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Charles Grey, 1st Earl Grey

Charles Grey, 1st Earl Grey, KB, PC (circa 23 October 1729 – 14 November 1807) was a British Army general in the 18th century and a scion of the noble House of Grey. He was a distinguished soldier in a generation of exceptionally capable military personnel, serving crucially in the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolutionary Wars.

Charles Grey, 1st Earl Grey

The Earl Grey
Nickname(s)No-flint Grey
Born(1729-10-23)23 October 1729
Northumberland, Great Britain
Died14 November 1807(1807-11-14) (aged 78)
AllegianceGreat Britain
Service/branchBritish Army
Years of service1744–1799
RankGeneral
Battles/wars
AwardsKCB
RelationsCharles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey (son)
George Grey, 1st Baronet (son)
Other workGovernor of Guernsey

He served in the American War of Independence (1775–1783), rising to be Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in America. Following the Battle of Paoli in Pennsylvania in 1777 he became known as "No-flint Grey" for ordering his men to extract the flints from their muskets during a night approach and to fight with bayonets only. He later fought in the French Revolutionary Wars (1792–1802), capturing Martinique as leverage to force the Treaty of Amiens, and was appointed as Governor of Guernsey.

Early life

Grey was born at his family estate Howick Hall, 30 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne and one mile from the North Sea. His exact birthdate is unknown, but he was baptized 23 October 1729, so he was probably born in October.[1] He was the third son of Sir Henry Grey, 1st Baronet, of Howick and his wife Lady Hannah Grey (née Wood), daughter of Thomas Wood of Fallodon in Northumberland. Because he had two older brothers, Grey did not expect to inherit his father's titles and estates, so he pursued a career in the military. His two older brothers Sir Henry and Thomas both died without issue, leaving him as the viable heir.

Military career

In 1744, with financial assistance from his father, Grey purchased a commission as an ensign in the 6th Regiment of Foot.[2] He soon went to Scotland with the Sixth Regiment to suppress the Jacobite Rising of 1745. Following victory there, the Sixth Regiment spent the next few years in Gibraltar. In December 1752, he purchased a lieutenancy in the Sixth Regiment. In March 1755, he formed a new independent company and became their captain. Two months later, he purchased a captaincy in the 20th Regiment of Foot (subsequently titled 'East Devonshire Regiment', and in 1881 the Lancashire Fusiliers), in which James Wolfe served as lieutenant colonel. In 1757, while with Wolfe's regiment, he participated in the unsuccessful attack on Rochefort.

Seven Years' War

In the Seven Years' War, he served as adjutant in the staff of Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick and on 1 August 1759 was wounded at Minden. On 14 October 1760 he commanded a Light Company at the Battle of Campen, where he was again wounded. One year later, as Lt. Colonel of the 98th Regiment of Foot (1761), he participated in the Capture of Belle Île, off the coast of Brittany. Next, he served at the Battle of Havana in 1762. Later, he was on the staff of Wilhelm, Count of Schaumburg-Lippe during the Spanish invasion of Portugal (1762). In 1763 he retired on half-pay, but in 1772 he received a promotion to Colonel and served as aide-de-camp to King George III.

American War of Independence

During the American War of Independence he was one of the more successful army leaders. He was rapidly promoted, becoming a major general in 1777 and commanded the 3rd Brigade at the Battle of Brandywine. He earned the nickname "No-flint Grey" after the Battle of Paoli in the same campaign when, to ensure surprise in the night attack on an American encampment, it was said he ordered the infantry of his command to remove the flints from their muskets and use only their bayonets. In fact, he only directed that muskets should be unloaded. He commanded the 3rd Brigade again at the Battle of Germantown and the Battle of Monmouth. Immediately following his disastrous retreat at the Battle of Monmouth, the American General Charles Lee excused himself from criticism by complaining that he had directly faced the advance Grey's 3rd brigade, suggesting the Earl was a feared and respected opponent by this stage in the war.

In 1778 he led raids at New Bedford on 5–6 September, destroying nearly all the shipping and burning twenty shops and twenty-two houses in the town, and Martha's Vineyard, where between 10 and 15 September, the British carried off all the sheep, swine, cattle and oxen that they could find with promise of payment in New York. On 27 September 1778, Grey used the same methods as he had at the Battle of Paoli[citation needed] in a night attack at Old Tappan, New Jersey, which came to be known as the Baylor Massacre. He was recalled to England and became a knight of the Order of the Bath and a lieutenant general. He later was appointed commander-in-chief of the British troops in America, but hostilities ended before he could take command.

