|
During the Second Jacobite Rising, the Battle of Falkirk was the
last noteworthy Jacobite success. After turning back from the London
campaign for winter, the Jacobite Army returned to Scotland and besieged
Major General Blakeney in Stirling
Castle. Lieutenant General Henry Hawley led his troops from Edinburgh
to relieve Blakeney. On 17 January 1746 he engaged the Jacobites on
Falkirk Moor, but his cannons were not able to be effectively drawn to the
battle field.
He relied on cavalry to rout the Jacobite troops, but his dragoons'
charge failed under a severe volley from the Highlanders and they
retreated, in turn causing the royal troops to flee the field.
Around 350 royal troops were killed, wounded or missing, and some 300
captured. The Jacobite losses were around 50 dead and 70 wounded.
However, the Jacobite army was destroyed several weeks later at Culloden
Moor, near Inverness.
|
|
