MILITARY CHRONICLE.

APRIL, 1811.

MILITARY BIOGRAPHY.

Tu lene concilium et datis, et dato Gaudetis, alme.

LIFE OF THE EARL OF MOIRA.

THERE are some characters, like some of the masters in painting, whose reputation suffers by their own excellence. It is acknowledged, perhaps universally, that they possess in an eminent degree some of the minor beauties, but under the false presumption that such graces are inconsistent with excellencies of a higher order, whilst they are allowed credit for the less, it is doubted or denied that they possess the greater. It has been thus with Lord Moira. Every one acknowledges, what every one cannot but see, that in every gentlemanly quality, in an easy grace of address and manners, he stands eminently foremost. But his zmilitary name does not stand equally high. Now whence does this proceed? Is there any natural repulsion between manners and military virtue? Must the ground and substance of character necessarily suffer by its polish?

Francis, Lord Rawdon, earl of Moira, was born December 7th, 1754; and was created a baron of Great Britain in 1783.

The family from which his Lordship is lineally descended is of great antiquity, as appears from the title-deed of their estate, granted by William the Conqueror; part of which estate, with the mansion-house, the Earl of Moira still enjoys. In the original deed, mentioned in Weaver's Funeral Monuments, some interesting lines are still extant illustrative of those antient claims, and may be read by the curious in a late edition of Collins's Peerage.

Having completed a regular course of studies, and visited the most fashionable parts of Europe, about the commencement of the American war his Lordship entered into the army, from an enthusiastic attachment to the profession; and embarked with his regiment for that quarter of the world. He took a very active and deeisive part during the whole of our unfortunate contest with the YOL. I. NO. VI. 3 L

Military Biography.-Earl of Moira.

estranged and alienated colonies; and gave early proofs of that calm intrepidity of soul, which is the result of unblemished honour. His indifference to danger was now conspicuous, and, indeed, his attachment to a military life had been manifested in his most juvenile amusements.

To a mind thus organised, enterprise and danger became obs jects of ambition.

His Lordship was very early characterised by an unusual firm. ness of mind; so much so indeed, that when a most painful operation was performed on his eye, no acuteness of bodily sensation could betray him into one symptom of weakness or impatience.

He gave early proofs of the possession of this enviable qualification, when he was lieutenant in the 5th company of grenadiers, at the hemorable battle of Bunker's Hill. On that occasion he received two shots in his cap; and was one of only seven out of the company that escaped unhurt. The late General Burgoyne, who was familiarly acquainted with the detail of this action, makes use of this remarkable expression, in his dispatches to the British government, "Lord Rawdon has this day stamped his fame for life." His Lordship was afterwards present at the storming of Fort Clinton.

In 1778, Lord Rawdon was appointed adjutant-general to the British forces, under the command of Sir Henry Clinton, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the army. In this capacity he proved himself not only brave, but active and judicious; and rendered most essential service in the hazardous retreat of the British army through the Jerseys, from Philadelphia to-New York; and also in the action at Monmouth. He afterwards embarked with the troops for Charlestown, and served during the siege of that place. On this occasion, he acquitted himself with so much judgment, and exhibited so many marks of distinguished valour, that notwithstanding his want of years, and consequently presumed inexperience, he was appointed to the command of a separate corps. the province of South Carolina,

In a short time after, he joined the army under Lord Cornwallis. Previous to this junction General Gates had invaded South Carolina. Lord Rawdon, then commanding at Camden, met, and kept him at bay until Lord Cornwallis arrived with reinforcement

Military Biography.-Earl of Moira.

During that period he lay upwards of forty-eight hours within two miles of the American army, offering them battle, if they chose to expose themselves in an unfavourable position by advancing towards him. No temptation, however, of distinguishing himself by an almost certain victory, could seduce him to hazard an attack before the arrival of Lord Cornwallis; and thereby unnecessarily risk the public interest from motives of private ambition. General Gates was obliged to retire, in order to get round him, by a circuitous march of three days; which circumstance threw the American army into such a situation, that it produced the memorable defeat which ensued at the battle of Camden. Lord Rawdon commanded one of the divisions by which the action was commenced, and which proved one of the most decisive engagements during that period in favour of Great Britain.

The following extract from Stedman's History of the Americau War will shew in what a conspicuous light Lord Rawdon stood at the battle fought near Camden, August 16th, 1780. "Lord Cornwallis's judgment in planning, his promptitude in executing, and his fortitude and coolness during the time of action, attracted universal applause and admiration. The Lord Rawdon, who was only twenty-five years, bore a very conspicuous part in this day's action."

