CULLODEN

CULLODEN, a place in Scotland within two miles of Inverness, chiefly remarkable for a complete victory gained over the rebels on the 16th of April 1746. That day the royal army, commanded by the late duke of Cumberland, began their march from Nairn, formed into five lines of three battalions each; headed by major-general Huske on the left, lord Semple on the right, and brigadier Mordaunt in the centre; flanked by the horse under the generals Hawley and Bland, who at the same time covered the cannon on the right and left. In this order they marched about eight miles, when a detachment of Kingston's horse, and of the Highlanders, having advanced before the rest of the army, discovered the van of the rebels commanded by the young pretender. Both armies immediately formed in the order and numbers, shown in the annexed scheme.

About two in the afternoon the rebels began to cannonade the king's army: but their artillery being ill served, did little execution; while the fire from their enemies was severely felt, and occasioned great disorder.

disorder. The rebels then made a push at the right of the royal army, in order to draw the troops forward; but finding themselves disappointed, they turned their whole force on the left; falling chiefly on Barrill's and Monro's regiments, where they attempted to flank the king's front-line. But this design also was defeated by the advancing of Wolfe's regiment, while in the mean time the cannon kept playing upon them with cartridge-shot. General Hawley, with some Highlanders, had opened a passage through some stone-walls to the right for the horse which advanced on that side; while the horse on the king's right wheeled off upon their left, dispersed their body of reserve, and met in the centre of their front-line in their rear; when being repulsed in the front, and great numbers of them cut off, the rebels fell into very great confusion.

A dreadful carnage was made by the cavalry on their backs; however, some part of the foot still preserved their order: but the Kingston's horse, from the reserve, galloped up briskly, and falling on the fugitives, did terrible execution. A total defeat instantly took place, with the loss of 2500 killed, wounded, and prisoners, on the part of the rebels; while the royalists lost not above 200. The young pretender had his horse shot under him during the engagement; and after the battle retired to the house of a factor of lord Lovat, about ten miles from Inverness, where he staid that night. Next day he set out for Fort-Augustus, from whence he pursued his journey through wild deserts with great difficulty and distress, till at last he safely reached France, as related under the article BRITAIN, n^o 418. (Encycl.)

Park wall, broke down by the Campbells.