Bonnie Prince Charlie began his bid for the British throne with a surprising victory at Prestonpans.
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The Battle of Prestonpans Bonnie Prince Charlie began his bid for the British throne with a surprising victory at Prestonpans. |
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The Battle of Prestonpans
Prince Charles gathered what troops he could at Glenfinnan and marched south to take Edinburgh. General Cope acted immediately with his own small force of untested British troops. Both sides took to the field with roughly 2500 men. The Battle A local man led the advancing Jacobites through the marsh via a winding track, and they charged through the morning mist at the British line. The British dragoons refused to obey orders to charge, and a single volley from the advancing Highlanders put them to flight. The infantry took the brunt of the Jacobite attack, and they crumpled before the fierce charge of Murray's men. The Results The success at Prestonpans was a terrific morale-booster for the Stuart cause, and more recruits flocked to the Jacobite standard. For the moment at least, the situation looked bright for Bonnie Prince Charlie. More British
Battles
History Article and images © 2004
David Ross |
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September 21, 1745
Prestonpans, Lothian, Scotland
Jacobite Scots under Prince Charles Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie)
vs. British troops under General Cope
Charles returned from exile in France to launch yet another Jacobite
attempt to seize the English throne. The response to his landing was
lukewarm among the Scots, despite the Prince's belief in popular support
for his cause.
