AS I have in several Letters before, given you nothing but ill News, so I am glad I have now the occasion of sending you somewhat better: The General Buchan, and Brigadeer Cannon, with his Highland Army, having for a while marched up and down this Countrey, increased as a Snow-Ball dayly, which affrighted and discouraged the Countrey so far, that upon Sunday last, I resolved to march out of Inverness, with a Detatchment of four hundred men of Sir James Leslies, six Companies of Grants, the Highland Company of Captain Mackay, three Troops of my Dragoons, and my Lord Yester's Troop of Horse, and Camped that Night near Brodie, where I was for­ced to stay two dayes, for my Baggage Horses coming in very slow from the Countrey, as likewise for the three other Troops of Dragoons from Elgin, and Captain Burnets of Horse: The Enemy was at this time at Strathspey, threatning to Slay and Burn all that would not joyn; whereupon I resolved the thirtieth of April, about twelve a Clock in the Day, having then got certain Intelligence where they Camped, and what number they were, to march towards them, we marched the whole Night in as bad Ground as Lo­chaber may be, till at last, by two a Clock in the morning we got to Ball-Chastle, where being arrived, we discovered by the Enemies Fires their Camp, I informed my self of the Nature of the Ground, and the depth of the River, and notwithstanding they told me, the Ground was somewhat Boggish, I formed a Design to Attacque them by surprize, for they did not know of my being arrived, but my Men and Horse being so extreamly wearied, I gave them about half an hour to refresh themselves, after which time, I called the Offi­cers together, and told them my resolution, so that they might Examine their Soldiers, if they were able to do it, who unanimously told me, they would stand by me to the last man, and desired earnestly to go on; I having got Guides by this time in readiness, we passed the River by three a Clock in the morning, at one Foord, where there was a Church, the Enemy keeped a strong Guard, where I sent some Foot, and a few Dragoons, to Fire upon them, and Amuse them, and in the mean time past the River an another Foord, below it, two Troops of Dragoons, and Captain Mackay's Highland Compa­ny was already passed before the Enemy perceived us, and then we see them run in Parties up and down, not knowing which way to turn themselves, be­ing surprized, so I commanded all the Horse and Dragoons to joyn, and pur­sued them, which affrighted them, so that they took themselves to the Hills; and at the foot of Crombdel we overtook them, attacked them, killing be­twixt three and four hundred upon the place, and took about 100 Prisoners, the greater part of them Officers, the rest got off by a Mist, that came just at that time upon the top of the Hill, so that we could scarcely see one another, o­therwayes the Slaughter should have been greater, so I caused [...] a Retreat, our Horses being ready to fall down, and drew up upon the low Ground, Pri­soners being brought to me from all hands: Buchan, when they took the alarm first, sent a Nephew of his with some more Officers and Soldiers, in an old Castle, who at first seemed to be Opinionate, I caused to surround them, and finding the Ground proper to undermind them, which they finding, surrendred them­selves to the King's mercy: Buchan got off, without Hatt, Coat, or Sword, and was seen that day, and in that posture, in Glenlivet, very much Fatigued, carryed in a Cousins House of his; Cannon got away in his Night-Gown, Dumfermling had gone from them about some business the day before.

We have taken all their Baggage and Ammunition, and the Soldiers have got more considerable Plunder, as I thought, they carryed about with them. Their King and Queens Standard, where they cited the Countrey people to [Page 2] repair to, are taken; there are said to be people of note, that are killed, but of this, I can give you no certain accompt, being that when we came to visit them, they were all naked, by what we could judge, there was some appea­rance of it.

The resolution and forwardness of all the Troops is admirable; and although the Foot could not get up to us, they marched after us with as great dili­gence as possible.

It is remarkable, that in this whole business there is not one man lost, three or four wounded; but not dangerously either, and about a dozen of Horses, but many Horses disabled. This night we have had one of the severest that could be; I design to pursue this, and see if I can disperse what is of them yet to­gether, which will be but a small number, being that they ran to all Arts; but the Weather is so horrible, that I fear I shall be obliged to give it over.

I pray God this beginning of this Years Campaign may Prognosticat a bles­sing upon Their Majesties Forces, so that an end may be made of this trouble­some War this Summer.

I desire, Sir, you would send me immediatly Orders what to do with the Prisoners, for at Inverness they cannot possibly be kept. Expecting your Honours Orders, what you think fit shall be done further, I am extreamly troubled to make the Horse subsist, and remain, Honoured Sir, Yours, &c.