Lot Essay
General Alexander Fisher MacIntosh, K.H., of Dunchattan, entered the Army as a Cornet in the 14th Light Dragoons on 21.10.1811 before purchasing a Lieutenancy in the 3rd (Prince of Wales's) Dragoons on 11.6.1812. He joined the 3rd Dragoon Guards in the Peninsula in August 1812 just as Wellington's Army, fresh from its great victory at Salamanca, entered Madrid which had been under French occupation since 1808. With the reverse to Allied fortunes at the end of the year, however, MacIntosh saw action at Alba-de-Tormes, the retreat to Ciudad Rodrigo and the action of San Munos. He further participated in the skirmish at the re-crossing of the Tormes, and the attack on the French Rearguard under General Eugene Villate, the action at Hormaza before Burgos, and the Battle of Vittoria on 21.6.1813, where the 3rd Dragoon Guards made several charges late in the day to hasten the enemy's retreat. He next took part in the investment of Pamplona but was in reserve with his Regiment at the Battle of the Pyrenees where the country was unsuitable for Cavalry operations. He 'further distinguished himself at Tarbes and in the Cavalry action at St. Gaudens' and was present at the Battle of Toulouse on 10.4.1814. At the conclusion of the War in June the 3rd Dragoon Guards marched north through France to Calais and sailed for England on 20 July.
On 6.6.1816 MacIntosh was promoted to Captain in the 60th Rifles and was placed on Half-Pay the following month. He exchanged into the 79th Highlanders in 1819; the 11th Foot in 1823; and became a Major in the 93rd Highlanders at the end of the latter year. On 9.7.1825 he exchanged into the 15th (East Yorkshire) Regiment which he was destined to command with distinction and marked competence for nine years. On 12.5.1827 the Regiment embarked for Canada and the Christmas season that year found MacIntosh at Fort Henry where ice, which cut regular communications by boat or ship, afforded a dozen deserters the means of crossing the St. Lawrence to the United States. In May 1832 MacIntosh moved his 'very smart soldier-like corps' to Quebec and Kingston, but in May 1832 was called out in aid of the civil power following political unrest in Montreal. On a day of 'drenching rain' and at the close of a poll in the west of the city, he confronted an angry mob protesting violently at the imprisonment of a certain Dr. Tracey who had published a reactionary paper called The Vindication. The Riot Act having been read by the Magistrates, MacIntosh was authorised to take such steps as might appear necessary. The Limerick Chronicle of 22 August subsequently reported:
'On approach of the military the mob fled down St. James's Street, the military taking the same direction, headed by their Commanding Officer. About this time the stones began to fly again from the mob in a dangerous manner, and as that part of the town had been recently macadamized, the mob had a plentiful supply of stones ready at hand, which we lament to say, they used with dreadful dexterity. Colonel MacIntosh and several of the other Officers were struck, the former very severely. Still, the utmost exertions - the most persuading entreaties were used by both Colonel MacIntosh, the magistrates and those in authority, to prevail on the misguided and infatuated mob to disperse - but to no effect. The stones and other missiles continued to be thrown, and several persons were knocked down before our eyes. At length the fatal word was given - Fire! and in another moment four persons were lying dead in the streets, and several wounded. One of them a young man not more than fifteen or sixteen years of age. The mob fled'.
The conduct of MacIntosh and the Captain of the Picquet was duly investigated both by Grand Jury and the Military Authority, whereupon both were commended for their 'judgement, steadiness, and discipline'. In 1833 Colonel MacIntosh proceeded to England on home leave and, having been invested with the Royal Guelphic Order, was placed on Half-Pay on 8.4.1834. He became a full Colonel in June 1838; was subsequently advanced to Major-General on 11.11.1851; and was successively appointed Colonel of the 90th Foot in March 1857, and the 93rd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in June 1862. Lastly he was promoted General in December 1864, four years prior to his death in Scotland in August 1868.
On 6.6.1816 MacIntosh was promoted to Captain in the 60th Rifles and was placed on Half-Pay the following month. He exchanged into the 79th Highlanders in 1819; the 11th Foot in 1823; and became a Major in the 93rd Highlanders at the end of the latter year. On 9.7.1825 he exchanged into the 15th (East Yorkshire) Regiment which he was destined to command with distinction and marked competence for nine years. On 12.5.1827 the Regiment embarked for Canada and the Christmas season that year found MacIntosh at Fort Henry where ice, which cut regular communications by boat or ship, afforded a dozen deserters the means of crossing the St. Lawrence to the United States. In May 1832 MacIntosh moved his 'very smart soldier-like corps' to Quebec and Kingston, but in May 1832 was called out in aid of the civil power following political unrest in Montreal. On a day of 'drenching rain' and at the close of a poll in the west of the city, he confronted an angry mob protesting violently at the imprisonment of a certain Dr. Tracey who had published a reactionary paper called The Vindication. The Riot Act having been read by the Magistrates, MacIntosh was authorised to take such steps as might appear necessary. The Limerick Chronicle of 22 August subsequently reported:
'On approach of the military the mob fled down St. James's Street, the military taking the same direction, headed by their Commanding Officer. About this time the stones began to fly again from the mob in a dangerous manner, and as that part of the town had been recently macadamized, the mob had a plentiful supply of stones ready at hand, which we lament to say, they used with dreadful dexterity. Colonel MacIntosh and several of the other Officers were struck, the former very severely. Still, the utmost exertions - the most persuading entreaties were used by both Colonel MacIntosh, the magistrates and those in authority, to prevail on the misguided and infatuated mob to disperse - but to no effect. The stones and other missiles continued to be thrown, and several persons were knocked down before our eyes. At length the fatal word was given - Fire! and in another moment four persons were lying dead in the streets, and several wounded. One of them a young man not more than fifteen or sixteen years of age. The mob fled'.
The conduct of MacIntosh and the Captain of the Picquet was duly investigated both by Grand Jury and the Military Authority, whereupon both were commended for their 'judgement, steadiness, and discipline'. In 1833 Colonel MacIntosh proceeded to England on home leave and, having been invested with the Royal Guelphic Order, was placed on Half-Pay on 8.4.1834. He became a full Colonel in June 1838; was subsequently advanced to Major-General on 11.11.1851; and was successively appointed Colonel of the 90th Foot in March 1857, and the 93rd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in June 1862. Lastly he was promoted General in December 1864, four years prior to his death in Scotland in August 1868.