Lord George Murray, 1694-1760
Son of John Murray 1st Duke of Atholl. He was born at Huntingtower near Perth on the 4th October 1694. He married Amelia Murray daughter and heiress of James Murray of Strowan and Glencarse in 1728. They had three sons and two daughters. His eldest son John became 3rd Duke of Atholl in 1764. Lord George died at Medemblink, Holland 11th October 1760. Considered the military genius of the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion but never outgrew his boyhood. The proud and petulant spirit he exhibited in the schoolroom at Perth in 1710, when he pleaded with his father to send him to another seminary, because he conceived his tutor had affronted him, through refusing a privilege he was disposed to abuse, was charismatic all his life, and explains the bickerings at Charles' council table. Reserved and haughty, he had never won affections as did his companion-in-arms, Lord Lewis Gordon.
Historic Papers 1600-1750, Vol 2, page 13, published by the New Spalding Club
Historic Papers 1600-1750, Vol 2, page 13, published by the New Spalding Club
Lord George Murray was involved in the 1715 Jacobite uprising. In 1719 he was one of the few members of the Scottish aristocracy to join the Spanish forces who were defeated in the Glenshiel battle of 1719. He afterwards served several years as an officer in the king of Sardinia's army but having managed to obtained a pardon from the British government he returned from exile, and was presented to George I. by his brother the now Duke of Atholl.
In September 1745 he joined Prince Charlie when he was in Perth. Prince Charles immediately appointed him to the rank of Lieutenant-General of his army. At the battle of Prestonpans he commanded the left wing of the Jacobite army with great success. “Lord George,” said the Chevalier Johnstone, in his ‘Memoirs of the Rebellion,’ “at the head of the first line, did not give the enemy time to recover from their panic. He advanced with such rapidity that General Cope had hardly time to form his troops in order of battle when the Highlanders rushed upon them, sword in hand, and the English cavalry was instantly thrown into confusion”.
Lord George Murray, who had the charge of all the details of our army, and who had the sole direction of it, possessed a natural genius for military operations; and was a man of surprising talents, which had they been cultivated by the study of military tactics, would unquestionably have rendered him one of the greatest Generals of his age. He was tall and robust, and brave in the highest degree; conducting the Highlanders in the most heroic manner, and always the first to rush; sword in hand, into the midst of the enemy.He used to say, when we advanced to the charge, "I do not ask you, my lads, to go before, but merely to follow me". He slept little, was continually occupied with all manner of details; and was, altogether, most indefatigable,combining and directing alone all our operations: in a word, he was the only person capable of conducting our army. He was vigilant, active and diligent; his plans were always judiciously formed, and he carried them promptly and vigorously into execution. However, with an infinity of good qualities, he was not without his defects: "proud, haughty, blunt, and imperious, he wished to have the exclusive ordering of everything, and, feeling his superiority, he would listen to no advice. Still, it must be owned, that he had no coadjutor capable of advising him, and his having so completely the confidence of his soldiers enabled him to perform wonder."
Memories of the Rebellion by Chevalier Johnstone
Lord George Murray, who had the charge of all the details of our army, and who had the sole direction of it, possessed a natural genius for military operations; and was a man of surprising talents, which had they been cultivated by the study of military tactics, would unquestionably have rendered him one of the greatest Generals of his age. He was tall and robust, and brave in the highest degree; conducting the Highlanders in the most heroic manner, and always the first to rush; sword in hand, into the midst of the enemy.He used to say, when we advanced to the charge, "I do not ask you, my lads, to go before, but merely to follow me". He slept little, was continually occupied with all manner of details; and was, altogether, most indefatigable,combining and directing alone all our operations: in a word, he was the only person capable of conducting our army. He was vigilant, active and diligent; his plans were always judiciously formed, and he carried them promptly and vigorously into execution. However, with an infinity of good qualities, he was not without his defects: "proud, haughty, blunt, and imperious, he wished to have the exclusive ordering of everything, and, feeling his superiority, he would listen to no advice. Still, it must be owned, that he had no coadjutor capable of advising him, and his having so completely the confidence of his soldiers enabled him to perform wonder."
Memories of the Rebellion by Chevalier Johnstone
Battlements of Carlisle Castle
When the Jacobite army arrived at Carlisle on their march to Derby Lord George was put in command of the blockade of Carlisle, which soon surrendered. By this time friction between the leading members of the Jacobite army had began to be evident. Murray of Broughton, Secretary to Prince Charles, who we are told had the “unbounded ambition from the beginning aimed at nothing less than the whole direction and management of everything”, Lord George was induced, at this time, to resign his command as one of the Lieutenant-Generals of the Jacobite army and advised the Prince Charles that he would not desert the cause but would now serve as a volunteer in the army. There was also friction between Lord George and the Duke of Perth who acted as the principal commander at the siege of Carlisle. Lord George, it was thought, was not willing to serve under him for the rest of the campaign. The Duke, however, subsequently declined the principal command and Lord George, who had by this time resumed his original rank, was promoted to General of the Jacobite army. He was the first to recommend the march to Derby, which was reached without a battle. By this time the French had not landed in England with men, arms and money as planned and in addition the English Jacobite's had not having declared their intention of joining the Jacobite army. After considerable argument and discussion a reluctant Prince Charles ordered the Jacobite army back to Scotland.
