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Gentleman's Magazine 1746 p.31
It would be needless to produce testimony from history, to
shew that no assemblage of undisciplin'd mobs, how desperate
soever, that fought with the same weapons, and had not other
advantages, succeeded against an equal number of regular
men.
The supreme being, in conducting the Jews from
AEgypt, led them not by the way of the land of the
Philistines, because the Philistines were men
of war from their youth, regular and well-disciplin'd
troops, and the Jews in no condition to fight them,
and force a passage thro' their country. The same
superiority is evident in all the wars made on that people;
till David observing it, form'd the original militia
into a standing army, and by that means became very
successful in his future wars with that republic.
When, therefore, in the case of regular troops engaging with
mobs, the former are defeated, some reasons ought to be
assign'd which, in my opinion, are chiefly reducible to the
following: Superiority of numbers, misconduct of officers,
particularly the general, surprize, temerity, cowardice,
difference of weapons, and confusion.
In the battle of Gilli-cranky, the difference of
weapons, confusion, and cowardice of the horse, were always
assign'd as the principal causes of our defeat.
In the late affair at Gladsmuir, most of the troops
had never been in action; wherefore to the reasons before
named, cowardice and surprize ought to be join'd, tho' the
last seems to be the greatest part of the charge.
It is particularly to be observ'd, that regular men can
never fight well when reduced to the form of a mob, no more
than a mob can fight like regular men. The former is a
method of fighting which soldiers are not acquainted with,
and the practice and lesson of their lives absolutely
discharge it. 'Twill therefore be the constant aim of a
tumultuous and cunning enemy to render discipline useless by
introducing confusion; if by a sudden shock, or desperate
push they acquire this, certain victory is generally the
consequence, they are the best fighters in disorder, their
leaders sufficiently know this, and never fail to improve
it.
Another essential cause is the difference of weapons, not so
much the sword as the shield, which protects the assailant
in cutting his way, and enables him to proceed with
intrepidity, and strike terror. The success is ascribed to
personal valour, and the agent is elated, while the
execution performed by fire-arms is too general to give the
honour to any one agent. Hence the Highlanders acquire their
fame, and presume on greater bravery. Their swords indeed
are manageable with much greater dexterity and smartness
than ours, the three centres of motion, gravity, and
magnitude uniting in them, which the weight of our blades,
and the lightness of our hilts, separate too much.
As for the battle-axe, the inconveniency of wielding it
renders it of very little consequence but terror.
Much dependence has of late years been placed on the musket
and bayonet, which are more manageable, and less embarassing
than the long and unwieldy pike, and, for their double use,
have been preferred to it. But in a close engagement the
broad sword and target seem to have much the advantage of
the musket and bayonet; since the point of the bayonet may
be receiv'd upon the target on the left hand, while the
weighty broad sword does the business on the right, the
fighter without a shield having no guard against the stroke.
For this reason a Scotch gentleman of considerable
wealth, and great dealings as a merchant, proposed to raise
and head a regiment to be instructed in a particular
discipline, by which he would undertake to engage and
overthrow any Highland regiment, notwithstanding their
target. The method was for his men to sling the musket on
the right shoulder, or under the strap of the left,
lengthening the sling, that the musket might be supported so
as to lessen the weight, and by hanging at a balance, at a
convenient length, might be push'd forward, like a battering
ram, with the left hand, so that the point of the bayonet
would come under the Highlander's right arm, out of the way
of the target, and while he was aiming a stroke, our
merchant's soldier was to defend himself by the guard of his
sword in his right hand. A method not unlike this was
followed by the late duke of Argyle, when he push'd
and entirely routed the rebels right wing at
Sherriff-muir. Why the merchant's proposal was not
accepted, or whether any regard has been had to the method,
I cannot say; but as the king's troops do not want of
courage, it is a pity they should not serve themselves of
every art for defence, as well as offence. (See Vol.
XV. p.527.)
It is easier to point out difficulties than to remedy them.
War is a science I have but little study'd; but it seems
beyond a doubt, that a constant and regular fire from the
foot, with a vigorous support of the horse, would presently
turn the scales, against even Highlanders. Their shields are
not impenetrable to bullets, and these desperadoes, mad as
they are, will chuse to shun death by flight, the moment
that
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