French Revolutionary Wars

At the outset of the French Revolutionary Wars in 1793, Sir Charles Grey was appointed commander of the West Indian expedition. First, however, he went to Ostend to participate in the relief of Nieuwpoort, Belgium. In early 1794, he and Admiral Sir John Jervis led a British force to capture Martinique. The campaign lasted about six weeks with the British capturing Fort Royal and Fort Saint Louis on 22 March, and Fort Bourbon two days later. The British then occupied Martinique until the Treaty of Amiens returned the island to the French in 1802. Grey was later involved in the invasion of Guadeloupe. Between the years of 1797 and 1807 General Grey held the position of Governor of Guernsey.[3]

Peerage

In late 1794 he returned to England. From 1798 to 1799 he served as Commander of the Southern District, retiring in 1799. In acknowledgment of his service, he was raised in January 1801 to the peerage as Baron Grey, of Howick in the County of Northumberland.[4] In 1806, he was created Earl Grey and Viscount Howick, in the County of Northumberland.[5] He died the next year, at the age of 78.

Family

A member of the House of Grey, he married Elizabeth Grey (1744–1822), daughter of George Grey of Southwick (1713–1746). Their children were:

Grey and his wife brought up Eliza Courtney, the illegitimate daughter of their son Charles with Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire.

Sources

  • Fredriksen, John C. (2001). America's Military Adversaries: From Colonial Times to the Present. (ABC-CLIO).
  • De Garis, Marie (1995). (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 April 2012.

References

  1. ^ Nelson, Paul David (April 1996). Sir Charles Grey, First Earl Grey: Royal Soldier, Family Patriarch. Fairleigh Dickinson University Press. p. 18. ISBN 978-0-8386-3673-2.
  2. ^ Nelson, Paul David (April 1996). Sir Charles Grey, First Earl Grey: Royal Soldier, Family Patriarch. Fairleigh Dickinson University Press. p. 19. ISBN 978-0-8386-3673-2.
  3. ^ "Guernsey". World Statesmen. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  4. ^ "No. 15374". The London Gazette. 9 June 1801. p. 646.
  5. ^ "No. 15905". The London Gazette. 29 March 1806. p. 407.
  6. ^ "Lady Hannah Althea Ellice (née Grey)". National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 19 September 2021.

External links

  • Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by the Earl Grey
Military offices
New title
Regiment raised
Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant of the 98th Regiment of Foot
1761–1763
Regiment disbanded
Preceded by Colonel of the 28th (North Gloucestershire) Regiment of Foot
1777–1787
Succeeded by
James Patterson
Preceded by Colonel of the 8th (The King's Royal Irish) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons
1787–1789
Succeeded by
Francis Lascelles
Preceded by Colonel of the 7th (The Princess Royal's) Dragoon Guards
1789–1795
Succeeded by
Preceded by
George Sandford
Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant
Colonel of the 20th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons
1795–1797
Succeeded by
The Lord Heathfield
Preceded by
Francis Lascelles
Colonel of the 8th (The King's Royal Irish) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons
1797–1799
Succeeded by
Preceded by Governor of Guernsey
1797–1807
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Francis Lascelles
Colonel of the 3rd (The King's Own) Regiment of Dragoons
1799–1807
Succeeded by
Peerage of the United Kingdom
New creation Earl Grey
1806–1807
Succeeded by
Baron Grey
1801–1807

