Scottish Highlanders Charge to Victory

The Scottish Highlanders' Victory at Prestonpans

On September 21, 1745, Charles Edward Stuart, also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, led the Scottish Highlanders to a decisive victory over the British army at Prestonpans, Scotland. The Highlanders, armed with swords, charged the British lines and won the battle. This unexpected victory was a turning point in the Jacobite Rising of 1745.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that the Scottish Highlanders were no match for the well-trained and well-equipped British army. The standard story goes that the Highlanders were primitive warriors who relied on brute force and luck to win battles. However, this narrative oversimplifies the complexity of the Jacobite Rising and the military tactics employed by the Highlanders.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Christopher Duffy, in his book "The '45: Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Rising of 1745", argues that the Highlanders' victory at Prestonpans was the result of careful planning and execution. On August 19, 1745, Charles Edward Stuart raised his standard at Glenfinnan, marking the beginning of the Jacobite Rising. By September 1745, the Highlanders had assembled a significant force, which they used to launch a surprise attack on the British army at Prestonpans. The Highlanders' use of a tactical formation known as the "highland charge" proved to be the decisive factor in the battle, allowing them to break through the British lines and secure a decisive victory. Historian Frank McLynn, in his book "Charles Edward Stuart: A Tragedy in Many Acts", notes that the British army was caught off guard by the speed and ferocity of the Highlanders' attack, which was led by seasoned military leaders such as Lord George Murray and Lord Drummond. On the day of the battle, the British army was commanded by Sir John Cope, who had previously underestimated the strength and determination of the Highlanders. As the Highlanders charged, the British lines wavered, and soon the entire army was in full retreat. The victory at Prestonpans was a significant boost to the Jacobite cause, and it paved the way for the Highlanders' march into England, which began on October 31, 1745.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Thomas Carlyle and John Prebble deliberately downplayed the significance of the Scottish Highlanders' victory, focusing instead on the broader context of the Jacobite risings. The British government, led by the Duke of Cumberland, actively worked to suppress the story, executing or imprisoning many of the Highlanders who had participated in the battle. The destruction of records and documents by British forces further contributed to the erasure of this event from popular history. Specifically, the British Army's destruction of the Highlanders' clan records and the prohibition on speaking Gaelic or wearing traditional Highland dress made it difficult for the story to be passed down through generations. The British government's decision to impose harsh penalties on those who participated in the battle also discouraged people from sharing their experiences.

The Ripple Effect

The Scottish Highlanders' victory led to a significant shift in British military strategy, with the British Army adopting more flexible and adaptive tactics to counter the Highlanders' unconventional warfare methods. This change is evident in the British Army's later campaigns in North America and India. The Highlanders' use of swords and guerrilla warfare also influenced the development of modern infantry tactics. For example, the British Army's 42nd Royal Highland Regiment, which was formed in the aftermath of the Jacobite risings, still maintains a tradition of carrying swords into battle, a direct legacy of the Highlanders' bravery. The regiment's continued existence is a concrete reminder of the impact of the Highlanders' victory on British military history.

The Line That Says It All

The British government's official records of the battle list 300 British soldiers killed and over 1,000 wounded, while the Highlanders suffered fewer than 100 casualties, a stark testament to the effectiveness of their unorthodox tactics.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Jacobite risings and the history of the Scottish Highlands.