Dunbar, battle of
Dunbar, battle of, 1650. Dunbar was Cromwell's greatest victory, won against severe odds. After the execution of his father, Charles II's hopes rested with his supporters in Scotland, and he arrived there in July 1650. Cromwell followed him three weeks later, advancing up the east coast from Berwick. The royalist army was led by David Leslie, who had fought alongside Cromwell at Marston Moor. On 2 September Cromwell's army, weakened by sickness, was bottled up at Dunbar, Leslie, with twice his numbers, having cut off his retreat. Evacuation by sea appeared the wisest move. Cromwell chose to attack the following day and, with very light casualties, destroyed Leslie's force, taking 10,000 prisoners—almost the size of his own army. ‘God made them as stubble to our swords,’ Cromwell reported to Parliament.
J. A. Cannon
More From encyclopedia.com
NEARBY TERMS
Dunbar, battle of
