Misplaced Pages

John Forbes (British Army officer)

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
#680319

69-721: Brigadier-General John Forbes (5 September 1707 – 11 March 1759) was British Army officer. During the French and Indian War , he commanded the 1758 Forbes Expedition which occupied the French outpost of Fort Duquesne . This required the construction of a military trail known as the Forbes Road , which became an important route for settlement of the Western United States . Forbes died in Philadelphia and

138-656: A commodore ). The appointment was abolished in both the Army and the Marines in 1921, being replaced in the Army by the appointments of colonel-commandant (which already existed as a rank in the Marines) and colonel on the staff . These appointments, although reflecting its modern role in the British Army as a senior colonel rather than a junior general, were not well received and were both replaced with brigadier in both

207-672: A major-general , and, the following year, he first saw active service in Germany . George II and the "martial boy" shared in the glory of the Battle of Dettingen (27 June 1743), where Cumberland was wounded in his right leg by a musket ball . After the battle he was made a lieutenant general . In 1745, Cumberland was given the honorary title of Captain-General of the British land forces and in Flanders became Commander-in-Chief of

276-525: A commission to resolve territorial disputes between British and French colonies in North America, including the Ohio Country , French Acadia and Nova Scotia . Neither side was willing to make concessions, which led to the 1754-1763 French and Indian War ; in 1755, an expedition under General Braddock to capture Fort Duquesne ended in a disastrous defeat. When the global conflict known as

345-462: A cross gules, the first, second, fourth and fifth each bearing a canton gules . On 30 August 1727, as a child of the sovereign, William's difference changed to a label argent of three points, the centre point bearing a cross gules . Prince William County, Virginia is named for him, as well as Cumberland County, Maine , Cumberland County, New Jersey , Cumberland County, North Carolina , and Cumberland County, Virginia . Various other places in

414-616: A daughter Anna. The Forbes family were prominent civic leaders in Inverness , who supported the succession of George I in 1714 and were political allies of the Campbell Dukes of Argyll . John's cousin Duncan Forbes of Culloden , (1685-1747), became senior Scottish legal officer in 1737 and played a key role in suppressing the 1745 Jacobite Rising . These personal connections were essential; like many contemporaries, John

483-554: A hail of pistol fire, "eighty dragoons fell dead upon the spot" at Falkirk Muir . Arriving in Edinburgh on 30 January 1746, Cumberland assumed command of his forces and marched them to Aberdeen . There, he ordered them to undergo training for approximately two months in preparation for engaging the Jacobite Army. On 8 April, he set out from Aberdeen with his troops for Inverness ; eight days later on 16 April, he engaged

552-509: A military role on his father's behalf), seems to have encouraged the virulent attacks upon the Duke. Cumberland preserved the strictest discipline in his camp. He was inflexible in the execution of what he deemed to be his duty, without favour to any man. In only a few cases he exercised his influence in favour of clemency. The Duke's victorious efforts were acknowledged by his being voted an income of £25,000 per annum over and above his money from

621-710: A network of powerful fortifications. The government ministry led by Newcastle initially proposed a limited military response, in which a Highland regiment supported by colonial forces would drive the French from the Ohio Valley. Cumberland believed the plan was not decisive enough to protect British interests in North America and expanded the plan to include a four-pronged assault against New France , with forces striking simultaneously at Duquesne , Crown Point , Niagara , and Beauséjour . Cumberland proposed that only overwhelming force would defeat France in America, which

690-546: A new road from the Pennsylvania frontier, since it required fewer river crossings than that used by Braddock, which followed a trail cut in 1752 by the Virginia-based Ohio Company . The decision led to protests from his Virginian officers, many of whom were investors in the company, including two of Washington's brothers. As a compromise, Forbes agreed to improve Braddock's original road, but use

759-478: A short time discipline had collapsed, and Cumberland's army headed northwards in total disorder. Cumberland hoped that the Royal Navy might bring him reinforcements and supplies which would allow him to regroup and counterattack, but the British mounted an expedition to Rochefort instead, despite suggestions that it should be sent to aid Cumberland. By September 1757 Cumberland and his forces had retreated to

SECTION 10

#1732800787681

828-571: A supporting role. He was influential in the appointment of Loudoun , another favorite and an officer who had served in Cumberland's army during the Jacobite rebellion. Cumberland advised Loudoun to expose his officers and soldiers to scouting expeditions, so that they might "learn to beat the woods". Cumberland approved the plan to develop light infantry in the British Army. In 1757, the war having spread to Continental Europe , Cumberland

