The Clifton Moor Skirmish, 1745

The Clifton Moor Skirmish, which took place on the evening of Wednesday 18 December 1745, was a significant event in the Jacobite rising of 1745. The Jacobite army, led by Prince Charles Edward Stuart (also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie), had been in retreat following their decision to retreat from Derby on 6 December. The fast-moving Jacobite army had split into three smaller columns, and on the morning of 18th, a small force of dragoons led by Cumberland and Sir Philip Honywood made contact with the Jacobite rearguard, which was then commanded by Lord George Murray.

Murray ordered his baggage train to continue its retreat towards Penrith while he delayed Cumberland’s force. The action did not begin until late afternoon, in failing light and heavy rain. While technically a draw, it enabled Murray to retreat in good order and escape into Scotland.

The Clifton Moor Skirmish is sometimes suggested as the last battle on English soil, however, there are numerous other claimants, such as the 1940 Battle of Graveney Marsh on the Kent coast.

The Jacobite army’s retreat from Derby was a significant turning point in the rising. On the first night of the retreat, the Jacobite army stayed in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. They reached Leek the following day and on the 9th, both Jacobite divisions met on the road to Manchester. The Jacobite army left Manchester on the 10th and reached Wigan that night. The next day they reached Preston; the Duke of Perth was sent north with a cavalry escort to bring back reinforcements from Scotland. Prince Charles and the main army arrived in Lancaster on the evening of the 13th; the Jacobite commanders considered staying there and fighting, but their lieutenant-general Lord George Murray had also received reports that a large body of General George Wade’s dragoons had entered Preston shortly after the Jacobite departure. Charles changed his mind and decided to continue northwards.

The government forces under Wade and the Duke of Cumberland arrived at Macclesfield on 10 December, where Cumberland was told the Jacobites had left Manchester that day. Leaving Lancaster on 15 December, Charles’ army was scarcely out of the town when an advance guard of government horse entered it. The Jacobites formed in order of battle, but upon the alarm turning out to be false, the army to continued to Kendal.

The army entered Kendal that night, where they were met by Perth and his party, who had turned back after being attacked by militia at Penrith. On Murray’s advice the Jacobite army passed the night of 16 December at Shap, arriving at the village of Clifton the following day.

When Charles and the lead Jacobite forces had reached Penrith, the rearguard, under Murray, left Shap on the morning of 18 December, followed at a distance by local militia. Around 200 to 300 government cavalry formed up on Thrimby Hill in the rearguard’s path; unsure of the size of the forces facing him, Murray initially held his position.

The skirmish at Clifton Moor was a significant event in the Jacobite rising of 1745. Lord George Murray’s successful delaying action enabled the Jacobite army to retreat in good order and escape into Scotland. This battle, while technically a draw, was a crucial moment in the Jacobite campaign and allows a glimpse into the tactics and strategies used by both sides during this tumultuous period of British history.