Prince Charles Edward Stuart, grandson of James II, sought to take the throne from the House of Hanover. Most of those supporting Prince Charles, now more commonly known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, were Scottish clansman from the Highlands. His opponent, led by the Duke of Cumberland, William Augustus, fought for King George II.
The National Trust for Scotland describes the battle thusly:
"Towards one o'clock, the Jacobite artillery opened fire on government soldiers. The government responded with their own cannon, and the Battle of Culloden began.
Bombarded by cannon shot and mortar bombs, the Jacobite clans held back, waiting for the order to attack. At last they moved forwards, through hail, smoke, murderous gunfire and grapeshot. Around eighty paces from their enemy they started to fire their muskets and charged. Some fought ferociously. Others never reached their goal. The government troops had finally worked out bayonet tactics to challenge the dreaded Highland charge and broadsword. The Jacobites lost momentum, wavered, then fled.
Hardly an hour had passed between the first shots and the final flight of the Prince's army. Although a short battle by European standards, it was an exceptionally bloody one."
According to staff at the Visitor Center at Culloden, this battle was the last "pitched" battle fought on British soil. The results were tragic for the Highlanders. The National Trust for Scotland writes:
Following his victory at Culloden, the Duke of Cumberland was determined to eliminate the Jacobite threat once and for all. He wanted revenge: his army would crush the unruly Highlands, capture the Prince, and return to the main war in Flanders as soon as possible. There was to be no question of a further rebellion.
Within a few days of the battle, around 1,500 Jacobite soldiers gathered at Ruthven Barracks, ready to continue the campaign. To their surprise Charles gave the order to disperse and then went into hiding. For him, the Rising was over.
Unopposed, the government sent its army and navy across Scotland, punishing anyone suspected of Jacobite sympathies. The policy of 'pacification' of the Highlands had begun.
The government began to dismantle the structures of Highland society. Chiefs were deprived of their legal powers and clansmen of their weapons. Jacobite estates were seized by the Crown. The kilt and tartan were banned.
On his return to France, Prince Charles Edward Stuart was the hero of Europe. The story of his bold expedition and romantic escape made him the biggest celebrity of his time."
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