The American Magazine
printed the following biased report of our glorious battle:
July, 1746
This Afternoon a Message
arrived from the Duke of Cumberland; with the following Particulars of
the Victory obtain'd by his Royal Highness over the Rebels, on Wednesday
the 16th Instant near Culloden.
INVERNESS, April
18,
On Tuesday the 15th the Rebels burnt Fort Augustus, which convinced us
of their Resolution to stand an Engagement with the King's Troops. We
gave our Men a Day's Halt at Nairn, and on the 16th marched from thence
between Four and Five, in Four Columns. The three Lines of Foot (reckoning
the Reserve for one) were broke into three from the Right, which made
the three Columns equal, and each of five Battalions. The Artillery and
Baggage followed the first Column upon the Right, and the Cavalry made
the fourth Column on the Left.
After we had march'd about eight Miles, our advanced Guard, composed of
about Forty of Kingston's and the Highlanders led by the Quarter-Master
General, perceived the Rebels at some Distance making a Motion towards
us on the Left, upon which we immediately form'd; but, finding the Rebels
were still a good Way from us, and that the whole Body did not come forward,
we put ourselves again upon the March in our former Posture, and continued
it within a Mile of them, where we again formed in the same Order as before.
After reconnoitering their Situation, we found them posted behind some
Walls and Huts, in a line with Culloden House. As we thought our Right
entirely secure, General Hawley and General Bland went to the Left with
the two Regiments of Dragoons, to endeavor to fall upon the Right Flank
of the Rebels, and Kingston's Horse was ordered to the Reserve. The ten
Pieces of Cannon were disposed, two in each of the Intervals of the first
Line, and all our Highlanders (except about one Hundred and Forty which
were upon the Left with General Hawley, and who behaved extremely well)
were left to guard the Baggage.
When we were advanced within 500 Yards of the Rebels, we found the Moras
upon our Right was ended, which left our right Flank quite uncovered to
them, His Royal Highness thereupon immediately order'd Kingston's Horse
from the Reserve, and a little Squadron of about 60 of Cobham's which
had been patrolling, to cover the Flank; and Pultney's Regiment was ordered
from the Reserve to the Right of the Royals. We spent half an Hour after
that trying which should gain the flank of the other; and his Royal Highness
having sent Lord Bury forward within a hundred Yards of the Rebels, to
reconnoiter somewhat that appeared like a battery to us, they thereupon
began firing their Cannon, which was extremely ill served, and ill pointed;
Ours immediately answer'd them, which began their Confusion. They then
came running on in their wild manner; and upon the Right, where his Royal
Highness had placed himself, imagining the greatest Push would be there,
they came down three several times within a hundred Yards of our Men,
firing their Pistols and brandishing their Swords; but the Royals and
Pultney's hardly took their Firelocks from Their Shoulders , so that after
those faint Attempts they made off; and the little Squadrons on our Right
were sent to persue them.
General Hawley had, by the Help of our Highlanders, beat down two little
Stone Walls, and came in upon the Right Flank of their second Line. As
their whole first Line came down to attack at once, their right somewhat
out flank'd Barrel's Regiment, which was our Left, and the greatest Part
of the little loss we sustain'd was there; but Bligh's and Sempil's giving
a Fire upon those who had out flank'd Barrel's soon repulsed them, and
Barrel's Regiment and the Left of Monroe's fairly beat them with their
Bayonets; There was scarce a Soldier or Officer of Barrel's, and of that
Part of Monroe's which engaged, who did not kill one or two Men each with
their Bayonets and Spontoons.
The cavalry which had charged from the Right and Left, met in the Center,
except two Squadrons of Dragoons, which we missed, and they were gone
in Pursuit of the Runaways; Lord Ancram was order'd to pursue with the
Horse as far as he could; and did it with so good Effect, that a very
considerable Number was killed in the Pursuit.
As we were in our March to Inverness, and were near arrived there, Major
General Bland sent the annexed Papers, which he received from the French
Officers and Soldiers surrendering themselves Prisoners, to his Royal
Highness. Major General Bland had also made great Slaughter, and took
about 50 French Officers and Soldiers Prisoners, in his Pursuit.
By the best Computation that can be made, 'tis thought the Rebels lost
2000 Men upon the Field of Battle, and in the Pursuit. We have 222 French,
and 326 Rebel Prisoners, Lieutenant Colonel Howard kill'd an Officer,
who appeared to be Lord Strathallan, by the Seal, and different Commissions
from the Pretender found in his Pocket.
'Tis said Lord Perth, Lord Nairn, Lochiel, Keppoch and Appin Stuart, are
also kill'd. All their Artillery and Ammunition were taken, as well as
the Pretender's and all their Baggage. There were also 12 colours taken.
All the Generals, Officers and Soldiers, did their utmost in his Majesty's
Service, and showed the greatest Zeal and bravery on this Occasion.
The Pretender's Son it is said, lay at Lord Lovat's House at Aird, the
Night after the action. Brigadier Mordaunt is detached with 900 Volunteers
this Morning into Frazier's Country, to attack all the Rebels he may find
there. Lord Sutherland and Lord Reay's People continue to exert themselves,
and have taken upwards of 100 Rebels, who are sent for; and there is great
Reason to believe Lord Cromarty and his Son are also taken. The Monroes
have killed Fifty of the Rebels in their Flight. As it is not known where
the greatest Bodies of them are, or which Way they have taken their Flight,
his Royal Highness has not yet determined which Way to march.
On the 17th, as his Royal Highness was at Dinner, three Officers, and
about sixteen of Fitz James's Regiment, who were mounted, came and surrendered
themselves Prisoners. The kill'd, wounded, and missing of the King's Troops
amount to above 300. The French Officers will be all sent to Carlisle,
till his Majesty's Pleasure shall be known. The Rebels, by their own Accounts
make their Loss greater by two Thousand that we have stated it. Four of
their principal Ladies are in Custody, viz. Lady Ogilvie, Lady Kinloch,
Lady Gordon and the Laird of M'Intosh's Wife. Major Grant, the Governor
of Inverness, is retaken; and the Generals Hawley, Lord Albemarle, Huske
and Bland, have Orders to enquire into the Reasons for his surrendering
of Fort George.
P.S., Lord Cromarty, Lord M'Cleod his son, with some other Officers and
152 private Men, Prisoners, are just brought in from Sutherland by the
Hound Sloop, which his Royal Highness had sent for them, and they are
just now landing.
(From The American
Magazine monthly, Chronicle from the British Colonies, Printed by William
Bradford. Found on microfilm in the American Periodical Series, reel 1
at Edinboro University, Pennsylvania.)
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