George Munro, 1st of Culcairn facts for kids

Sir George Munro of Culcairn (1685 - 1746) was a Scottish soldier. He lived in the 18th century. George Munro came from Ross-shire, Scotland. He led different groups of soldiers called Independent Highland Companies. He also helped form the famous "Black Watch" regiment. Sadly, he was accidentally shot and killed in 1746.

Family Background of George Munro

George Munro of Culcairn was born on September 18, 1685. He was the second son of Sir Robert Munro, 5th Baronet of Foulis. His father was the chief of Clan Munro. He was also known as the Blind Baron. George's older brother was Sir Robert Munro, 6th Baronet of Foulis. He became the next chief of the clan.

Fighting in the Jacobite Rising of 1715

In 1715, a group called the Jacobites tried to put a new king on the throne. This event was known as the Jacobite rising of 1715. The Jacobite soldiers in Inverness gave up. This happened on the same day as the Battle of Sheriffmuir. Another Jacobite group was defeated at the Battle of Preston (1715).

Soon after, Colonel Sir Robert Munro of Foulis marched into Inverness. He was George's father. He had 400 Munro soldiers with him. They took control of the town. Government troops arrived later. George Munro of Culcairn led a group of Munros. They helped disarm the rebels.

The Battle of Glen Shiel in 1719

During the Jacobite rising of 1719, Captain George Munro of Culcairn led some Munro soldiers. They fought at the Battle of Glen Shiel. They helped defeat the Jacobites. George was hurt during the battle. His servant tried to protect him. But George told his men to keep fighting. He did not want them to protect him.

The Jacobites kept shooting at George after he fell. Sergeant Robert Munro and a small group saved him. They chased away the attackers. The Jacobites soon ran away. The rising ended after this battle. Historians say George Munro's company fought bravely. Their actions helped defeat the Jacobites. The battle lasted three hours. The Government forces won the day.

Forming the Black Watch Regiment

In 1725, six Independent Highland Companies were created. These were special groups of soldiers. One company was from the Munros. Others were from the Frasers, Grants, and Campbells. George Munro of Culcairn became a Captain in the Munro company. His older brother, Colonel Sir Robert, was in charge.

In 1739, these ten companies joined together. They became a full army regiment. It was called the 43rd Highlanders. Later, it was renamed the 42nd. It was also known as the "Black Watch." Their first big battle was at Battle of Fontenoy in 1745. This was against the French. However, George Munro of Culcairn had left the regiment in 1744.

Supporting the Government in 1745

During the Jacobite rising of 1745, the Munros supported the British Government. George Munro was given command of a Munro Independent Highland Company. His older brother, Robert Munro, was the clan chief. He commanded the English 37th Regiment of Foot. Robert's son, Sir Harry Munro, 7th Baronet, led soldiers in Loudon's Highlanders.

General Sir John Cope arrived in Inverness in August 1745. George Munro of Culcairn met him. He agreed that the Munros would join the King's troops.

Harry Munro joined Sir John Cope's army. George Munro of Culcairn's soldiers acted as scouts. They helped guide the army. Sir John Cope's army later sailed to Dunbar. They were defeated at the Battle of Prestonpans. Harry was captured there. He was held prisoner for a while. Later, he learned that his father Robert and uncle Duncan had died. This happened after the Battle of Falkirk Muir.

George Munro and his 200 Munros were not at Prestonpans. They had returned north. George Munro and his company were involved in events leading to the Battle of Inverurie (1745). Some say the Munros attacked the Jacobites from the front and side. Others say they stayed in Oldmeldrum and did not fight.

After the Battle of Prestonpans, Lord Loudoun and Sir John Cope went to London. Lord Loudoun later returned north. He took command in Inverness. But he, Duncan Forbes, Lord Culloden, and George Munro had to retreat. A larger Jacobite force was pushing them. George Munro of Culcairn was the most experienced military leader in the north at this time.

After the Battle of Falkirk (1746), Jacobite soldiers burned Foulis Castle. It became a ruin. In April, the Jacobite army was finally defeated. This happened at the Battle of Culloden. George Munro of Culcairn had already returned north.

The Tragic Death of George Munro

[[File:Culcairn murder 1.jpg|thumb|This letter from 1746 talks about George Munro's death. It says the Camerons wanted to find the person who killed him. They feared the Munros would seek revenge if they didn't.}} After the Jacobite rising ended, George Munro's company continued to patrol the Highlands. George Munro and his soldiers burned Achnacarry Castle. This was the home of the Clan Cameron. The Camerons had strongly supported the Jacobites. They were also responsible for killing George's older brother, Sir Robert Munro. This happened after the Battle of Falkirk.

Around the same time, a Government officer named Grant captured a young man. This young man was a Cameron. He was going to Fort William to surrender weapons. Grant shot the young Cameron. The young man's father, Dugald Roy Cameron, swore revenge. He heard that Grant rode a white horse. He waited for Grant behind a rock.

Captain George Munro of Culcairn had borrowed Grant's horse. Because of this, Cameron shot and killed George Munro by mistake.

Historian Ruairidh MacLeod gives more details. He says Lord Loudoun ordered Munro to go through Knoydart and Lochaber. On August 31, Munro's companies met Captain Grant's soldiers. Munro was killed there. The Reverend John Cameron said Munro was shot by mistake. The killer was the father of the man Grant had killed. Lord Albemarle reported the killer was John Roy McFie. He was also called John Roy Cameron.

Another suspect was Grant of Moy. George Munro had burned and robbed his lands. Grant of Moy was walking with a gun when Munro was shot. He was taken to Fort William but later released.

George Munro's Family

George's son was John Munro, 2nd of Culcairn. He was known for being very welcoming. He once hosted a Jacobite Bishop in the 1760s. John Munro of Culcairn offered him good ale, wine, and coffee. The Bishop also noted John's farm improvements. He said John's land grew the best wheat. John had also built a mill to process it.

Images for kids

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  This letter from 1746 talks about George Munro's death. It says the Camerons wanted to find the person who killed him. They feared the Munros would seek revenge if they didn't.

See also

• Raids on Lochaber and Shiramore
• Munro of Culcairn