Hugh Henry Mitchell

Hugh Henry Mitchell

Colonel Hugh Henry Mitchell, CB
Born 9 June 1770 (1770-06-09)
Died 20 April 1817 (1817-04-21) (aged 46)
London, England
Allegiance United Kingdom United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Years of service 1782–1815
Rank Colonel
Commands held 51st Regiment of Foot
Battles/wars Battle of Salamanca
Battle of Waterloo
Awards Companion of the Order of the Bath
Order of St. Andrew
Order of St. Vladimir (3rd Class)
Order of St. Anna
Military Order of Maria Theresa
Gold Medal for Salamanca[1]

Colonel Hugh Henry Mitchell, CB (9 June 1770 – 20 April 1817)[2] was a British military leader who fought in several decisive battles during the Napoleonic Wars, including the Battle of Salamanca and the Battle of Waterloo.

Career

Mitchell was commissioned in January 1782 with the rank of ensign, in the service of the 101st Regiment of Foot. After promotion to lieutenant in June 1783 and served in Canada from 1786 to 1796. He fought in the Egyptian Campaign in 1801 and was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in December 1805 in the service of the 26th Regiment of Foot. He became a major on 17 March 1804 and lieutenant-colonel on 12 December 1805. Mitchell commanded a battalion of the 26th Regiment of Foot from 1805 to 1811 and the 51st Regiment of Foot from 13 June 1811 until 1814, throughout the Peninsular War. He gained the rank of colonel on 4 June 1813.[3]

In the Waterloo campaign Mitchell commanded the 4th Brigade of the 4th Division, consisting of the 3rd battalion of the 14th foot, the 1st Battalion of 23rd Fusiliers, and the 1st Battalion of the 51st Light Infantry, a total of around 2,000 officers and men.[4] "As the light was beginning to fail (on 17 June 1815) Colonel Mitchell led his brigade to the position ... on the extreme right near Braine-l'Alleud, and here the regiments bivouaced for the night, the rain continuing to fall in torrents." [5] Mitchell's brigade was engaged early in the battle when the French attacked Hougoumont Farm." [6][7]

He was conferred with the honour of Companion of the Order of the Bath on 4 June 1815 and received the Russian Order of St. Vladimir.

He died on 20 April 1817 at age 46 at Queen Anne Street, London, England.

Family

Mitchell married Lady Harriet Isabella Somerset, daughter of Henry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort and Elizabeth Boscawen, on 3 July 1804. The children of Colonel Hugh Henry Mitchell and Lady Harriet Isabella Somerset were:[8]

References

  1. Mitchell's' awards, except the Salamanca Gold Medal, are displayed at the KOYLI Museum in Doncaster.
  2.  "Mitchell, Hugh Henry". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
  3. Deedes, G.P.. The King's Own Light Infantry - Register of Officers. A Register of Officers who have served on a Regular Commission in the Regiment since its Formation on 19 December 1755 until the End of the War on 15 August 1945. nd (c 1946). Lund Humphries, 1st Ed., 247 pp. page 156.
  4. http://www.mondo72.com/waterloo/britinf.html
  5. Wylly, H. C. (Harold Carmichael), 1858–1932. History of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, Vol I, from 1755 to 1914. London: P. Lund, Humphries & Co., 1926. page 287
  6. http://www.lightinfantry.me.uk/koyli.htm
  7. Liddell Hart, B.H. The Letters Of Private Wheeler 1809–1828. ISBN 0900075589
  8. The Marquis of Ruvigny and Raineval, Melville Henry Massue. The Plantagenet Roll of the Blood Royal Being A Complete Table of All the Descendents Now Living of Edward III, King of England. London, England: T.C. & E. C. Jack, 1905–1911.

External links

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