Page:A Compendium of Irish Biography.djvu/247

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red upon him, and he received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament. In August 1843 ^^ assumed the post of Commander in chief in India, and in December took command in the campaign against the Mahrattas, which terminated in the decisive victory of Maharagpore (29th December). In 1 845 and the following year he defeated the Sikhs at Moodkee, Ferozesha, and Sa- braon, again receiving the thanks of Parlia- ment, and in April 1846 was raised to the peerage as a baron. On the renewal of hostilities, he fought the battle of ChillianwaUah, 13th January 1849, where he was virtually defeated by the Sikhs. Mr. Marshman, in his History of India, thus writes of his conduct on this occasion: "The spirit of defiance and antagonism at once overcame his better judgment [of de- ferring an attack] and, rejecting all ad- vice, and trampling on every remonstrance, he gave orders to prepare for immediate action... Four guns of the Horse Ar- tillery were captured... The colours of three regiments were lost in the battle, and the price paid by us for our doubtful victory, was the loss of 2,357 fighting men, and 89 oflicers killed and wounded... The character of the Sikhs for prowess was greatly elevated, the reputation of British cavalry was deplorably tarnished. . . The public did not cease to admire the private virtues, the quick perception, the indomitable energy, and the chivalrous valour of the Commander-in-chief, which rendered him the idol of the soldiery; but there was, nevertheless, a painful convic- tion that nature had not designed, or edu- cation or experience fitted him, for exten- sive and independent command." When the news reached home, he was railed at for his "Tipperary tactics," an order for his recall was issued, and Sir Charles Napier was appointed to succeed him. However, before this change could take effect, he had re-established his reputation by the victory of Guzerat, 21st February 1849, which put an end to the war, and enabled him on leaving the army to boast that "that which Alexander attempted, the British army have accomplished." Again he was thanked by Parliament, was advanced to a vis- countcy, and granted a pension of ^4,000 a year. In 1854 he was appointed Colo- nel of the Eoyal Horse-Guards, and in 1862 was created a Field-Marshal. The latter part of Viscount Gough's life was spent in retirement, at his residence, St. Helen's, Booterstown, near Dublin, He died 2nd March 1869, aged 89, and was buried at Stillorgan. Viscount Gough was of a singularly noble presence, and retained his brilliant intellect to the last.

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He is said to have commanded in more general actions than any ofiicer of the age, except the Duke of Wellington.

Gongh, John, arithmetician, was born at Kendal, in 1721, became a minister of the Society of Friends, and in 1750 came over to Dublin, and took the management of a Friends' school. In 1774 he removed to a similar appointment at Lisbum. He was the author of a valuable work, the Rise aTid Progress of the People called Quakers, also an Arithmetic, which has now been superseded by more advanced works, as it displaced the Vaster s theretofore in use. Until of late, a Oough was, in Ireland, synonymous with "an arithmetic." John Gough died of apoplexy, 25th October 1791, aged 70.

Gould, Thomas, Abbe, a Catholic con- troversialist, was born at Cork in 1657. At the age of twenty-one he passed into France, and studied theology at Poitiers. Having taken orders, he was sent to Thouars commissioned for the conversion of Protestants his spiritual exhortations being supported by the full powers of the state. His successful labours were recompensed with substantial pensions and the abbacy of St. Laon de Thouars. A list of his con- troversial works, which are stated to display learning and ability, will be found in the Biographie Oenerale.

Grace, Richard, Colonel, the younger son of Robert Grace, Baron of Courtstown, was born the early part of the 17th cen- tury, of a Kilkenny family, descended from Raymond le Gros (corrupted into Grace). He resided at MoyeUy Castle, Queen's Coimty, and served Charles I. in England, until the surrender of Oxford in 1646. He then returned to Ireland, and was for some years engaged in the War of 1612. He is referred to in State Papers as being at the head of 3,000 men, harassing the Parliamentary troops now in Wicklow, and again at Crogan, beyond the Shannon. In 1652 a reward of £300 was by the English government set upon his head, yet at the conclusion of the war he was permitted to enter the Spanish service with 1,200 of his men. After some time he went over to the French side, without betray- ing any trust imposed upon him, having given due notice to his Spanish friends. After the Restoration he was appointed Chamberlain to the Duke of York, and in consideration of his faithful and indefati- gable services, received " pensions of £400, and a portion at least of his estates were restored to him." When James II. came to Ireland, Grace was appointed Governor of Athlone, with a garrison of three regi- 233