Wellington's American General: The Oldest Serving Soldier in the British Army
Amberley Publishing
ISBN: 9781398102590
Hardcover: 288 pages
An American General in Wellington's Army? At the age of 14, Frederick Robinson fought for the Loyalists in the War of Independence. With their defeat, his family took refuge in England. After serving against the French in the West Indies, he worked in army recruitment in London. In 1813 he joined the Peninsular campaign as a Brigade Major General. His journals and letters shed light on the local topography and the personalities he encounters - the British grandees of Oporto, landed gentry, priests and peasants, Wellington and his generals and the common soldier - the marches across country and the battles of Vitoria, San Sebastian, the Nime and Toulouse. Subsequently, he commanded a division in America during the War of 1812. After colonial governorships in Upper Canada and Tobago, he continued to contribute as a Regimental Colonel. At his death in 1852, he was the longest-serving soldier in the British Army.
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From A Peninsular Brigadier by CT Atkinson as contained in the Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, XXXIV, no. 140 (London, December 1956): 164, 165:
This article on Col Robinson is available on JSTOR.
'We have been besieging this place this Ten days, and this night it will be stormed - I have just received notice that my Brigade is to be in the Trenches tonight but whether I am to be honoured with the advance or not, I cannot tell, but be that as it may I hope I shall do my duty, I have a Brave set of fellows under me, that will follow wherever I will lead - I do not feel any of the Falstaff symptoms and place my trust in him who protected me at Gamarra - [Second paragraph omitted) We are in hopes of having some rest if we succeed like good Boys in taking the place - Our noble Lord is arrived, and if he places himself within view of the men they will fight like Heroes - It is not easy to describe the enthusiasm of the Army about him, although he appears to harrass them more than any Army suffered before - Our whole Division are nearly bare footed, and the clothing torn to pieces - besides which they are constantly covered with mud from Head to foot owing to their working in the Trenches night and day in the most dreadful weather I ever remember - Still no complaint is heard and their only hope is that the town may not be allowed to capitulate after all the trouble they have had - They little think of, or care for the poor Inhabitants, but you may form an idea of their situation, when I tell you we fire about 400 Cannon Shot & Shells every hour.'-Col FP Robinson, 23 July1813 in camp before San Sebastien.
'We paint the conduct of the French in this country in very strong and harsh colours, but be assured we injure the people much more than they do, and all under the name of Friendship - The French demand heavy contributions which fall on the wealthier class only, but they punish plundering in the most severe manner except where it is intended as a punishment for fruitless resistance - Wherever we move Devastation marks our steps - The Portuguese are an army of Thieves, The Spaniards have no feeling for their Country- men & our soldiers would be worse than either were it not for the severe Discipline in use' -Colonel FP Robinson, 31 July 1813.
I was wondering.
In 1813 he joined the Peninsular campaign as a Brigade Major General."Brigade Major" or "Major General"?