James Wallace Sleigh
British Army general (1775–1865)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
James Wallace Sleigh | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Sir James Wallace Sleigh, by William Salter | |
| Born | 1775 |
| Died | 1865 (aged 89–90) |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
Branch | British Army |
Rank | General |
Conflicts | |
Family background
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
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]
