BattlefieldsJacobite retreat skirmish at Clifton Moor approach 1745
Jacobite Risings

Jacobite retreat skirmish at Clifton Moor approach 1745

1745
Westmorland, England
Also known as: Action near Clifton December 1745 · Retreat skirmish Westmorland 1745
Era
Jacobite Risings
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Westmorland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Government (Cumberland dragoons)
Forces
Cumberland dragoons
VS
Victor
Jacobites (rearguard)
Forces
Jacobite rearguard (Glengarry MacDonalds, Stewarts of Appin, Cluny MacPhersons)
Outcome
Jacobite rearguard holds off Cumberland's pursuing cavalry in approach to Clifton village
The Battle

History & Significance

During the retreat northward from Derby in December 1745, Cumberland's cavalry pressed hard on the Jacobite rearguard. Lord George Murray commanded the rearguard with skill, fighting a series of delaying actions through Westmorland. The approach to Clifton — where the main action was fought in the fields south of the village — involved preliminary skirmishing as the Jacobite rearguard sought good defensive ground. Murray's determination to stand and fight at Clifton, rather than continue a running retreat, was tactically sound and gave the main Jacobite army time to cross the Esk into Scotland.

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