Loudon's Highlanders facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loudon's Highlanders64th Regiment of Foot |
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|---|---|
| Active | 1745–1748 |
| Country |  Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Line infantry |
| Size | One battalion |
| Engagements | Jacobite rising War of the Austrian Succession |
Loudon's Highlanders, also known as the 64th Highlanders, was a special infantry unit in the British Army. This regiment was made up of soldiers from the Scottish Highlands. It existed for a short time, from 1745 to 1748.
Contents
History of Loudon's Highlanders
Forming the Regiment
After the brave actions of the 43rd Highlanders (later called the 42nd) at the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745, the British government wanted more Highland soldiers. They saw how good these soldiers were. So, they decided to create another Highland regiment.
John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun was given the job of raising this new unit. Important Scottish noblemen and chiefs helped him. Their sons and relatives became officers in the regiment.
The regiment was formed in August 1745 in Inverness and Perth. The Earl of Loudoun was its leader for its entire existence. By June 1745, the regiment had 1,250 men. They were organized into twelve companies. By August, it grew to twenty companies.
The soldiers wore a unique tartan pattern. It had blue and green squares with thick black lines around the blue. It also had thin red lines on the blue and yellow lines on the green. This was different from the famous Black Watch tartan. Lord Loudoun wanted a red tartan for his men, but he never got it.
Fighting in the Jacobite Rising of 1745
The regiment took part in the Jacobite rising of 1745. This was a fight between the British Government and supporters of Charles Edward Stuart, who wanted to become king.
In September 1745, Loudon's Highlanders fought at the Battle of Prestonpans. They were defeated there, and many soldiers were captured. However, they were later set free.
Three companies of Loudon's Highlanders fought for the British Government at the Battle of Culloden in April 1746. They won this important battle. One company from the 43rd Highlanders (Black Watch) also fought alongside them. During the battle, Captain Campbell and six soldiers from the regiment were killed. Two more were wounded.
After the victory at Culloden, the regiment helped search for the Jacobite leader, Charles Edward Stuart. Under Grant of Knockando, they almost caught him in August 1746. But he managed to get away.
Serving in the War of Austrian Succession
In 1747, the regiment was officially called the 64th Foot. They then served in the War of the Austrian Succession.
They fought bravely at the siege of Bergen op Zoom. This was a very tough battle. Out of 1,450 soldiers, over one thousand were killed or wounded. The regiment showed great courage there.
Loudon's Highlanders was officially ended, or disbanded, in 1748.
Important Officers
Many notable officers served in Loudon's Highlanders. These included:
- Captain John Murray: He was the son of Lord George Murray, a famous general.
- Captain Sir Harry Munro, 7th Baronet: His father was Colonel Sir Robert Munro, 6th Baronet.
- Captain Alexander Mackay: He was the son of George Mackay, 3rd Lord Reay.
- Captain Ewen Macpherson of Cluny: He was a chief of Clan Macpherson. He later joined the Jacobite side.
- Captain John Sutherland of Forse: He was from Clan Sutherland.
- Lieutenant John Campbell, of Strachur: He later became a general in the army.
- Lieutenant John Robertson or Reid: He also became a general in the army.
See also