charles, grey, earl, grey, circa, october, 1729, november, 1807, british, army, general, 18th, century, scion, noble, house, grey, distinguished, soldier, generation, exceptionally, capable, military, personnel, serving, crucially, seven, years, 1756, 1763, am. Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey KB PC circa 23 October 1729 14 November 1807 was a British Army general in the 18th century and a scion of the noble House of Grey He was a distinguished soldier in a generation of exceptionally capable military personnel serving crucially in the Seven Years War 1756 1763 the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolutionary Wars Charles Grey 1st Earl GreyKB PCThe Earl GreyNickname s No flint GreyBorn 1729 10 23 23 October 1729Northumberland Great BritainDied14 November 1807 1807 11 14 aged 78 AllegianceGreat BritainService wbr branchBritish ArmyYears of service1744 1799RankGeneralBattles warsJacobite Rising Seven Years War Raid on Rochefort West German Campaign Capture of Belle Ile Capture of Havana Spanish invasion of Portugal American Revolutionary War Philadelphia campaign Grey s raid French Revolutionary Wars West Indies CampaignAwardsKCBRelationsCharles Grey 2nd Earl Grey son George Grey 1st Baronet son Other workGovernor of GuernseyHe served in the American War of Independence 1775 1783 rising to be Commander in Chief of the British forces in America Following the Battle of Paoli in Pennsylvania in 1777 he became known as No flint Grey for ordering his men to extract the flints from their muskets during a night approach and to fight with bayonets only He later fought in the French Revolutionary Wars 1792 1802 capturing Martinique as leverage to force the Treaty of Amiens and was appointed as Governor of Guernsey Contents 1 Early life 2 Military career 2 1 Seven Years War 2 2 American War of Independence 2 3 French Revolutionary Wars 3 Peerage 4 Family 5 Sources 6 References 7 External linksEarly life EditGrey was born at his family estate Howick Hall 30 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne and one mile from the North Sea His exact birthdate is unknown but he was baptized 23 October 1729 so he was probably born in October 1 He was the third son of Sir Henry Grey 1st Baronet of Howick and his wife Lady Hannah Grey nee Wood daughter of Thomas Wood of Fallodon in Northumberland Because he had two older brothers Grey did not expect to inherit his father s titles and estates so he pursued a career in the military His two older brothers Sir Henry and Thomas both died without issue leaving him as the viable heir Military career EditIn 1744 with financial assistance from his father Grey purchased a commission as an ensign in the 6th Regiment of Foot 2 He soon went to Scotland with the Sixth Regiment to suppress the Jacobite Rising of 1745 Following victory there the Sixth Regiment spent the next few years in Gibraltar In December 1752 he purchased a lieutenancy in the Sixth Regiment In March 1755 he formed a new independent company and became their captain Two months later he purchased a captaincy in the 20th Regiment of Foot subsequently titled East Devonshire Regiment and in 1881 the Lancashire Fusiliers in which James Wolfe served as lieutenant colonel In 1757 while with Wolfe s regiment he participated in the unsuccessful attack on Rochefort Seven Years War Edit Further information Great Britain in the Seven Years War In the Seven Years War he served as adjutant in the staff of Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick and on 1 August 1759 was wounded at Minden On 14 October 1760 he commanded a Light Company at the Battle of Campen where he was again wounded One year later as Lt Colonel of the 98th Regiment of Foot 1761 he participated in the Capture of Belle Ile off the coast of Brittany Next he served at the Battle of Havana in 1762 Later he was on the staff of Wilhelm Count of Schaumburg Lippe during the Spanish invasion of Portugal 1762 In 1763 he retired on half pay but in 1772 he received a promotion to Colonel and served as aide de camp to King George III American War of Independence Edit During the American War of Independence he was one of the more successful army leaders He was rapidly promoted becoming a major general in 1777 and commanded the 3rd Brigade at the Battle of Brandywine He earned the nickname No flint Grey after the Battle of Paoli in the same campaign when to ensure surprise in the night attack on an American encampment it was said he ordered the infantry of his command to remove the flints from their muskets and use only their bayonets In fact he only directed that muskets should be unloaded He commanded the 3rd Brigade again at the Battle of Germantown and the Battle of Monmouth Immediately following his disastrous retreat at the Battle of Monmouth the American General Charles Lee excused himself from criticism by complaining that he had directly faced the advance Grey s 3rd brigade suggesting the Earl was a feared and respected opponent by this stage in the war In 1778 he led raids at New