Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-11-07
THE BLOODY SHIRT" AND ITS
ORIGIN.
Phrase That May Have Sprung from an
Incident in Scottish History.

A Phrase That May Have Sprung from an
Incident in Scottish History.
To the Editor of the New York Tribune
Sir: A short time since my attention was
attracted to an inquiry in the Louisville
COurier-J Journal as to the origin of the
popular phrase, 1.-The bloody shirt. The
answer given to the query ascribes it to
the recent period of reconstruction. Con-
trary to the prevailing belief, this political
weapon was forged and effectively used
long before any differences had arisen be-
tween certain portions Of our Union, and
before, In fact, Union of States existed
though to whom credit should be given for
its derisive application to the Republican
campaign policy the writer is not advised
The incident which gave the expression
birth is to some extent legendary, and is
related by Sir Walter Scott in the preface
to his novel Rob Roy, and briefly is as
follows: The clan Mac Gregor possessed
lands and flOcls which excited the cupidity
of their less fortunate neighbors, who. by
force and other methods, gradually des-
poiled them of their property and drove
them from their homes. The clan, thus
impoverished, resisted the entertainments
upon their rights, and in the frequent col
lisions that occurred used every temporary
advantage they gained cruelty enough.
Their conduct, which was perhaps not IN
natural under the circumstances, waD stu
diously represented at the capital as arising
from an innate and untamable fer0sity,
for which the only remedy was exterrin-
alton.
These suggestions resulted in the pre-
scription of the Clan by act of Privy Council
at Sterling, and permission was given
ertain powerful chieftains to
PURSUE THE MAC GREGORs
with fire and sword, and all persons
were prohibited from atfording them meat
drink, or shelter. AS might be expected,
civilization progressed very slowly during
this PERIOD and the Mac Gregors feeling
all the severity of the law and none Of its
protection. became wilder and more law
less than ever. As the legend reads. Two
men of the Clan Mac Gregor, Overtaken by
night, asked shelter from a dependent of
the Colquhouns, and on being refused re-
tired to an clubhouse, seized a wedder from
the fold, and supped frugally of the car
cass. for which they offered payment. The
Laird of Luss, hearing of this enforced
hospitality, caused the offenders to be APP
pretended and summarily executed
To avenge this act, the Mac Gregors as
sembled to the number of several hundred
and marched towards Luss. Sir Humph-
rey Colquhoun received early notice of the
raid, and assembled an army of superior
numbers to meet them A battle took
place in the valley of Glenfruin (Glen of
Sorrow, whence, encouraged by the pro-
phecy of a seer, and aided by superior
position and skilful generalship, the Mac
GTegors were victorious, pursuing the enc
my furiously, and mercilessly slaughtering
all who were unable to escape.
This battle and the fury of the prescribed
Clan were reported to King James VI. In
manner most unfavorable to that I'M
fortunate Clan, and more strongly to i'm
press that impressionable monarch, the
widows of the slain, to the number of
eleven score, dressed in mourning, riding
on white palfreys, and each bearing her
husband S bloody shirt upon the point of a
spear, appeared before the King at Sterl-
ing and demanded vengeance upon those
who had made their homes desolate. By
act of Privy Council, A. D. 1913, the old
acts against the Clan were revived, and
others of the greatest severity enacted.
The bloody shirt had unquestionably ac-
complished its purpose.
G. J. MCPHERSON.
Houston, Texas