James Douglas (British Army officer)
| Sir James Douglas | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 January 1785 |
| Died | 6 March 1862 (aged 77) |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 British Army
|
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | Peninsular War |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath |
General Sir James Dawes Douglas GCB (14 January 1785 – 6 March 1862) was a British Army officer, who had a long and illustrious military career, which included commanding Portuguese troops in the Peninsular War.
Douglas was the elder son of Major James Sholto Douglas, who was first cousin of the sixth and seventh Marquises of Queensberry, by Sarah, daughter of James Dawes. He entered the army as an ensign in the 42nd regiment, or Black Watch, and was at once taken on the staff of Major-general Sir James Duff, commanding at Limerick, where he became an intimate friend of his fellow aide-de-camp, William Napier.
In 1801, he was promoted lieutenant and joined the Royal Military College at Great Marlow. He was promoted captain in 1804, and, being pronounced fit for a staff situation, was appointed deputy-assistant quartermaster-general with the force sent to South America in 1806. His conduct was praised in despatches, and in 1807 he was nominated in the same capacity to the corps proceeding to Portugal under Sir Arthur Wellesley. He was present at the battle of Roliça and battle of Vimeiro. He advanced into Spain with Sir John Moore, and served with the 2nd division through the retreat from Salamanca and at the Battle of Corunna. When William Carr Beresford was sent to Portugal in 1809 to organise the Portuguese army, Douglas was one of the officers selected to accompany him, and he was in February 1809 promoted major in the English army and appointed lieutenant-colonel of the 8th Portuguese regiment. He got his regiment fit for service, and was present at the passage of the Douro River in May 1809, and at the close of the year his regiment was attached to Thomas Picton's, the 3rd division, and brigaded with the 88th and 45th regiments. At the battle of Busaco this brigade had to bear the brunt of the French attack, and Douglas's Portuguese received praise for its conduct, mentioned in Lord Wellington's despatch.
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