Alan Cameron of Erracht
Alan Cameron of Erracht | |
---|---|
Born | 1753 |
Died | 9 March 1828 |
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | British Army |
Rank | Lieutenant-General |
Battles/wars | American Revolutionary War Flanders Campaign Peninsular War |
Background
Born near Banavie in Lochaber in 1753,[1] Cameron of Erracht was the eldest son of Donald Cameron of Erracht and Marjorie, daughter of MacLean of Drimmin, who was killed at the Battle of Culloden. It was not until he was 4 years old that he first met his father.[2] Aged 16, he killed someone in a duel and as a result was forced to join volunteers proceeding to North America.[3]
Military career
Described as being of "Herculean build" and bearing a "fiery but chivalrous disposition",[3] Cameron enlisted in a Loyalist cavalry corps at the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. However, he was captured by American colonists in 1775 and imprisoned for two years in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Cameron injured himself in attempting to escape,[3] only to be later released in exchange. He returned to Scotland in 1784.[4]
After war was declared with
He commanded the regiment when it joined the forces of the
Cameron joined the army in the Peninsular in late 1808, as a
Cameron was noted for his outspoken eccentricity. When asked his opinion on the idea of replacing
Cameron became a
References
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/4432. Retrieved 26 February 2017. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- ^ Grant, James (1886). The Clans of Scotland: An Introductory Account of Celtic Scotland, Clanship, Chiefs, Their Dress, Arms, Etc., and with Historical Notes of Each Clan. W & A.K. Johnston. p. 21. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
- ^ a b c d Groves, John Percy (1893). History of the 79th Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, Now the First Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, 1794-1893. W. & A.K. Johnston.
- ^ a b c d Dictionary of National Biography. 1885–1900. .
- ^ Army Lists
- ^ "SIR ALAN CAMERON OF ERRACHT | The Highlanders' Museum". Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- ^ ISBN 978-0950555102.
- ^ Osprey Wellington’s Highlanders p.14-15
- ^ Leach Rough Sketches of the Life of an Old Soldier p.57-58 - note he is not mentioned by name, but it seems most likely it was Cameron.