15 April 1746: The Duke of Cumberland’s army remained at Nairn for his 25th birthday. Extra allowances were given to the soldiers for the occasion: “1/2 Anchor of Brandy to be given to each Regt of Foot & to ye Arty as soon as possible; it is to be divided equally among ye men.” Cumberland wrote to the Duke of Newcastle stating: “I cant bring my self to believe that they propose to give us battle… I flatter myself the affair would not be very long”. Cumberland still believed that the Jacobite army would not stand and fight and would disperse as he approached Inverness.
15 April 1746: The Jacobite army set off from Culloden in heavy rain with the intention of launching a surprise night attack on the Duke of Cumberland’s camp at Nairn. The Jacobites had expected Cumberland to march on Inverness on the 15th, but a reconnaissance party led by Lord Elcho observed that Cumberland remained in camp that morning and showed no signs of marching that day. It was then decided in a council of war to launch a night attack on the camp. Command and control broke down on the march, and the attack was called off a few miles from the objective, with the exhausted Jacobites returning to Culloden.
15 April 1746: Government highlanders from the Independent Highland Companies, Clan Mackay and the Sutherland militia defeat a larger Jacobite force under George Mackenzie, Earl of Cromartie, near Littleferry in Sutherland. Cromartie had received orders to march to Inverness a few days before and was on his way to reinforce Charles Edward Stuart at Culloden when he was defeated and captured.
