This  gentleman  was  major  of  the  regiment  of  the  clan  Macintosh  ;  and
when  the  Argyle  militia  broke  down  the  park  wall,  which  enabled  them
to  attack  the  Highlanders  in  flank,  the  brave  Gillies  stationed  himself  in
the  gap,  and,  as  the  enemy  entered,  they  severely  suffered  from  the
irresistible  strokes  of  his  claymore.  At  last,  finding  himself  opposed
singly  to  a  whole  troop,  he  set  his  back  to  the  wall,  and  defended  him-
self with  the  fierceness  of  desperation,  keeping  the  enemy  long  at  bay,
and  killing  an  almost  incredible  number.  Some  officers,  admiring  his
valor,  endeavored  to  save  his  life ;  but  Gillies  fell  where  he  had  slain
thirteen  of  his  foes.  According  to  some  accounts,  the  number  was
much  greater."

The  following  verses  are  said  to  be  from  the  pen  of  Lord  Byron  :  —

"  The  clouds  may  pour  down  on  CuUoden's  red  plain,
But  the  waters  shall  flow  o'er  its  crimson  in  vain ;
For  their  drops  shall  seem  few  to  the  tears  for  the  slain,
But  mine  are  for  thee,  my  brave  Gillies  Macbane.
Though  thy  cause  was  the  cause  of  the  injured  and  brave,
Though  thy  death  was  the  hero's,  and  glorious  thy  grave,
With  thy  dead  foes  around  thee,  piled  high  on  the  plain.
My  sad  heart  beats  o*er  thee,  my  Gillies  Macbane.
S8  THE  CAMPBELLS.
How  the  horse  and  the  horsemen  thy  single  hand  slew !
But  what  could  the  mightiest  single  arm  do  ?
A  hundred  like  thee  might  the  battle  regain ;
But  cold  are  thy  hand  and  heart,  Gillies  Macbane.
