As soon as certain intelligence was brought that the Duke of Cumberland
had begun his march from Aberdeen northwards, the Prince sent orders to
Ross, Sutherland, Lochaber, and Badenoch, that all the detachments of
his army, in these places, should join him immediately at Inverness.
The Duke of Cumberland passed the Spey on the 13th, and on the 14th
encamped at Nairn, about 10 miles from Culloden. On this the Prince
assembled his men in and about Inverness, and marched at their head to
Culloden-house, where he lay that night, and the troops encamped in the
Parks.
Early next morning, the Prince drew up his army in line of battle,
upon Drummossie muir, south of the house and parks of Culloden, as he
expected that the Duke of Cumberland would have attacked him that day,
being his birth-day.
About noon, when we were informed that he had not moved, it was
proposed to the Prince to make a night attack upon him, in his camp
at Nairn. Various were the reasons for and against this proposal. And
after considering them fully, the Prince approved of the project, as
the most probable chance he had of beating the enemy; provided they
could be surprised by one o’clock of the morning.
We must here observe, that the Duke of Cumberland’s army was double the
number of ours, plentifully provided with money and provisions of all
kinds; having a squadron of ships, loaded with stores, that coasted
along, from Aberdeen to Inverness, in sight of his army, to supply him
with whatever was necessary. Whereas our military chest was spent; the
men had not received pay for some time, had got no provisions this day
but a single bisket each, and were much fatigued by severe duty.
In this situation the Prince could not propose to keep his army
together. He was obliged either to fight or starve. And altho above
3000 men, under the command of the Earl of Cromarty, Macdonald of
Barisdale, Macgregor of Glengyle, Cluny Macpherson, and others, who
were expected every hour, had not yet joined, he resolved to risk the
event of an engagement.
The night attack being therefore agreed to, was to have been executed
thus. One third of the army, commanded by Lord George Murray, were to
have passed the water of Nairn, two miles below Culraick, and two from
Nairn, to have attacked the enemy on the south east near to the sea;
whilst the other two thirds, under the command of the Duke of Perth
and his brother Lord John Drummond, were to have attacked them on the
plain, from the north east and all the way to the sea, so as to have
joined those who were to have attacked on the other side.
That our design might not be discovered by the enemy, the march began
about eight o’clock at night. Lord George Murray led the van. He had
along with him, besides several gentlemen volunteers and officers, 30
men of the Mackintoshes, who lived in that very country, as guides.
They conducted him the moor road, that he might not fall in with the
enemy’s patrolls; and small parties were stationed at proper distances
to prevent the enemy from receiving any intelligence.
As the highlanders had often marched more than two miles in an hour, it
was hoped that they could have reached Nairn before two o’clock. But
before Lord George had marched a mile, he received a message that the
half of the line was at a considerable distance, and orders to halt,
or march slower, till the line should join. He received many messages
by aides-de-camps and other officers, sent for the same purpose, by
the time he had reached six miles. Altho he did not halt, he marched
always slower, hoping that would do: For he knew that a halt in the
van occasions a greater one in the rear, when the march begins again;
whereas by marching slow, the rear might have joined without that
inconveniency.
It was already near two o’clock in the morning, and the van near
four miles from the enemy. Most of the officers of distinction were
now come up to the front; particularly the Duke of Perth, Lord John
Drummond, Lochiel and his brother, and M. oSulivan. The Duke of Perth
told Lord George Murray that unless he made a halt the center and rear
columns could not join. We halted. Here the officers began to examine
their present situation. They were of opinion, that by the time the
line had joined, and the army advanced two miles farther, it would be
day light, and consequently the enemy would have time to point their
canon, draw up their men, and place their horse so as to act in the
most advantagious manner. Besides, a great number of our men had left
their ranks and lain down in the wood of Culraick, which must have
proceeded from faintness for want of food, and not from the fatigue
of a six miles march. In these circumstances the attack was judged
impracticable. To get back to Culloden, so as the men could have some
hours refreshment, in case they should be obliged to fight that day,
was what they agreed to.
As the Prince was about a mile behind in the rear, and the road through
the wood very difficult to pass, they thought it would consume too much
time to send back for orders, Lord George Murray therefore ordered
the retreat. The Duke of Perth went back to acquaint the Prince with
this resolution. At first he seemed much surprised, on which the Duke
offered to march back the men; but after some reflection, he saw it was
then too late.
