Battle of Falkirk

Bonnie Prince Charlie's Highland Army of 5,000 highlanders, or better known as "Jacobites" marched towards Stirling, planning to capture Edinburgh Castle.

During the Second Jacobite Rising, the Battle of Falkirk was the last noteworthy Jacobite success. After turning back from the London campaign for winter, the Jacobite Army returned to Scotland and besieged Major General Blakeney in Stirling Castle. Lieutenant General Henry Hawley led his troops from Edinburgh to relieve Blakeney. On 17 January 1746 he engaged the Jacobites on Falkirk Moor, but his cannons were not able to be effectively drawn to the battle field.

He relied on cavalry to rout the Jacobite troops, but his dragoons' charge failed under a severe volley from the Highlanders and they retreated, in turn causing the royal troops to flee the field.

Around 350 royal troops were killed, wounded or missing, and some 300 captured. The Jacobite losses were around 50 dead and 70 wounded.

However, the Jacobite army was destroyed several weeks later at Culloden Moor, near Inverness.

More Events from January 17

• January 17, 1649
  Marquis of Ormond James Butler and the confederates sign a peace treaty which grants toleration for Catholics in exchange for troops
• January 17, 1815
  Marie-Louise O'Morphi, famous courtesan, dies in Paris
• January 17, 1856
  Joseph Hayden, Irish journalist, dictionary compiler and author of Dictionary of Dates, dies
• January 17, 1860
  Birth in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, of Douglas Hyde, playwright, folklorist, founder of The Gaelic League and the first president of Éire
• January 17, 1861
  Lola Montez (Marie Gilbert), dancer and courtesan dies in New York
• January 17, 1866
  Death of George Petrie, folk music collector who is credited with preserving many of Ireland’s irreplaceable harp tunes
• January 17, 1873
  T.C. Murray, playwright, is born in Macroom, Co. Cork