George Munro of Culcairn
Encyclopedia
Sir George Munro of Culcairn (died 1746) was a Scottish soldier of the 18th century from Ross-shire
, Scotland
.
, who was also known as the Blind Baron. George's elder brother was Sir Robert Munro, 6th Baronet of Foulis, the next successive chief of the clan.
the Munros always supported the British Government. In 1715 the Mackenzie Jacobite garrison at Inverness
surrendered to Simon Fraser of Lovat upon the very day when the Battle of Sheriffmuir
was fought and another Jacobite force was defeated at the Battle of Preston (1715)
. Soon after this 31 year old Colonel Robert Munro of Foulis marched into the town of Inverness with 400 Munros and took over control as governor from Fraser. Government troops arrived in Inverness towards the end of February, and for some months the process of disarming the rebels went on led by a Munro detachment under George Munro of Culcairn.
In 1719 Captain George Munro of Culcairn led a detachment of Munros at the Battle of Glenshiel where they helped to defeat the Jacobites. George Munro was wounded during the action. George, wound
ed was shielded by his servant, however he told his men to carry on and not to shield him. The Jacobites continued to fire at George after he was down, until Sergeant Robert Munro, son of Hugh Munro of Tullochue, with a small party, dislodged Captain George Munro's assailants, after having previously swore upon his dirk
that he would effect his rescue. The Jacobites were soon put into retreat and after the battle the Jacobite rising was over.
companies were formed. One of Munros, one of Frasers
, one of Grants
and three of Campbells
. George Munro of Culcairn was made a Captain in Munro's company under his elder brother Robert. The regiment then was officially known as the 42nd Regiment of Foot
or the 42nd Royal Highlanders. The regiments first action together came at the Battle of Fontenoy
in 1745 against the French. For the first time in a European battle they introduced a system of infantry tactics (alternatively firing and taking cover) that was not superseded. Springing up and closing with the enemy, they several times drove them back, and finished with a successful rear-guard action against French cavalry.
regiment.
General Sir John Cope
arrived at Inverness on 29 August 1745. George Munro of Culcairn met him and agreed that the Munros "should instantly take arms and join the King's troops".
Harry Munro joined Sir John Cope at the Water of Nairn and when the army marched for Aberdeen on 4 September Loudon's Highlanders regiment included his three companies, while George Munro of Culcairn's detachment acted as scouts. Sir John Cope remained in Aberdeen where a fourth company of Loudoun's regiment joined the others until 14 September from whence they sailed to Dunbar and their infamous defeat at the Battle of Prestonpans
. Harry was among 70 officers taken prisoner and for a time was imprisoned in Glamis Castle
but by mid January 1746 he was among 31 men released who arrived at Edinburgh, where he learnt the tragic news of his father Robert and his uncle Duncan's death after the Battle of Falkirk (1746)
.
Meanwhile the main body of Munros having escorted Sir John Cope successfully to Aberdeen had returned to the north under George Munro of Culcairn and were not present at Prestonpans. However George Munro and his Independent Company seem to have been involved in the events which led up to the Battle of Inverurie (1745)
if not involved in the battle itself. One account does state that the Munros under George Munro of Culcairn were positioned in such a way that they were able to attack the advancing Jacobites from the front and flank leaving many dead on the field. Another account states that the Munros held position at the village of Oldmeldrum
and were not involved in the battle at all.
John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun
and Sir John Cope had escaped by sea to London
after the Battle of Prestonpans from whence Loudoun later returned north to Inverness to take command in the north but was forced with the Lord President Forbes
and George Munro of Culcairn to withdraw through the Black Isle
into Ross-shire
being pressed by a much larger Jacobite force.