897-451: Is inscribed "THIS OBELISK RAISED BY COMMAND OF KING GEORGE THE SECOND COMMEMORATES THE SERVICES OF HIS SON WILLIAM DUKE OF CUMBERLAND THE SUCCESS OF HIS ARMS AND THE GRATITUDE OF HIS FATHER THIS TABLET WAS INSCRIBED BY HIS MAJESTY KING WILLIAM THE FOURTH". According to a local park guide and Scottish historian Murray Pittock , the obelisk was originally inscribed "Culloden" but Queen Victoria had "Culloden" removed. An equestrian statue of

966-539: Is named in his memory. Brigadier-general (United Kingdom) Brigadier ( Brig ) is a senior rank in the British Army and the Royal Marines . Brigadier is the superior rank to colonel , and subordinate to major-general . It corresponds to the rank of brigadier general in many other nations. The rank has a NATO rank code of OF-6 , placing it equivalent to the Royal Navy commodore and

1035-563: The 1st and 2nd Troops became lieutenants and cornets in the 1st and 2nd Regiments of Life Guards , respectively. Brigadier remains the lowest officer rank in the Royal Company of Archers , the King's Bodyguard for Scotland. There are twelve brigadiers on the establishment, ranking after ensigns . Prince William, Duke of Cumberland Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (15 April 1721 [ N.S. ] – 31 October 1765)

1104-498: The Battle of Fort Duquesne , on 15 September 1758, when a column under Major James Grant advanced too far ahead of the main body and suffered over 300 casualties. Forbes decided to suspend operations but on 26 October, 13 Ohio Valley tribes signed the Treaty of Easton with Pennsylvania and New Jersey . After the loss of their local allies, the French abandoned Fort Duquesne and the British took possession on 25 November. Forbes ordered

1173-529: The Royal Air Force air commodore ranks and the brigadier general (1-star general) rank of the United States military and numerous other NATO nations . The rank insignia for a brigadier is a St Edward's Crown over three "pips" ( "Bath" stars). The rank insignia for a brigadier-general was crossed sword and baton. Brigadier was originally an appointment conferred on colonels (as commodore

1242-544: The Royal Air Force . It first appeared in the army in the reign of James II , but did not exist in the Royal Marines until 1913. In the 1740s, the substantive rank of brigadier-general was suppressed, and thereafter brigadier-general was a temporary appointment only, bestowed on a colonel or lieutenant-colonel (or on a colonel commandant in the Royal Marines) for the duration of a specific command (similar to

1311-675: The Seven Years' War began in 1756, James Campbell's nephew, the Earl of Loudoun , was appointed Commander-in-Chief, North America and Governor General of Virginia . In early 1757, Forbes was in Southern England, training a 'light company' of the Scots Greys for attacks on the French coast. In March, he was promoted colonel of the 17th Foot , part of a force of 5,400 sent to Novia Scotia for an attempt on Louisbourg. Following

1380-734: The War of the Austrian Succession , with the assistance of John Ligonier , Cumberland commanded the main allied field army in Flanders acting in defence of the Austrian Netherlands and the Dutch Republic . At the head of the largest deployment of British troops on the continent since the days of Marlborough and opposed to the experienced French Marshal Maurice de Saxe , Cumberland's campaigning could not prevent

1449-611: The civil list . A thanksgiving service was held at St Paul's Cathedral , that included the first performance of Handel 's oratorio Judas Maccabaeus , composed especially for Cumberland, which contains the anthem "See the Conquering Hero Comes". The Duke took no part in the Flanders campaign of 1746, during which the French made huge advances capturing Brussels and defeating the Allies at Rocoux . In 1747, Cumberland returned to Continental Europe . He again opposed

SECTION 20

#1732800787681

1518-937: The American colonies were named after him, including the Cumberland River , the Cumberland Gap and the Cumberland Mountains . In Britain, Cumberland Road in Kew and the Grade II listed Cumberland Gate into Kew Gardens are named after him. In 2005 he was selected by the BBC History Magazine as the 18th century's worst Briton. A memorial obelisk was erected to the Duke's military services in Windsor Great Park . It

1587-472: The Army and the Marines (although not replacing the substantive rank of colonel commandant in the latter) in 1928. From the formation of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918 until 31 July 1919, it used the appointment of brigadier-general. This was superseded by the rank of air commodore on the following day. The rank insignia for appointment of the brigadier-general was a crossed sword and baton;

1656-566: The French position, given by Campbell, Cumberland , the Allied commander, and Ligonier . Ingoldsby claimed he received conflicting instructions and attempted to blame Forbes, who testified at his trial. While he had some justification, any confusion was caused by Cumberland, not Forbes; in any case, this was not considered an adequate excuse and Ingoldsby was forced to resign. For reasons that are unclear, unlike many who fought at Fontenoy Forbes did not benefit from Cumberland's patronage, although he

1725-630: The Isle of Alderney, Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter, and First and Principal Companion of the most Honourable Order of the Bath, third Son of His late most Excellent Majesty King George the Second". British Honours Academic On 20 July 1725, as a grandchild of the sovereign, William was granted use of the arms of the realm, differenced by a label argent of five points, the centre point bearing

1794-563: The Scots Greys and commander of the Allied cavalry. He fought at Dettingen in June 1743 and in September 1744, purchased a commission as captain. At Fontenoy in May 1745, Campbell sent Forbes with instructions to Brigadier General Ingoldsby on the Allied right, ordering him to attack a French redoubt whose fire was impeding their advance. One shot badly wounded Sir James, who was carried from

1863-681: The Stuart (Jacobite) uprising. The Jacobite army had advanced southwards into England, hoping that English Jacobites would rise and join them. However, after receiving only limited support, such as the Manchester Regiment , the followers of Charles decided to withdraw to Scotland . Cumberland joined the Midland army under Ligonier , and began pursuit of the enemy, as the Stuarts retreated northwards from Derby . On reaching Penrith ,

1932-595: The advanced portion of his army was repulsed on Clifton Moor in December 1745, and Cumberland became aware that an attempt to overtake the retreating Highlanders would be hopeless. Carlisle was retaken, and he was recalled to London, where preparations were in hand to meet an expected French invasion. The defeat of his replacement as commander, Henry Hawley , caused great panic in England in January 1746, when, under

2001-465: The allied British , Hanoverian , Austrian and Dutch (known as the Pragmatic Army ) troops despite his inexperience. He initially planned to take the offensive against the French, in a move he hoped would lead to the capture of Paris , but was persuaded by his advisors that this was impossible given the vast numerical superiority of the enemy. As it became clear that the French intention

2070-415: The army's existence in peacetime and only had confidence in their control over the militia, saw the expansion and further professionalisation of the army as absolutist . Critics such as Horace Walpole argued the institution of purchase was one of the safeguards of parliamentary sovereignty against Royalist insurrection. Cumberland's opponent in government Charles Townshend wished to instead further reduce

2139-538: The battle at Culloden, Jacobite prisoners were taken south to England to stand trial for high treason . Following Culloden, Cumberland was nicknamed "Sweet William" by his Whig supporters and "The Butcher" by his Tory opponents the latter being a taunt first recorded in the City of London and used for political purposes in England. Cumberland's own brother, the Prince of Wales (who had been refused permission to take

John Forbes (British Army officer) - Misplaced Pages Continue

2208-568: The battle, particularly his failure to occupy the woods. As the leading British general of the day, he was chosen to put a decisive stop to Prince Charles Edward Stuart , a grandson of James VII of Scotland and II of England (James VII/II was the last Stuart king on the male line), in the Jacobite rising of 1745 . His appointment was popular, and caused morale to soar amongst the public and troops loyal to King George. Recalled from Flanders , Cumberland proceeded with preparations for quelling

2277-519: The construction of Fort Pitt , named after British Secretary of State Pitt the Elder . He also established a settlement between the rivers, the site of modern Pittsburgh . His health rapidly declined during the campaign; described as a 'wasting disease', this is thought to have been stomach cancer, combined with severe dysentery . On 3 December 1758, he left Colonel Hugh Mercer in command and returned to Philadelphia , where he died on 11 March 1759 and

2346-468: The death of the Prince of Wales brought the latter's son , a minor, next in succession to the throne, the Duke was not able to secure for himself the contingent regency . As a compromise, the regency was vested in the Dowager Princess of Wales , who considered him an enemy, but her powers were curtailed and she was to be advised by a committee of twelve men, headed by Cumberland. Whilst in

