Military officer; born in
County Westmeath, Ireland, March 19, 1778.
At the age of about fifteen years he was appointed major of light dragoons, and at twenty
lieutenant-colonel of foot.
In 1812 he
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The pecan-trees at VillereaS, New Orleans. |
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59]
was made major-general; served with distinction under
Wellington in the
Peninsular campaign; and in 1814 was intrusted with the expedition against
New Orleans (q. v.), where he was killed, Jan. 8, 1815.
The body of Sir Edward was conveyed to Villereas, when the viscera were removed and buried between two pecan-trees near the mansion.
The rest of the body was placed in a cask of rum and conveyed to
England for interment.
Such was the disposition of the bodies of two or three other officers.
It is said the pecan-trees never bore fruit after that year, and the negroes looked upon the spot with superstitious awe.