We marched back the shortest way, as we had not the same reason for
shuning houses in returning as we had in advancing.
The van had only got to the Church of Cray, that is two miles from
where the halt was made, when it was broad day light. This showed that
the enemy could not have been surprised as was intended. However, had
the center and rear marched as quick as the van, it might certainly
have been done.
Between 5 and 6 o’clock, all the army reached Culloden: But many, as
well officers as soldiers went to Inverness and places adjacent, in
quest of provisions, which were difficult to find.
The Prince had scarcely reposed himself an hour, when accounts were
brought, that the enemy was in full march to attack him. He immediately
sent aid-de-camps to bring up the men, who were at Inverness. In
the mean time he marched up the troops that were about Culloden to
Drummossie muir; but half a mile nearer than where they were formed the
preceeding day.
This was our order of battle. The right wing, commanded by Lord George
Murray, consisted of his own regiment of Athol, Camerons of Lochiel,
Stuarts of Appin, one battallion of the Frazers of Lovat, and the
Mackintoshes. The left wing, commanded by the Duke of Perth, consisted
of the Macdonalds of Glengary, Keppoch and Clanranald, two companies
of Macleans, two companies of Macleods, and the Farquharsons. The 2^d
line, commanded by Lord John Drummond and Major General Stappleton,
consisted of the Irish piquets, the regiments of Lord Ogilvy, Lord
Lewis Gordon, Duke of Perth, and Lord John Drummond. On the right wing,
behind the 2^d line, was a troop of Fitz-james’s horse; and on the left
the horse guards, Perth-shire squadron and Hussards. The regiments of
the Earl of Kilmarnock’s foot guards, and Colonel John Roy Stuart, with
such of our men as had no guns formed a sort of reserve.
The whole did not exceed 6000 foot and 150 horse. We had six pieces of
canon, two placed on the right, two on the left, and two in the center
of the front line. Our front was to the east.
The Duke of Cumberland drew up his army in three lines. The first,
commanded by Lieutenant-General the Earl of Albemarle, consisted of
the regiments of Barrel, Monro, Scot’s Fusileers, Price, Cholmondley
and Sinclair. The 2^d, commanded by Major General Huske, consisted of
the regiments of Wolfe, Ligonier, Sempil, Bligh, and Flemming. The
3^d line, commanded by Brigadier Mordant, consisted of the regiments
of Blackeney, Battereau, Pulteney and Howard. On the right wing were
placed Cobham’s dragoons, and the half of Kingston’s horse, with the
Campbells of Argyle.
Had these regiments been all compleat, they should have amounted to
15000 men, but as they were they surely amounted to near 12000 foot
and 1200 horse. Ten pieces of canon were placed in the first line, two
between each regiment; and six pieces in the 2^d line.
The enemy formed at a considerable distance, and marched in order of
battle. About two o’clock afternoon the canonading began.
The Prince, after riding along the lines to animate the men, placed
himself about the center, that he might the more conveniently give his
orders. The enemy’s canon galled us much. One of the Prince’s servants,
who led a sumpter horse, was killed at his side.
We were greatly out-lined both on right and left. Some alterations
were made in our disposition in order to remedy this. Our right was
covered by some old park walls, that led towards the water of Nairn.
The Campbells got behind these walls, pulled them down, and placed a
battery of canon, which did great execution on our right.
The Prince ordered to begin the attack. Our men attacked with all the
fury imaginable, and made several impressions on the enemys line;
particularly the Athol-men broke entirely the regiments of Barret
and Monro, and took possession of two pieces of canon. But the enemy
keeping a close hedge fire, overpowering us with numbers, and attacking
us on both flanks, threw our lines into great confusion, and at last
obliged us to quit the field. The Duke of Cumberland was likewise
assisted by a great storm of hail and rain that blew in our faces.
The Prince did all he could to rally his men, but to no purpose. He was
therefore obliged to retire. He crossed the water of Nairn at the ford
on the high way between Inverness and Corryburgh, and then went to Lord
Lovats. The greatest part of the army went to Ruthven in Badennoch.
As we had not afterwards an opportunity of reviewing our men, we cannot
exactly say what loss we sustained in the action. By the enemy’s
account we lost 2000 men, and they 300. But there is reason to think,
that on the one side they magnify, and on the other diminish the
numbers.
‘Cum rectè factorum sibi quisque gratiam trahat, unius invidiâ ab
omnibus peccatur.’ Tac. Ann. 1. 3 c. 53.