Ferguson, James

Born March 17, 1787 in the family of Charles Ferguson. In 1801, the Ensign rank was assigned to the 18th (Royal Irish) Infantry Regiment, then transferred to the 43rd (Monmouthshire) Infantry Regiment, where he was trained as a light infantry officer under the command of John Moore at Fort Shorncliffe. The rank of lieutenant was awarded in 1804, the captain in 1806. During the Iberian Wars he served in the Light Division. Fergusson participated in the battles of Rolis , Vimeiro (where he was wounded), and La Coruña (where the regiment was in reserve). As part of the 43rd regiment, Ferguson took part in the Dutch expedition of 1809 , after which he returned to the Iberian Peninsula. There were battles on the Coa River, near Bussaco, at Sabugal, Fuentes de Onoro, Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz, where he was in the ranks of the assault detachment of the 43rd regiment and was injured twice ^[3] . For valor at Badajoz awarded a gold medal. After the battle of Salamanca in 1812, he was promoted to majors (without the need to pay the amount due on his part) and was given command of the 79th Infantry Regiment. He replaced the post as commander of the 85th Infantry Regiment, with whom he participated in the battles of Bidasoa, Nivella, Niva and Bayonne ^[4] .

On May 16, 1814, Ferguson was promoted, again without payment, to lieutenant colonel and stood at the head of the 2nd battalion of the 3rd (East Kent) regiment (also known as the "Buffs"). After reducing the number of buffs in 1816, Ferguson entered the Royal Military College , after which he was appointed lieutenant colonel in the 88th Infantry Regiment. In 1825, Ferguson joined the 52nd (Oxfordshire) Infantry Regiment, which he commanded in England, Ireland, Scotland , Gibraltar and the West Indies until 1839, being promoted to full colonel in 1830. In 1841, Ferguson became a major general and served as colonel of the 62nd Infantry Regiment until March 1850, then from 1850 to 1853 he held the same position in his 43rd Infantry Regiment. After being awarded the rank of lieutenant general, he commanded troops in Malta, and in 1855 he was appointed governor and commander in chief of Gibraltar . In 1859, he resigned due to illness ^[5] , settling in Bath (England) . February 21, 1860 promoted to full generals ^[4] .

In 1831, Ferguson became a companion to the Bath Order , in 1835 - a knight-commander, in 1860 - a knight of the Big Cross ^[4] . Also awarded the medal of general military service with eight levels ^[3] .

He died in 1865 ^[4] .