14 April 1746: The Duke of Cumberland’s army marched from the camp at Alves to Nairn. Commodore Thomas Smith’s supporting warships and supply vessels dropped anchor offshore. In case of attack, Cumberland ordered “Two Cannon to be always ready for a signal. Whenever ye Cavy here 2 Cannon fire they are imediatly to repair to camp from their sevl Cantoonmts.” The navy had supplied Cumberland’s artillery with grapeshot to be used alongside round shot and canister shot. Cumberland’s army would rest at Nairn on the 15th, which was his 25th birthday.
