BattlefieldsDrumclog 1679
English Civil War

Drumclog 1679

1679
Scotland
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Government dragoons
Forces
armed Covenanting conventicle force
VS
Victor
Covenanters
Forces
Government dragoons under Claverhouse
Outcome
Covenanting victory; Claverhouse routed and escaped with heavy losses
The Battle

History & Significance

On 1 June 1679 Claverhouse's dragoons attacked a large armed conventicle at Drumclog in Ayrshire. The Covenanters, far from being unarmed worshippers, were led by experienced soldiers and defended a boggy position. Claverhouse's cavalry charged but were repulsed by musket fire and the Covenanting foot, who countercharged and routed the government dragoons. Claverhouse himself barely escaped with his life.

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