It was necessary in the highest degree that Prince Charles Edward should meet and defeat this force before it was enlarged, before from England came more and more regular troops....

A battle won meant prestige gained, the coming over of doubting thousands, an echo into England that would bring the definite accession of great Tory names.

Cope and his twenty-five hundred men, regulars and volunteers, approaching Edinburgh from the east, took position near the village of Prestonpans.

On the morning of the 20th of September out moved to meet him the Prince and Lord George Murray, behind them less than two thousand men.
By afternoon the two forces confronted each the other; but Cope had chosen well, the right position.

The sea guarded one flank, a deep and wide field ditch full of water the other.