Prime and Load!

The Jacobite Rising Part V: The Small Wars of 1746

Historic Studios Season 1 Episode 28

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January 1746. The Jacobites have just won another stunning victory at Falkirk Muir. But instead of marching south, Bonnie Prince Charlie finds himself overruled by his war council and forced into a controversial retreat back into the Highlands.

History often jumps straight from the victory at Falkirk to the tragedy at Culloden, ignoring the critical months in between. But the war did not stop.

In this episode of Prime & Load, Lee Gugino, Dr. Alex Burns, and Andrew Bamford are joined once again by Dr. Arran Johnston to shine a light on the "Small Wars" of 1746. We explore the complex, aggressive campaign waged by the Jacobites to seize the initiative in the Highlands while the main armies maneuvered.

From the dramatic Rout of Moy to the Siege of Fort Augustus and the audacious Raids in Atholl, we break down how this period set up the Jacobite Army for its final fight for the highlands.

In the War Room (Uncut Episode): For our Plank Owners and War Room members, the full unedited conversation goes deeper into the strategic mind of the rising, including:

  • The Prince's Fury: A look at Charles Edward Stuart’s personal reaction to the retreat, his anger, his sense of betrayal, and the widening rift with his commanders.
  • Retreat as a Weapon: How the Jacobite leadership repeatedly managed to turn retreats into strong strategic positions, baffling government commanders.
  • The Anatomy of the Army: We break down the specific composition of the force in 1746.

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General Recommended Reading

The Military Experience in the Age of Reason, By Christopher Duffy

Infantry in Battle 1733-1783, By Alexander Burns

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