Francis Smith (British officer)
Encyclopedia
Major-General Francis Smith (1723–1791) was the British commander during most of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts
on April 19, 1775. The battle ignited the American War of Independence that would see America become a separate nation.
Smith was Lieutenant Colonel of His Majesty's 10th Regiment of Foot
(its descendant is the Royal Anglian Regiment
in the modern British Army
). Smith ordered light infantry to move forward while he stayed with the main body of the expedition, thus he was not present at the skirmish in Lexington
. Major John Pitcairn
of the Royal Marines was in charge of the advance guard. Smith's regiment, the 10th foot, was present at both the Lexington Green and the Old North Bridge in Concord. Smith was wounded in the thigh by Lexington militia, led by Colonel John Parker
, during the British retreat back to Boston
later that day in what has been called "Parker's Revenge".
He was promoted to full Colonel at the years end and later promoted to Brigadier General. On the night of March 4, 1776, during a snow storm, British sentries on duty near the Boston Neck heard digging across the bay on Dorchester Heights
. This was reported to Smith, who did not report this to his own superiors at the Province House
. By dawn on March 5, the Americans now had a full breastworks constructed on the heights. This resulted in the British being forced to evacuate Boston and sail to Halifax
, Nova Scotia
.
When General William Howe
and the British Army sailed to New York
in August, Smith commanded a brigade during the British victory at the Battle of Long Island
. In August 1778, he led the brigade at Quaker Hill in Newport, Rhode Island
during the Battle of Rhode Island
. The 10th Regiment served in America until 1778 and then returned to England after 19 years service overseas. Smith returned to America in 1779 and was promoted to Major General. His son Robert Smith became Minister of War under King George.
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
on April 19, 1775. The battle ignited the American War of Independence that would see America become a separate nation.
10th Regiment of Foot
The 10th Regiment of Foot was raised on 20 June 1685 as the Earl of Bath's Regiment for its first Colonel John Granville, 1st Earl of Bath...
(its descendant is the Royal Anglian Regiment
Royal Anglian Regiment
The Royal Anglian Regiment is an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Queen's Division.The regiment was formed on 1 September 1964 as the first of the new large infantry regiments, through the amalgamation of the four regiments of the East Anglian Brigade.* 1st Battalion from the...
in the modern British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
). Smith ordered light infantry to move forward while he stayed with the main body of the expedition, thus he was not present at the skirmish in Lexington
Lexington, Massachusetts
Lexington is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 31,399 at the 2010 census. This town is famous for being the site of the first shot of the American Revolution, in the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775.- History :...
. Major John Pitcairn
John Pitcairn
John Pitcairn was a British Marine who was stationed in Boston, Massachusetts at the start of the American Revolutionary War....
of the Royal Marines was in charge of the advance guard. Smith's regiment, the 10th foot, was present at both the Lexington Green and the Old North Bridge in Concord. Smith was wounded in the thigh by Lexington militia, led by Colonel John Parker
John Parker (Captain)
John Parker was an American farmer, mechanic, and soldier, who commanded the Lexington militia at the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775. Parker was born in Lexington to Josiah Parker and Anne Stone...
, during the British retreat back to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
later that day in what has been called "Parker's Revenge".
He was promoted to full Colonel at the years end and later promoted to Brigadier General. On the night of March 4, 1776, during a snow storm, British sentries on duty near the Boston Neck heard digging across the bay on Dorchester Heights
Dorchester Heights
Dorchester Heights is the central area of South Boston. It is the highest area in the neighborhood and commands a view of both Boston Harbor and downtown.-History:...
. This was reported to Smith, who did not report this to his own superiors at the Province House
Province House
Province House may refer to:* Province House in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which houses the Nova Scotia House of Assembly* Province House in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, which houses the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island* Province House , residence of colonial governors of the...
. By dawn on March 5, the Americans now had a full breastworks constructed on the heights. This resulted in the British being forced to evacuate Boston and sail to Halifax
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
.
When General William Howe
William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe
William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe, KB, PC was a British army officer who rose to become Commander-in-Chief of British forces during the American War of Independence...
and the British Army sailed to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in August, Smith commanded a brigade during the British victory at the Battle of Long Island
Battle of Long Island
The Battle of Long Island, also known as the Battle of Brooklyn or the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, fought on August 27, 1776, was the first major battle in the American Revolutionary War following the United States Declaration of Independence, the largest battle of the entire conflict, and the...
. In August 1778, he led the brigade at Quaker Hill in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
during the Battle of Rhode Island
Battle of Rhode Island
The Battle of Rhode Island, also known as the Battle of Quaker Hill and the Siege of Newport, took place on August 29, 1778. Continental Army and militia forces under the command of General John Sullivan were withdrawing to the northern part of Aquidneck Island after abandoning their siege of...
. The 10th Regiment served in America until 1778 and then returned to England after 19 years service overseas. Smith returned to America in 1779 and was promoted to Major General. His son Robert Smith became Minister of War under King George.