362 THE HIGHLAND FORTS July trustworthy body of regular troops in the Scottish command, and was therefore chosen by Cope for the most important service. Three companies of the Sixth Foot were assigned to Fort William, three to Fort Augustus, two to Fort George, and one each to the small forts at Ruthven near Kingussie, and at Bernera on the Sound of Sleat. 1 There was also a small party at Castle Duart in the Isle of Mull. Ruthven and Bernera were in reality no more than barracks, and scarcely worthy to be called forts. The companies should have been about seventy strong, but detachments were withdrawn to furnish working-parties on the roads, so that the garrisons of the principal forts were probably in no case adequate for a serious defence. Prince Charles Edward landed on 25 July in Arisaig. Cope at once ordered the working-parties to be called in and the company at Ruthven to march to Fort William, where the garrison was to be further strengthened by two companies of the Royals, which would make it as strong as the place would contain. Prince Charles had landed with but a few companions, but before effect had been given to Cope's orders a French man-of-war with a large supply of ammunition arrived off Skye and landed her cargo. Captain Edward Wilson, who was in command at Bernera, wrote to Major Wentworth at Fort Augustus with the news on 9 August, adding that ' if they attempt this barrack, we cannot hold out long, but shall give them all the powder and ball we have '. Next day he wrote again : they had been under arms these two nights and daily expected attack, but could make small defence, not having any cannon and the garrison being very weak ; whilst in a third letter on 11 August he stated that one 'who had supped with the young Sheiffeleare the night before last at Knoidart ' reported that he could get 6,000 men when he wanted. 2 However, the Jacobites probably thought the barrack at Bernera not of enough importance to delay them, when affairs of more moment called for prompt action elsewhere, and the little garrison would seem to have been successfully withdrawn. Fort William was a more tempting prey and the highland chiefs must have been well aware of its weak condition. The inner gate had been recently pulled down and was not yet rebuilt, whilst the garrison included only 130 privates, since what with working-parties and the detachment at Mull over fifty were absent. Alexander Campbell, the governor, is described as a good, careful man, but he was too old and infirm for so strenuous a post as had befallen him. Still he showed a stout heart, and believing that his fort was the first place that would be attacked set all hands 1 State Papers, Scotland, ii. 25, no. 66. Afterwards Cope took two companies away with him to fight at Prestonpans.
- Ibid. nos. 72, 79.
