Culloden Quarrel

A circumstance which took place at Inverness a few days after the battle of Culloden might have proved very ad-
vantageous to the Highlanders, if Prince Charles had joined them at Ruthven.

A young Highlander of the name of Forbes, related to Lord Forbes, and a cadet in an English regiment, having
abandoned his colours to join the prince, was taken prisoner, and hanged at Inverness, without any distinction, among the other deserters. Whilst the body
of Forbes was still suspended from the gibbet, a brutal English officer plunged his sword into his body, and swore that all his countrymen were traitors and rebels like himself.

A Scots officer who heard the remark, immediately drew
his sword, and demanded satisfaction for the insult done to his country; and whilst they fought, all the officers took part in the quarrel, and swords were drawn in every direction. The soldiers at the same time beat to arms, drew up along the streets, the Scots on one side, and the English on the other, and were about to charge each other with fixed bayonets.

The Duke of Cumberland happened to be out of town; information was immediately conveyed to him, and he hastened to the scene of action before the quarrel had made much progress. He addressed himself immediate]y to the Scot; whom he endeavoured to mollify by the high compliments he paid them.

He told them that whenever he had the honour of commanding them, he had always experienced their
fidelity and attachment to his family, as well as their courage and exemplary conduct; and he succeeded at length in appeasing them, and putting an end to the disturbance.

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