Published: Wednesday, 12th March, 2008 12:00
Battle rages at Drumclog: Forces clash on marshy land
By by Douglas Skelton
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The memorial to the battle of Drumclog
Pic by: Douglas Skelton
June 1, 1679
AROUND 40 men and 28 horses were killed today during fierce hand-to-hand fighting near the Ayrshire-Lanarkshire border.
The action began when Government cavalrys, under the command of John Graham of Claverhouse, charged a large band of Covenanters gathered at Drumclog.
Captain Graham, who barely escaped the carnage with his life, told The Killing Times that he thought at first he was merely going to break up a Conventicle - an open air service proscribed by law.
He went on: “When we came in sight of them, we found them drawn up in battle, upon a most advantageous ground, to which there was no coming but through mosses and lakes.
“They were not preaching and had got away all their women and children.”
The 150 troops faced a Covenanter force double their number, although they were poorly armed and only one sixth of them on horseback.
Nevertheless, they gave the better-armed and better-trained King’s men a sound thrashing, losing only one man on the field, although others have been seriously wounded.
The dead man is Darvel blacksmith John Morton, who was struck in the neck by a bullet.
Estimated casualties on the King’s side are between 30 and 40 men. Eyewitnesses stated that they became bogged down in the marshy ground and took fright when the Covenanters showed a ferocious intent in battle.
“Clavers was tooming the shot all the time on them,” said one Covenanter. Their forces, led by William Cleland among others, waded into the government troops and delivered such a body blow that the soldiers turned and fled.
Captain Graham continued his description of the battle saying: “They received our fire and advanced to shock.
“The first they gave us brought down the Coronet Mr Crawford and Captain Blyth, besides that with a pitchfork they made such an opening in my roan horses’ belly that his guts hung out half an elle, and yet he carried me off a mile.”
Their commander’s quitting of the field left his troops in disorder and they too began to retreat.
Captain Graham fled to Strathaven where they met further resistance from locals. A further 12 of his men died in the skirmish there. In retaliation, his troops killed a farmer who, reports suggest, was completely innocent.
Covenanter leader Robert Hamilton showed that cruelty was not one-sided. He had ordered that no quarter be given but his men defied him. Some were set free but Mr Hamilton was so incensed that he shot a prisoner dead.
Captain Graham was in no doubt that this battle and the bloodshed in Strathaven was the beginning of a widespread uprising.
“What these rogues will do yet I know not,” he said. “But the country was flocking to them from all hands.
“This may be counted the beginning of the rebellion, in my opinion.”
Captain Graham’s comments have been strengthened by the news that the Covenanter forces are now planning to march on Glasgow.
LATE NEWS: Covenanter William Daniel, who was involved in the assassination of Archbishop James sharp last month in Fife, is reported dead of wounds received at Drumclog. Four other combatants have also succumbed to their wounds.
