missary-Generall Whaley marched a few days ago towards Glasgow,
and the enemy attempted his quarters in Hamilton, and entred the
town, but by the blessing of God, by a very gracious hand of
Providence, without the losse of 6 men, as I hear of, he beat them
out, kild about 100, took also about the same number, amongst which
are some prisoners of quality, and near 100 horse (as I am
informed), the Major Gen. being in the chase of them, to whom also I
have since sent the addition of a fresh party. Col. Kerre (as my
messenger this night tells me) is taken, his Lieutenant-Col. and one
that was sometimes Major to Collonel Straughan, and Keires Captain
Lieutenant. The whole party is shattered, and give me leave to say
it, if God had not brought them upon us, we might have marched 3000
horse to death, and not have lighted on them, and truly it was a
strange Providence brought them upon him. For I marched from
Edenburgh on the north side of Cloid, appointed the Major-General to
march from Peebles to Hamilton, on the south side of Cloid. I came
thither by the time expected, tarried the remainder of the day, and
untill neer 7 o'clock the next morning, apprehending the Major-Gen.
would not come by reason of the waters. I being retreated, the enemy
took encouragement, marched all that night, and came upon the
Major-General's quarters about two houres before day, where it
pleased the Lord to order as you have heard.

"The Major-Gen. and Commissary Gen. (as he sent me word) were still
gone on in the prosecution of them, and saith, that except 150 horse
in one body, he heares they are fled by 16 or 18 in a company, all
the country over. Robin Montgomery was come out of Sterling, with 4
or 5 regiments of horse and dragoons, but was put to a stand when he
heard of the issue of this businesse. Straughan and some other
officers had quitted some 3 weeks or a month before this businesse,
so that Ker commanded this whole party in chief.

"It is given out that the malignants will be all (almost) received
and rise unanimously and expeditiously. I can assure you, that those
that serve you here, find more satisfaction in having to deale with
men of this stamp, then others, and it is our comfort that the Lord
hath hitherto made it the matter of our