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 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.