Charles Craufurd

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Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Gregan Craufurd GCB (17611821), was a Scottish soldier.

Craufurd was the second son of Sir Alexander Crauford, 1st Baronet (see Crauford Baronets), and the elder brother of Robert Craufurd. He entered the 1st Dragoon Guards in 1778. Made captain in the Queen's Bays in 1785, he became the equerry and intimate friend of the Duke of York. He studied in Germany for some time, and, with his brother Robert's assistance, translated Tielke's book on the Seven Years' War (The Remarkable Events of the War between Prussia, Austria and Russia from 1756 to 1763). As aide-de-camp he accompanied the duke of York to the French War in 1793, and was at once sent as commissioner to the Austrian headquarters, with which he was present at Neerwinden, Caesar's Camp, Famars, Landrecies, etc.

Promoted to Major in 1793, and lieutenant-colonel in 1794, he returned to the English army in the latter year, and on one occasion distinguished himself at the head of two squadrons, taking 3 guns and 1000 prisoners. (See the Battle of Villers-en-Cauchies.) When the British army left the continent Craufurd was again attached to the Austrian army, and was present at the actions on the Lahn, the combat of Neumarkt, and the battle of Amberg. At the last battle a severe wound rendered him incapable of further service, and cut short a promising career. He succeeded his brother Robert as Member of Parliament (MP) for East Retford (1806-1812). He died in 1821, having become a lieutenant-general and a GCB.

[edit] Literature

  • Tielke, Johann Gottlieb: An account of some of the most remarkable events of the war between the Prussians, Austrians and Russians, from 1756 to 1763: and a treatise on several branches of the military art, with plans and maps. Translated from the second edition of the German original of J. G. Tielke, by Captain C. Craufurd, ... and Captain R. Craufurd.

[edit] References

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Robert Crauford
John Jaffray
Member of Parliament for East Retford
with Thomas Hughan 1806–1807
William Ingilby 1807–1812

1806–1812
Succeeded by
George Osbaldston
Charles Marsh
Persondata
NAME Craufurd, Charles
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Sir Charles Gregan Craufurd;Craufurd, Charles Gregan
SHORT DESCRIPTION British General
DATE OF BIRTH 1761
PLACE OF BIRTH
DATE OF DEATH 1821
PLACE OF DEATH