Battle of Falkirk (1746)
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| Second Jacobite Rising |
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| Prestonpans – Falkirk – Culloden |
During the Second Jacobite Rising, the Battle of Falkirk was the last noteworthy Jacobite success. After turning back from the London campaign for winter, the Jacobite Army returned to Scotland and besieged Major General Blakeney in Stirling Castle. Lieutenant General Henry Hawley led his troops from Edinburgh to relieve Blakeney. On 17 January 1746 he engaged the Jacobites on Falkirk Moor, but his cannons were not able to be effectively drawn to the battle field.
He relied on cavalry to rout the Jacobite troops, but his dragoons' charge failed under a severe volley from the Highlanders and they retreated, in turn causing the foot regiments of the Royal army to flee the field.
It is said that Sir John Cope made ₤10,000 in a wager that his successor would be beaten by the Highlanders as he had been.
Around 350 royal troops were killed, wounded or missing, and some 300 captured. The Jacobite losses were around 50 dead and 70 wounded.
However, the Jacobite army was destroyed several weeks later at Culloden Moor, near Inverness.
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