James Abercrombie (British Army general)

For other people of the same name, see James Abercromby (disambiguation).

James Abercrombie
General James Abercrombie, by Allan Ramsay
Born	1706
Died	23 April 1781 (aged 74 or 75)
Allegiance	Kingdom of Great Britain
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Major-General
Commands held	North America

General James Abercrombie or Abercromby (1706 – April 23, 1781) was a British Army general and commander-in-chief of forces in North America during the French and Indian War, best known for the disastrous British losses in the 1758 Battle of Carillon.

Early life

Abercrombie was born in Glassaugh, Banffshire, Scotland to a wealthy family, and purchased a major's commission to enter the army in 1742. He was promoted to colonel in 1746, and major-general in 1756.

Seven Years War

Further information: Great Britain in the Seven Years War

Abercrombie commanded a brigade at Louisbourg in 1757 and became commander-in-chief of the British forces in North America after the departure of John Campbell in March 1758 (see Commander-in-Chief, North America).

That summer, he led an expedition against Fort Carillon (later known as Fort Ticonderoga). Abercrombie was a genius at organization, but vacillated in his leadership to the point where his troops called him Mrs. Nanny Cromby. He managed the remarkable feat of assembling 15,000 troops and moving them and their supplies through the wilderness. Then, on July 8, he directed his troops into a frontal assault on a fortified French position, without the benefit of artillery support. More than 2,000 men were killed or wounded. Eventually his force panicked and fled, and he retreated to his fortified camp south of Lake George. This disaster caused his replacement by General Jeffrey Amherst and his recall to Great Britain in 1759. On his return to Britain, he sat as a member of parliament, and supported the coercive policy toward the American colonies.

See also

• James Abercrombie (Bunker Hill)

External links

• Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
• Encyclopaedia Britannica, James Abercrombie

Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by William Duff	Member of Parliament for Banffshire 1734–1754	Succeeded by James Duff
Military offices
Preceded by The Earl of Loudoun	Commander-in-Chief, North America 1758	Succeeded by The Lord Amherst