The Battle of Culloden
Major James Wolfe to William Sotheron

Inverness, 17 April 1746

The Duke engaged with the rebel army, and in about an hour drove them from the field of battle, where they left near 1500 dead; the rest, except prisoners, escaped by the neighbourhood of the hills.

The rebels posted themselves on a high boggy moor, where they imagined our cannon and cavalry would be useless; but both did essential service. The cannon in particular made them very uneasy, and after firing a quarter of an hour, obliged them to change their situation and move forward some 100 yards to attack our front line of Foot, which they did with more fury than prudence, throwing down their firearms, and advancing with their drawn swords. They were however repulsed, and ran off with the greatest precipitation, and the Dragoons falling in amongst them completed the victory with much slaughter. We have taken about 20 pieces of cannon in the field and 700 prisoners, amongst which are all the Irish piquets, and broadswords, plaids innumberable.

Orders were publicly given in the rebel army, the day before the action, that no quarter should be given to our troops. We had an opportunity of avenging ourselves, and I assure you as few prisoners were taken of the Highlanders as possible.... May they ever be punished in the same manner who attempt the like!

R. Wright. Wolfe. (1864), p. 84.