On 4 December 1745, the Jacobite army reached Derby — just 127 miles from London. The capital was in near-panic: the Bank of England paid in sixpences to slow a run on its reserves. At a council of war on 5 December, Lord George Murray argued persuasively that the promised English support had not materialised, that three government armies were converging, and that retreat to Scotland was the only sensible option. Charles was furious and never forgave Murray. The Black Friday panic in London showed how close the Jacobites came — but the strategic logic of retreat was sound. Charles never regained his spirits after Derby. He is said never to have smiled again after the retreat was ordered.
Jacobite army c.5,000; three converging government armies totalling c.30,000
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