After the Battle of Falkirk (1746)
, Mackenzie Jacobites had burned Foulis Castle
leaving it a semi ruin. In April of that year the Jacobite army was finally defeated at the Battle of Culloden
by Government forces, although Loudon's regiment were present Harry Munro was listed as missing on leave and George Munro of Culcairn had already returned north.
of the Clan Cameron
to the ground, watched by Donald Cameron, chief of the Clan Cameron. The Camerons had been the most staunch of Jacobites and were also responsible for the murder of George's elder brother Sir Robert Munro, 6th Baronet after the Battle of Falkirk.
Around the same time that Achnacarry Castle was burned a Government officer from the Clan Grant
was watched ordering the execution of a group of Jacobite Camerons who had surrendered. The Camerons who watched the execution from the hillside said that the officer, Grant of Knockando rode a white horse and wore a long navy blue cloak. Later, on August 31, 1746, Captain Grant of Knockando and Captain George Munro of Culcairn were riding up the side of Locharkaigside and had reached a point on the track just past Kenmore, when George Munro fell from his horse mortally wounded by a shot fired from the wood on the right of the track. He had borrowed Grant's horse and coat and as a result was shot in mistake for him by Dugal Roy Cameron whose brother had been executed on the orders of Grant.
Ross-shire
Ross-shire is an area in the Highland Council Area in Scotland. The name is now used as a geographic or cultural term, equivalent to Ross. Until 1889 the term denoted a county of Scotland, also known as the County of Ross...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
Lineage
George Munro of Culcairn was the second son of Sir Robert Munro, 5th Baronet of Foulis, chief of the Clan MunroClan Munro
-Origins:The main traditional origin of the clan is that the Munros came from Ireland and settled in Scotland in the 11th century and that they fought as mercenary soldiers under the Earl of Ross who defeated Viking invaders in Rosshire...
, who was also known as the Blind Baron. George's elder brother was Sir Robert Munro, 6th Baronet of Foulis, the next successive chief of the clan.
1715 to 1719 Jacobite rising
During the 1715 to 1719 Jacobite risingJacobite rising
The Jacobite Risings were a series of uprisings, rebellions, and wars in Great Britain and Ireland occurring between 1688 and 1746. The uprisings were aimed at returning James VII of Scotland and II of England, and later his descendants of the House of Stuart, to the throne after he was deposed by...
the Munros always supported the British Government. In 1715 the Mackenzie Jacobite garrison at Inverness
Inverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
surrendered to Simon Fraser of Lovat upon the very day when the Battle of Sheriffmuir
Battle of Sheriffmuir
The Battle of Sheriffmuir was an engagement in 1715 at the height of the Jacobite rebellion in England and Scotland.-History:John Erskine, 6th Earl of Mar, standard-bearer for the Jacobite cause in Scotland, mustered Highland chiefs, and on 6 September declared James Francis Edward Stuart as King...
was fought and another Jacobite force was defeated at the Battle of Preston (1715)
Battle of Preston (1715)
The Battle of Preston , also referred to as the Preston Fight, was fought during the Jacobite Rising of 1715 ....
. Soon after this 31 year old Colonel Robert Munro of Foulis marched into the town of Inverness with 400 Munros and took over control as governor from Fraser. Government troops arrived in Inverness towards the end of February, and for some months the process of disarming the rebels went on led by a Munro detachment under George Munro of Culcairn.
In 1719 Captain George Munro of Culcairn led a detachment of Munros at the Battle of Glenshiel where they helped to defeat the Jacobites. George Munro was wounded during the action. George, wound
Wound
A wound is a type of injury in which skin is torn, cut or punctured , or where blunt force trauma causes a contusion . In pathology, it specifically refers to a sharp injury which damages the dermis of the skin.-Open:...
ed was shielded by his servant, however he told his men to carry on and not to shield him. The Jacobites continued to fire at George after he was down, until Sergeant Robert Munro, son of Hugh Munro of Tullochue, with a small party, dislodged Captain George Munro's assailants, after having previously swore upon his dirk
Dirk
A dirk is a short thrusting dagger, sometimes a cut-down sword blade mounted on a dagger hilt rather than a knife blade. It was historically used as a personal weapon for officers engaged in naval hand-to-hand combat during the Age of Sail.-Etymology:...
that he would effect his rescue. The Jacobites were soon put into retreat and after the battle the Jacobite rising was over.
