Following the retreat from Megray Hill and the subsequent disintegration of the army, Colonel Johnstone set about fortifying the Bridge of Dee, which was at the moment the only viable way across the flooding river.
Brooks, Richard "Cassell's Battlefields of Britain and Ireland" 2005, p.364, Weidenfield and Nicolson
Finally realizing the extent of the Royalist defeat, Montrose and his men marched on Aberdeen during the night of the 17th.
The south end of the bridge was held by two alternating shifts of about 50 Aberdeen militiamen.
While the militiamen held the southern end of the bridge, Johnstone's cavalry and a few remaining infantrymen (about 300 all told) remained in reserve on the north bank.
Upon arriving and finding the way over the bridge barred, Montrose's army prepared to force a crossing.
Montrose's artillery quickly deployed and opened fire on the militia's advanced position. The artillery chose a bad location, however, and their fire throughout the day was ineffectual.
After the Royalist cavalry was drawn away, a force of Covenanter infantry stormed the bridge. The militia had withdrawn, and the remaining Royalist infantry melted away, leaving the bridge in Covenanter hands without loss.
Brooks, Richard "Cassell's Battlefields of Britain and Ireland" 2005, p.365, Weidenfield and Nicolson
About noon, two Dundee companies attempted to rush the bridgehead, but were soon driven off.
The Covenanter artillery fire was so ineffectual that the militiamen's wives were able to bring them refreshments throughout the day
Realizing the weakness of the artillery's position, Montrose redeployed them eastwards overnight. From their new position, they would be able to sweep the bridge with their fire.
When day broke on the 19th, Montrose's artillery opened fire from their new positions. It was far more effective than the day before, and soon drove the militia from their positions.
A detachment of Covenanter cavalry feinted towards Banchory, drawing the attention of the Royalist Colonel Gunn.
Despite protests that the river was impassable, Colonel Gunn drew all the Royalist cavalry down the river to keep an eye on the Covenanter feint.
JavaScript must be enabled to get the map.
