Battle of Alford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Alford
Part of Wars of the Three Kingdoms
The site of the Battle of Alford
Date 2 July 1645 Location Alford, Aberdeenshire Result Royalist Victory
Belligerents
Scottish Royalists Irish Brigade	Parliament of Scotland
Commanders and leaders
Lord Montrose George, Lord Gordon Manus O'Cahan	General William Baillie Alexander Lindsay, 1st Earl of Balcarres
Strength
2,000 foot 250-300 cavalry	2,000 foot 5-600 cavalry
Casualties and losses
Several hundred	1,500
Registered battlefield
Designated	21 March 2011
Reference no.	BTL1

The Battle of Alford was an important fight during the Scottish Civil War. It happened near the village of Alford, Aberdeenshire, on July 2, 1645. In this battle, the Royalist general James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose won against the Scottish government's army. This army was led by William Baillie and supported the Covenanter cause.

Today, the battlefield is a protected site. It is listed in the Inventory of Historic Battlefields in Scotland. Historic Scotland helps to protect it.

Why the Battle of Alford Happened

Scotland's Role in the Civil War

Scotland decided to join the First English Civil War. They sided with the Parliamentarians against King Charles I. King Charles then chose Montrose to lead his Royalist forces in Scotland. The king hoped Montrose's actions would keep Scottish troops busy. This would stop them from fighting in England.

Montrose's Victories Before Alford

Montrose got help from about 2,000 soldiers from Confederate Ireland. He won surprising battles at Tippermuir and Aberdeen in September 1644. His troops then moved through the west Highlands that winter. They defeated the forces of the Marquess of Argyll at Inverlochy in February. Montrose also beat a larger government army at Auldearn in May.

Baillie's Challenges

After Auldearn, the Irish commander, Alasdair Mac Colla, left to find more soldiers. Montrose then tried to fight the remaining Covenanter army. This army was led by Major-General Baillie. Baillie was an experienced soldier. However, the Scottish Parliament's Committee of Estates controlled his army. They could even overrule his orders.

The Committee took about 1,200 of Baillie's best soldiers. They used these soldiers to create a new army. This made Baillie's army weaker. Some new, less experienced soldiers joined his ranks. Baillie knew his army was not strong. So, he spent the early summer trying to avoid Montrose. Both armies moved around Moray and Aberdeenshire for weeks. They were each trying to find a good position.

Setting the Stage for Battle

Montrose found Baillie near Keith on June 24. But Baillie had taken a strong defensive spot. Montrose chose not to attack. After a few days, Montrose moved his army across the River Don. Baillie had to follow him. If he didn't, Montrose could march straight into central Scotland.

By July 1, Montrose was on high ground near Alford. This was likely at Gallows Hill. Early on July 2, Montrose learned that the Covenanters were coming fast. They were heading for the Don river crossing. Montrose decided to attack. He knew that another Covenanter leader, Lindsay, was coming to help Baillie.

The Battle of Alford

Armies and Commanders

The two armies seemed to be about the same size. Baillie later said the Royalists had more soldiers. Up to 1,000 of Baillie's troops were local volunteers. These men were quickly called to fight just before the battle. Baillie's position was also harder because of the Committee of Estates. Their representative, the Earl of Balcarres, was with him.

Montrose's Irish soldiers were led by Colonel Manus O'Cahan. He showed great skill in the battle. This was the first time Montrose's Scottish troops outnumbered his Irish ones. Montrose also had many Lowlanders now. These included soldiers from the Strathbogie and Gordon regiments.

How the Armies Lined Up

• Royalist Army (led by James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose)
  • Irish Brigade (about 600 men)
  • Strathbogie Regiment (about 500 men)
  • Other Foot Regiments (about 700 men)
  • Lord Gordon's Horse (about 200 cavalry)
  • Viscount Aboyne's Horse (about 300 cavalry)

• Covenanter Army (led by Major-General William Baillie)
  • Infantry regiments (about 2,400 men)
  • Cavalry (about 380 men)

Montrose was on high ground overlooking the Don. Baillie did not want to cross the river. He knew his troops would be easy to attack while crossing. It was said that Balcarres, Baillie's cavalry commander, insisted on fighting. Baillie later wrote that he felt they were outnumbered. Other stories say Montrose tricked Baillie. Montrose moved his army close to the river. But most of his troops were hidden behind the hill. Baillie thought he was only facing a small part of Montrose's army.

Montrose placed most of his foot soldiers in the middle. His cavalry were on the sides. Aboyne was on the left, and Gordon was on the right. Each cavalry group had some Irish foot soldiers helping them. Baillie was still moving his army forward. He tried to use a marshy area with ditches and pools to protect his position.

Montrose Attacks

The view up from the battlefield towards Gallow Hill, where Montrose drew up his army

Montrose waited until Balcarres' cavalry had crossed the river. Baillie's foot soldiers were still crossing. Then, Montrose ordered Lord Gordon's cavalry to attack Balcarres. A fierce fight happened near the river crossing. Balcarres pushed back the first attack. But Gordon regrouped and attacked again. Thomas Laghtnan's Irish foot soldiers helped him. Balcarres' cavalry broke and ran away.

Baillie now had to fight. He ordered Halkett's cavalry forward. But Montrose's left wing, led by Aboyne, drove them back. Baillie and his foot soldiers had crossed the Don. But they saw their cavalry running away. Baillie tried to make his line longer to avoid being surrounded. To do this, his troops had to stand only three ranks deep.

Montrose finally ordered his foot soldiers to attack. Baillie's men fought hard at first. But then some of Montrose's cavalry, led by Gordon, returned. They attacked Baillie's soldiers from the side and behind. Baillie's troops broke and fled the battlefield. Being only three ranks deep meant they could not turn easily to face the cavalry. It was hard to escape across the river crossing. This made the defeat very bad.

The government army lost about 1,500 of their 2,000 foot soldiers. Most of their cavalry escaped, including Baillie and Balcarres. Some regiments were almost completely destroyed. Stories from that time say the chase of the defeated soldiers lasted for nine miles.

The Royalists lost several hundred men. This included Lord Gordon. His death was a big loss for their cause. It was perhaps the most important result of the battle. Still, the Battle of Alford was a good moment for the Royalists. It happened just two weeks after their loss at the Battle of Naseby in England. Montrose's win helped King Charles believe they could still win the war.

What Happened After the Battle

After the defeat, Baillie was unhappy. He offered to quit his command to the Committee of Estates. But he had to stay in charge. This was until his replacement, Major-General Monro, could come back from Ireland. The Committee also gave Baillie a group of people to advise him. Many of these advisors had already been defeated by Montrose. Their help in the next battle would cause big problems.

Montrose was now able to march south. He would face a new government army at Kilsyth the next month.

The Battle of Alford in Culture

A report from Historic Scotland said that this battle is not very well known. But a small part of a ballad (a type of song) called The Battle of Alford still exists. The parts that are left do not describe the fighting itself. The report also mentioned that the great-grandfather of James Watt fought in this battle. He was a farmer from Kildrummy named Thomas Watt. He was forced to join the government side and was killed at Alford.