Alexander Leslie (British Army officer)

The Honourable Major General Alexander Leslie (1731 – 27 December 1794) was a major general in the British Army during the American Revolutionary War. He was the commander of the British troops at the Battle of Harlem Heights. He replaced Cornwallis as commander in the South in 1782.

This article is about the British Army officer. For other people named Alexander Leslie, see Alexander Leslie (disambiguation).

Alexander Leslie
A caricature of Alexander Leslie
Born1731
Died27 December 1794 (aged 62–63)
Beechwood House
Allegiance Kingdom of Great Britain
Service/branch British Army
Years of service1753–1782
RankMajor General
Battles/warsAmerican War of Independence

Early life

Very little is known of his childhood. Leslie was born in England in 1731 to Alexander Leslie, 5th Earl of Leven, and was brother to Lady Mary Hamilton.

Military career

He enlisted in the 3rd Foot Guards of the British Army in 1753. He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the 64th Regiment of Foot in 1766.[1]

In 1775, before the American War of Independence broke out, he led troops to Salem, Massachusetts looking for contraband weapons. His advance was delayed by a standoff at a bridge, during which the colonists removed the weapons he was looking for. His force was eventually allowed to proceed, but found nothing of consequence, and was received with hostility during the expedition.

In 1776, Leslie was promoted to brigadier-general. He fought in the Battle of Long Island, the Landing at Kip's Bay, the Battle of White Plains and the Battle of Harlem Heights, the Battle of Princeton and the Siege of Charleston during the American War of Independence. At Princeton, his nephew, Captain William Leslie was mortally wounded.[2]

In 1780, he was sent to the Chesapeake Bay by Sir Henry Clinton in order to "make a powerful diversion in [Earl Cornwallis's] favor by striking at the magazines then collecting by the enemy ... for supplying the army they were assembling to oppose him."[3] He became major general in 1782 and was made Colonel of the 63rd (West Suffolk) Regiment of Foot the same year. He transferred in 1788 to be Colonel of the 9th (East Norfolk) Regiment of Foot to his death.

Death

On 27 December 1794, Leslie became deathly ill while traveling from Glasgow and died at the Beechwood House.[3]

Personal life

In 1760, he married Mary Tullidelph. She died in 1761 in childbirth. Their daughter survived.[4]

See also
  • List of British generals

References
  1. Fredriksen, John C. (2001). America's military adversaries: from colonial times to the present. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO. pp. 289–290. ISBN 1-57607-603-2.
  2. Fischer, David Hackett (2006). Washington's Crossing. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 331. ISBN 0-19-517034-2.
  3. Webmaster (2 January 2011). "Alexander Leslie". Banastre Tarleton. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  4. Essex Institute historical collections, Volume 38 By Essex Institute, Peabody Essex Museum (1902) p. 325
Military offices
Preceded by
Thomas Twisleton, 13th Baron Saye and Sele		 Colonel of the 9th (East Norfolk) Regiment of Foot
1788–1794		 Succeeded by
Albemarle Bertie, 9th Earl of Lindsey
Preceded by
Francis Grant		 Colonel of the 63rd (West Suffolk) Regiment of Foot
1782–1788		 Succeeded by
George Waldegrave, 4th Earl Waldegrave
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