Brent Spencer
General Sir Brent Spencer GCB (c. 1760 – 29 December 1828) was an Anglo-Irish officer in the British Army, seeing active service during the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolutionary Wars. During the Peninsular War he became General Wellesley's second-in-command on two occasions. He fought at Vimeiro and testified in Wellesley's favour at the inquiry following the Convention of Cintra. He led a division at Bussaco and two divisions at Fuentes de Onoro. After the latter action, he had an independent command in northern Portugal. Wellesley, now Lord Wellington, was not satisfied that Spencer was up to the responsibilities of second-in-command and he was replaced by Thomas Graham. Miffed, Spencer left Portugal and never returned. He became a full general in 1825.
General Sir Brent Spencer GCB | |
|---|---|
General Brent Spencer (only known portrait) | |
| Member of Parliament for Sligo Borough | |
| In office 27 March 1815 – 1818 | |
| Preceded by | Joshua Spencer |
| Succeeded by | John Bent |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1760 |
| Died | 29 December 1828 (aged 67–68) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | British Army |
| Years of service | 1778–1828 |
| Commands | 103rd Regiment of Foot 40th (the 2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot 2nd West India Regiment 95th Regiment of Foot Rifle Brigade 1st Battalion 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot |
| Battles/wars | American Revolutionary War French Revolutionary Wars • War of the First Coalition • War of the Second Coalition • Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland • Battle of Alexandria Napoleonic Wars • Battle of Copenhagen Peninsular War • Battle of Vimeiro • Battle of Bussaco • Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro • Second Siege of Badajoz |
He was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sligo Borough from 1815 to 1818.