2415-669: The failure of the 1757 Louisbourg Expedition , Forbes was promoted Brigadier general in December 1757 and given command of another attack on Fort Duquesne. His force contained 1,400 regulars, 400 from the Royal American Regiment , commanded by the experienced Swiss mercenary, Lt-Colonel Henry Bouquet , along with 1,000 Scots who made up Montgomerie's Highlanders . There were also 5,000 provincial militia from Virginia and Pennsylvania, commanded by George Washington , who had carried messages to Fort Le Boeuf in 1753, and accompanied Braddock in 1755. Forbes decided to build

2484-769: The fall of the Dutch Barrier Forts. Between 1748 and 1755 he attempted to enact a series of army reforms that were resisted by the opposition and by the army itself. Following the Convention of Klosterzeven in 1757, he never again held active military command and switched his attentions to politics and horse racing . William was born in Leicester House , in Leicester Fields (now Leicester Square ), Westminster , London , where his parents had moved after his grandfather, George I , accepted

2553-420: The field; Forbes stayed with him after the Allies retreated and was taken prisoner. He was soon exchanged but Campbell died a few days later and Forbes' letters display genuine grief at his death. Many viewed Fontenoy as a 'defeat snatched from the jaws of victory', and in the recriminations that followed, Ingoldsby was court-martialled . The grounds were his failure to comply with three separate orders to attack

2622-579: The fortified town of Stade on the North Sea coast. George II gave him discretionary powers to negotiate a separate peace. Hemmed in by French forces led by the Duc de Richelieu , Cumberland agreed to the Convention of Klosterzeven , under which his army was to be disbanded and much of Hanover occupied by French forces, at the Zeven Convent on 8 September 1757. On Cumberland's return to London, he

2691-416: The insignia for higher grades of general consist of this device, with the addition of a star (major general), crown (lieutenant general), or both ("full" general). Brigadier is the highest field officer rank (hence the absence of the word "general"), whereas brigadier-general was the lowest general officer "rank". However, the two ranks are considered equal. Historically, brigadier and sub-brigadier were

2760-512: The invitation to ascend the British throne. On 27 July 1726, at only five years old, he was created Duke of Cumberland , Marquess of Berkhamstead in the County of Hertford , Earl of Kennington in the County of Surrey , Viscount of Trematon in the County of Cornwall , and Baron of the Isle of Alderney . The young prince was educated well; his mother appointed Edmond Halley as a tutor. Another of his tutors (and occasional proxy for him)

2829-519: The junior officer ranks in the Troops of Horse Guards . This corresponded to French practice, where a brigadier was the cavalry equivalent of a corporal . To reflect the status of the Horse Guards as Household Troops , brigadiers ranked with lieutenants and sub-brigadiers with cornets in other cavalry regiments. When the Horse Guards were disbanded in 1788, the brigadiers and sub-brigadiers of

John Forbes (British Army officer) - Misplaced Pages Continue

2898-461: The main Jacobite army near the village of Culloden . In the ensuing battle , his army decisively defeated the Jacobites. The battle lasted only an hour, with the Jacobites suffering between 1,500 and 2,000 casualties, while approximately 300 government soldiers were killed or wounded. On the morning after the battle, Cumberland issued a written order reminding his men that "the public orders of

2967-405: The office of Commander-in-Chief , Cumberland attempted to reform the peacetime army with the support of his father . He wished to wrest control over promotions from the government to the army itself and to limit or curtail the practise of purchase . Cumberland further wished to create a special standing force which could be quickly deployed overseas in time of crisis. The Whigs, who only tolerated

3036-645: The pacification of Jacobite regions in the Scottish Highlands, which took several months. They carried out searches for rebels across the Highlands, confiscating property, destroying nonjuring Episcopalian and Catholic meeting houses and summarily executing numerous suspected rebels. While he had been in Inverness, Cumberland emptied the city jails of all of those who had been imprisoned by Jacobites and replaced them with Jacobites themselves; after

3105-460: The peacetime army and reform the militia by creating a volunteer force for home defence, a precursor to the volunteers of the 19th century which would be under the direct control of civil authorities. In 1754, the simmering colonial rivalry between Britain and France over competing territorial claims in North America developed into war. France asserted its claim to the Ohio Valley by building

3174-495: The rebels yesterday was to give us no quarter " and ordering his men to treat Jacobite wounded in the same manner. Cumberland alluded to the belief that such orders had been found upon the bodies of fallen Jacobites. However, for the two days after the battle, Cumberland's order was not followed upon; though in the following two days, government troops scoured the battlefield and put to death many wounded Jacobite soldiers they came across. Government forces subsequently embarked upon

