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William DrummondEnglish, Scottish and Russian military and statesman
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Military Service in Britain and Ireland
- Execution of King Charles I and Flight to Europe
- Battle of Worcester and Imprisonment
- Service in Russia
- Arrival and Initial Appointment
- Scandal and Pardon
- Return to Britain and Military Service in Scotland
- Accusation and Imprisonment
- Appointment as Commander of the Royal Army in Scotland
- Death and Legacy
- Family and Title
- Literary Contributions
Early Life and Education
William Drummond, born circa 1617 in Scotland, was a member of the Drummond clan. He was the son of John Drummond, 2nd Lord Madderty, and Margaret Leslie. William received his education at the University of St. Andrews.
Military Service in Britain and Ireland
Covenanting WarsFrom 1641 to 1645, Drummond served in the armies of Robert and George Monro against the Irish Confederate forces in Ulster. In 1648, he joined the army of James Butler, 1st Marquess of Ormonde.
Execution of King Charles I and Flight to Europe
On January 30, 1649, after the execution of King Charles I, Drummond fled London to Holland, where he joined Charles's son, Charles Stuart.
Battle of Worcester and Imprisonment
During the Battle of Worcester on September 3, 1651, Drummond commanded a brigade in the Royalist army. The Scottish forces were defeated, and Drummond was captured and imprisoned in Windsor Castle. He later escaped captivity.
Service in Russia
Introduction to Tsar Alexey MikhailovichIn April 1656, Drummond and General Dalziel received a letter of introduction from Charles II to Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, requesting their appointment in the Russian army.
Arrival and Initial Appointment
In 1656, Drummond arrived in Russia as a major general and was assigned a regiment of soldiers. He participated in the "Gossudarev Riga Campaign" and was subsequently promoted to general-major.
Scandal and Pardon
In 1659, Drummond was involved in a scandal involving the assault of a merchant. He was stripped of his rank, but his reputation as a skilled military commander led to his eventual pardon.
Return to Britain and Military Service in Scotland
Restoration and Succession to Scottish ParliamentIn 1660, Drummond returned to Britain and was appointed deputy to General Dalziel, who led the royal army in Scotland. He represented Perthshire in Parliament several times between 1669 and 1686.
Accusation and Imprisonment
On September 29, 1674, Drummond was accused of sympathizing with the Covenanters and imprisoned in Dumbarton Castle. He was released two years later.
Appointment as Commander of the Royal Army in Scotland
After Dalziel's death in 1685, Drummond was promoted to general-lieutenant and appointed commander of the royal army in Scotland. He was also included in the Privy Council and Exchequer.
Death and Legacy
In 1688, General-Lieutenant Drummond passed away. He was a renowned military commander who had served both the Russian and British armies.
Family and Title
Drummond was married to Elizabeth Johnston and had two children: William, who inherited his father's titles, and Elizabeth, who married Thomas Hay, 7th Earl of Kinnoull.
Literary Contributions
William Drummond, 1st Viscount Strathallan, was the author of a genealogy of the Drummond clan.
