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Drumclog


Battle Name : Drumclog

Date(s) : 01 June 1679

Part of : Anglo-Scottish Wars ,

Outcome : A victory for Covenanters over Claverhouse's men

Type of battle : Land

Summary

Essentially a religious war within Scotland. Episcopalians and Presbyterians were both trying to get control of the Church of Scotland. Covenanters having murdered the Archbishop of St Andrews were pursued by a small force of dragoons [approx. 150] under John Graham of Claver house [later Viscount Dundee].
Claverhouse decided to arrest the offenders at a large gathering of Covenanters at Loudoun Hill on the 1st June. The Covenanters were warned and a force ten times as large as Claverhouse's met him at Drumclog.
The position selected by the Covenanters was a strong one with marshy ground, impassible to mounted troops, in front of them. Claverhouse dismounted his dragoons, advanced across the gound and poured a withering fire into their ranks. The Covenanters, armed with swords, pikes and pitchforks, charged the dragoons. Claverhouse's horse was wounded and galloped away carrying Claverhouse with him. The dragoons fled the field leaving nearly one third of their number dead on the field or cut down in the pursuit.

Location

Drumclog lies 16 miles [25 kilometres] south of Glasgow on the A71 (Scotland)

More details

Essentially a religious war within Scotland. Episcopalians and Presbyterians were both trying to get control of the Church of Scotland. Covenanters having murdered the Archbishop of St Andrews were pursued by a small force of dragoons [approx. 150] under John Graham of Claver house [later Viscount Dundee].
Claverhouse decided to arrest the offenders at a large gathering of Covenanters at Loudoun Hill on the 1st June. The Covenanters were warned and a force ten times as large as Claverhouse's met him at Drumclog.
The position selected by the Covenanters was a strong one with mrashy ground, impassible to mounted troops, in front of them. Claverhouse dismounted his dragoons, advanced across the gound and poured a withering fire into their ranks. The Covenanters, armed with swords, pikes and pitchforks, charged the dragoons. Claverhouse's horse was wounded and galloped away carrying Claverhouse with him. The dragoons fled the field leaving nearly one third of their number dead on the field or cut down in the pursuit.

The Government sent the Duke of Monmouth north to Scotland to take command of Royal forces.

Casualty figures

Covenanters

Number engaged :
1,500

Casualties :
n/a

Claverhouse's men

Number engaged :
150

Casualties :
n/a