Culloden

This well-known print of the battle of Culloden by Laurie and Whittle, depicts the charge of the Highlanders who broke ranks and ran down to attack the redcoats. Also, on the left, the dragoons charging through a break in the wall. They are unaccountably shown as wearing blue coats. At this time the Dragoons were still heavy cavalry and wore red coats. It was not until 1783 that they changed to Light Dragoons and wore blue. In the background there are neat ranks of red-coated cavalry charging the enemy which gives the impression that Cumberland had a large mounted contingent on the right of the line, but he had only 2 squadrons of Horse and 6 squadrons of dragoons, mostly placed on the left. The charge of the Highlanders is described as a downhill attack but another image of the battle, sketched by Thomas Sandby shows the two armies facing each other across an almost flat plain.

Regimental Details