Alexander Mackenzie-Fraser

General Alexander Mackenzie-Fraser (1756? - 13 September 1809) [ [http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/biographies/BritishGenerals/c_Britishgenerals59.html Napoleonic wars Generals] ] was known as Mackenzie until he took additional name of Fraser in 1803.

Family and early life

The family of Fraser of Castle Fraser, in Ross-shire, Scotland are descended, on the female side, from the Honorable Sir Simon Fraser of Inverallochy, second son of Simon, eighth Lord Lovat, but on the male side their name is Mackenzie. [ [http://www.electricscotland.com/history/nation/fraser.htm Scotland Fraser's History] ]

Military service

He entered the army service at an early age, and distinguished himself at the Great Siege of Gibraltar. [ [http://www.electricscotland.com/history/nation/fraser.htm Scotland Fraser's History] ] He later served during the American war of Independence where he was wounded, and serving during the British campaign in Flanders (1974-1975) where he temporarily commanded a brigade under Duke of York. He participated in the Cape of Good Hope expedition of 1796, and served in India from 1796 to 1800. From 1803 to 1805 he was assigned to the Home Staff, temporary commanding on the of the infantry brigades (Hanoverian) of the King's German Legion in 1805. In 1806 he served under General James Henry Craig in the Anglo-Russian invasion of Naples during his service in Sicily.

He is known to have led the Alexandria expedition of 1807 on the 16 of March 1807 with 6,000 British troops , first occupying Alexandria to secure the port as a base for Mediterranean operations and to prevent the French from taking advantage of it. The expedition was not a success, with Fraser losing the two engagements at Rosetta (modern Rashid) on 29 March and 21 April, with two battalions suffering very heavy casualties, particularly in the later ambush. Agreement with Mohammed Ali to leave Egypt was finally signed on 19 September, 1807. [ [http://www.napoleon.org/en/reading_room/timelines/files/friedland_06.asp Napoleonic wars] ]

After Egypt he was given command of the 1st Division which was intended to be sent to aid Sweden in 1808 during the Russo-Swedish War in that year.

During the Peninsular War Mackenzie-Fraser commanded the 3rd Division in Portugal and Spain during 1808-1809, and was present at the Battle of Corunna.

He again commanded a division during the Walcheren Campaign of 1809, dying from complications brought on by the illness he suffered there. [ [http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/biographies/BritishGenerals/c_Britishgenerals59.html Napolionic wars] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/biographies/BritishGenerals/c_Britishgenerals59.html Napolionic wars]
* [http://www.historicalportraits.com/Search/ItemDetails.asp?ItemID=186 General Alexander Mackenzie-Fraser portrait]

See also

* Alexandria expedition of 1807