Sir William Erskine, 1st Baronet
Sir William Erskine, 1st Baronet | |
---|---|
Lieutenant-General | |
Commands held | 15th Light Dragoons
71st Regiment of Foot
26th (Cameronian) Regiment of Foot |
Battles/wars |
Lieutenant-General Sir William Erskine, 1st Baronet (1728 – 19 March 1795) was a British Army commander and the 1st Baronet of the Erskine of Torrie creation.
Background
Erskine was the son of Colonel the Honourable William Erskine of Torrie, Deputy Governor of
Erskine first married Magdalen Myrton, daughter of Robert Myrton of Gogar, and then Frances Moray, daughter of James Moray of Abercairny.[2]
His eldest son by his second wife, Frances, William, the 2nd baronet was a cavalry officer who committed suicide in Lisbon, Portugal in 1813 after a mental breakdown. He had another son, James, who was an officer in the 133rd (Fraser's) Foot,[1] and became baronet on his elder brother's death.[2] His third son John, also became baronet, on the death of his brother James.[2]
Erskine joined his father's regiment the
American War of Independence
Erskine was posted to America in 1776 as a brigadier staff officer under
Erskine was made colonel of the
Wars of the French Revolution
Erskine became
At the opening of the spring campaign, he was given command of York's right wing in April 1794. He drove the French from Prémont on 16 April, but was unable to join York to complete the victory at Vaux. He commanded a column sent by Coburg to reinforce Clerfayt after the French breakthrough on 26 April, then commanded a 16-squadron cavalry reserve under York at the Battle of Tourcoing on 17–18 May. He again fought at Tournai soon after. Erskine commanded the 2nd (British) Line Corps in August.
Erskine died on 19 March 1795, aged 67, and is buried at Torryburn, Fife.
In the army he was nicknamed "Woolly" Erskine.
References
- ^ a b H. M. Stephens, ‘Erskine, Sir William, second baronet (1770–1813)’, rev. Roger T. Stearn, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 accessed 30 May 2008
- ^ a b c Lundy, Darryl. "p. 18660 § 186598". The Peerage.[unreliable source]
- ^ At Five Mile Run he advised Cornwallis to attack in the night to prevent Washington’s escape, but was unfortunately overridden by the ill advice of Grant. Cornwallis agreed with Grant "‘At last we have run down the old fox… and we will bag him in the morning.’ Erskine could not believe what he heard and could not hold himself back. He quickly retorted ‘My Lord! If you trust those people tonight, you will see nothing of (the rebels) in the morning!’" (Freeman, Miniature Wargames Issue 123 p.28)
External links
- Silverwhistle.co.uk
- Lundy, Darryl. "p. 18660 § 186598". The Peerage.
- UShistory.org