3243-629: The reign of his nephew, George III , who acceded to the throne on the death of William's father on 25 October 1760. Cumberland became a very influential advisor to the King and was instrumental in establishing the First Rockingham Ministry . Cabinet meetings were held either at Cumberland Lodge , his home in Windsor , or at Upper Grosvenor Street, his house in London . Cumberland never fully recovered from his wound at Dettingen, and

3312-525: The route through Pennsylvania. A base was established at Carlisle, Pennsylvania , and a trail cut through the Allegheny Mountains , which became the Forbes Road . Already severely ill, Forbes had to be carried in a litter and relied heavily on Bouquet, who commanded the advance guard. Construction of the road and bases such as Fort Ligonier was supervised by Lt-Colonel John St Clair, who proved to be incompetent and required Forbes to do much of

3381-494: The still-victorious Marshal Saxe and received a heavy defeat at the Battle of Lauffeld , or Val, near Maastricht , on 2 July 1747. This and the fall of Bergen-op-Zoom compelled the two sides to the negotiating table and in 1748 the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle was concluded and Cumberland returned home. Cumberland's unpopularity, which had steadily increased since Culloden, interfered greatly with his success in politics, and when

3450-486: The village of Fontenoy and attacking the main French army nearby. Despite a concerted Anglo-Hanoverian attack on the French centre, which led many to believe the Allies had won, the failure to clear the woods and of the Dutch forces to capture Fontenoy forced Cumberland to retreat to Brussels , where he was unable to prevent the fall of Ghent , Bruges and Ostend . Cumberland was frequently criticised for his tactics in

3519-416: The work, despite his poor health. A less appreciated aspect of Forbes' leadership was in building relationships with local Native Americans, who previously refused to co-operate with the British. These efforts were bolstered by the capture of Fort Frontenac in August, increasing British prestige, while the loss of French traders severely impacted the local economy. This methodical approach was jeopardised by

SECTION 50

#1732800787681

3588-562: Was obese . In August 1760, he suffered a stroke and, on 31 October 1765, he died at his home on Upper Grosvenor Street in London at age 44. He was buried beneath the floor of the nave of the Henry VII Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey . He died unmarried. The Duke's full style as proclaimed at his funeral by Garter King-of-Arms was: "the [...] most High, most Mighty, and most Illustrious Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, and Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburgh, Marquess of Berkhamstead, Earl of Kennington, Viscount Trematon, Baron of

3657-412: Was also a Freemason , another of the informal networks needed for a successful public career in this period. Educated locally in Dunfermline , Forbes is thought to have studied medicine at Edinburgh University . In September 1729, he was appointed surgeon in the Royal Scots Greys , then based in Scotland. He remained with the regiment for the next 28 years but gave up his medical post in 1735, when he

3726-405: Was an appointment conferred on naval captains) rather than a substantive rank. However, from 1 November 1947 it became a substantive rank in the British Army. The Royal Marines, however, retained it as an acting rank until 1997, when both commodore and brigadier became substantive ranks. Brigadier-general was formerly a rank or appointment in the British Army and Royal Marines , and briefly in

3795-422: Was appointed aide to the elderly Earl of Stair , (1673-1747), Campbell's successor as colonel of the Scots Greys. Some units were sent to Britain in October to put down the 1745 Rising, but not the cavalry, since transporting horses by sea was considered impractical during the winter months. Stair was military commander of Southern Britain and Forbes may have served there for a short period but contrary to legend, he

3864-492: Was buried in the chancel of Christ Church, Philadelphia . John Forbes was born in Dunfermline on 5 September 1707, youngest child of Colonel John Forbes, 1658–1707, who died several months before his birth, and Elizabeth Graham, daughter of an Edinburgh merchant. His uncle, Duncan Forbes (1644-1704), was a prominent supporter of William of Orange and obtained his brother John an army commission. In 1701, Colonel Forbes purchased Pittencrieff Park , near Dunfermline , and it

3933-431: Was buried with full military honours. His final correspondence with Lord Amherst , the new commander in North America, included the recommendation he make his relationship with Native Americans a priority and 'not to think lightly of them or their friendship.' Forbes Field , now demolished but which formerly served as the home field for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pitt Panthers football team ,

