Hugh Halkett was a British soldier during the Napoleonic Wars and later a general of infantry in the Hanoverian service.
Background
Halkett was born on August 30, 1783 in Musselburgh, Scotland, the second son of Major-General F. G. Halkett, who had served many years in the army, and whose ancestors had for several generations distinguished themselves in foreign services. He was the brother of Lieutenant General Colin Halkett.
Education
Halkett served in India from 1798 to 1801.
Career
In 1803 Halkett's elder brother Colin was appointed to command a battalion of the newly formed King's German Legion, and in this he became senior captain and then major. Under his brother's command he served with Cathcart's expeditions to Hanover, Riigen and Copenhagen, where his bold initiative on outpost duty won commendation. He was in the Peninsula in 1808-1809, and at Walcheren. At Albuera, Salamanca, &c. , he commanded the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion, K. G. L. , in succession to his brother, and at Venta del Pozo in the Burgos retreat he greatly distinguished himself. In 1813 he left the Peninsula and was subsequently employed in the organization of the new Hanoverian army. He led a brigade of these troops in Count Wallmoden's army, and bore a marked part in the battle of Gohrde and the action of Schestedt, where he took with his own hand a Danish standard. In the Waterloo campaign he commanded two brigades of Hanoverian militia which were sent to the front with the regulars, and during the fight with the Old Guard captured General Cambronne. After the fall of Napoleon he elected to stay in the Hanoverian service, though he retained his half-pay lieutenant-colonelcy in the English army. He rose to be general and inspector-general of infantry. In his old age he led the Xth Federal Army Corps in the Danish War of 1848, and defeated the Danes at Oversee. Halkett died on December 10, 1863 in Hanover, Germany.
Achievements
Connections
Halkett married Emilia Charlotte, daughter of Sir James Lamb, 1st Baronet on 25 May 1810.