Charles Mawhood

Lt. Col. Charles Mawhood (23 December 1729 – 29 August 1780) was a British army officer during the 18th century, most noted for his command during the Battle of Princeton.

Charles Mawhood
The Death of General Mercer at the Battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777 by John Trumbull
Born23 December 1729
Died29 August 1780(1780-08-29) (aged 50)
Gibraltar
Allegiance Great Britain
Service/branch British Army
Years of service1752–1780
RankLieutenant colonel
Battles/warsSeven Years' War

American Revolutionary War

Military career

His military service began with purchase of a cornetcy in 1st Dragoon Guards (1 August 1752). He served in the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), initially as a Captain in the 15th Light Dragoons, then transferred to 18th Light Dragoons. He subsequently saw action in Germany as aide-de-camp to Lord Granby. He continued to rise in rank during the peace, first to major in the 3rd Foot on 17 May 1763, then to lieutenant colonel of the 19th Foot on 17 June 1767. He transferred to the 17th Foot on 26 October 1775[lower-alpha 1] and served with this regiment during General Howe's early campaigns of the American War of Independence.

Battle of Princeton

Mawhood was left in command of a force at Princeton, New Jersey by Lord Cornwallis in January 1777 while Cornwallis chased after George Washington's army after the Battle of Trenton.[2] After Cornwallis's attack in Trenton was stopped, Washington sneaked his army around that of Cornwallis and attacked the Princeton garrison. Mawhood acquitted himself well in the battle, and was mentioned in dispatches:[lower-alpha 2]

“General Howe desires Lieut.-Col. Mawhood will accept his thanks for his Gallantry and good Conduct in the Attack [...] He desires his thanks may also be given to the Officers and Soldiers of the 17th. Foot, to part of the 55th. Regiment, and other Detachments on their march, who on that occasion supported the 17th. Regiment and Charged the Enemy with Bayonet in the most Spirited manner.”

Later, Mawhood received a message from the King, noting his bravery.[4]

Mawhood continued to serve in North America, seeing further action during the 1777–1778 Philadelphia campaign leading a mixed force of regulars, loyalists and rangers in a series of raids through New Jersey.

Gibraltar

Highly esteemed in England following the Battle of Princeton, he was chosen to raise a new regiment, the Royal Manchester Volunteers (72nd Foot), for service at the besieged garrison of Gibraltar. Mawhood died during the siege on 29 August 1780 after suffering from a gall-stone.

Notes
  1. Howe's Orders, Boston, 4th Apr., 1776. “17th. Regiment.—Lieutenant-Colonel Mawhood, of the 19th. Regiment, to be Lieutenant-Colonel Vice Derby 26th. Oct., 1775.”.[1]
  2. “HEAD QUARTERS, New York, Jan. 8th., 1777.”[3]

References
  1. Kemble 1884, p. 329.
  2. Fischer 2006, pp. 326–7.
  3. Kemble 1884, p. 434-435.
  4. National Archive CO 5/94. "Lord George Germain, principal Secretary of State for America, dated 3rd March 1777: “His Majesty has been pleased to take very particular notice of the bravery of Lieut.-Colonel Mawhood, and approves the behaviour of the regiments under his command, especially the 17th, so highly commended by Lord Cornwallis.”

Bibliography
  • Fischer, David Hackett (2006). Washington's Crossing. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-518159-X.
  • Kemble, Stephen (1884). Kemble Papers: Volume 1. Kemble's journals, 1773-1789 -- British Army orders : Gen. Sir William Howe, 1775-1778 ; Gen. Sir Henry Clinton, 1778 ; Gen. Daniel Jones, 1778. New York Historical Society.


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