Battle of Dryfe Sands

Part of Clan Johnstone-Clan Maxwell feud

Coats of arms of the chief of Clan Johnstone (left) and chief of Clan Maxwell (right)

Date	1593
Location	Skipmyre, Scotland
Result	Clan Johnstone victory

Belligerents

Clan Johnstone

Clan Maxwell
Clan Grierson
Clan Pollock

Commanders and leaders

Sir James Johnstone

Unknown

Strength

600-800

2,000

Casualties and losses

Unknown

The Battle of Dryfe Sands was a battle between the clans of Clan Maxwell and Clan Johnstone in Scotland, in 1593.

About 3 kilometres to the west of Lockerbie on 7 December 1593, Clan Johnstone fought Clan Maxwell at the Battle of Dryfe Sands. The Johnstones nearly exterminated the Maxwells involved in the battle, leading to the proverbial expression "Lockerbie Lick."

Sir James Johnstone had been warned by Johnstone of Cummertrees about the size of Maxwell's army, he gathered a mix of English, Elliots, Irvines, Murrays, Scotts, Carruthers and Grahams.

Captain Oliphant, leading an advance Maxwell party, was beaten near Lochmaben by the Johnstones. In the skirmish, Oliphant was killed, the remainder of his forces sheltering in Lochmaben Kirk. However, some Johnstones set fire to the building, forcing the Maxwells to surrender.

Lord Maxwell's main army camped near Skipmyre, on a hill. A day later, he took up the left bank of the River Dryfe. However, Sir James Johnstone's men were on higher ground, and provoked Maxwell's men, with the result of some of Maxwell's men getting ambushed. This enabled Johnstone's main force to attack Maxwell's main army, which confused them. The Lairds of Drumlanrig, Closeburn and Lag rode off of the battlefield, presumably followed by many of their men. Maxwell's army was destroyed, and Maxwell himself was killed by William Johnstone of Kirkhill, or possibly by Sir James Johnstone.

John Pollock of Clan Pollock was killed supporting the Maxwells.

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Wikipedia