As Argyll's army advanced toward Sheriffmuir, government cavalry patrols rode through the burned ruins of Auchterarder. They encountered Jacobite cavalry screening Mar's right flank and a sharp cavalry skirmish occurred in and around the smoldering town. The Jacobite horse attempted to delay Argyll's advance guard while the main army took position on Sheriffmuir. Government dragoons pressed forward through the ruined town. The skirmish at Auchterarder was one of several cavalry contacts in the hours before the main battle — actions that demonstrated Mar had cavalry capable of screening operations even if his infantry employment was disastrous.
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