The General who shares with Sir John Moore, the credit of renewing the ancient discipline and military reputation of the British soldier, was born at Menstry near Tullibody, in October, 1734. Educated at Rugby, and afterwards studied law at Edinburgh and Leipzig. In 1756 made a Cornet in 3rd Dragoon Guards. In 1758 he went with his regiment to Germany, where it formed part of the English force under Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, the victor of Minden. Lieutenant, 1760. Captain, 1762. In 1767 he married Miss Menzies, with whom he lived very happily. Major, 1770. Lieutenant-Colonel, 1773. Became M.P. for county of Clackmannan, but soon gave up Parliamentary life. War broke out with France, he was made a Major-General, and ordered to Flanders with a Brigade. First made his mark at Furnes, commanded the storming column at the siege of Valenciennes, and was publicly thanked by the Duke of York for his conduct at Roubaix. Returned to England in 1795, and made a Knight of the Bath. In November, 1795, sailed for the West Indies with 15,000 men, to reduce the French Sugar Islands. In 1799 he was despatched with 10,000 men, to attack Holland. On 20 October in an attack on Bergen, he had two horses shot under him.... 24 October, 1800, he was ordered to proceed with all his troops, to Egypt to expel or capture the French Army left there by Napoleon.... 27 December, he cast anchor in the bay of Marmorice. Here he waited 6 weeks, receiving some slight reinforcements, and discovering that the Turks were quite useless as allies. But while waiting he looked after his soldiers' health, and practised disembarkments until the whole force thoroughly understood how to promptly disembark, and every man knew his place in his boat.... On 2 March he anchored in Aboukir Bay.... In the end Menou was beaten back with immense loss, including 3 generals killed, while the English loss was only 1464 killed and wounded. Among the latter was Sir Ralph Abercromby, who riding in front in his usual reckless manner, was wounded in the thigh by a musket ball. He was carried to the Foudroyant, the flagship. "What is it you have placed under my head?" asked the wounded general. "Only a soldier's blanket," answered the aide de camp. "Only a soldier's blanket; make haste and return it to him at once."
He died on board the flagship on 28 March.
No biography would be complete which did not notice his extreme shortsightedness, almost blindness, nor yet without noticing the singular sweetness and purity of his domestic life, which made all who came across him, from the Duke of York, whom he eclipsed, to Lord Camden, with whom he quarrelled, acknowledge the charm of his society.
MICHAEL GOOLD ADAMS.
Cornet by purchase, 21 July, 1825. Lieutenant by purchase, 30 July, 1829. Captain by purchase, 28 December, 1838. Exchanged to half-pay, unattached, 31 December, 1844.
ROBERT HENRY ADAMS.
Born, 4 December, 1858. 2nd Lieutenant, 19 February, 1881. Lieutenant, 1 July, 1881. Captain, 9 October, 1889.
Expedition to Dongola, 1896. Despatches "London Gazette," 3 November, 1896. Fourth Class Medjidie.
Major, 29th April, 1900. Served in South African War, 1901-2, and took part in operations in the Transvaal, February, 1901, to May, 1902; the Zululand frontier of Natal, September and October, 1901; and in Cape Colony, May, 1902 (medal with five clasps).
ALEXANDER AGNEW.