John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun
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John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun was a British nobleman and military leader.
John Campbell was the great-grandson of Sir John Campbell, who was created first Earl of Loudoun in 1637.
The 4th Earl of Loudoun inherited the title upon the death of his father, when John Campbell became Lord Loudoun. Many historians note his attention to detail; it was this slow and calculated approach to every quandary which made him so often late to so many battles.
"The young earl showed his military prowess during the royalist uprising of 1745 when according to one historian he "had demonstrated his professionalism by marching undauntedly from one defeat to another."
After losing almost all the men of his regiment, he received another regiment and lost it again at Inverness. At a third battle he was "thrown into a panic by the bluffing of a blacksmith and another four," and then, in the kind of move which would become his trademark, sat out the war till after the Battle of Culloden.
North American Career
Loudoun's was sent to North America, where he is said to have ignored the advice of the local colonials like George Washington, who anticipated the onslaught of French and Indians, and did nothing to strengthen the remaining western forts. He was generally considered incompetent, arrogant and tyrannical.
On July 31st, three weeks after Admiral Holburne's arrival at Loudoun's command in Halifax the combined army was fully prepared, despite disease ravaging the English army, resulting in the death of over two hundred men and the hospitalisation of nearly five hundred more. Knox wrote that on 2nd August all the troops were embarked; each brigade having been assembled at their assigned wharf.
Then, just before the invasion fleet was to sail in to Halifax Harbour, came a prize under escort. A French transport schooner hed been captured making her way from Louisbourg back to France.
A search of the ship revealed a small bag hidden under a stock of dry fish, containing letters to the French Ministry. The incident gave Loudoun great concern, the French fortress, with its defensible reputation having been reinforced considerably with fresh men and supplies.
Thus it was resolved: "That, considering the great strength of the enemy, and the advanced season of the year, it was expedient to postpone the attack upon Louisbourg." Template:Peer-stub