The Rebel Tree at Clifton
SKIRMISH OF CLIFTON MUIR
In that memorable retreat Lord George commanded the rearguard of the army, and contrived to keep the English forces effectually in check. Being delayed by the breaking down of some baggage wagons the English army came upon him at Clifton in Cumberland. The rear-guard of the Jacobite army under Lord George consisted of about 1000 men. By this time Prince Charles was in Penrith and Lord George asked for reinforcements from the main body of the army. The reinforcements were not sent and Prince Charles sent him orders to continue his retreat. The messenger who brought this order from the Prince was sworn to secrecy and Lord George decided to attack the English with his rear-guard of 1000 men. Lord George drew up his troops in order of battle, and the English, under the Duke of Cumberland, came up just as the sun was setting. After making hasty arrangements, which were not completed till it was quite dark, Lord George made a powerful charge on the English lines lit only by the light of the moon, which fortunately broke at intervals through the dark clouds. The English cavalry were forced back with a severe loss, while the Jacobite's lost only twelve men.
In that memorable retreat Lord George commanded the rearguard of the army, and contrived to keep the English forces effectually in check. Being delayed by the breaking down of some baggage wagons the English army came upon him at Clifton in Cumberland. The rear-guard of the Jacobite army under Lord George consisted of about 1000 men. By this time Prince Charles was in Penrith and Lord George asked for reinforcements from the main body of the army. The reinforcements were not sent and Prince Charles sent him orders to continue his retreat. The messenger who brought this order from the Prince was sworn to secrecy and Lord George decided to attack the English with his rear-guard of 1000 men. Lord George drew up his troops in order of battle, and the English, under the Duke of Cumberland, came up just as the sun was setting. After making hasty arrangements, which were not completed till it was quite dark, Lord George made a powerful charge on the English lines lit only by the light of the moon, which fortunately broke at intervals through the dark clouds. The English cavalry were forced back with a severe loss, while the Jacobite's lost only twelve men.
Battle of Falkirk Memorial
BATTLE OF FALKIRK
At the battle of Falkirk, Lord George had the command of the right wing and placed himself at the head of the Macdonald’s of Keppoch with his drawn sword in his hand, and his target (targe) on his arm. When the English dragoons came within ten or twelve paces of him, he gave the order to fire. “The cavalry closing their ranks, which were opened by this discharge” says Johnstone “put spurs to their horses, and rushed upon the Highlanders at a hard trot, breaking their ranks, and throwing down everything before them. A most extraordinary combat followed. The Highlanders, stretched upon the ground, thrust their dirks into the bellies of the horses: some seized the riders by their clothes, dragged them down, and stabbed them with their dirks; several of them again used pistols, but few of them had sufficient space to handle their swords”. The resulting Jacobite victory, like that at Prestonpans, was, in a great measure, achieved by the personal bravery of Lord George Murray, though the Prince Charles himself was in overall command of the Jacobite army.
At the battle of Falkirk, Lord George had the command of the right wing and placed himself at the head of the Macdonald’s of Keppoch with his drawn sword in his hand, and his target (targe) on his arm. When the English dragoons came within ten or twelve paces of him, he gave the order to fire. “The cavalry closing their ranks, which were opened by this discharge” says Johnstone “put spurs to their horses, and rushed upon the Highlanders at a hard trot, breaking their ranks, and throwing down everything before them. A most extraordinary combat followed. The Highlanders, stretched upon the ground, thrust their dirks into the bellies of the horses: some seized the riders by their clothes, dragged them down, and stabbed them with their dirks; several of them again used pistols, but few of them had sufficient space to handle their swords”. The resulting Jacobite victory, like that at Prestonpans, was, in a great measure, achieved by the personal bravery of Lord George Murray, though the Prince Charles himself was in overall command of the Jacobite army.
Blair Atholl Castle
SIEGE OF BLAIR ATHOLL CASTLE
On arriving at Inverness, Lord George received information of various cruelties practiced by the English troops on the people of Atholl. He “set off instantly”, says Johnstone, “with the clan of Atholl, to take vengeance for these outrages, and he conducted his march so well, passing through, bye-ways across the mountains, that the enemy had no information of his approach. Having planned his march so as to arrive at Atholl in the beginning of the night, the detachment separated, dividing itself into small parties, every gentleman taking the shortest road to his own house”. The English were surprised at their posts. Many were put to the sword, and about 300 were made prisoners. Sir Andrew Anew, who held the Castle of Blair, (Blair Atholl) marched out with a detachment to ascertain who had attacked his posts, but owing to the precautions taken by Lord George, he returned to the castle, without venturing attacking. Lord George then blockaded the castle and garrison. The enemy was reduced to great distress due to the lack of provisions, were expected soon to surrender, when Lord George received an order from the Prince Charles to return to Inverness, due to the advance of the Duke of Cumberland.
