Original marching orders Highland Host campaign Earl of Linlithgow 1678

Original marching orders of Scottish forces during the Highland Host campaign against the Covenanters in 1678.

LIVINGSTONE, George, 3rd Earl of Linlithgow (1616-1690). Autograph letter signed to Alexander Stuart, Earl of Moray, issuing marching orders during the Highland Host campaign against the Covenanters. 12 March 1678.

Single leaf, 170 x 140 mm. Written on one side in brown ink and signed "Linlithgow", with the recipient identified below: "For The Earle of Murray And in his absence to the Commanding officer". Old folds, light toning and scattered staining, with small splits and nicks at the edges of the folds. Good. Accompanied by an original typed letter signed from J.L.M. Gulley, Assistant Keeper in the British Museum's Department of Manuscripts, to N.W. Bragge, dated 19 May 1967, identifying this manuscript and recording its return following examination.

A concise military order directing Moray to march with his parties of horse and foot from their quarters at Galston and Riccartoun on Saturday 16 March, proceeding towards Glasgow and remaining in their new quarters until further order. The subsequent destinations appear to read Eaglesham, followed the next night by Rutherglen and Little Govan.

Linlithgow had been appointed major-general of the forces in Scotland in December 1677, with responsibility for suppressing Covenanter conventicles. Both he and Moray participated in the Highland Host campaign of 1678, during which government forces were quartered in western Scotland to enforce obedience to the Crown's religious policy. This letter is a record of the movement and quartering of cavalry and infantry during the March redeployment, as Highland contingents were withdrawn and garrisons established to maintain the military occupation.