The 2nd Duke
It has been some time since we have profiled a British Armyofficer, so I picked one whose understated but valuable contribution to theCrown, a chap with the very likely and straight-out-of-central casting name ofHugh Percy. Raised in a powerful family (his father was the First Earl ofNorthumberland), young Percy overcame a series of childhood maladies to enterinto a military career, a career he would himself essentially terminate just ashe reached the peak of success.
Hugh Percy
Percy joined the 24th Regiment of Foot in 1759 asan ensign. Like so many from prominent and connected families, young Hughmanaged to obtain a lieutenant colonelcy and position as aide de camp toFerdinand of Brunswick. Also, like so many of his peers, The Seven Years' Warprovided the opportunity to garnish laurels in combat at the battles of Bergenand Linden.
Battle of Minden
PoliticianBy 1762, he was a lieutenant colonel in the GrenadierGuards, arguably the most elite unit in the Royal Army and guardian of thesovereign. He stunned many when he declined to serve as aide de camp to KingGeorge III. Instead, he stood for Parliament, earning a seat in the House ofCommons as a Whig. His politics put him at odds with the Crown, particularlywhen it came to colonial policy. Ironically, Percy still maintained a tightconnection to the King. He married the daughter of George III's tutor and mentor,Lord Bute.
Percy as Politico
In 1768, Percy bought a colonelcy in the NorthumberlandFusiliers. He proved to be a very liberal and forward-thinking colonel. He tooka different approach to leadership, treating his men with kindness and rejectingthe traditional harsh discipline of the Army. He banned flogging and otherharsh disciplinary measures. Percy also saw to their financial needs and those oftheir families, often providing funds to those in need. Rather than lead byfiat, he led by example. His actions quickly won the affection and trust of hissoldiers. His approach resulted in a highly effective unit of men fiercelydevoted to their commanding officer.
Northumberland FusilierBoston Bound
The political situation in North America continued todeteriorate over the next few years. Despite, or perhaps because of, hissympathies for the Americans, Colonel Hugh Percy received orders in 1774 tosail to America, where his regiment joined General Thomas Gage's garrison inBoston. Gage appointed him a brevet brigadier general and commandant of theBritish camp. Things continued to simmer in and around Boston, and in thefollowing year, Gage began a series of pre-emptive strikes—punitive actions toreduce the power and threat from the militia.
Boston and Environs
Things came to a head in April 1775 when Gage sentLieutenant Colonel Francis Smith at the head of a column of some 800 regularsto seize militia gunpowder and arms thought to be at Concord. On 19 April, oneof Smith's units, under the command of Major John Pitcairn, encountered amilitia unit on Lexington Green. The short exchange, the so-called "ShotHeard Round the World," was followed by a larger firefight aroundCambridge.
The Column Reaches ConcordColumn in Chaos
Things went badly for the British, who began a retreat toBoston as thousands of locals grabbed their muskets and began to harass thecolumn, cutting down many officers with aimed fire. Near Lexington, Smith'stroops were reinforced by a brigade of some 1,400 men under Hugh Percy. Percyused cannon and volley fire to keep the militia (by now, we can call themrebels) at bay and brought Smith's demoralized men into some sort of order.
Percy guides the column home
Throughout the long march back, under relentless andpunishing fire from the rebel militia, Percy kept the British column together,maintaining discipline to prevent a disaster. When they reached Menotomy, Percymade a decision that likely saved the Army. Instead of pushing towardCambridge, he changed their route of return and marched to Charlestown. Thisroute had fewer rebels. The column arrived back in Boston. In July, Gagepromoted Percy to Major General for his cool actions under duress. No smallirony that an officer sympathetic to the rebels thwarted their best efforts to wipeout the column.
General Thomas Gage
Percy missed the Battle of Bunker Hill due to illness. Tohis chagrin, his Northumberland Fusiliers were cut to pieces under theheavy-handed command of General William Howe. True to his philosophy of command,Percy funded the return voyage of all the widows and arranged a small stipendfor those in need. The British evacuated Boston in March 1776 and recuperated in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Gagehad been recalled, and William Howe was now commander in chief.
Battles for New York
In July, the reinforced British Army landed on Staten Islandin New York harbor. Weeks later, a whirlwind campaign was launched on LongIsland. Here, on 27 August, Percy distinguished himself by helping lead a nightmarch that cut off a third of the Continental Army. In November, Percy led aBritish force that drew fire from the defenders at Fort Washington, allowingHessian General von Knyphausen's men to overrun the garrison and force itssurrender.
Percy led regulars in action on Long Island
The following month, Percy and General Henry Clinton led aBritish expedition that seized Newport, Rhode Island. When Henry Clintonreturned to Britain, Percy was made commander of the Newport garrison. Thingswere not all rosy, however. Percy was critical of Howe's strategy and hisconduct of the war. He also suffered from ill health. This combination caused himto request relief from his command and a return to Britain. General Howepromptly granted it, and Hugh Percy left America forever in May 1777.
Sir Henry ClintonThe 2nd Duke
In 1779, Percy divorced his wife on the grounds of adultery but soon remarried and had nine children with his second wife. Upon the death of his father in 1784, Percy became the 2nd Duke ofNorthumberland. He spent the next several decades in various military postingsin Britain, dabbling again in politics and tending to his estates. He was abenevolent landlord who took care of the farm folk who worked on his lands. Hewas a rare lord who had the esteem of his people. Hugh Percy died on his estatein July 1817. His years of poor health finally caught up with him.
2nd Duke of Northumberland
Liberal LegacyOne has to wonder how the course of the war in America wouldhave gone for the British had Percy remained, possibly even rising to supremecommand. His benign ways might have rallied more Americans to the Crown, andhis ability to inspire troops and his coolness under fire might have been thedifference in the campaigns that followed. One interesting nugget—Percy had an illegitimatehalf-brother, James Smithson. The same James Smithson who bequeathed the fundsused to establish what became known as The Smithsonian Institution—the world'slargest museum and research complex.
The Smithsonian
