Battles & Campaigns · 1745
Clifton Moor Skirmish
Clifton, Cumbria, England
What happened
The Jacobite army was retreating north to Scotland after turning back at Derby. Near Clifton, on a dark, rainy evening, government dragoons caught up with Murray's rearguard, and Murray's men pushed them back across the moor.
Why it matters
The skirmish let the Jacobite rearguard get away and rejoin the main army. It is often called one of the last battles fought on British soil, though historians disagree about that.
What came next
The rearguard rejoined Charles Edward Stuart at Penrith the next day, and the retreat to Scotland continued.
Did you know?
A musket ball is said to have passed through Murray's long wig, just missing him.
Timeline
- 5 Dec 1745The Jacobites decide at Derby to retreat.
- 18 Dec 1745Skirmish at Clifton Moor.
- 19 Dec 1745Rearguard rejoins the main army at Penrith.