“Hey, Johnnie Cope, are ye waking yet?” That catchy tune, penned by Skirving, echoes through time. It serves as a constant reminder of the Battle of Prestonpans. It mocks Sir John Cope’s defeat. The Battle of Prestonpans also known as the Battle of Gladsmuir, unfolded right here on September 21, 1745. It marked the Jacobite rising’s first major clash.
Imagine this field transformed. Picture Jacobite forces commanded by Charles Edward Stuart. See them facing a government army led by Sir John Cope. The air crackles with tension. The fate of Scotland hangs in the balance.
The War of the Austrian Succession drained British forces. Charles Edward Stuart saw an opportunity. In July 1745, he landed in Scotland. He aimed to exploit the situation. Many advised him to return to France. Donald Cameron of Lochiel persuaded enough to join. The rebellion began at Glenfinnan on August 19.
Sir John Cope commanded 3,000 to 4,000 troops. Many were inexperienced. Poor advice hindered him. The Marquess of Tweeddale underestimated the revolt’s severity. Cope marched on Corrieyairack Pass. Highlanders already held it. He retreated to Inverness.
The Jacobites advanced on Edinburgh. Cope sailed his troops to Dunbar. Charles entered the capital first. Edinburgh Castle remained in government hands. Cope joined Fowke and the cavalry at Dunbar. He believed he could defeat the Jacobite army.
The armies met on September 20. Cope’s forces faced south. A marsh protected their front. Park walls guarded their right. Cannons stood behind the Tranent to Cockenzie Waggonway. A court-martial later agreed the ground was well-chosen. Poor officers and inexperienced infantry undermined Cope. Seamen gunners were poorly trained. Replacements never arrived.
Charles wanted to attack immediately. Murray argued the marsh would slow them. It would expose them to Cope’s firepower. Murray convinced others to attack Cope’s left flank. Robert Anderson, a local farmer’s son, knew a route through the marsh. At 4 a.m., the Jacobite force moved along the Riggonhead defile.
Cope kept fires burning and posted pickets. Macpherson of Cluny’s company deserted Cope. Warned of the Jacobite movement, Cope wheeled his army east. As Highlanders charged, his artillerymen fled. Officers fired the guns.
The dragoon regiments panicked. James Gardiner fell mortally wounded. Their flight exposed the infantry. The infantry was attacked on three sides. They were overrun in minutes. Retreat was blocked. Many were captured. Some escaped to loot the baggage train. Government losses were high. Jacobite casualties were much lower.
Lieutenant-Colonel Whitefoord was spared by Stewart of Invernahyle. He later obtained a pardon for Stewart. Cope, Fowke, and Lascelles escaped. They reached Berwick-upon-Tweed with survivors.
Cope blamed the defeat on the soldiers’ panic. A court-martial exonerated him. He never held senior command again. The Battle of Killiecrankie showed the Highland charge’s ferocity. Culloden taught troops to counter it.
Victory boosted the rebellion. French ships arrived with supplies. Cumberland and troops returned from Flanders. The Jacobite Council argued strategy. They wanted to consolidate their position. Charles wanted to invade England. They marched south. The rising ended at Culloden in April 1746.
A memorial stands near the battle site. The Prestonpans 1745 Heritage Trust provides information. The site is protected by Historic Scotland. The Prestonpans Tapestry depicts events leading to the battle.
Skirving’s songs immortalized the battle. “Hey, Johnnie Cope, Are Ye Waking Yet?” remains famous. The tune is played by Scottish regiments. It even played during the Normandy landings.
The Battle of Prestonpans. A brief but pivotal moment. It shaped Scotland’s destiny. It continues to resonate through history.