his gracious and wonderfull kind­nesse, hath prevented his designes. Lieu Gen. David Lesley having appointed a Rendezvouz of our Forces [Page 3] at Brechen the 25 of April, did make all possible haste against the Enemy, marching 30 miles every day, and to put a stop to the enemies advance, he sent Lieu col. Straughan before him to command the Troops that were lying about Rosse and Innernesse.

Upon Saturday April 27. the Enemy was quartered at Strachekell, in Rosse Lieu. col. Straughan with his own Troop, Col Montgomeries, Col. Kers, Lieu col. Hackets, and the Irish Troop were quartered about Kincairne, their number that were present being onely about 230. The Officers being conveined, and having con­sidered the great scarcity of provisions for Horse, and that it was very probable, the Enemies strength being of Foot, they would take the hils; upon the advance of more of our horse they concluded to fight that wicked crew with the Forces they had: But the Lords day approaching, and the enemy being ten miles di­stant, they were in doubt whether to march towards them presently, or to delay till Munday, and so de­cline the hazzard of engaging on the Lords day: but this doubt was soon removed, for notice was presently brought that the enemy was marched from Strachekell to Corbisdell, six miles neerer to them: whereupon they forthwith drew up into three parties, the first consisting of neer 100 horse, to be led one by Lt. col. Straughan: the second some more then 80, to be led on by Lt. col. Hacket; the third, about 40, to be led by Cap. Hutchinson, and 36 Musqueters of Lawyers Regiment (which were occasionally upon the place) to be led on by Quartermaster Shaw. After prayer, by Master Gilbert Hall, whom the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly had appointed to attend these Troopes, they marched about three of the clocke [Page 4] in the after noon, towards the enemy, who were drawn up in a plain, neer a hill of Scroggie Wood, To which upon the advance of our horse, they quick­ly retired, yet Lieut. Coll. Straughan, persued them into the wood: And at the first charge made them all to runne: The Lord did strike such a terror, into their hearts, as their most resolute Commanders had not the courage to lift up a hand to defend themselves, and our forces without opposition, did execution up­on them for five or six miles, even till Sun set: there were killed ten of their best Commanders, most of their Officers taken, and 386 common souldiers, the number of the whole (as the prisoners informed was not above 1200, of all which there escaped not 100. but were either taken prisoners, killed or drowned in a River that was neer the place: The chief Standard called the Kings, and four others are taken, What is become of that Traitor James Graham is not certain, but that horse which he rid upon, when the forces en­gaged, is taken: also his Coat with the Starre, and his Sword-Belt was found in the field; the harm which our forces have got from the enemy is very little, bles­sed be the Lord, who covered their head in the day of battel: Lieut. Coll. Straughan received a shot upon his belly, but lighting upon the double of his Belt and Buffecoat, it did not pierce: one of our troopers, too forward by hastning after a boat, which carried two or three of the enemy over the River, was drowned, and two are wounded, which is all the losse; advertisements was sent that same night to all parts about, to appre­hend all that escaped, but the account is not return­ed; the Gentlemen of the Shire of Rosse, were drawne together on the Hills, to engage against the enemy, if [Page 5] they had come that way, and were very ready to pro­vide our Troops with supplies of all things necessary; for which they deserved to be remembred.

The enemy left some small part of his forces in Caithnes, to keep some houses, and to raise forces in that Country, and sent some few to other places to bring them assistance; against whom the Lieut. Gen. hath sent such forces, as we trust shall speedily give a good account of them: It remains that we be truly thankful unto the Lord our God, for so seasonable and so compleat a victory over so wicked and cruel an enemy; and that we look upon it as a pledge of grea­ter mercies, which the Lord hath to bestow upon us, if he shall in his wisdom think fit, to put us to harder tri­als, in the defence of his Cause and Covenant. It is omitted in the Relation, that Capt. William Rosse, and Capt. John Rosse came up to the execution with 80. foot, chosen out of the Country forces, and did good service.

• Lord Frandrought.
• Gen, Major Hurrie.
• Collonel Gray.
• Lieut. Coll. Stuart.
• Lieut. Coll. Hay, Brother to the Laird of Nachtow.
• Major Fleake.
• Capt. Mortimer.
• Ronte-Mast. Walloris.
• Peter Sense, Capt. of Dra­goons.
• Capt. Warden.
• Capt. Anchinleck.
• Capt. Spotswood.
• Capt. Charters.
• Capt. Lawson.
• Capt. Lieut. Gustabus.
• Lieut. Verkim.
• Lieut. Andrew Glen.
• Lieut. Robert Tonch.
• Lieut. Ernestus Burham.
• Lawrence van Luitenberg.
• [Page 6]Lieut. David Dromond.
• Lieut. William Rosse.
• Lieut. Dromond.
• Lieut. James. Dimi.
• Lieut. Alexander Stuart.
• Cor. Ralph Marley. Englishman.
• Cor. Hendrick Erlach.
• Cor. Daniel Beaich.
• Ensigne Rob. Graham.
• Ensi. Adrian Ringwerch.
• Ensigne Hans Boaz.
• Two quarter Masters.
• Six Serjeants.
• Fifteen Corporals.
• Two Trumpeters.
• 3. Drums.
• 386. Souldiers.
• Mr. Riddie.
• Mr. Meldrum. Ministers.

• Laird of Poury Ogilvy.
• Laird of Petfothels, Stan­dard bearer younger.
• John Dougles Brother to the Earl of Morlow.
• Major Lille.
• Major Bicher.
• Capt. Stirling.
• Capt. Powel.
• Capt. Erskin.
• Capt. Swan.
• Cap. Garrie, and L ^t. H [...]lme either killed or taken.