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Clifton Moor Skirmish | |||||||
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Part of the Jacobite rising of 1745 | |||||||
Action at Clifton Hall, the 18th of December, James Johnstone | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Jacobites | British Government | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
George Murray |
Duke of Cumberland Philip Honywood[1] | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
400-500 | 300 | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
13 killed and wounded | 14 killed and wounded |
The Clifton Moor Skirmish took place on the evening of Wednesday 18 December during the Jacobite rising of 1745. Following the decision to retreat from Derby on 6 December, the fast-moving Jacobite army split into three smaller columns; on the morning of 18th, a small force of dragoons led by Cumberland and Sir Philip Honywood made contact with the Jacobite rearguard, at that point 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.
Sometimes suggested as the last battle on English soil, there are numerous other claimants, such as the 1940 Battle of Graveney Marsh on the Kent coast.