Hugh Henry Mitchell


Hugh Henry Mitchell, CB was a British military leader, of Irish birth, who fought in several decisive battles during the Napoleonic Wars, including the Battle of Salamanca and the Battle of Waterloo, and was commended by the Duke of Wellington.

Career

He was born in Dublin. His father was Hugh Henry Mitchell senior, a prosperous Irish banker and prominent member of the Irish House of Commons. His mother was Margaret Gordon of Aberdeen. His father suffered severe financial losses in the late 1770s, which may explain why young Hugh sought a military career.
Mitchell was commissioned in January 1782 with the rank of ensign, in the service of the 101st Regiment of Foot. After promotion to lieutenant in June 1783 and served in Canada from 1786 to 1796. He fought in the Egyptian Campaign in 1801 and was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in December 1805 in the service of the 26th Regiment of Foot. He became a major on 17 March 1804 and lieutenant-colonel on 12 December 1805. Mitchell commanded a battalion of the 26th Regiment of Foot from 1805 to 1811 and the 51st Regiment of Foot from 13 June 1811 until 1814, throughout the Peninsular War. He gained the rank of colonel on 4 June 1813.
In the Waterloo campaign Mitchell commanded the 4th Brigade of the 4th Division, consisting of the 3rd battalion of the 14th foot, the 1st Battalion of 23rd Fusiliers, and the 1st Battalion of the 51st Light Infantry, a total of around 2,000 officers and men. "As the light was beginning to fail Colonel Mitchell led his brigade to the position... on the extreme right near Braine-l'Alleud, and here the regiments bivouaced for the night, the rain continuing to fall in torrents." Mitchell's brigade was engaged early in the battle when the French attacked Hougoumont Farm."
He was conferred with the honour of Companion of the Order of the Bath on 4 June 1815 and received the Russian Order of St. Vladimir. He was one of the few soldiers below the rank of general whom the Duke of Wellington praised in dispatches.
He died on 20 April 1817 at age 46 at Queen Anne Street, London, England.

Family

Mitchell married Lady Harriet Isabella Somerset, daughter of Henry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort and Elizabeth Boscawen, on 3 July 1804. The children of Colonel Hugh Henry Mitchell and Lady Harriet Isabella Somerset were: