Robert Duncanson, 1658 to May 1705, was a Scottish professional soldier from Inveraray; a retainer of the Earl of Argyll, he began his career during the 1685 Argyll's Rising, and is now best remembered for his involvement in the February 1692 Glencoe massacre.
Robert Duncanson was one of four children born to John Duncanson (c.1630–1687), and his first wife, Beatrix Campbell; his date of birth is unknown, but is estimated as being around 1658 to 1660. Originally from Stirlingshire, John was appointed minister at Kilmartin in 1655, a Church of Scotland parish controlled by Earls of Argyll. He was one of the dissidents removed by the Rescissory Act 1661; although appointed to Kilbrandon and Kilchattan, he was removed again in 1684.[1]
Career
Carnasserie Castle, seat of Sir Duncan Campell of Auchinbreck; destroyed after the 1685 Rising
Little is known of Duncanson's early years, and there is no record of any marriage; the first time he makes an appearance was during Argyll's Rising in 1685, launched in response to the succession of the Catholic James II. The local laird at Kilmartin was Campbell of Auchinbreck, hereditary Lieutenant-Colonel to the Earls of Argyll and one of the few to actively support the revolt. Both Duncanson and his father helped recruit clan levies for the Rising; after it failed, the two went into exile in the Dutch Republic along with Auchinbreck.[2]
English and Scottish volunteers had served in the Dutch military since the 1570s, grouped in what became known as the Scots Brigade. By the 1680s, it contained three Scottish and three English regiments, many officers being religious or political exiles. After the Glorious Revolution in 1688, these exiles were used to replace those loyal to James II or appointed to new regiments raised by the Scottish and English Parliaments.[3]
The Argylls became operational shortly after the Jacobite victory at Killiecrankie in July 1689 and were based at Perth to counter an advance towards Edinburgh. This threat never arose and in July 1690 they moved to Fort William as part of the force commanded by Colonel John Hill, the military governor tasked with pacifying the Highlands. This included Colonel Hill's own regiment which was commanded by Lt-Colonel James Hamilton and is often confused with the Argylls. The next 18 months were spent retaking or destroying strongpoints captured by anti-government forces after Killiecrankie, including Castle Stalker, Duart Castle and Cairnburgh Castle.[6]
At the end of January 1692, two companies of the Argylls under Captain Robert Campbell of Glenlyon were sent to Glencoe where they were billeted on the local MacDonalds. Officially this was to collect property tax; payment in kind or 'free quarter' was a common means of paying tax in a largely non-cash society.[7] As instructed by Lord Stair, Secretary of State for Scotland, on 12 February Colonel Hill issued orders to Lt-Colonel Hamilton and Duncanson. Hamilton was to block the northern exits of Glencoe at Kinlochleven while Duncanson would join Glenlyon at the southern end, then sweep north.[8]
Glenlyon began the operation as ordered at 4:00 am on 13 February; in all, 38 people were killed and another 40 died of exposure. Casualties might have been considerably higher but both Duncanson and Hamilton were delayed by severe weather and not in position until 11:00.[9] The Scottish Parliamentary Commission set up to investigate the Massacre in 1695 focused on whether orders had been exceeded, not their legality. They were unable to reach a conclusion on Duncanson and left the decision to William III who took no further action.[10]
Shortly after Glencoe, a threatened Jacobite invasion meant the Argylls moved to Brentford in England. When this failed to occur, they transferred to Flanders in early 1693 and suffered heavy casualties attacking tFrench fortifications at Dottignies on 9 July.[11] The unit became 'Lord Lorne's Regiment' in April 1694, when Argyll's eldest son became Colonel. Operational command was exercised by Lt-Colonel Hume, who was severely wounded at Namur in 1695, leaving Duncanson as senior officer.[12]
This meant he was in command when the regiment was part of the garrison at Diksmuide, a strategic point for the Siege of Namur. Besieged by the French on 25 July, the garrison commander Ellenberg capitulated two days later; Duncanson protested and refused to sign the terms of surrender. He was later promoted Lt-Colonel as a reward, but Ellenberg was executed in November, and the other signatories dismissed.[13]
After the prisoners were exchanged in September, Lorne's was based in Damme; by 1696, the war was winding down and it was recorded as being disbanded or 'broke' in February 1697.[14] Duncanson went onto half-pay and spent several years in Debtor's prison, for £1,200 owed to a Joseph Ashley for clothing supplied to the regiment in 1696; this was eventually settled by the Treasury.[15]
When the War of the Spanish Succession began in 1701, the army expanded once again, and he was appointed Lt-Colonel of Huntingdon's Regiment. After serving in Flanders, this was transferred to Portugal in 1704 as part of the expeditionary force which supported the claim of Archduke Charles to the Spanish throne. Promoted Colonel in February 1705, Duncanson died of wounds sustained leading an assault on the Spanish border town of Valencia de Alcantara on 8 May.[1]
Notes
↑ You are hereby ordered to fall upon the rebells, the McDonalds of Glenco, and put all to the sword under seventy. you are to have a speciall care that the old Fox and his sones doe upon no account escape your hands, you are to secure all the avenues that no man escape. This you are to putt in execution att fyve of the clock precisely; and by that time, or very shortly after it, I’ll strive to be att you with a stronger party: if I doe not come to you att fyve, you are not to tarry for me, but to fall on. This is by the Kings speciall command, for the good & safety of the Country, that these miscreants be cutt off root and branch. See that this be putt in execution without feud or favour, else you may expect to be dealt with as one not true to King nor Government, nor a man fitt to carry Commissione in the Kings service. Expecting you will not faill in the full-filling hereof, as you love your selfe, I subscribe these with my hand att Balicholis Feb: 12, 1692.
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