Clifton Moor Skirmish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clifton Moor Skirmish |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Jacobite rising of 1745 | |||||||
 Action at Clifton Hall, the 18th of December, James Johnstone |
|||||||
|
|||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Jacobites |
 British Government |
||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| George Murray |
Duke of Cumberland Philip Honywood |
||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 400-500 | 300 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 13 killed and wounded | 14 killed and wounded | ||||||
The Clifton Moor Skirmish was a small fight that happened on the evening of December 18, 1745. It was part of the Jacobite rising of 1745, which was a rebellion to put Charles Edward Stuart (also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie) back on the British throne.
The Jacobite army had decided to turn back from Derby and head north towards Scotland. On December 18, a small group of British soldiers, called dragoons, led by Duke of Cumberland, caught up with the Jacobite rearguard. The rearguard was the part of the army that protected the main group from behind. This group was led by Lord George Murray.
Lord George Murray wanted to slow down Cumberland's soldiers. This would give the main Jacobite army time to get away. The fight started late in the afternoon, when it was getting dark and raining. Even though the fight was a draw, it helped Murray's men escape safely into Scotland.
Some people say this was the last battle fought on English soil. However, there are other small fights that also claim this title.
Contents
Why the Jacobites Were Retreating
The Jacobite army had marched south into England, hoping to gain support and take over the country. But they decided to turn back at Derby on December 6, 1745. They realized they didn't have enough support or soldiers to continue.
The Journey North
The army split into smaller groups as they retreated. They moved quickly, trying to get back to Scotland.
- December 7: They stayed the night at Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
- December 8: They reached Leek.
- December 9: Both parts of the Jacobite army met near Manchester.
- December 10: They left Manchester and arrived in Wigan.
- December 11: They reached Preston. A Jacobite leader, the Duke of Perth, went ahead to try and get more soldiers from Scotland.
- December 13: Prince Charles and the main army arrived in Lancaster. They thought about fighting there, but Lord George Murray heard that many British soldiers were close behind them. So, Charles decided to keep moving north.
- December 15: The Jacobites left Lancaster. British soldiers entered the town soon after. The Jacobites got ready to fight, but it was a false alarm. They continued to Kendal.
- December 16: They reached Kendal. The Duke of Perth, who had gone ahead, met them there. He had turned back after being attacked by local fighters near Penrith. The army then spent the night at Shap.
- December 17: They arrived at the village of Clifton.
Getting Ready at Clifton
On the morning of December 18, Lord George Murray's rearguard left Shap. Local fighters followed them. About 200-300 British cavalry (soldiers on horseback) were waiting on Thrimby Hill. Murray wasn't sure how many enemy soldiers there were, so he held his position.
A Jacobite officer, Colonel Brown, moved some of his soldiers forward to attack. Murray sent more soldiers to support them. They found that the British cavalry they had seen earlier had ridden away.
The rearguard kept marching. When they reached Clifton, Murray sent the cannons and heavy bags ahead to Penrith. He placed some of his soldiers in the fields around Lowther Hall. They managed to capture two British soldiers. These prisoners told Murray that the Duke of Cumberland himself was about a mile behind them with 4,000 horsemen.
Murray sent a message to Prince Charles in Penrith, asking for more soldiers and permission to make a stand at Clifton. Back in the village, Murray got his soldiers ready. He placed some men in fields west of the road. Other groups were placed east of the road and closer to Clifton.
The Skirmish Begins
Late in the afternoon, about 500 British dragoons got off their horses and moved towards the Jacobite positions. Murray was told that Prince Charles wanted them to retreat to Penrith right away. But they couldn't leave because the British dragoons had already started shooting.
Murray told his officers to attack the hedges and ditches that separated them from the dragoons. He then went to lead his own group of soldiers. It was about an hour after sunset, and the moon sometimes shone through the clouds. The Jacobites could see their enemies, but their own movements were hard to spot.
The Jacobite soldiers moved forward. The men on the west side kept firing as they advanced. The soldiers on the east side, called the Macphersons, quickly met the British dragoons and faced their gunfire. Murray shouted, "Claymore!" (a type of sword). The Macphersons then rushed forward, jumping over ditches and hedges. They attacked the enemy with their swords. Many British soldiers were killed at the ditch. The rest ran away across the moor, but they were still shot at by another Jacobite group.
What Happened After
Twelve Jacobite soldiers died in this small fight. Only one Jacobite officer was hurt. Lord George Murray himself had several close calls.
Ten British dragoons were killed, and four of their officers were wounded. One British dragoon died in Clifton weeks later, likely from his injuries. The dragoons who died are buried in St Cuthbert's churchyard. A stone near the churchyard gate remembers the skirmish.
The Jacobites captured only one prisoner, who was a servant of the Duke of Cumberland. Prince Charles sent this man back to the Duke.
In the 1920s, a skeleton wearing tartan was found near Stanhope. Some people think it might have been a Jacobite soldier who died in this skirmish, but this is not certain.
Last Battle on English Soil?
People often debate what counts as the "last battle" on English soil. The Clifton Moor fight was a small skirmish, not a large battle. Other events, like the Battle of Sedgemoor in 1685, are considered the last major "pitched battle" (a planned fight between two armies). However, other smaller clashes, like the Battle of Graveney Marsh in 1940, are also sometimes mentioned. These claims often help bring visitors to the places where these events happened.
See also
