Clifton Moor Skirmish

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Clifton Moor Skirmish
Part of the Jacobite rising of 1745
Action at Clifton Hall, the 18th of December, James Johnstone
Date 18 December 1745 Location Clifton, England, Great Britain 54°37′37″N 2°43′05″W / 54.627°N 2.718°W / 54.627; -2.718 Result Inconclusive; Jacobite forces continue their withdrawal to Scotland
Belligerents
Jacobites	British Government
Commanders and leaders
George Murray	Duke of Cumberland Philip Honywood[1]
Strength
400-500	300
Casualties and losses
13 killed and wounded	14 killed and wounded

The Clifton Moor Skirmish took place on the evening of Wednesday 18 December during the Jacobite rising of 1745. Following the decision 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.

Sometimes suggested as the last battle on English soil, there are numerous other claimants, such as the 1940 Battle of Graveney Marsh on the Kent coast.