The Black Watch and War in France
In 1725 six Independent Black WatchBlack Watch
The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The unit's traditional colours were retired in 2011 in a ceremony led by Queen Elizabeth II....
companies were formed. One of Munros, one of Frasers
Clan Fraser
Clan Fraser is a Scottish clan of French origin. The Clan has been strongly associated with Inverness and the surrounding area since the Clan's founder gained lands there in the 13th century. Since its founding, the Clan has dominated local politics and been active in every major military conflict...
, one of Grants
Clan Grant
-Origins:The Grants are one of the clans of Siol Alpin, and descend from the 9th century Kenneth MacAlpin, King of Scots; and also of Norse origin, from settlers who are the descents of Haakon inn Riki Sigurdarsson , Jarl of Hladr, Protector of Norway ,-Origins:The Grants are one of the clans of...
and three of Campbells
Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically one of the largest, most powerful and most successful of the Highland clans, their lands were in Argyll and the chief of the clan became the Earl and later Duke of Argyll.-Origins:...
. George Munro of Culcairn was made a Captain in Munro's company under his elder brother Robert. The regiment then was officially known as the 42nd Regiment of Foot
42nd Regiment of Foot
The 42nd Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army. Originally the 43rd Highlanders they were renumbered the 42nd in 1748.- Early history :...
or the 42nd Royal Highlanders. The regiments first action together came at the Battle of Fontenoy
Battle of Fontenoy
The Battle of Fontenoy, 11 May 1745, was a major engagement of the War of the Austrian Succession, fought between the forces of the Pragmatic Allies – comprising mainly Dutch, British, and Hanoverian troops under the nominal command of the Duke of Cumberland – and a French army under Maurice de...
in 1745 against the French. For the first time in a European battle they introduced a system of infantry tactics (alternatively firing and taking cover) that was not superseded. Springing up and closing with the enemy, they several times drove them back, and finished with a successful rear-guard action against French cavalry.
1745 to 1746 Jacobite rising
Later during the 1745 to 1746 Jacobite rising the Munros continued their support for the British Government. George Munro was appointed the command of the Clan Munro Independent Company. While his elder brother, Robert Munro, now the chief of the clan was appointed command of the English 37th Regiment of Foot and Robert's son, Sir Harry Munro, 7th Baronet held command in Loudon's HighlandersLoudon's Highlanders
Loudon's Highlanders, or the Earl of Loudon's Regiment of Foot, was an infantry regiment of the British Army.The great bravery of the 42nd Highlanders and the admirable service which they rendered at the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745, made the Government anxious to avail themselves still further of...
regiment.
General Sir John Cope
John Cope
John Cope may refer to:*John Cope , British General during the 1745 Jacobite Uprising*John Cope, Baron Cope of Berkeley, UK politician...
arrived at Inverness on 29 August 1745. George Munro of Culcairn met him and agreed that the Munros "should instantly take arms and join the King's troops".
Harry Munro joined Sir John Cope at the Water of Nairn and when the army marched for Aberdeen on 4 September Loudon's Highlanders regiment included his three companies, while George Munro of Culcairn's detachment acted as scouts. Sir John Cope remained in Aberdeen where a fourth company of Loudoun's regiment joined the others until 14 September from whence they sailed to Dunbar and their infamous defeat at the Battle of Prestonpans
Battle of Prestonpans
The Battle of Prestonpans was the first significant conflict in the Jacobite Rising of 1745. The battle took place at 4 am on 21 September 1745. The Jacobite army loyal to James Francis Edward Stuart and led by his son Charles Edward Stuart defeated the government army loyal to the Hanoverian...