Bedford on 5 6 September destroying nearly all the shipping and burning twenty shops and twenty two houses in the town and Martha s Vineyard where between 10 and 15 September the British carried off all the sheep swine cattle and oxen that they could find with promise of payment in New York On 27 September 1778 Grey used the same methods as he had at the Battle of Paoli citation needed in a night attack at Old Tappan New Jersey which came to be known as the Baylor Massacre He was recalled to England and became a knight of the Order of the Bath and a lieutenant general He later was appointed commander in chief of the British troops in America but hostilities ended before he could take command French Revolutionary Wars Edit At the outset of the French Revolutionary Wars in 1793 Sir Charles Grey was appointed commander of the West Indian expedition First however he went to Ostend to participate in the relief of Nieuwpoort Belgium In early 1794 he and Admiral Sir John Jervis led a British force to capture Martinique The campaign lasted about six weeks with the British capturing Fort Royal and Fort Saint Louis on 22 March and Fort Bourbon two days later The British then occupied Martinique until the Treaty of Amiens returned the island to the French in 1802 Grey was later involved in the invasion of Guadeloupe Between the years of 1797 and 1807 General Grey held the position of Governor of Guernsey 3 Peerage EditIn late 1794 he returned to England From 1798 to 1799 he served as Commander of the Southern District retiring in 1799 In acknowledgment of his service he was raised in January 1801 to the peerage as Baron Grey of Howick in the County of Northumberland 4 In 1806 he was created Earl Grey and Viscount Howick in the County of Northumberland 5 He died the next year at the age of 78 Family EditA member of the House of Grey he married Elizabeth Grey 1744 1822 daughter of George Grey of Southwick 1713 1746 Their children were Charles Grey 2nd Earl Grey 1764 1845 Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and abolisher of slavery married Mary Elizabeth Ponsonby Sir George Grey 1st Baronet of Fallodon KCB 1767 1828 Flag Captain under Admiral Jervis Flag Captain of King George III s Royal Yacht 1801 04 married Mary Whitbread daughter of Samuel Whitbread 1720 1796 Bishop Edward Grey 1782 1837 Bishop of Hereford married firstly Charlotte Elizabeth Croft secondly Elizabeth Adair and thirdly Eliza Innes Sir Henry George Grey 1766 1845 GCH GCB Colonel in the 13th Light Dragoons who married Charlotte Des Voeux 1789 1882 Lady Elizabeth Grey 1765 1846 married Samuel Whitbread Lt Col William Grey 1777 1817 married Maria Shirreff Lady Hannah Althea Grey 1785 1832 married firstly George Edmund Byron Bettesworth and secondly Edward Bear Ellice MP 6 Grey and his wife brought up Eliza Courtney the illegitimate daughter of their son Charles with Georgiana Cavendish Duchess of Devonshire Sources EditFredriksen John C 2001 America s Military Adversaries From Colonial Times to the Present ABC CLIO De Garis Marie 1995 History of St Pierre du Bois PDF Archived from the original PDF on 15 April 2012 References Edit Nelson Paul David April 1996 Sir Charles Grey First Earl Grey Royal Soldier Family Patriarch Fairleigh Dickinson University Press p 18 ISBN 978 0 8386 3673 2 Nelson Paul David April 1996 Sir Charles Grey First Earl Grey Royal Soldier Family Patriarch Fairleigh Dickinson University Press p 19 ISBN 978 0 8386 3673 2 Guernsey World Statesmen Retrieved 23 December 2015 No 15374 The London Gazette 9 June 1801 p 646 No 15905 The London Gazette 29 March 1806 p 407 Lady Hannah Althea Ellice nee Grey National Portrait Gallery Retrieved 19 September 2021 External links EditHansard 1803 2005 contributions in Parliament by the Earl GreyMilitary officesNew titleRegiment raised Lieutenant Colonel Commandant of the 98th Regiment of Foot1761 1763 Regiment disbandedPreceded byThomas Erle Colonel of the 28th North Gloucestershire Regiment of Foot1777 1787 Succeeded byJames PattersonPreceded byJohn Severne Colonel of the 8th The King s Royal Irish Regiment of Light Dragoons1787 1789 Succeeded byFrancis LascellesPreceded byStudholme Hodgson Colonel of the 7th The Princess Royal s Dragoon Guards1789 1795 Succeeded bySir Ralph AbercrombyPreceded byGeorge SandfordLieutenant Colonel Commandant Colonel of the 20th Regiment of Light Dragoons1795 1797 Succeeded byThe Lord HeathfieldPreceded byFrancis Lascelles Colonel of the 8th The King s Royal Irish Regiment of Light Dragoons1797 1799 Succeeded bySir Robert Laurie BtPreceded byThe Lord Amherst Governor of Guernsey1797 1807 Succeeded byThe Earl of PembrokePreceded byFrancis Lascelles Colonel of the 3rd The King s Own Regiment of Dragoons1799 1807 Succeeded byWilliam CartwrightPeerage of the United KingdomNew creation Earl Grey1806 1807 Succeeded byCharles GreyBaron Grey1801 1807 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey amp oldid 1136801853, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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