Mural monument to Major General Robert Craufurd (1764-1812) and Major General Henry MacKinnon by John Bacon the Younger (1777-1859).
Robert Craufurd was a hot-tempered, strict, but much admired (by both his troops and fellow officers) commander in the British Army, with many of his feats and those of his troops held in high regard. Craufurd’s military career began in 1779 with his appointment of ensign in the 25th Regiment. He quickly advanced to Captain in the 75th Regiment in 1783, with whom he served under Lord Cornwallis’ command in battle in India against Tippoo Sahib.
After returning to England in 1797, Craufurd was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel. Craufurd’s military career was briefly halted as he served in parliament from 1801 to 1804, but he quickly returned to service in 1807, taking part in an expedition to Buenos Aires. Following the surrender of his brigade in Buenos Aires, Craufurd was appointed the command of another brigade under Sir John Moore in Spain.
In 1809, Craufurd was promoted to Brigadier-General and was placed in command of the Light Division. During this command, Craufurd led three battalions, the 43rd, 52nd and 95th, on a fast paced march to aid Lord Wellesley’s troops at the Battle of Talavera. The march, covering 62 miles in 26 hours, is still regarded as one of the most renowned military marches, and was one of the many feats that earned the Light Division a celebrated reputation.
A year later, Craufurd’s brash temperament almost forced the revoking of his command, when he ordered an engagement against French troops at the Battle of Coa which proved a foolish endeavour. However, Wellington stayed his hand based on Craufurd’s valuable skills and regard, and granted Craufurd the continuance of his command after a heavy rebuking.
In June 1811, Craufurd was promoted to Major-General and commanded the Light Division in the siege against Ciudad Rodrigo early the following year. While leading his troops on 19 January, Craufurd was shot in the back and carried from the battle field. His wounds proved fatal and he died four days later, his body being buried in the breach where he originally fell.
Henry MacKinnon, son of an old Scottish family, began his military career with a commission in the 43rd Regiment of Foot in 1790. A few years later he transferred to the Coldstream Guards, seeing his first tour of active service in Flanders. In 1798, MacKinnon was promoted to Brigade Major, under Major-General George Nugent, where he served fighting against the Irish uprising. He later went on to serve on expeditions to Egypt, Hanover and Copenhagen.
In 1809, MacKinnon joined Sir Arthur Wellesley in Portugal, taking part in the Battle of Talavara. Following the battle, MacKinnon was promoted to Colonel and placed in command of the 2nd Brigade of the 3rd Division, with whom he led at Busaco in 1810.
MacKinnon was awarded the rank of Major-General in early 1812 before participating in the siege at Ciudad Rodrigo. While leading his troops on 19 January, MacKinnon was caught in the explosion of a French magazine and was killed along with 108 men. After being recovered from the battle field, his body was buried next to his nephew, Daniel MacKinnon, who had previously died while serving in the Coldstream Guards.
John Bacon the Younger was awarded the commission to design and erect the monument to Craufurd and MacKinnon at St Paul’s Catheral. Before gaining this commission, Bacon was already a well established sculptor, beginning at a very young age under the tutelage of his father, John Bacon the Elder. Bacon the Younger first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1792 and continued so until 1824. In addition to the Craufurd and MacKinnon monument, Bacon erected five other monuments at St Paul’s Cathedral, including monuments to Samuel Johnson, Thomas Dundas, John Howard, Sir William Jones and Sir John Moore.
ERECTED BY THE NATION / TO MAJOR-GENERAL ROBERT CRAUFURD, / AND MAJOR-GENERAL HENRY MACKINNON, / WHO FELL AT CIUDAD RODRIGO JANRY.19TH.1812.JOHN BACON JUNR. SCULPTR.
