The Opposing Sides

With conflict imminent, it is necessary to survey both sides in the struggle. Whereas there has been military analysis of the Forty Five in recent years by Stuart Reid and Christopher Duffy, ¹ and while the Fifteen is long on narrative of the campaign and its aftermath, there has been little systematic analysis of the forces involved on either side, of their commanders and capabilities. On the Jacobite side, Gooch has provided a study of the Northumbrian gentry and their followers. ² Military analysis of the regulars and militia in the Fifteen was published by Oates in more recent years. ³ The campaign in England has also been subjected to the same historian’s analysis. ⁴ Of the commanders, Thomas Forster has come in for considerable abuse. According to the Taylers, he was ‘an even more unfortunate choice than the Earl of Mar – no soldier, and had not even the merit of personal bravery’. ⁵ Baynes wrote that Forster had few qualifications for the position. He had no military experience at all and was not especially admired’. ⁶ Finally, Arnold wrote, ‘Tom Forster had no qualifications for leadership. He had no military experience, and his martial failings will become all too apparent’. ⁷ More recently, a more kindly assessment comes from Gooch, arguing that he was let down by allies and faulty communications and so should be exonerated. ⁸ Here follows a description of both sides and an analysis of their military capacities.