. Harry was among 70 officers taken prisoner and for a time was imprisoned in Glamis Castle
Glamis Castle
Glamis Castle is situated beside the village of Glamis in Angus, Scotland. It is the home of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and is open to the public....
but by mid January 1746 he was among 31 men released who arrived at Edinburgh, where he learnt the tragic news of his father Robert and his uncle Duncan's death after the Battle of Falkirk (1746)
Battle of Falkirk (1746)
During the Second Jacobite Rising, the Battle of Falkirk Muir was the last noteworthy Jacobite success.-Background:...
.
Meanwhile the main body of Munros having escorted Sir John Cope successfully to Aberdeen had returned to the north under George Munro of Culcairn and were not present at Prestonpans. However George Munro and his Independent Company seem to have been involved in the events which led up to the Battle of Inverurie (1745)
Battle of Inverurie (1745)
For the battle of the same name during the Wars of Scottish Independence see: Battle of Inverurie .The second Battle of Inverurie took place on 23 December 1745 and was part of the second major Jacobite rising in Scotland.-Background:...
if not involved in the battle itself. One account does state that the Munros under George Munro of Culcairn were positioned in such a way that they were able to attack the advancing Jacobites from the front and flank leaving many dead on the field. Another account states that the Munros held position at the village of Oldmeldrum
Oldmeldrum
Oldmeldrum is a village and parish in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, not far from Inverurie in North East Scotland. With a growing population of over 2000, Oldmeldrum falls within Scotland's top 300 centres of population. The A947 road from Aberdeen to Banff runs through the centre of the...
and were not involved in the battle at all.
John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun
John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun
Major-General John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun was a British nobleman and army officer.-Early career:Campbell inherited the peerage on the death of his father in 1731, becoming Lord Loudoun. The earl raised a regiment of infantry that took part in the Jacobite Rising of 1745 on the side of the...
and Sir John Cope had escaped by sea to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
after the Battle of Prestonpans from whence Loudoun later returned north to Inverness to take command in the north but was forced with the Lord President Forbes
Clan Forbes
Clan Forbes is a Lowland Scottish clan from Aberdeenshire, Scotland.-Origins:Concerning the origin of this Scottish clan, John of Forbes, the first upon record, seems to have been a man of importance in the time of William the Lion, and was the father of Fergus, from whom the clan are descended....
and George Munro of Culcairn to withdraw through the Black Isle
Black Isle
The Black Isle is an eastern area of the Highland local government council area of Scotland, within the county of Ross and Cromarty. The name nearly always includes the article "the"....
into Ross-shire
Ross-shire
Ross-shire is an area in the Highland Council Area in Scotland. The name is now used as a geographic or cultural term, equivalent to Ross. Until 1889 the term denoted a county of Scotland, also known as the County of Ross...
being pressed by a much larger Jacobite force.
After the Battle of Falkirk (1746)
Battle of Falkirk (1746)
During the Second Jacobite Rising, the Battle of Falkirk Muir was the last noteworthy Jacobite success.-Background:...
, Mackenzie Jacobites had burned Foulis Castle
Foulis Castle
Foulis Castle lies in the parish of Kiltearn, about 1.5 miles southwest of the village of Evanton in the Highland area of northern Scotland. The castle has been the seat of the Clan Munro for over eight hundred years. During the 11th century, the clan chief was given the castle and Foulis lands as...
leaving it a semi ruin. In April of that year the Jacobite army was finally defeated at the Battle of Culloden
Battle of Culloden
The Battle of Culloden was the final confrontation of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. Taking place on 16 April 1746, the battle pitted the Jacobite forces of Charles Edward Stuart against an army commanded by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, loyal to the British government...
by Government forces, although Loudon's regiment were present Harry Munro was listed as missing on leave and George Munro of Culcairn had already returned north.
