On the night of 15–16 April 1746 — the eve of Culloden — Lord George Murray led the Jacobite army on a night march to surprise Cumberland's camp at Nairn while the government troops celebrated Cumberland's birthday. The column lost its way in the darkness, fell behind schedule, and Murray abandoned the attack at 2am, ordering a retreat to Culloden. The army had marched all night on empty stomachs and arrived at Culloden exhausted. Many fell asleep where they stood. When Cumberland advanced next morning, the Jacobites were in no condition to fight — but fought anyway. The failed night march is one of the great might-have-beens of the '45.
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