The
manner in which Macdonald of Keppoch conducted himself at
Culloden, where he met his fate, is highly honourable to his
memory, while it has often been made a subject of reproach
to the Macdonalds by whom he was abandoned. The three Macdonald
regiments were stationed on the extreme left, and went off
without striking a blow, when they were within twenty paces
of the enemy, though they had drawn their swords for the attack.
“When
the Macdonald regiments retreated,” says Home, “without
having attempted to attack sword in hand, Macdonald of Keppoch
advanced, with his drawn sword in one hand, and his pistol
in the other. He had got but a little way from his regiment
when he was wounded by a musket shot, and felL A friend who
had followed him,
asking him not to throw his life away, said that the wound
was not mortal, that he might easily join his regiment, and
retreat with them. Keppoch desired him to take care of himself,
and going forward, received another shot, and fell to rise
no more.”
This
misconduct of the Macdonalds was chiefly occasioned by a circumstance
which, though it may appear trivial in the eyes of many, was
capable of kindling the fiercest rage in the bosoms of Highlanders,
for hey were stationed on the left instead of the right of
the army.
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