A Biography of Lieutenant General Sir George Prévost

A Biography of Lieutenant General Sir George Prà ©vost Early Life: Born in New Jersey on May 19, 1767, George Prà ©vost was the son of Major General Augustine Prà ©vost and his wife Nanette. A career officer in the British Army, the elder Prà ©vost saw service at the Battle of Quebec during the French Indian War as well as successfully defended Savannah during the American Revolution. After some schooling in North America, George Prà ©vost traveled to England and the Continent to receive the remainder of his education. On May 3, 1779, despite being only eleven years old, he obtained a commission as an ensign in his fathers unit, the 60th Regiment of Foot. Three years later,  Prà ©vost transferred to the 47th Regiment of Foot with the rank of lieutenant.    A Rapid Career Ascent: Prà ©vosts rise continued in 1784 with an elevation to captain in the 25th Regiment of Foot.   These promotions were possible as his maternal grandfather served as a wealthy banker in Amsterdam and was able to provide funds for the purchasing of commissions.   On November 18, 1790,  Prà ©vost returned to the 60th Regiment with the rank of major.   Only twenty-three years old, he soon saw action in the Wars of the French Revolution.   Promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1794,  Prà ©vost traveled to St. Vincent for service in the Caribbean.   Defending the island against the French, he was wounded twice on January 20, 1796.   Sent back to Britain to recover,  Prà ©vost received a promotion to colonel on January 1, 1798.   In this rank only briefly, he earned an appointment to brigadier general that March followed by a posting to St. Lucia as lieutenant governor in May.    Caribbean: Arriving on St. Lucia, which had been captured from the French, Prà ©vost earned praise from the local planters for his knowledge of their language and even-handed administration of the island. Falling ill, he briefly returned to Britain in 1802.  Recovering, Prà ©vost was appointed to serve as governor of Dominica that fall. The following year, he successfully held the island during an attempted invasion by the French and mounted an effort to reclaim St. Lucia which had fallen earlier.   Promoted to major general on January 1, 1805, Prà ©vost took leave and returned home.  While in Britain, he commanded forces around Portsmouth and was made a baronet for his services. Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia: Having established a track record as a successful administrator, Prà ©vost was rewarded with the post of lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia on January 15, 1808, and the local rank of lieutenant general.   Assuming this position, he attempted to aid merchants from New England in circumventing President Thomas Jeffersons embargo on British trade by establishing free ports in Nova Scotia.  In addition,  Prà ©vost endeavored to strengthen Nova Scotias defenses and amended the local militia laws to create an effective force to work with the British Army.  In early 1809, he commanded part of the British landing forces during Vice Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane and Lieutenant General George Beckwiths invasion of Martinique.   Returning to Nova Scotia following the successful conclusion of the campaign, he worked to improve local politics but was criticized for attempting to increase the power of the Church of England. Governor-in-Chief of British North America: In May 1811, Prà ©vost received orders to assume the position of Governor of Lower Canada. A short time later, on July 4, he obtained a promotion when he was permanently elevated to the rank of lieutenant general and made commander-in-chief of British forces in North America. This was followed by an appointment to the post of Governor-in-Chief of British North America on October 21.  As relations between Britain and the United States were increasingly strained, Prà ©vost worked to ensure the loyalty of the Canadians should a conflict erupt.   Among his actions was the increased inclusion of Canadians in the Legislative Council.   These efforts proved effective as the Canadians remained loyal when the War of 1812 commenced in June 1812.    The War of 1812: Lacking in men and supplies, Prà ©vost largely assumed a defensive posture with the goal of holding as much of Canada as possible.   In a rare offensive action in mid-August, his subordinate in Upper Canada, Major General Isaac Brock, succeeded in capturing Detroit.   That same month, following Parliaments repeal of the Orders in Council that had been one of the Americans justifications for war, Prà ©vost attempted to negotiate a local ceasefire.   This initiative was quickly dismissed by President James Madison and fighting continued in the fall.   This saw American troops turned back at the Battle of Queenston Heights and Brock killed.   Recognizing the importance of the Great Lakes in the conflict, London dispatched Commodore Sir James Yeo to direct naval activities on these bodies of water.   Though he reported directly to the Admiralty, Yeo arrived with instructions to coordinate closely with  Prà ©vost. Working with Yeo, Prà ©vost mounted an attack against the American naval base at Sacketts Harbor, NY in late May 1813.   Coming ashore, his troops were repulsed by Brigadier General Jacob Browns garrison and withdrew back to Kingston.   Later that year,  Prà ©vosts forces suffered a defeat on Lake Erie, but succeeded in turning back an American effort to take Montreal at Chateauguay and Cryslers Farm.   The following year saw British fortunes dim in the spring and summer as the Americans achieved successes in the west and on the Niagara Peninsula.   With the defeat of Napoleon in the spring, London began to transfer veteran troops, which had served under the Duke of Wellington, to Canada to reinforce  Prà ©vost.    The Plattsburgh Campaign: Having received over 15,000 men to bolster his forces, Prà ©vost began planning a campaign to invade the United States via the Lake Champlain corridor.  This was complicated by the naval situation on the lake which saw Captain George Downie and Master Commandant Thomas Macdonough engaged in a building race. Control of the lake was critical as it was required for re-supplying  Prà ©vosts army.   Though frustrated by naval delays,  Prà ©vost began moving south on August 31 with around 11,000 men.   He was opposed by around 3,400 Americans, led by Brigadier General Alexander Macomb, which assumed a defensive position behind the Saranac River. Moving slowly, the British were hampered by command problems as  Prà ©vost clashed with Wellingtons veterans over the speed of the advance and niggling matters such as wearing proper uniforms.    Reaching the American position, Prà ©vost halted above the Saranac.   Scouting west, his men located a ford across the river that would allow them to attack the left flank of the American line. Planning to strike on September 10, Prà ©vost sought to make a feint against Macombs front while assaulting his flank. These efforts were to coincide with Downie attacking MacDonough on the lake.   The combined operation was delayed a day when unfavorable winds prevented the naval confrontation.   Advancing on September 11, Downie was decisively defeated on the water by MacDonough.   Ashore, Prà ©vost tentatively probed forward while his flanking force missed the ford and had to counter-march.   Locating the ford, they went into action and were having success when a recall order from Prà ©vost arrived.   Having learned of Downies defeat, the British commander concluded that any victory on land would be meaningless.   Despite strident protests from his subordinates,  Prà ©vost began withdrawing towards Canada that evening.   Frustrated with  Prà ©vosts lack of ambition and aggressiveness, London dispatched Major General Sir George Murray to relieve him in December.   Arriving in early 1815, he delivered his orders to  Prà ©vost shortly after news had arrived that the war had ended. Later Life and Career: After disbanding the militia and receiving a vote of thanks from the assembly in Quebec, Prà ©vost departed Canada on April 3.   Though embarrassed by the timing of his relief, his initial explanations of why the Plattsburgh Campaign failed were accepted by his superiors.   Shortly thereafter, Prà ©vosts actions were severely criticized by the Royal Navys official reports as well as by Yeo.   After demanding a court-martial to clear his name, a hearing was set for January 12, 1816.   With Prà ©vost in ill health, the court-martial was delayed until February 5.   Suffering from dropsy, Prà ©vost died on January 5, exactly a month before his hearing.   Though an effective administrator who successfully defended Canada, his name was never cleared despite his wifes efforts.   Prà ©vosts remains were buried in the St. Mary the Virgin Churchyard in East Barnet.    Sources War of 1812: Sir George PrevostNapoleon Series: Sir George Prevost1812: Sir George Prevost