Patrick Mackellar

Background

Patrick MacKellar was born in 1717 in Scotland, probably in Argyllshire.

Career

After entering the ordnance service in 1735, Mackellar acted for seven years, the last three at Minorca, as a clerk. From 1742, when he was commissioned as engineer extraordinary, to 1754, he remained at Minorca, attaining in 1751, the rank of engineer in ordinary. Selected as engineer en second under James G. Montrésor for service in America, he accompanied Braddock's expedition to its defeat at the Monongahela in 1755.

His journal of the summer's proceedings the most elaborate British account extant clears him from any responsibility for the disaster of August, when Montcalm stormed the place in four days, and took the captured garrison, among them Mackellar, to Canada. At Quebec the engineer was able to make observations on the fortifications, embodied in a report to the ordnance board, that were invaluable two years later.

After being exchanged in England in 1757, and after repairing batteries in the north of Scotland, he returned to America, a sub-director and major, but in the capacity of engineer en second under J. H. Bastide, in Amherst's expedition against Louisbourg. When Bastide was wounded, Mackellar assumed charge of siege operations.

The following year, he served as chief engineer under Wolfe at Quebec and is credited with having dissuaded his commander from attempting a frontal attack on the citadel from the lower town. He remained in Canada under General Murray, and in 1760 was wounded at the battle of Sillery.

Late in 1760, as chief engineer at Halifax, he organized a training school for engineers. He was Monckton's chief engineer in 1762 in the admirably planned and executed capture of Martinique. The next year, a lieutenant-colonel, he acted as Albemarle's chief engineer at the siege of Havana, where he directed elaborate approaches against Morro Castle. Wounded, he returned to England, and published a journal of the siege.

In 1763, as chief engineer, he returned to the scene of his early labors at Minorca, where he remained in active service until his death. In 1777, he became director and colonel.

Achievements

• Mackellar was the deputy chief engineer at the Siege of Louisbourg (1758) and the chief engineer at the siege of Quebec in 1759. In later years, he was responsible for the design and construction of the town of Es Castell on the island of Menorca.

Works

More photos

• book

  • A correct journal of the landing His Majesty's forces on the island of Cuba; and of the siege and surrender of the Havannah, August 13, 1762. By ... Published by authority. The second edition.

    ( The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration...)

Personality

Mackellar's two detailed maps of that battle-field, which delineate accurately the position of the troops at the important stages of the attack, show him to have been a cool, self-possessed observer, better fitted temperamentally than any of his colleagues for the direction of siege operations under fire. He was rated the most competent engineer in America as early as 1756, when he was sent to Oswego to strengthen the works there.

Connections

In Menorca, Mackellar married Elizabeth Basaline and had two sons. His elder son John was born in Menorca in 1768.

Father:

John Mackellar

Son:

John Mackellar

Born in 1768. Admiral of the blue.

Wife:

Elizabeth Basaline