Background
Hugh Mackay was born about 1640, at Scourie, Sutherlandshire, Scotland, to Hugh Mackay and Elizabeth Ann Corbet.
Hugh Mackay was born about 1640, at Scourie, Sutherlandshire, Scotland, to Hugh Mackay and Elizabeth Ann Corbet.
He entered Douglas's (Dumbarton's) regiment of the English army in 1660, accompanied it to France when it was lent by Charles II to Louis XIV, and though succeeding, through the death of his two elder brothers, to his father's estates, continued to serve abroad. In 1669 he was in the Venetian service at Candia, and in 1672 he was back with his old regiment, Dumbarton's, in the French army, taking part under Turenne in the invasion of Holland.
He had risen to the rank of major-general in 1685, when the Scots brigade was called to England to assist in the suppression of the Monmouth rebellion. Returning to Holland, Mackay was one of those officers who elected to stay with their men when James II. , having again demanded the services of the Scots brigade, and having been met with a refusal, was permitted to invite the officers individually into his service. As major-general commanding the brigade, and also as a privy councillor of Scotland, Mackay was an important and influential person, and James chose to attribute the decision of most of the officers to Mackay's instigation. Soon after this event the Prince of Orangestarted on his expedition to England, Mackay's division leading the invading corps, and in January 1688-1689 Mackay was appointed major general commanding in chief in Scotland. In this capacity he was called upon to deal with the formidable insurrection headed by Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee. In the battle of Killiecrankie Mackay was severely defeated, but Dundee was killed, and the English commander, displaying unexpected energy, subdued the Highlands in one summer. In 1690 he founded Fort William at Inverlochy, in 1691 he distinguished himself in the brilliant victory of Aughrim, and in 1692, with the rank of lieutenant-general, he commanded the British division of the allied army in Flanders. At the great battle of Steinkirk , July 24, 1692, he led the attack, and after a desperate struggle drove back the Swiss with great slaughter. To avert disaster the French household troops were sent to their support. Mackay, discerning his imminent danger, asked for immediate reinforcements, without which, he affirmed, he could not hold his position. He was commanded to hold it, but reinforcements were denied him. He was slain, along with the greater part of his division.
Hugh Mackay was an influential general best known for his service in the Revolution of 1688. Mackay also was the inventor of the ring bayonet which soon came into general use, the idea of this being suggested to him by the failure of the plug-bayonet to stop the rush of the Highlanders at Killiecrankie.
Quotations:
"Although we love the idea of choice - our culture almost worships it - we seek refuge in the familiar and the comfortable. "
"It seems inevitable that the magic of the written word will fade. "
"Nothing is perfect. Life is messy. Relationships are complex. Outcomes are uncertain. People are irrational. "
Quotes from others about the person
"He was the most pious man that I ever knew in a military way. " (Gilbert Burnet)
In 1673 Hugh Mackay married Clara de Bije. Mackay and his wife had three children together.
Elizabeth Ann Corbet was the daughter of John Corbet of Arboll.
