Francis Wheler Hood (1781 - 1814)

Born 4 Oct 1781 in Catherington, Hampshire, England

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 2 Mar 1814 at age 32 in Aire, France

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Biography

Francis Wheler Hood, son of Henry 2nd Viscount Hood and his wife, Jane Wheler,^[1] was born at Catherington in Hampshire on 4 October 1781 and was baptised there on the 11th of September the following year.

He married Caroline Hamond, daughter of Sir Andrew Snape Hamond Bart. , and his wife, Anne Graeme, on 11 October 1804.^[1]

After the Battle of Orthez fought on 27 April 1814, Wellington's Army was too exhausted to pursue the French, but he sent General Hill on to deny the French time to regroup. The British and Portuguese met French forces at Aire on the 2nd of March ^[2]during which engagement Francis was killed.^[1]

Francis was memorialised at the Guards Chapel, Birdcage Walk in the City of Westminster. ^[3]

Francis fought in the Napoleonic wars, and was killed in action on March 2, 1814.

From "Battle of Orthez", Wikipedia: On 2 March, the Allies clashed with the French at Aire-sur-l'Adour in a combat that cost the French about 250 men killed and wounded, including 12 officers, and 100 captured.

His mother, Jane Wheler, was a great-granddaughter of the Admiral Sir Francis Wheler.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Thepeerage.com Lt.-Col. Hon. Francis Wheler Hood Cites: Mosley, Charles, editor. Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes. Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003
2. ↑ Combat at Aire - 2 March 1814 Taken from Napoleonics - Commands and Colors System website. Page title: 013 Combat at Aire (2 March 1814) - Napoleonics - Commands and Colors System
3. ↑ War Memorials Register

• Family records
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Orthez
• www.thepeerage.com/p5271.htm#i52702
• Hampshire Chronicle, Monday 22 October 1804 - page 4 On Saturday was married at the church of Mary-le-Strand, Francis Wheeler Hood, Esq. nephew to Lord Hood, to Miss Caroline Hammond, daughter of Sir Andrew Snape Hammond, Bart.
• Hampshire Chronicle, Monday 28 March 1814 - page 1 St. Sever, March 4. My Lord.--The rain which fell in the afternoon of the 1st swelled the Adour, and all the rivulets falling into that river, so considerably as materially to impede our further progress, and to induecirne on the next day to halt the army till I could repair the bridges, all of which the enemy had destroyed. The rain continued till last night, and the river is so rapid that the pontoons cannot be laid upon it. The enemy had collected a corps at Aire, probably to protect the evacuation of a magazine which they had at that place. Sir Rowland Hill attacked this corps on the 2d, and rove them from their post with considerable loss, and took possession of the town and magazine. I am sorry to have to report that we lost the Hon. Lieut. Col. Hood on this occassion, an officer of great merit and promise. In other respects out loss was not severe. I inclose Sir Rowland Hill's report, which affords another instance of the conduct and gallantry of the troops under his command.--I have, &c. ¶ Wellington. ¶ Ayre, March 3. ¶ My Lord.--In pursuance of your lordship's instructions, I yesterday advanced with the troops under my command upon the road leading to this place on the left bank of the Adour. Upon the arrival of the advanced guard within two miles of this town, the enemy was discovered occupying a strong ridge of hills, having his right flank upon the Adour, and thus covering the road to this place. Notwithstanding the strength of his position, I ordered the attack, which was executed by the 2d division under Lieut. Gen. the Hon. Sir W. Stewart (which advanced on the road leading to this place, and thus gained possiession of the enemy's extreme right), and by one brigade of the Portuguese division under Brig. Gen. La Costa, which ascended the heights occupied by the enemy at about the centre of his position. the Portuguese brigade succeeded in gaining possession of the ridge, but were thrown into such confusion by the resistance made by the enemy, as would have been of the most serious consequence, had it not been for the timely support given by the 2d division under Lieut. Gen. Sir W. Stewart, who having previously beaten back the enemy directly opposed to him, and seeing them returning to charge the Portuguese brigade, ordered forward the 1st brigade of the 2d division, which, led by Mjor Gen. Barnes, charged the enemy in the most gallant style, and beat them back, thorowing their column into the greatest confusion. The enemy made various attempts to regain the ground, but Lieut. Gen. the Hon. Sir W. Stewart, having now been joined by Major Gen. Byng's brigade, was enabled to drive them from all their positions, and finally from this town. By all accounts of prisoners, and from my own observations, the least two divisions of the enemy were engaged. Their loss in killed and wounded has been very great, and we have above 100 prisoners. The enemy's line of retreat seems to have been by the right bank of the Adour, with exception of some part of their force, which being cut off from the river by our rapid advance to this town, retired in the greatest confusion in the direction of Pau. These troops have left their arms in every direction. I cannot omit this opportunity of expressing to your Lordship the gallant and unremitting exertions of Lieut. Gen. the Hon. Sir W. Stewart, and the General and other officers of the 2d division; of Major Gen. Fan's brigade of cavalry, and Capt. Bean's troop of horse artillery, throughout the whole of the late operations; and I I must, in justice, mention the gallant charge made yesterday by Major Gen. Barnes, at the head of the 50th regiment, commanded by Lieut. Col. Harrison; and the 92d commanded by Lieut. Col. Camcron, in which he was able seconded by his staff, Brigade major Wemyss and Capt. Hamilton. Major Gen. Byng's brigade supported the movement of Major Gen. Barnes, and decided the advantage of the day. Capt. Macdonald of the horse artillery, distinguished himself much in attempting to rally the Portuguese troops. I trust our loss, considering the advantageous position occupied by the enemy, has not been severe; but I have to gregret the loss of a valuable officer in the death of Lieut. Col. Hood, Assistant Adjutant General to the 2d division, who was unfortunately killed during the contest of yesterday.--I have, &c. ¶ R. Hll, Lieut. Gen.
• Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, Thursday 24 March 1814 - page 2 The Hon. Lieut. Col. Hood, who was killed, was the eldest son of Lord Hood, of Catherington; he was a most abiable young man, and an excellet officer; he was married to the daughter of Sir A. S. Hammond, late Comptroller of the Navy, whom he has left with a young but not numerous family to lament his loss. He as in the 33d year of his age.