Barry St. Leger

Barrimore Matthew St. Leger (c.1733 – 1789) was a British colonel who led an invasion force during the American Revolutionary War.

St. Leger (sometimes pronounced "Sill'inger") was baptised on May 1, 1733 County Kildare, Ireland. He was the son of Sir John St. Leger and Lavina Pennefather, was educated at Eton College, and then at the University of Cambridge.

He joined the British Army in April 1756, serving as an ensign in the 28th Regiment of Foot. He fought under the command of General Abercrombie in Canada in 1758 at the siege of Louisbourg, Île Royale (Cape Breton Island) and in 1759 under the command of Wolfe at the Siege of Quebec.

He was promoted to brigade-major in July 1760 and served as a staff officer in the campaign against Montreal under James Murray. On September 16, 1762, St. Leger became a major in the 95th Regiment of Foot. In 1772 he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel.

In 1777, while he was Lieutenant-Colonel of the 34th Regiment of Foot, he was chosen to lead the western offensive that formed one leg of the Saratoga Campaign. John Burgoyne made him brevet Brigadier-General for this mission so that he would outrank the militia officers involved. He moved his force in good order to Fort Stanwix, but finding it strongly defended, set a siege in motion. He beat back the American militia attempt to break the siege by ambushing Nicholas Herkimer's force in the Battle of Oriskany of 1777. In 1777 he was promoted Colonel.

When reports of a relief force under Benedict Arnold reached him he was forced to withdraw back to Canada and then to try and join up with John Burgoyne.

ee also

*St. Leger