March to Derby
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The Highland regiments were commanded by their chiefs, and generally officered by the kinsmen of that dignitary, according as they were near of kin. Each regiment had two captains, two lieutenants, and two ensigns. The front rank of the regiments was filled by men of good birth, who in the Highlands, however poor in fortune, are styled as gentlemen, and who had for pay one shilling a day, while that of the ordinary man was only sixpence. The pay of the captains was half-a-crown, and the lieutenants two shillings, of the ensigns one shilling and sixpence. Each of the gentlemen of the front rank was completely armed, in the fashion of the Highlanders, with a musket, a broadsword, a pair of pistols, a dirk at the belt to which were attached a knife and fork; the left arm sustained a round target, made of wood and leather, and studded with nails; and some who chose to be armed with extraordinary care, besides the dagger at the belt, carried a smaller one stuck into the garter of the right leg, which they could use in certain situations, when the other was beyond their reach. The undistinguished warriors of the rear ranks were in general armed in a much inferior manner, many of them wanting targets.
History of the Rebellion of 1745 by Robert Chambers, Edinburgh, 1869, pages 172 & 173  Portobello Sands
October 1745 The closing days of October saw Charles in possession of an army of between 5000 and 6000 men, with a small park of artillery, and abundance of arms and ammunition, while still further reinforcements were preparing for him in the north, though not likely to join immediately. At the same time large bodies of troops were collecting against him in England, and even in the north of Scotland. In such circumstances, it would have been difficult for the most prudent head to say what step ought to be taken. Charles, who had had no maxim in the business but that the nearer he could advance to the seat of government the better, determined for the most vigorous course, and surprised his council one day by the announcement that he designed to march for Newcastle, and give battle to Marshal Wade who, he was convinced, would fly before him. The proposal was combated by the more cautious of his friends, but ultimately agreed to. Orders were now therefore given to call in all the various parties which had been posted in different parts of the country, and the Chevalier held a final review of his whole force upon the beach betwixt Leith and Musselburgh now known by the name of Portobello Sands.
Boyse's History, page 95 & History of the Rebellion of 1745-6, Robert Chambers, Edinburgh 1869, page 170  Fields at Shap
This document is a detailed account of Bonnie Prince Charlie's March into England and his return to Scotland. The text has not been amended or altered in any way.
JOURNAL of the Marches of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent's Army, from the Time they entered England the 8th of November, till their Return to Scotland, the 20th December, 1745. His Royal Highness entered England, Friday the 8th Day of November, in the Evening, and quartered at Redings all Night. The 9th, His Royal Highness passed the Water of Eden at Rockley, about Two in the Afternoon, with the first Column, and quartered that Night in the Villages West from Carlisle. The next Morning, being Saturday the 10th, Carlisle was blockaded on all Hands, and the Cannon were brought up, in order to raise a Battery that Night, but Intelligence being come, that General Wade was marching towards Carlisle, His Royal Highness went early on Monday the 11th, to Brampton, being seven Miles on the Road to Newcastle, in order to meet Marshal Wade's Army, and give him Battle: But, after waiting there two Days, and having certain Intelligence that the Troops near Newcastle declined coming forward, His Royal Highness ordered Carlisle to be again blockaded, which was done accordingly by Half of the Army on Wednesday Night, being the 13th, whilst His Royal Highness continued with the other Half at Brambton, as the most convenient Post to attack the Enemy, had they ventured to relieve Carlisle. The Trenches were opened that Night at about Musket-shot from the Walls of the Town, about Midway betwixt the English and Scots Ports, and thirteen Cannon were brought up, in order to batter the Town; but this was prevented by the Town's Capitulating on Thursday the I4th, and His Royal Highness's Troops took Possession of the Town and Castle on Friddy (sic) Morning, after the Town got full Security for their Liberties, & according to the Capitulation. During both Times that Carlisle was blockaded, there was but one Man killed, and one wounded. The Militia that served in Carlisle, all the Inhabitants of the City, as well as the Neighbourhood, can testify the exact Discipline of his Royal Highness's Army, who paid for everything. All the Subjects were protected in the full Enjoyment of their Liberties and Properties. His Royal Highness, with his Army, halted at Carlisle, and the Neighbourhood, till the 20th, of November, which Day the Van marched to Penrith. The 21st, the Van went to Shap, and the main Body came to Penrith. The 22nd, the Van marched to Kendal, and the main Body halted at Penrith. The 23rd, the main Body came to Kendal. The 24th, the Van marched to Lancaster, and the main Body halted at Kendal. The 25th, the Van marched to Preston, and the main Body to Lancaster. The 26th, the Van passed Preston, and quartered at the Village on the other Side of the Bridge, and the main Body came to Preston. The 27th, the whole Army halted. The 28th, marched to Wiggan, and the Villages near to it. The 29th, all the Army marched to Manchester, halted there the 30th. The 1st, December, the Army marched to Macclesfield. The 2nd, the Van marched to Congleton, (within nine Miles of Newcastle Under-Line) where the main Body of the Duke of Cumberland's Army lay, from which a Detachment was sent towards Newcastle for Intelligence, and within three Miles of that Place, the said Detachment took Mr. Wear (or Weir) their Principal Spy, Prisoner, and brought him to Congleton, upon which the Duke of Cumberland's Army retired to Litchfield. The Prince Regent having Intelligence of his Retreat from Newcastle Under-Line, marched for Derby by Ashburn. The 3rd, the Van marched to Ashburn by Leek. The main Body rested the 2nd at Macelesfield, and marched the 3rd to Leek. The 4th, the whole Army went to Derby, where they stayed all the 5th; and in a Council of War held in his Royal Highness's Presence, Dispatches of Importance being received, it was resolved to return to Scotland; and the next Day, being the 6th, they returned to Ashburn. The 7th, they marched to Leek, and on the 8th to Macclesfield. The 9th, the whole Army marched to Manchester. The 10th, they marched to Wiggan, and the 11th, to Preston, where they halted the 12th. The 13th, marched to Lancaster, halted the 14th; which Day a reconnoitering Party took two of the Duke of Cumberland's Men, called Rangers. The 15th, marched to Kendal. The 16th, Skirmish at Shap Historical Papers 1699 - 1750 Vol 1, Appendix XXLL, New Spalding Club 1894-95  Lord Elcho
According to Lord Elcho:
"Lord George told him that it was the opinion of Every body present that the Scots had done all that could be Expected of them. That they had marched into the heart of England ready to join with any party that would declare for him, that none had, and the Counties through which the Army had pass'd had Seemed much more Enemies than friends to his Cause, that there was no French Landed in England, and that if there was any party in England for him, it was very odd that they had never so much as Either sent him money or intelligence or the lease advice what to do... Suppose even the Army march'd on and beat the Duke of Cumberland yett in the Battle they must Lose some men, and they had after that the King's own army consisting of near 7000 men near London to deal with...that certainly 4500 Scots had never thought of putting a King upon the English Throne by themselves..." Attributed to Erskine printed in Lyon in Mourning by Bishop Forbes, Vol.3, pages 18-21 |