Battle of Aberdeen (1646)

Battle of Aberdeen
Part of Wars of the Three Kingdoms
Date 14 May 1646 Location Aberdeen, Scotland Result Royalist Victory
Belligerents
Royalists	Parliamentarian Scots Covenanters
Commanders and leaders
George, Marquis of Huntly	Hugh, Lord Montgomerie
Strength
1,500 foot, 500 horse (cavalry)	700 foot, 240 horse
Casualties and losses
	Many with 300 taken prisoner

The Battle of Aberdeen was fought on 14 May 1646 during the Scottish Civil War. George, Marquis of Huntly the commander of a Royalist force, defeated a force of Covenanters under the command of Hugh, Lord Montgomerie.

Prelude

In 1646 Montgomerie was engaged in the northern campaign under John Middleton, and on 27 April entered Aberdeen with about 240 horse (cavalry) in four troops. In addition to his horse he had under his command 700 foot in two regiments, and he was entrusted with the duty of holding the city. Huntly, who having suffered some setbacks had retreated to Strathnaver in 1645 had since then returned to his lands around Strathbogie and raised a force of 1,600 foot and 600 horse.

Battle

On 14 May Huntly, with about 1,500 foot and 500 horse, stormed Aberdeen and set it on fire. Montgomerie's defenders repulsed the first two assaults but were then overcome. The Covenanters suffered may casualties and over 300 were taken prisoner, but there were no civilian casualties.

Aftermath

Huntly did not remain in Aberdeen, but with his usual indecision he soon returned to Strathbogie. A council of war declared on 8 June that Montgomerie had conducted himself in the affair "with as much prudence and gallantry as could have been expected".

References

• Dennison, E. Patricia (2002). Dennison, E. Patricia; Ditchburn, David; Lynch, Michael. eds. Aberdeen Before 1800: A New History. A New History. 2 (illustrated ed.). Dundurn. p. 260. ISBN 9781862321144. 
• Reid, Stuart (1999). Scots Armies of the English Civil Wars. Men-at-arms series. 331 (illustrated ed.). Osprey Publishing. p. 8. ISBN 9781855328365.  This source states that the commanders were Huntly and Colonel Harie Barclay.

Attribution

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Henderson, Thomas Finlayson (1890). "Gordon, George (d.1649)". In Stephen, Leslie; Lee, Sidney. Dictionary of National Biography. 22. London: Smith, Elder & Co. pp. 190–194. 
•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Henderson, Thomas Finlayson (1894). "Montgomerie, Hugh (1613-1669)". In Lee, Sidney. Dictionary of National Biography. 38. London: Smith, Elder & Co. pp. 306–307. 
  • Stuart, John, ed (1871). Extracts from the Council register of the burgh of Aberdeen 1643–1747. 2. Edinburgh: Scottish Burgh Records Society. pp. 63, 64, 68. http://archive.org/details/extractsfromcoun02aberuoft.