OS1/32/27/202

List of names as written Various modes of spelling Authorities for spelling Situation Description remarks
Site of the Battle of Bannockburn (continued) [continued from page 201]

stationed at the left wing to prevent such a move, but being detected from Coxet Hill they were intercepted by a short cut and overtaken half way between St Ninians and Stirling. After a sharp action the Scots (500 strong on foot) were victorious. Two stones were erected to commemorate the victory and the place is still called Randolph Field - Randolph, Earl of Moray having commanded the Scotch. The next day some divisions of the English army pushing across the Bannock between Charterhall and Park Mill tried to turn the wings of the Scotch, especially the right wing. From the boggy nature of portions of the ground, especially in the centre, the English could not make a broad or combined attack so that the advantage of a superior force was thus weakened. They also relied greatly on their immense superiority in cavalry, but these in returning from an attack on the centre got entangled in pits which had been previously dug by the Scotch, and had their horses crippled by spikes which had been scattered for the purpose. At this critical moment the Scotch Camp followers, or gillies, who had been stationed behind a hill on the right wing of Bruce's army, now called Gillies Hill, having reached its summit, came down with sheets flying on poles making a great noise, and having the appearance of any ary; and, being mistaken for a reinforcement, caused a panic in the English army which resulted in a total rout, Edward II with great difficulty escaping. The Scotch army, commanded by King Robert Bruce, amounted to thirty thousand men of whom five hundred were cavalry. There were also twenty thousand camp followers. The English army was composed of forty thousand cavalry all in armour, three thousand of whom had their horses covered with mail as well; and fifty-two thousand infantry. The Scotch loss is estimated at 4 thousand (about 1/10th) and the English at 50 thousand (about 1/2). [signed] F.E Pratt, Capt Rl. [Royal] Engineers

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[Page] 202

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Nora Edwards, wilson5bh

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