4002-471: Was commissioned as a cornet . The long period of peace from 1713 to 1739 meant limited opportunities for promotion, while the commission purchase system worked against those like Forbes with little money. It was not until April 1742 he was promoted lieutenant , shortly before the regiment was posted to the Austrian Netherlands to fight in the War of the Austrian Succession . Forbes became aide-de-camp to James Campbell of Lawers, (1690-1745) , colonel of

4071-574: Was contradictory to Newcastle's own proposals and previous government strategies which advocated limited offensive operations. Further, Cumberland proposed a role of commander-in-chief for forces in America, who would have the power to levy local troops and direct local strategy. A 3,500 strong mixed force of regulars, militia, and allied natives would be assembled. It would then cross the Virginia mountains and strike Duquesne. Two regiments drawn from Ireland were given this task. An officer who had impressed Cumberland on previous campaigns, Edward Braddock,

4140-443: Was enrolled in the 2nd Foot Guards and made a Knight of the Bath , when aged four. He was intended, by the King and Queen, for the office of Lord High Admiral , and, in 1740, he sailed, as a volunteer, in the fleet under the command of Sir John Norris , but he quickly became dissatisfied with the Navy, and, instead secured the post of colonel of the First Regiment of Foot Guards on 20 February 1741. In December 1742, he became

4209-415: Was given command of all crown forces in America, to the surprise of many in the army as Braddock was relatively unknown. Newcastle approved the bolder plan, which met with limited success. In his role as army Commander-in-Chief, Cumberland advised on the conduct of the war in North America. He believed the war should be principally conducted by the colonies themselves and that regular troops should only play

SECTION 60

#1732800787681

4278-421: Was here John grew up. He had five elder sisters, of whom little is known, and two older brothers; Arthur (1703-1757), who inherited the estate, and Hugh (1704-1760), who became a lawyer. All three of the Forbes brothers had problems with money; John borrowed large sums to pursue his military career, while Arthur ruined himself expanding Pittencrief, which was sold after his death. Forbes married Anna Donald and had

4347-426: Was his mother's favourite Andrew Fountaine . At Hampton Court Palace , apartments were designed specially for him by William Kent . William's elder brother Frederick, Prince of Wales , proposed dividing the king's dominions. Frederick would get Britain, while William would get Hanover . This proposal came to nothing. From childhood, he showed physical courage and ability, and became his parents' favourite. He

4416-445: Was named after John Forbes. Forbes Field was America's first all-steel and concrete baseball stadium. Forbes Avenue , one of the city of Pittsburgh's principal boulevards, runs from the Monongahela River in Downtown Pittsburgh to Frick Park and the start of the eastern suburbs. It is named in his honor and roughly follows his colonial road. John Forbes Lane in Kanpur running from British India Corporation to Huddard High School

4485-502: Was not present at Culloden . Instead, he returned to Flanders in December 1745 as Deputy Quartermaster-General and was a major when the war ended in 1748. Forbes spent the next few years on garrison duty in different parts of Britain and in November 1750, purchased a commission as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Scots Greys. To do so, he borrowed £5,000 but with limited opportunities for further advancement, his debts became an increasingly large problem. The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle set up

4554-400: Was placed at the head of the Hanoverian Army of Observation , intended to defend Hanover (of which George II was Elector ) from a French invasion. At the Battle of Hastenbeck , near Hamelin , on 26 July 1757, Cumberland's army was defeated by the superior forces of d'Estrées . Despite seemingly having the advantage towards the end of the battle, Cumberland's forces began to retreat. Within

4623-443: Was the third and youngest son of King George II of Great Britain and Ireland and his wife, Caroline of Ansbach . He was Duke of Cumberland from 1726. He is best remembered for his role in putting down the Jacobite Rising at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, which made him popular in certain parts of Britain. He is often referred to by the nickname given to him by his Tory opponents: ' Butcher ' Cumberland . For much of

4692-434: Was to take Tournai , Cumberland advanced to the relief of the town, which was besieged by Marshal Saxe . In the resulting Battle of Fontenoy on 11 May 1745, the Allies were defeated by the French. Saxe had picked the battleground on which to confront the British, and filled the nearby woods with French marksmen . Cumberland ignored the threat of the woods when drawing up his battle plans, and instead concentrated on seizing

4761-401: Was treated badly by his father, despite the fact that he had previously been given permission to negotiate such an agreement. When they met, George II remarked "Here is my son who has ruined me and disgraced himself". In response, Cumberland resigned all the military and public offices he held and retired into private life. Cumberland's final years were lived out during the first five years of

#680319