When Lord Cornwallis marched into North Carolina, Lord Rawdon was left with a mere handful of men to secure the froufiers of South Carolina, extending about 400 miles. In February, 1781, Generals Sumpter and Marion, each at the head of a corps far more numerous than Lord Rawdon's, broke into the province by various approaches; summoning all the inhabitants to rise against the British. By a series of rapid marches and daring exertions he succeeded in driving them out of the whole extent of that territory in less than ten days. These operations were attended' with unexampled fatigue, and produced many sharp contests with the enemy.

In April following, General Greene took the command against him, and advanced with three times the number of the British to the strong post of Hobkirk's-hill.

A few days afterwards, General Greene, as if in contempt of his enemy, detached off, on another service, part of his militia and

Military Biography.-Earl of Moira.

and cannon. Lord Rawdon, having received this intelligence, resolved upon an immediate attack.

Accordingly, at nine in the morning of the 25th of April, he be gan his march; and by making a circuit, and keeping close to the edge of a swamp, under cover of the woods, happily gained the left flank of the enemy undiscovered. In that quarter the American camp was most assailable, because there the ascent of the hill was the easiest; but the impenetrable swamp that covered the approach to it had freed the enemy from all apprehensions of an attack on that side. In this fancied state of security, the driving in of the picquets gave them the first alarm of the advance of the British army.

The attack commenced in the following order. The 63d regiment, supported by the volunteers of Ireland, formed the right; the King's American regiment, supported by Captain Robertson's detachment, on the left; and the New York volunteers, the centre of the British line, The South Carolina regiment, and the cavalry, were in the rear of the whole, and formed a corps of observation,

The enemy, although apparently surprised, and at first in some confusion, formed with great expedition, and met the attack with resolution and bravery. Their first line consisted wholly of continental troops, the Virginia brigade being on the right, and the Maryland brigade on the left. Their artillery, being recalled, árrived just as the action began, and was posted in the centre. Their second line was formed entirely of militia. General Greenė, having formed by order of battle, awaited in much coolness the march of the British. After viewing the advance of the British troops, and the narrow front which they presented, was so confident of success, that, with a view of rendering it more complete, and hemming them in on every side, he made an alteration in their first disposition.

The right of the Virginia, and the left of the Maryland brigades, were ordered to take the British troops in flank, whilst the remainder of these two brigades marched down the hill to attack them in front; and, in the mean time, Lieutenant-colonel Washington, with the cavalry, was detached to fall upon their rear. Had these

Military Biography.—Earl of Moira.

several attacks succeeded, undoubtedly nothing but ruin awaited the British army; but Lord Rawdon discovering the enemy's design, quickly extended his front, by bringing forward the Irish volunteers, and forming them into line. The Americans, who defended the hill in front, although they fought for some time with great bravery, and well supported by a destructive fire of grape shot from their cannon, could not long withstand the impetuosity of the assailants. Being compelled to retire, they were pursued by the British troops to the top of the hill, Lord Rawdon, having gained the summit of the eminence, and silenced the American cannon, which were immediately drawn off, was enabled to bring the remainder of his force into action; and at length put to route the whole American army. The continentals several times rallied, and returned to the charge; but were as often broke and put to fight.

Had Lord Rawdon, instead of marching out to meet the enemy, remained in his works, such was the superiority of Greene, parti→ cularly in cavalry, that he must have reduced his Lordship in a short time to the necessity of surrendering through want of provi sions. The quick and marked decision with which he acted on this, as he had done on former occasións, gave a very good earnest of his future operations.

Circumstances compelling Lord Cornwallis soon after to evacu ate the province, and his Lordship about the same time falling ill, the command devolved upon Lord Rawdon. During their retreat the British suffered considerably; being sometimes deprived of meat, and not unfrequently destitute of bread,

Notwithstanding this masterly retreat, he found it necessary to evacuate Camden. Yet he possessed so manifest a superiority over the enemy, that he continued to pursue and harass General Greene with unremitting vigilance and activity. Not having been fortunate enough, however, to overtake him, he found it most expedient, for the good of the service, to return to Charlestown.

During his Lordship's subsequent command in that place, an affair happened which was severely censured by the Americans, and afterwards canvassed with some degree of asperity in the House of Commons. It also became an object of inquiry among