The ministers had, it should seem, miscalculated their military resources.
It had been expected that the Campbells would take the field in such force as would balance the whole strength of the clans which marched under Dundee.

It had also been expected that the Covenanters of the West would hasten to swell the ranks of the army of King William.
Both expectations were disappointed.

Argyle had found his principality devastated, and his tribe disarmed and disorganized.

A considerable time must elapse before his standard would be surrounded by an array such as his forefathers had led to battle.

The Covenanters of the West were in general unwilling to enlist.