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Auction: 13001 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 147

A Fine M.G.S. for Martinique to Private J. Higgins, 8th Foot, Who Served With the Regiment During the American War 1812-14, Where He Was Wounded During the Attack on Sackett´s Harbor, 29.5.1813, and Taken Prisoner of War
Military General Service 1793-1814, one clasp, Martinique (J. Higgins, 8th Foot.), nearly extremely fine

Private James Higgins, born Donaghmaker, Tyrone, c.1783; served with the Banff Fencibles, November 1799 to February 1802; enlisted in the 8th (King´s) Foot, February 1802; served with the Regiment in the West Indies, and was present at the capture of Martinique, February 1809; served with the Regiment in Canada, where they played a major part, along the line of the Great Lakes and the St Lawrence river, in the War of 1812-14 against the United States; wounded in the right groin during the attack on Sackett´s Harbor, an American naval base at the extreme eastern end of Lake Ontario, 29.5.1813: ´The King´s had five private soldiers killed in this enterprise, one Officer died of wounds; three Officers and seven rank and file were wounded and left as Prisoners of War; and two Officers and 63 rank and file were wounded´ (Regimental history refers). British casualties as a whole amounted to 48 Officers and men killed, and 211 wounded. Higgins was taken Prisoner of War, and held at Pittsfield, Maryland, until June 1814, when he was given leave to march to Canada; discharged April 1821, after 21 years and 168 days with the Colours.

Provenance: Glendining, July 1928
Glendining, July 1946

Sold for
£4,200