Born
at Afton, in Wigtonshire, Major General Stewart was appointed an
Ensign in the 37th Foot on 8th April 1755. After successive promotions
he became a Lieutenant Colonel in the 3rd Foot (later The Buffs)
in 1775.
Proceeding overseas for service in the American Revolution, the
Regiment disembarked at Charleston in South Carolina on 3rd June
1781. A war of movement between British and American forces followed.
The British commander of the field force, Lord Rawdon, became ill
and was sent back to England with the result that command of the
force, now concentrated at Orangeburg, devolved upon Lieutenant
Colonel Stewart.
Supply difficulties eventually caused him to retire to Eutaw Springs
where a bitter but inconclusive engagement followed, both sides
claiming victory in this action which was virtually the last in
the war. Stewart was slightly wounded in the elbow.
In May 1782 the Regiment sailed for Jamaica under the command of
Colonel Stewart who had been promoted on the 16th of the month.
Further promotion to Major General on 1st May 1790, Stewart commanded
the First Brigade of British Infantry in Flanders in 1794. He became
Colonel of the 2nd Queen’s in November 1793 and died in December
1794. |