As he moved along the column, which still remained stationary, an iron
gun, the only piece of artillery possessed by the army which meditated
so important a revolution, was fired as the signal of march. The
Chevalier had expressed a wish to leave this useless piece of ordnance
behind him; but, to his surprise, the Highland chiefs interposed to
solicit that it might accompany their march, pleading the prejudices of
their followers, who, little accustomed to artillery, attached a
degree of absurd importance to this field-piece, and expected it would
contribute essentially to a victory which they could only owe to their
own muskets and broadswords. Two or three French artillerymen were
therefore appointed to the management of this military engine, which
was drawn along by a string of Highland ponies, and was, after all, only
used for the purpose of firing signals. [See Note 25.]
No sooner was its voice heard upon the present occasion, than the whole
line was in motion. A wild cry of joy from the advancing battalions rent
the air, and was then lost in the shrill clangour of the bagpipes, as
the sound of these, in their turn, was partially drowned by the heavy
tread of so many men put at once into motion.
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