HISTORIC CULLODEN FIELD

Southland Times, Issue 23178, 20 April 1937, Page 7

HISTORIC CULLODEN FIELD

APPEAL FOR MORE CAREFUL PRESERVATION (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, April 17. An appeal for the more careful preservation of Culloden Field was made at a large gathering there yesterday to mark the 191st anniversary of the battle.

The battle of Culloden, which ended the Jaeobite rebellion of 1741 (the ’45), was fought between the English and the Jacobites, led by Prince Charles Edward, on April 16, 1746. The supporters of the Young Pretender, having returned from Derby, had fought a successful engagement at Falkirk and occupied Inverness and the neighbouring forts. Despite this they were distrustful of each other—jealousies between the different clans were numerous—and were short of provisions and funds. They pitched a camp at Culloden Moor, and awaited the English, under the Duke of Cumberland, who were marching northwards to attack them.

On April 15 the English were at Nairn. An attempt to surprise their camp at night failed, and in the morning—tired, hungry and dispirited—the Jacobites awaited the attack. They were about 8000 strong; the Highland clansmen in front and their Irish allies behind, with the Scots in the French service. The English, about equal in number, were in three lines; they had been well drilled and had a good supply of guns, which opened the battle. Some of the Highlanders thereupon charged and broke through the first line, but the second fired into. them, and soon they were retiring in confusion. The English horse completed the rout and the second Jacobite line gave way. Save only a few Highlanders the army was utterly broken; 1000 were slain and 1000 others, with all the cannon and baggage, were taken prisoner. The English lost about 300 killed and woundeJ. The Duke of Cumberland marred the glory of his victory by issuing orders for something like a massacre of all suspected persons.