BERESFORD 117 I. 18 14. George de la Poer (Beresford), ist Marquess of Waterford [I.], b. 2 Oct. 1768, ed. at Catterick Bridge VISCOUNTCY. and York, and (1785) at the military school at Stras- burg; Ensign, 6th Foot, 1785; Capt., 69th Foot, I. 1823 1791 > Major, 1794; in which capacities he was at the to taking of Toulon, 1793, and of Bastia, 1795; served as 1854. Lieut. Col. under Baird in Egj^pt, in 1799; and at the re-conquest of the Cape of Good Hope; Col. in the Army 1800; in 1806 was taken prisoner at Buenos Ayres, but escaped in 1807; was in command at the taking of Madeira in 1807; Col. of the 88th Foot, 1807-19; Col. 69th Foot, 1819-23; Col. i6th Foot, 1823-54; and Col. in Chief 60th Rifles, 1852-54; Gov. of Madeira, for the King of Portugal, 1807-08; Major Gen. in 1808, when he served under Moore in Spain and was at the battle of Corunna, 16 Jan. 1809. He was also under Wellington as "Marshal commanding" in Portugal in 1808, and greatly distinguished himself by his services in organising the Portu- guese forces; was in command at the battle of Sierra Busaco, 27 Aug. 1 8 10, for which, on 16 Oct. following he was made K.B. (invest. 7 Nov.), and subsequently, 16 May 181 1,(^) gained the bloody victory of Albuera (against Marshal Soult), for which he received the thanks of Pari, on 6 June. He was also present at the battles of Badajos, Salamanca (where he was severely wounded), Vittoria, the Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, and Orthez. In the Kingdom of Portugal he was "Marshal GeneraV (Field Marshal), and was cr. (by decree of 13 May) 19 Oct. 181 1, Count of Trancoso, and, on 19 Oct. 18 11, made Grand Cross of the Tower and Sword. Lieut. Gen. 1 8 1 2 ; on 17 Dec. 1 8 1 2 he was further cr. Marquis of Campo Mayor [Portugal]. In Spain he is said to have been cr. Duke of Elvas, being "Captain General" of that Kingdom, and 24 July 18 15, was made Grand Cross of St. Ferdinand, and 17 May 18 17, Grand Cross of St. Hermengilde. In Sicily he was a Knight of St. Ferdinand and Merit. Finally, in his own country, after being M.P. (Tory) for co. Water- ford, 1811-14, and Governor of Cork, 181 1-20, he was, 17 May 18 14, cr. BARON BERESFORD OF ALBUERA AND DUNGAR- VANjC) CO. W^aterford. G.C.B. 2 Jan. 1815; G.C.H., 18 18. Governor if) Notwithstanding that he "had many reasons to be proud of the day," having " personally distinguished himself" and having prevented Marshal Soult from making the advance on Lisbon which Napoleon had directed, it has been said that in the battle of Albuera " the tactics of the General were almost beneath contempt." Some such view was entertained by Col. Napier, who generally disparaged Tory generals, and the matter was controverted "in a very bitter tone on both sides" between him and Lord Beresford. — See Diet. Nat. Biog. Against Napier's opinion should be set that of Wellington, who wrote to Lord Bathurst, 2 Dec. 181 2, "all that I can tell you is that the ablest man I have yet seen with the army, and the one having the largest views, is Beresford." He appears in truth to have been a very gallant fellow, even if not a first rate Commander. V.G. C") For remarks on this and similar titles chosen to commemorate foreign achievements, see vol. iii, Appendix E. When the Peninsular War was over and
