Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Brutton, Nicholas
BRUTTON, NICHOLAS (1780–1843), lieutenant-colonel, descended from the old Devonshire family of Brutton or Bruteton, entered the army as ensign in the 75th foot in 1795, proceeded to India, served at the battle of Seedasseer in 1799, through the Mysore campaign as aide-de-camp to Colonel Hart, and led one of the storming parties at Seringapatam on 4 May 1799, when he was severely wounded. He served through the campaign in Canara; at the siege and assault of Jamalabad, and under Lord Lake through the campaigns of 1804–5. At Bhurtpore he led a storming party, and was again severely wounded. He exchanged into the 8th hussars, served in the Sikh country in 1809 under General St. Leger, and as brigade-major to General Wood in the Pindarree campaign, 1812.
On the breaking out of the Nepal war he proceeded as brevet-major in command of three troops of the 8th hussars, and led the assault on the fort of Kalunga at the head of one hundred dismounted troopers, and was again severely wounded. He served as brigade-major at the siege and capture of Hattrass, and in the Pindarree campaign of 1817 was promoted to a majority in the 8th hussars, and on the return of that regiment to Europe, in 1821, exchanged into the 11th hussars, with which regiment he served at the siege and capture of Bhurtpore. In 1830 he succeeded to the lieutenant-colonelcy and commanded the 11th hussars until 1837, when he sold out, and was succeeded by the Earl of Cardigan.
Brutton was present at the siege and capture of the six strongest fortresses in India. On leaving the 11th hussars he was presented by the officers with a splendid piece of plate in testimony of their regard. He had a pension for his wounds of 100l. a year, and died in retirement at Bordeaux on 26 March 1843.
[War Office Records; United Service Magazine, mclxxiv. May 1843.]