Henry Hawley
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant General Henry Hawley (c. 1679 – March 24, 1759) was a British
Army officer who entered the army in 1694.
in 1715, where he was wounded.
After this he served for some years in Britain, obtaining promotion in the usual course, and in 1739 he arrived at the grade of major general. Four years later he accompanied George II and Stair to Germany, and, as a general officer of cavalry under Sir John Cope, was present at Dettingen
.
, and on 20 December 1745 became commander-in-chief in Scotland. Less than a month later Hawley suffered a severe defeat at Falkirk
at the hands of the Jacobite insurgents. This, however, did not cost him his command, for the Duke of Cumberland, who was soon afterwards sent north, was captain-general. Under Cumberland's orders Hawley led the cavalry in the campaign of Culloden
, and at that battle his dragoons became infamous for their brutality to fugitive rebels, while he gained the nickname of Hangman Hawley.
After the end of the "Forty-Five" he accompanied Cumberland to the Low Countries and led the allied cavalry at Lauffeld
(Val). He ended his career as governor of Portsmouth and died at that place in 1759. He was buried in the parish church of St Mary
in Hartley Wintney
in Hampshire
, near his family home, West Green House
.
James Wolfe
, his brigade-major, wrote of General Hawley in no flattering terms. "The troops dread his severity, hate the man and hold his military knowledge in contempt," he wrote. But, whether it be true or false that he was the natural son of George II, Hawley was always treated with the greatest favour by that king and by his son the Duke of Cumberland.
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Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
Army officer who entered the army in 1694.
Early life
He saw service in the War of Spanish Succession as a captain of Erie's (the 19th) Foot. After Almanza he returned to England, and a few years later had become lieutenant-colonel of the 19th. With this regiment he served at SheriffmuirBattle of Sheriffmuir
The Battle of Sheriffmuir was an engagement in 1715 at the height of the Jacobite rebellion in England and Scotland.-History:John Erskine, 6th Earl of Mar, standard-bearer for the Jacobite cause in Scotland, mustered Highland chiefs, and on 6 September declared James Francis Edward Stuart as King...
in 1715, where he was wounded.
After this he served for some years in Britain, obtaining promotion in the usual course, and in 1739 he arrived at the grade of major general. Four years later he accompanied George II and Stair to Germany, and, as a general officer of cavalry under Sir John Cope, was present at Dettingen
Battle of Dettingen
The Battle of Dettingen took place on 27 June 1743 at Dettingen in Bavaria during the War of the Austrian Succession. It was the last time that a British monarch personally led his troops into battle...
.
Jacobite Rebellion
Becoming lieutenant-general somewhat later, he was second-in-command of the cavalry at FontenoyBattle of Fontenoy
The Battle of Fontenoy, 11 May 1745, was a major engagement of the War of the Austrian Succession, fought between the forces of the Pragmatic Allies – comprising mainly Dutch, British, and Hanoverian troops under the nominal command of the Duke of Cumberland – and a French army under Maurice de...
, and on 20 December 1745 became commander-in-chief in Scotland. Less than a month later Hawley suffered a severe defeat at Falkirk
Battle of Falkirk (1746)
During the Second Jacobite Rising, the Battle of Falkirk Muir was the last noteworthy Jacobite success.-Background:...
at the hands of the Jacobite insurgents. This, however, did not cost him his command, for the Duke of Cumberland, who was soon afterwards sent north, was captain-general. Under Cumberland's orders Hawley led the cavalry in the campaign of Culloden
Battle of Culloden
The Battle of Culloden was the final confrontation of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. Taking place on 16 April 1746, the battle pitted the Jacobite forces of Charles Edward Stuart against an army commanded by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, loyal to the British government...
, and at that battle his dragoons became infamous for their brutality to fugitive rebels, while he gained the nickname of Hangman Hawley.
After the end of the "Forty-Five" he accompanied Cumberland to the Low Countries and led the allied cavalry at Lauffeld
Battle of Lauffeld
The Battle of Lauffeld, also known as the Battle of Lafelt or Battle of Maastricht, also Battle of Val, took place on 2 July 1747, during the French invasion of the Netherlands. It was part of the War of the Austrian Succession...
(Val). He ended his career as governor of Portsmouth and died at that place in 1759. He was buried in the parish church of St Mary
St Mary's Church, Hartley Wintney
St Mary's Church, Hartley Wintney, is a redundant Anglican church in the village of Hartley Wintney, Hampshire, England. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building, and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust...
in Hartley Wintney
Hartley Wintney
Hartley Wintney is a large village and civil parish in the English county of Hampshire.-Location and character:Hartley Wintney is in the Hart district of North-East Hampshire...
in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, near his family home, West Green House
West Green House
West Green House is an 18th century country house at West Green in Hartley Wintney in the English county of Hampshire. It was sold on a 99-year lease by the National Trust and is now owned by Marylyn Abbott. The gardens have been developed and now rank in the top 50 gardens in England to visit...
.
James Wolfe
James Wolfe
Major General James P. Wolfe was a British Army officer, known for his training reforms but remembered chiefly for his victory over the French in Canada...
, his brigade-major, wrote of General Hawley in no flattering terms. "The troops dread his severity, hate the man and hold his military knowledge in contempt," he wrote. But, whether it be true or false that he was the natural son of George II, Hawley was always treated with the greatest favour by that king and by his son the Duke of Cumberland.
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