| Conflict: | Siege of Ruthven Barracks (1745) |
| Partof: | the Jacobite rising of 1745 |
| Date: | 29 August 1745 |
| Result: | Government victory[1] |
| Commander1: | Terrance Molloy |
| Strength1: | 15 |
| Casualties1: | 1 killed |
| Combatant2: | Jacobites |
| Commander2: | Archibald Cameron John O'Sullivan |
| Strength2: | 150 |
| Casualties2: | 2 killed |
The siege of Ruthven Barracks by Jacobite rebels of a small group of government soldiers took place in August 1745 and was part of the Jacobite rising of 1745.[1]
On 29 August 1745 a force of 300 Jacobite rebels marched on the Government held Ruthven Barracks.[2] The barracks were under the command of Sergeant Terrance Molloy who had with him only 14 private soldiers.[2] The Jacobites came to the gate of the barracks and demanded that Molloy surrender.[2] Molloy was defiant and refused despite the Jacobites telling him that they would hang him and his men if he refused.[2] The Jacobites then retreated some distance.[2] [3]
At nightfall around about 150 Jacobites returned and attacked the barracks.[2] They set fire to the door gate but the defending soldiers managed to put it out.[2] The man who started the fire was spotted and became an early victim.[2] At about half past three in the morning the Jacobites withdrew.[2] Sergeant Molloy then agreed to speak to two of the Jacobite leaders but he still refused terms of surrender.[2] However, Molloy did agree to allow the Jacobites to remove their dead and wounded.[2] The Jacobites had lost two men dead and several others wounded.[2] The Government soldiers had only lost one man, who had been killed when he raised his head above the parapet, despite orders to keep his head down.[2]
The Jacobites then left Ruthven but not without stealing many provisions from the residents of Ruthven Village.[2] Sergeant Molloy was immediately promoted to the rank of lieutenant.[2] On 10 February 1746, 300 Jacobites returned to attack Ruthven Barracks again and this time they had the advantage of having brought artillery with them.[2]