Assassination
After the Jacobite rising had been suppressed a Munro Independent Company under Harry Munro of Foulis and the command of his uncle, George Munro of Culcairn continued to police the Highlands. George Munro and his Independent Company burned Achnacarry CastleAchnacarry Castle
Achnacarry Castle is the ancestral home of the chiefs of Clan Cameron, located at Achnacarry, about northeast of Fort William, Scotland. The original castle was built around 1655 and destroyed after the Battle of Culloden in 1746; a new house in Scottish baronial style was built nearby in...
of the Clan Cameron
Clan Cameron
Clan Cameron is a West Highland Scottish clan, with one main branch Lochiel, and numerous cadet branches. The Clan Cameron lands are in Lochaber and within their lands is the mountain Ben Nevis which is the highest mountain in the British Isles. The chief of the clan is customarily referred to as...
to the ground, watched by Donald Cameron, chief of the Clan Cameron. The Camerons had been the most staunch of Jacobites and were also responsible for the murder of George's elder brother Sir Robert Munro, 6th Baronet after the Battle of Falkirk.
Around the same time that Achnacarry Castle was burned a Government officer from the Clan Grant
Clan Grant
-Origins:The Grants are one of the clans of Siol Alpin, and descend from the 9th century Kenneth MacAlpin, King of Scots; and also of Norse origin, from settlers who are the descents of Haakon inn Riki Sigurdarsson , Jarl of Hladr, Protector of Norway ,-Origins:The Grants are one of the clans of...
was watched ordering the execution of a group of Jacobite Camerons who had surrendered. The Camerons who watched the execution from the hillside said that the officer, Grant of Knockando rode a white horse and wore a long navy blue cloak. Later, on August 31, 1746, Captain Grant of Knockando and Captain George Munro of Culcairn were riding up the side of Locharkaigside and had reached a point on the track just past Kenmore, when George Munro fell from his horse mortally wounded by a shot fired from the wood on the right of the track. He had borrowed Grant's horse and coat and as a result was shot in mistake for him by Dugal Roy Cameron whose brother had been executed on the orders of Grant.
Family
George's son, John Munro, 2nd of Culcairn is also well remembered for the unusual hospitality he showed to a Jacobite Bishop in the 1760s. It is recorded how John Munro of Culcairn treated him to the best of Strong Ale, Claret of Vintage 49 and good Coffee made of his own Wheat. The Bishop also described Culcairn's improvements: his grounds produce the best of Wheat and he has erected a Flour-Miln for dressing it.Independent Company
Amongst the men in George Munro of Culcairn's independent company were:- Charles Munro (corporal)
- Alexander Munro (soldier)
- Donald Baine Munro (soldier)
- Hugh Callanach Munro (soldier)
- John Allanson Munro (soldier)
- Niel Ballach Munro (soldier)
- Robert Munro (soldier)
- William Munro (soldier)
- James Cameron (soldier)
- Evan Cameron (soldier)
- Roderick Campbell (soldier)
- Donald Davie (soldier)
- Duncan Douglas (soldier)
- John Ferguson (soldier)
- Robert Grant (corporal)
- Simon Gray (soldier)
- Donald Hossack (soldier)
- John Leslie (soldier)
- Alexander McDonald (soldier)
- Duncan McDonald (soldier)
- William McDonald (soldier)
- William McDonald (elder) (Soldier)
- John Mcevan (soldier)
- John McIntosh (soldier)
- Donald Mackay (drummer)
- Donald Mackay (soldier)
- Alexander Mackay (soldier)
- John Mackay (soldier)
- Robert Mackay (soldier)
- William McLean (soldier)
- Donald McLeod (soldier)
- John McLeod (soldier)
- Angus Mcpherson (soldier)
- Donald Mcurchie (soldier)
- David Ross (soldier)
- James Oag Ross (soldier)
- John McGillichallum Ross (soldier)
- Robert Ross (soldier)
- Alexander Sutherland (soldier)
- Robert Sutherland (soldier)
- George Urquhart (soldier)
- Alexander Williamson (soldier)