Siege of Ruthven Barracks (1746) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Ruthven Barracks (1746)
Part of the Jacobite rising of 1745
Present-day view of Ruthven Barracks
Date 10–11 February 1746 Location Ruthven, Scotland, Great Britain Result Jacobite victory
Belligerents
Jacobites	Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
John Gordon	Terrance Molloy
Strength
300	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

The siege of Ruthven Barracks was an important event during the Jacobite rising of 1745. It happened on February 10 and 11, 1746. During this time, a group called the Jacobites attacked a strong building known as Ruthven Barracks in Scotland.

What Was the Jacobite Rising?

The Jacobite rising of 1745 was a big fight in Great Britain. It was about who should be king. The Jacobites wanted to put Prince Charles Edward Stuart (also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie) on the throne. He was from the old royal family. The other side was the British Government, who supported King George II.

Who Were the Jacobites?

The Jacobites were supporters of the Stuart royal family. They believed the Stuarts were the rightful rulers of Britain. Many Jacobites were from the Scottish Highlands. They fought against the British Government's army.

What Were Ruthven Barracks?

Ruthven Barracks was a strong stone fort built by the British Government. It was in the Scottish Highlands. The barracks were used to house soldiers. These soldiers helped the government keep control of the area. They also stopped Jacobite supporters from causing trouble.

The First Attack: August 1745

The Jacobites tried to capture Ruthven Barracks before. This first attempt happened in August 1745. A small group of government soldiers defended the barracks. They were able to stop the Jacobites. The Jacobites had to leave without taking the fort.

The Second Attack: February 1746

The Jacobites came back to Ruthven Barracks in February 1746. This time, they were much better prepared. They brought cannons with them. Cannons were very powerful weapons. They could break down strong walls.

The Surrender

The government soldiers inside the barracks knew they could not win. The Jacobites had cannons, which made the fort unsafe. So, the government soldiers decided to surrender. This means they gave up the fight. The Jacobites won this battle.

What Happened Next?

After the government soldiers surrendered, the Jacobites burned Ruthven Barracks. They wanted to make sure the government could not use it again. However, the damage was not too bad. The barracks were still used after this event.

See Also

• Siege of Ruthven Barracks (1745)
• Jacobite risings
• Jacobite rising of 1745