BattlefieldsGovernment occupation of Aberdeen December 1745 to April 1746
Jacobite Risings

Government occupation of Aberdeen December 1745 to April 1746

1745–1746
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Also known as: Aberdeen retaken by government 1745 · Cumberland winter quarters Aberdeen 1745-46
Era
Jacobite Risings
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Jacobites
Forces
Jacobite Lord Lewis Gordon forces pushed north
VS
Victor
Government
Forces
Government army (Cumberland) c.8,000 in winter quarters
Outcome
Government army under Cumberland occupies Aberdeen as winter quarters; Jacobite northeast network disrupted
The Battle

History & Significance

In December 1745, government forces retook Aberdeen from Lord Lewis Gordon's Jacobite garrison. The Duke of Cumberland then established his winter headquarters in the city. From February to April 1746, Cumberland used Aberdeen as his base while methodically preparing his army for the Highland campaign. He drilled his men in countermeasures against the Highland charge, including the famous bayonet drill (each man bayonets the man to his right, attacking an opponent rather than the man in front). This preparation was crucial to the disciplined government response at Culloden. Gordon's Jacobite forces were pushed north of the Spey.

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