Wealthy Scion
It has been a while since we last profiled a British Army officer, so I chose one whose modest yet significant contribution to the Crown is notable—a man with a very typical, straight-out-of-central-casting name: Hugh Percy. Born into a prominent family (his father was the First Earl of Northumberland), young Percy overcame a series of childhood illnesses to pursue a military career, which he himself essentially ended just as he was reaching the height of success.
A Call to Arms
Percy joined the 24th Regiment of Foot in 1759 as an ensign. Like many from prominent and well-connected families, young Hugh managed to secure a lieutenant colonelcy and position as aide de camp to Ferdinand of Brunswick. Additionally, like many of his peers, The Seven Years' War offered the chance to earn laurels in combat at the battles of Bergen and Linden.
Battle of Minden
Politician
By 1762, he was a lieutenant colonel in the Grenadier Guards, arguably the most elite unit in the Royal Army and a protector of the monarch. He surprised many by refusing to serve as aide de camp to King George III. Instead, he ran for Parliament, securing a seat in the House of Commons as a Whig. His political beliefs often put him at odds with the Crown, especially regarding colonial policy. Ironically, Percy still maintained a close connection to the King. He married the daughter of George III's tutor and mentor, Lord Bute.
A Gentler Colonel
In 1768, Percy was commissioned as a colonel in the Northumberland Fusiliers. He proved to be a very progressive and forward-thinking leader. He adopted a different approach to leadership, treating his men with kindness and rejecting the traditional harsh discipline of the Army. He banned flogging and other severe disciplinary measures. Percy also took care of their financial needs and those of their families, often providing funds to those in need. Instead of ruling through orders, he led by example. His actions quickly earned the affection and trust of his soldiers. His approach resulted in a highly effective unit of men fiercely loyal to their commanding officer.
Boston Bound
The political situation in North America kept worsening over the next few years. Despite, or maybe because of, his sympathies for the Americans, Colonel Hugh Percy received orders in 1774 to sail to America, where his regiment joined General Thomas Gage's garrison in Boston. Gage made him a brevet brigadier general and commandant of the British camp. Tensions kept rising in and around Boston, and the next year, Gage started a series of pre-emptive strikes—punitive actions to weaken the militia's power and threat.
The Shot Heard Round the World
Things reached a crisis point in April 1775 when Gage dispatched Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith with about 800 regulars to seize militia gunpowder and arms believed to be at Concord. On April 19, one of Smith's units, led by Major John Pitcairn, faced a militia force on Lexington Green. The brief clash, known as the "Shot Heard Round the World," was followed by a larger gunfight around Cambridge.
Column in Chaos
Things went badly for the British, who began a retreat to Boston as thousands of locals grabbed their muskets and started to harass the column, shooting at officers with aimed fire. Near Lexington, Smith's troops were reinforced by a brigade of around 1,400 men led by Hugh Percy. Percy used cannons and volley fire to keep the militia (now, we can call them rebels) at bay and helped bring Smith's demoralized men back into some kind of order.
Unlikely Savior
Throughout the long march back, under relentless and punishing fire from the rebel militia, Percy kept the British column together, maintaining discipline to prevent a disaster. When they reached Menotomy, Percy made a decision that likely saved the army. Instead of pushing toward Cambridge, he changed their route of return and marched to Charlestown. This route had fewer rebels. The column arrived back in Boston. In July, Gage promoted Percy to Major General for his calm actions under pressure. No small irony that an officer sympathetic to the rebels thwarted their best efforts to wipe out the column.
Halifax Hiatus
Percy missed the Battle of Bunker Hill due to illness. To his frustration, his Northumberland Fusiliers were decimated under the heavy-handed command of General William Howe. True to his approach to leadership, Percy funded the return voyage for all the widows and arranged a small stipend for those in need. The British evacuated Boston in March 1776 and regrouped in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Gage had been recalled, and William Howe was now the commander in chief.
Battles for New York
In July, the reinforced British Army landed on Staten Island in New York Harbor. Weeks later, a swift campaign was launched on Long Island. On August 27, Percy distinguished himself by helping lead a night march that cut off a third of the Continental Army. In November, Percy led a British force that drew fire from the defenders at Fort Washington, allowing Hessian General von Knyphausen's men to overrun the garrison and force its surrender.
Newport Nexus
The following month, Percy and General Henry Clinton led a British expedition that captured Newport, Rhode Island. When Henry Clinton returned to Britain, Percy was appointed commander of the Newport garrison. However, things were not all smooth sailing. Percy was critical of Howe's strategy and how he handled the war. He also struggled with poor health. This combination led him to request relief from his command and a return to Britain. General Howe quickly approved, and Hugh Percy left America for good in May 1777.
The 2nd Duke
In 1779, Percy divorced his wife on the grounds of adultery but soon remarried and had nine children with his second wife. After his father’s death in 1784, Percy became the 2nd Duke of Northumberland. He spent the next several decades serving in various military roles in Britain, re-engaging in politics, and managing his estates. He was a kind landlord who took care of the farm workers on his lands. He was a rare noble who earned the respect of his people. Hugh Percy died on his estate in July 1817. His years of poor health finally caught up with him.
2nd Duke of Northumberland
Liberal Legacy
One has to wonder how the course of the war in America would have played out for the British if Percy had remained, possibly even rising to the level of supreme command. His gentle manner might have rallied more Americans to the Crown, and his ability to motivate troops and stay calm under fire could have made a difference in the subsequent campaigns. An interesting fact—Percy had an illegitimate half-brother, James Smithson. The same James Smithson who bequeathed the funds used to establish what became known as The Smithsonian Institution—the world's largest museum and research complex.
