The Second Battle of Preston, 1715

The Second Battle of Preston, 1715 Synopsis

The second battle of Preston was the first battle of the Jacobite rebellion of 1715 and was the last to be fought on English soil. This book provides a new account of the events leading up to the campaign, focussing on events in England but not neglecting those in Scotland and on the Continent. It then moves onto explore the movements of both armies, British and Jacobite, and not neglecting civilian forces, as they marched through Northumberland, the Scottish Lowlands and then in Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire. It deals with both strategic as well as the tactical, with civilian as well as military actions. Both armies, generals, officers and men, are then examined; who they were, their strengths and weaknesses. Their training, equipment, origins and experience are surveyed. The main chapter concerns the three day battle of Preston. It shows how the armies prepared for battle and how their initial deployments were made and why. There is then a detailed narrative of the attacks on the Jacobite positions in Preston by the British forces led by General Wills. The fighting is given in detail, with analysis. The second and third days of the conflict, focussing on the surrender negotiations and the dissension am on the Jacobite army, prior to their total capitulation. The importance of the battle is analysed. Finally, there is the need to count the cost of the battle. This had been heavy for the attacking army and light for the defenders. However, the cost to the defeated army was only apparent after the defeat. Some were executed but far more were transported to the American colonies and the West Indies, others died in gaol; finally in 1717 the remainder were released. The appendices give listings of some of the men who fought the battle, with their parish of origin and former occupations.