BattlefieldsLeslie retreat from Dunbar to Stirling 1650
English Civil War

Leslie retreat from Dunbar to Stirling 1650

1650
Midlothian, Scotland
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Midlothian, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Scottish army
Forces
retreating Scottish army remnants
VS
Victor
Cromwellian forces
Forces
Cromwellian cavalry pursuit
Outcome
Scottish army in disorganised retreat; thousands captured; Leslie rebuilt force at Stirling
The Battle

History & Significance

After the catastrophic defeat at Dunbar on 3 September 1650, the shattered remnants of Leslie's Scottish army retreated westward. The pursuit by Cromwell's cavalry was limited by exhaustion on both sides but thousands of prisoners were taken. The retreat through the Lothians to Stirling was a demoralising experience for the Scots, losing cohesion and men as they withdrew. Leslie eventually reconstituted a force behind the Forth.

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