On the 12th of April the army crossed the river Spey, and on the 16th of that month the KING'S OWN were engaged in the action with the rebels on _Culloden Moor_. The regiment was posted on the left of the front line of the royal army. After a sharp cannonade several select clans of mountaineers sprang forward, and with shouts and dismal yells attacked the King's forces sword in hand. This regiment had to bear the brunt of the furious onset of the clans: for a moment it was disordered by the weight of the attacking column, and the men staggered; but only for a moment: two battalions advanced to sustain them, and recovering, they rushed upon their kilted adversaries with a resolution and valour which proved they were not unworthy of their distinguished title of the KING'S OWN. A furious conflict ensued; the Highlanders with their swords and targets were unable to withstand the ruthless charge of the royal forces; the carnage was dreadful, and the ground was literally covered with slaughtered rebels.[23] A decisive victory was gained; and the rebellion was effectually suppressed. When the news of this event reached England, the nation was transported with joy; both houses of parliament addressed His Majesty on the subject, and passed a vote of thanks to the Duke of Cumberland and the brave troops who had fought under his orders.
The regiment lost in this action Captain Lord Robert Kerr and seventeen men killed; and had Lieut.-Colonel Rich, Captain Romer, Lieutenant Edmonds, Ensigns Campbell and Brown, and one hundred and eight non-commissioned officers and private men, wounded.
After halting a short time at Inverness, the army advanced into the highlands, and encamped in the gloomy valley surrounded by rugged precipices near Fort Augustus, from whence detachments were sent out to search for arms, and for persons who had been engaged in the rebellion, and also to execute summary punishment on the guilty clans. This regiment afterwards marched back to Stirling; and it was employed in home duties for a period of eight years.
Lieut.-General Barrell died on the 9th of August, 1749; and King George II. conferred the colonelcy of the regiment on the lieut.-colonel, Robert Rich, who highly distinguished himself at the battle of Culloden, where he was wounded.