On arriving at Inverness, Lord George received information of various cruelties practiced by the English troops on the people of Atholl. He “set off instantly”, says Johnstone, “with the clan of Atholl, to take vengeance for these outrages, and he conducted his march so well, passing through, bye-ways across the mountains, that the enemy had no information of his approach. Having planned his march so as to arrive at Atholl in the beginning of the night, the detachment separated, dividing itself into small parties, every gentleman taking the shortest road to his own house”. The English were surprised at their posts. Many were put to the sword, and about 300 were made prisoners. Sir Andrew Anew, who held the Castle of Blair, (Blair Atholl) marched out with a detachment to ascertain who had attacked his posts, but owing to the precautions taken by Lord George, he returned to the castle, without venturing attacking. Lord George then blockaded the castle and garrison. The enemy was reduced to great distress due to the lack of provisions, were expected soon to surrender, when Lord George received an order from the Prince Charles to return to Inverness, due to the advance of the Duke of Cumberland.
Culloden Memorial Cairn about 1900
BATTLE OF CULLODEN
Prior to the battle of Culloden, Lord George Murray proposed a night march to Nairn, the evening before the subsequent battle of Culloden, with the objective of surprising the English army. He led the van for that attack, but finding that the rear Highlanders did not come up in time, he at once advised a retreat. The following day at the battle of Culloden Lord George commanded the right wing of the prince’s army. The English artillery was rapidly thinning his ranks when he gave the order to charge. The first line of the English army reeled and gave way before them. But their opponents were so numerous that before the Highlanders could reach the second line of the English they were entirely destroyed. On this occasion Lord George displayed all his former heroism. While advancing towards the second English line, in attempting to dismount from his horse, which had become unmanageable, he was thrown; but, recovering himself, he ran to the rear and brought up two or three regiments from the second line of the Highlanders, to support the first. Although they fired on the English, the charge had little effect and the battle of Culloden was effectively lost.
After the Jacobite defeat, Lord George and the other chiefs who remained with the army retired to Ruthven, where they assembled a force of about 3,000 men, but two or three days after the battle they received orders from Prince Charles to disperse. Lord George had written to Prince Charles, pointing out the principal causes, which had led to the loss of the battle, and requesting him to accept the resignation of his commission. He found that it was the intention of the Prince Charles desert the army and depart for France. Lord George sent a message to him requesting him to think again, and advised him to remain in Scotland and try another campaign. He maintained that the Highlanders “could have made a summer’s campaign without the risk of any misfortune”; and “though they had neither money nor magazines, they would not have starved in that season of the year so long as there were sheep and cattle”. On the prince’s escape, Lord George withdrew to the Continent, and having spent some years in France and Italy, died in Holland in 1760.
Compiled from the Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland edited by John & Julia Keay and Encyclopaedia Britannica, Vol. 19, page 39, published by Cambridge University Press, 1911
On the Prince’s escape, Lord George withdrew to the continent, and having spent some years in France and Italy, died in Holland on the 8th July 1760.
Prior to the battle of Culloden, Lord George Murray proposed a night march to Nairn, the evening before the subsequent battle of Culloden, with the objective of surprising the English army. He led the van for that attack, but finding that the rear Highlanders did not come up in time, he at once advised a retreat. The following day at the battle of Culloden Lord George commanded the right wing of the prince’s army. The English artillery was rapidly thinning his ranks when he gave the order to charge. The first line of the English army reeled and gave way before them. But their opponents were so numerous that before the Highlanders could reach the second line of the English they were entirely destroyed. On this occasion Lord George displayed all his former heroism. While advancing towards the second English line, in attempting to dismount from his horse, which had become unmanageable, he was thrown; but, recovering himself, he ran to the rear and brought up two or three regiments from the second line of the Highlanders, to support the first. Although they fired on the English, the charge had little effect and the battle of Culloden was effectively lost.
After the Jacobite defeat, Lord George and the other chiefs who remained with the army retired to Ruthven, where they assembled a force of about 3,000 men, but two or three days after the battle they received orders from Prince Charles to disperse. Lord George had written to Prince Charles, pointing out the principal causes, which had led to the loss of the battle, and requesting him to accept the resignation of his commission. He found that it was the intention of the Prince Charles desert the army and depart for France. Lord George sent a message to him requesting him to think again, and advised him to remain in Scotland and try another campaign. He maintained that the Highlanders “could have made a summer’s campaign without the risk of any misfortune”; and “though they had neither money nor magazines, they would not have starved in that season of the year so long as there were sheep and cattle”. On the prince’s escape, Lord George withdrew to the Continent, and having spent some years in France and Italy, died in Holland in 1760.
Compiled from the Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland edited by John & Julia Keay and Encyclopaedia Britannica, Vol. 19, page 39, published by Cambridge University Press, 1911
On the Prince’s escape, Lord George withdrew to the continent, and having spent some years in France and Italy, died in Holland on the 8th July 1760.
