James Johnston.
Appointed 27th April, 1775.
This officer was cousin to the previous Colonel of the same name. He obtained the commission of Cornet in the Thirteenth Dragoons on the 5th of October, 1736, and was removed to the Royal Dragoons in 1739, in which corps he rose to the rank of Major, and was promoted to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the Thirteenth Dragoons on the 2nd of December, 1754. In April, 1759, he was reappointed to the First Royal Dragoons, and proceeding in command of the regiment to Germany, served in the battles and skirmishes of that and the two succeeding campaigns under Ferdinand Duke of Brunswick. He particularly distinguished himself at the battle of Warbourg, and was wounded at the battle of Campen. In 1762 he was promoted to the local rank of Major-General in Germany; and he commanded a brigade of cavalry during the campaign of that year. He was distinguished alike for the sterner military virtues,—for a gentlemanly deportment,—and an amiable disposition, which procured him the esteem of all ranks; and on the breaking up of the army on the continent he received a flattering mark of the approbation of the hereditary Prince of Brunswick,[27]—namely, a valuable gold snuff-box, embellished with highly-chased military trophies, accompanied by an autograph letter, of which the following is a copy:—
"Munden, ce 17 de Nov. 1762.
"Monsieur,
"Vous m'obligerez sensiblement, en acceptant la babiole que je joins ici comme une marque de l'estime, et de la consideration parfaite que je vous porte, et comme un souvenir d'un ami qui jamais ne finèra d'etre.
"Monsieur,
"Votre très humble et très devoué serviteur,
"Charles, Pr. Her. de B."
"A Monsieur
"Le Col. Johnston."