William Crosbie (British Army officer)
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Major-General William Crosbie (c. 1740 – 16 June 1798) was a British Army officer who served in the American War of Independence and French Revolutionary Wars and held several senior commands in the British Army, including that of Lieutenant-Governor of Portsmouth.
William Crosbie | |
|---|---|
Portrait by Robert Hunter, c. 1774 | |
| Born | c. 1740 |
| Died | 16 June 1798 |
| Allegiance | Great Britain |
Branch | British Army |
Rank | Major general |
Conflicts | American War of Independence French Revolutionary Wars |
Military career
Crosbie was commissioned as an ensign in the 38th Regiment of Foot in 1757.[1] He was promoted to lieutenant in 1759 and captain in 1769.[1] After serving at the evacuation of Boston in March 1776 during the American Revolutionary War, he was promoted to major in 1778.[2] Promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1781, he became commanding officer of the 22nd Regiment of Foot on promotion.[1] He raised the 89th Regiment of Foot in December 1793[3] and was promoted to major-general in 1794.[1]
Crosbie also served as colonel of the 89th Regiment of Foot from 1793 to 1795[3] and as colonel of the 22nd Regiment of Foot from 1795 to his death in 1798.[4] He was also Member of Parliament for Newark from 1790 to 1796.[1]