Series 2 > Origins of the 'Forty-five

414 A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLES OF
OF THE BATTLE OF CULLODEN,
fought April 16th, 1746
As soon as certain intelligence was brought that the
Duke of Cumberland had begun his march from Aberdeen
northwards, the Prince sent orders to Ross, Sutherland,
Lochaber, and Badenoch, that all the detachments of his
army, in these places, should join him immediately at
Inverness.
The Duke of Cumberland passed the Spey on the 13th,
and on the 14th encamped at Naim, about 10 miles from
Culloden. On this the Prince assembled his men in and
about Inverness, and marched at their head to Culloden-
house, where he lay that night, and the troops encamped
in the Parks.
Early next morning, the Prince drew up his army in
line of battle, upon Drummossie muir, south of the house
and parks of Culloden, as he expected that the Duke of
Cumberland would have attacked him that day, being his
birth-day.
About noon, when we were informed that he had not
moved, it was proposed to the Prince to make a night
attack upon him, in his camp at Nairn. Various were the
reasons for and against this proposal. And after consider¬
ing them fully, the Prince approved of the project, as the
most probable chance he had of beating the enemy;
provided they could be surprised by one o’clock of the
morning.
We must here observe, that the Duke of Cumberland’s
army was double the number of ours, plentifully provided
with money and provisions of all kinds ; having a squadron
of ships, loaded with stores, that coasted along, from
Aberdeen to Inverness, in sight of his army, to supply
him with whatever was necessary. Whereas our military
chest was spent; the men had not received pay for some
time, had got no provisions this day but a single bisket
each, and were much fatigued by severe duty.