Clifton Moor Skirmish 1745

The Clifton Moor Skirmish (also referred to as the Battle of Clifton Moor or Clifton Moor Action) took place on the evening of Wednesday 18 December during the Jacobite rising of 1745. Following the decision of the council of Charles Edward Stuart 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. The battle is considered to be one of the last battles on British soil.