Daniel Mackinnon facts for kids

Colonel Daniel Mackinnon (1791 – 22 June 1836) was a brave Scottish soldier. He was a Colonel in the Coldstream Guards, a famous British Army regiment. Daniel Mackinnon played a very important part in the Battle of Waterloo, one of history's most famous battles.

Family Life

Daniel Mackinnon was born into an important Scottish family. His father, William Mackinnon, was the eldest son of the Chief of Clan MacKinnon from the Scottish Highlands. Daniel's brother, William Alexander, became a Member of Parliament, which means he helped make laws for the country.

A Soldier's Journey

Starting in the Army

Daniel Mackinnon joined the army when he was just 14 years old! He became an ensign, a junior officer, in the Coldstream Guards. Soon after, he traveled with his regiment to Bremen in Germany.

In 1807, his battalion sailed to Copenhagen, Denmark. After they helped capture the city, they returned to England.

Fighting in the Peninsula

In 1809, the Coldstream Guards went to the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). They fought many big battles there against Napoleon's French forces. These battles included Talavera and Toulouse.

Daniel Mackinnon rose through the ranks, becoming a lieutenant and then a captain. He was chosen to be an aide-de-camp (a personal assistant) to General Sir Edward Stopford. During this time, he was also known to spend time with the famous poet, Lord Byron, who was in Lisbon.

Mackinnon became well-known for his incredible bravery and calmness during battles. Once, when soldiers were moving through a narrow pass under heavy enemy fire, they saw Captain Mackinnon calmly shaving! This encouraged the troops, and they bravely pushed forward, driving the French away.

The Battle of Waterloo

In 1814, Daniel Mackinnon was promoted to lieutenant colonel. In June 1815, he traveled in a small boat from Ramsgate to Ostend to join his regiment near Brussels. He fought in the battles on June 16th and 17th, leading up to the huge Battle of Waterloo on June 18th. During this battle, three horses were shot from under him!

As he led part of his regiment to charge the French, a shot hit his knee, killing his horse. He fell and lost his sword. He landed near a French officer who was also badly hurt. Mackinnon kindly took the French officer's sword, saying he hoped they could share a meal that night. He quickly got back on his feet, found another horse, and continued to lead his men forward.

Later that day, Colonel Mackinnon was ordered to defend a very important farm called Hougoumont. He was there with about 250 soldiers from the Coldstream Guards and the Grenadier Guards. The Duke of Wellington knew how vital this farm was and ordered it to be defended at all costs. Napoleon sent many battalions to try and capture the farm, leading to terrible fighting.

Even though his knee was badly wounded and he was in great pain, Colonel Mackinnon bravely defended Hougoumont. He held the farm until the entire British line advanced and the French army was defeated. After the battle, Mackinnon collapsed from blood loss and tiredness. He was taken to Brussels to recover.

Life After the War

On July 17, 1823, Daniel Mackinnon married Anne Jane Dent. She was the eldest daughter of John Dent, who was a member of parliament for Poole.

In 1826, he became a full colonel in the British Army. This also gave him command of the Coldstream Guards, the regiment he had served with his entire military life.

King William IV asked all officers in command of a regiment to write about their regiment's history. Colonel Mackinnon wrote a book called The Origin and Services of the Coldstream Guards, which was published in 1833.

Colonel Daniel Mackinnon died at his home in Mayfair on June 22, 1836. He is buried at Kensal Green Cemetery.