James Macdonell (British Army officer)

General Sir James Macdonell or Macdonnell GCB KCH (1781 – 15 May 1857) was a Scottish officer of the British Army. He was the third son of Duncan Macdonnell of Glengarry; Alexander Ranaldson Macdonell of Glengarry was his elder brother.

Military career

In 1794, he was a lieutenant in the 78th (Highlanders) Regiment of Foot; in 1795, he was captain in the 17th Dragoons. He joined the 19th Foot in 1796; he was major in the 78th Foot, and was awarded the Army Gold Medal for Maida in 1806. He joined the Coldstream Guards in 1811 as a lieutenant colonel, and served in the Peninsular War.[1]

He is best known for his command of the light troops defending Hougoumont at the Battle of Waterloo, 1815, where he fought with great distinction, including leading the vital closing of the gates, with his sergeant, James Graham. He was wounded slightly in the battle.[2][3]

He commanded the Brigade of Guards in Canada from 1838 to 1841. He was then successively given the colonelcy of the 79th Regiment of Foot (Cameron Highlanders) from 1842 to 1849 and the 71st (Highland) Regiment of Foot from 1849 until his death in 1857. He was promoted full general in 1854.

Awards

He was awarded Order of the Bath, Knight's Cross of Maria Theresa, and Royal Guelphic Order for his service at Waterloo. He was appointed KGB in 1855.

References

  1. ↑ Burke's landed gentry of Great Britain, Editor Peter Beauclerk Dewar, Burke's Peerage, 2001, ISBN 978-0-9711966-0-5
  2. ↑ "Armed Forces: Units: British Infantry: The Coldstream Guards". British Empire. Retrieved 2010-08-11.
  3. ↑ Ian R Gumm. "The Waterloo Campaign 1815 - Aftermath". Battlefield-tour.com. Retrieved 2010-08-11.

Sources

  • Julian Paget & Derek Saunders (1992); Hougoumont: The Key to Victory at Waterloo; Pen and Sword Books (paperback 2001) ISBN 0-85052-716-3
Military offices
Preceded by
Sir Thomas Arbuthnot		 Colonel of the 71st (Highland) Regiment of Foot
1849–1857		 Succeeded by
Sir Thomas Erskine Napier
Preceded by
Hon. John Ramsay		 Colonel of the 79th Regiment of Foot (Cameron Highlanders)
1842–1849		 Succeeded by
James Hay
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