The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-03-26
"The Bloody Shirt"

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A short time since my attention
was drawn to an inquiry in the
Louisville Courier-Journal as to the
origin of the popular phrase, "The
Bloody Shirt" The answer given
to the query ascribes it to the recent
period of reconstruction. Contrary
to the prevailing belief, this political
weapon was forged and effectively
used long before any differences had
arisen between certain portions OF
our Union, and before, in tact,
union of states existed.
The incident which gave the ex-
preston birth is to some extent leg
endnry, and is related by Sir Walter
Scott in the preface to his novel Rob
Roy" and briefly is as follows: The
clan MacGregor possessed lands and
fiocks which excited the cupidity OF
their less fortunate neighbors, who,
by force and other methods,
gradually despoiled them of their
property and drove them from their
homes. The clan, thus impoverished
resisted the encroachments upon
their rights, and in frequent collisions
that occurred used every temporary
advantage they gained cruelty
enough. Their conduct, which was
perhaps not unnatural under the cir
cumstances, was studiously repre-
sented ut the capital as arising from
an innate and untamable ferocity,
for which the only remedy was exter-
mination.
These suggestions resulted in the
prescription OF the clan by act of the
privy council at Sterling, and per-
mission was given certain powerful
chieftains to pursue the MacGregors
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
MacGregors, feeling all the severity
OF the law and none of its protection,
became wilder and more lawless than
ever. AS the legend runs, two men
OF the clan MacGregor, overtaken by
night. asked shelter from a depend
ant oftheColquhouns, and on beingre-
fused, retired to an clubhouse, seized
a wedder from the fold, and supped
frugally off the carcass, for which
they offered payment. The laird of
Luss, hearing of this enforced hos
pitality, caused the offenders to be
apprehended and summarily execut-
ed.
To avenge this act the MacGregors
assembled to the number of several
hundred, and marched toward Luss.
Sir Humphrey Colquhoun received
carly notice of the raid, and as
sembled an army of superior numbers
to meet them. A battle took place in
the valley of Glenfruin (Glen of Sor-
rows where encouraged by the proph-
ecy of seer, and aided by a superior
position and skillful generalship, the
MacGregors were victorious, pursu-
ing the enemy furiously, and merci-
lessly Strengthening all who were I'M
able to escaped.
This battle and the fury of the pro-
scribed clan were reported to King
James vi in manner most unfavor-
able to that unfortunate clan, and.
more strongly to impress that i'm
questionable monarch, the window of
the slain to the number of eleven
score, dressed in mourning, riding
on white pallreys, and each
bearing her hundand's bloody shirt
upon the point of spear appeared
before the king at Sterling, and de-
manded vengeance upon those who
had made their homes desolate. Bv
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 nm
questionably accomplished it's pur-
pose.-New York Tribune.