The Jacobite Papers - 1st September 1745

Current Situation

Winning the Battle of Rannoch has caused some serious problems in your army, a number of highlanders appear to have taken leave of absence whilst some 300 former government troops have joined the ranks of your forces, overall it evens out.

What to do with the captured men was the next problem, in the end it is determined to move the captives to Blair Athol under the protection of the Robertson Regiment, this is their home territory and they will be able to raise a second battalion whilst guarding the prisoners.

Wagons were rounded up to transport arms and artillery and other booty from the battlefield - 100 horses were recovered and volunteers were obtained who enabled the re-fitting of Pitslgo’s horse to their original numbers.

The McDonald Division under young Donald McDonald, a mere boy of 23 years, marches south to join the Prince in Carlise, with him is taken the captured artillery train which slows his progress mightily, not reaching the English city until 1st September.

Cromarty then leads the rest of his army back to Edinburgh, with a view to secure the Scottish capital. On reaching the city they surprise the garrison that in the absence of the Prince’s forces had sallied forth and done great injury to the prince’s supporters. In the race for the Castle gate the Farquharson regiment were literally within a dozen strides of the gate before it was closed.

The Prince has surrounded Carlisle and laid siege to the city which as yet has not capitulated, with the arrival of additional guns from Rannoch then the garrison could not be expected to last long. There are reports of government transports laying off the shore at Whitehaven, not putting into port, their cargo is unknown.

Recruiting & Spies etc
Agents tell you that Wade has moved a force by ship to the Western Isles with a view to sack the McDonald homelands. Spies on the continent report large numbers of English and Dutch troops being prepared for sailings to Britain.

It is thought that the Hanoverian King may even return to England to rally his defeated armies.

Whig militias are being raised in Glasgow, Paisley and Lanark however they have very few weapons at hand. The Campbells are beginning to stir, it is likely that they would be able to field a number of militia battalions.

Dudley Bradshaw a gentleman from Dublin by way of London has presented himself to you in Carlisle. He states that he is prepared to offer his services to the Prince. He maintains that he is versed in the ways of Spies and Agents and would do your bidding as you please. He brings news that Huske has landed at Newcastle with 3,000 men

In France the latest news is mixed, there is disappointment in the loss at Elgin but this will be countered by the Rannoch triumph as soon as this is heard about. They have provided a battalion of marines plus siege guns in Flanders and the services of the excellent Colonel Grant an expert in siege warfare and engineering.