RAMBLINGS AND RUMBLINGS: CULLODEN

Culloden battlefield and memorial.

Charles Edward Stuart, known as 'Bonnie prince Charlie' arrived in Scotland in 1745 to lead his supporters in a rebellion against the English rulers of the country. His supporters, known as Jacobites, came mainly from the Highland clans and tended to be Roman Catholic or Scottish Episcopalian. Charlie promised them support from the French and also expected many of the lowlanders to rise up to support him. The Jacobites had early successes, defeating a British force in Scotland and occupying Edinburgh before advancing to the south. After a few more minor successes they threatened London but, with rumours of a third Government army advancing to meet them, they retired back into Scotland.

An army, commanded by the Duke of Cumberland (son of King George II) and containing 5,000 Hessian soldiers began harassing the Jacobites forces. They wintered near Adedeen and even practised new tactics, such as advancing with bayonets attached to their rifles. The Duke was well liked by the soldiers and they were well equipped and supplied. The Government army advanced along the coast road so that it could be resupplied by the navy. On the 15th April 1746 they camped near Nairn and celebrated the Duke's birthday.

The Jacobite army at this stage was facing many problems. The commanders didn't trust each other and many of the clansmen had slipped away to their homes. They were porly equipped and were on half rations. The night of the 15th they attempted a night attack on the Duke's army but when many were slowed down in the boggy conditions and lost their way the attack was called off.

The next morning the Government army, having been well rested, advanced toward Culloden Moor. It stood at around 8,000 troops. The Prince's army of 7,000 troops, was tired from its night march and a sizeable number of the men had gone off to forage for food. There were also arguments between clans and the McDonalds were offended because they had been put on the left flank instead of the position of honour on the right flank.

Finally on the 16 April 1746 the two forces met on at Culloden, a moor overlooking Inverness. The ensuing battle was quick and bloody. It only lasted an hour. The McDonalds refused to charge and the rest of the line was hampered by the boggy conditions and the Government forces were able to firstly decimate them with gunfire and then repel their charge. Between 1,500 and 2,000 Jacobites were killed or wounded, while less than 300 Government troops met the same fate. This was the last pitched battle ever fought on British soil.