6
waited on him to treat concerning a capitulation.
In the mean time one of the gates being opened
for the admission of a coach, Cameron of Loch-
iel rushed into the place with a party of his men,
and secured it without opposition. Next morn-
ing the whole army entered, Charles took posses-
sion of the royal palace of Holyrood House, and
having caused his father to be proclaimed at the
market cross, ordered a manifesto to be read, in
which the Chevalier declared his son Regent of
his dominons, and promised to redress all the
grievances of Scotland.
During these transactions, Sir John Cope be-
gan his march towards Edinburgh, to give the
rebel army battle, and on the 20th of the month
encamped in the neighbourhood of Preston Pans
with all his troops, amounting to nearly three
thousand men. Early next morning he was at-
tacked by Charles, at the head of about the same
number of Highlanders, who charged sword in
hand, with such impetuosity, that in less than
ten minutes the King's troops were broken and
totally routed. The dragoons fled in the utmost
confusion, and the General Officers, after some
unsuccessful efforts to rally their men, retreated
towards Coldstream on the Tweed. Never was
a victory perhaps obtained at a smaller expence :
only fifty of the rebels lost their lives, while five
