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James Wallace Sleigh

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James Wallace Sleigh
Portrait of Sir James Wallace Sleigh, by William Salter
Portrait of Sir James Wallace Sleigh, by William Salter
Born1775
Died1865(1865-00-00) (aged 89–90)
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service / branchBritish Army
Rankgeneral
Battles / wars

Sir James Wallace Sleigh CB (1775–1865) was an officer of the British Army. He rose to be a general, and fought with Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo.

Family background

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Sleigh was the son of William Sleigh and Frances Wallace. His mother was the illegitimate daughter of Admiral Sir James Wallace. He also had a brother called Francis Wallace Sleigh who went to live in South Africa.[1] In 1783 his father is mentioned in the events surrounding the court case involving Charles Bourne and Sir James Wallace.[2] Along with his mother and siblings he is mentioned as a beneficiary in the will of Sir James Wallace (who died in 1803).[3] Sleigh married Eliza Fagan, the daughter of Major-General Christopher Sullivan Fagan and Agnes Baldock in 1831.[4]

Military record

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Sleigh was appointed a lieutenant with the 11th Dragoons in 1795. He was made a captain in 1798 and a major in 1805. In 1809 he became a lieutenant-colonel and as such fought in the Battle of Waterloo against Napoleon. In 1819 he became a colonel by brevet. He was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath.[5] In 1826 he is referred to as formerly a brigadier and as a British general who was leading the Cavalry in a battle in India at Bhurtpore.[6] He became a major-general in 1830 and was made the Colonel of the 9th Lancers in 1839.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Sleigh, Francis « South African Settlers". southafricansettlers.com. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  2. ^ Bourne, C.; Wallace, J.; Blanchard, W.I. (1783). The Trial of Lieutenant Charles Bourne: Upon the Prosecution of Sir James Wallace, Knt., for an Assault; Also the Law Pleadings, the Arguments of Counsel, and the Speech of Mr. Justice Willes Upon Passing Judgement. S. Bladon. pp. 1–61. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  3. ^ "Will of Sir James Wallace of Hanworth, Middlesex | The National Archives". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  4. ^ "- Person Page 38593". thepeerage.com. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  5. ^ The Royal Military Calendar, Volume 4 edited by John Philippart
  6. ^ Medals of the British Army, Thomas Carter
  7. ^ THE NEW ARMY LIST, FOR JANUARY, 1841.By H. G. HART