Francis Fergus O'Farrell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francis Fergus O'Farrell
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Deinze; O'Farrell's surrender of this town in 1695 resulted in his court-martial
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| Born | c. 1650 County Longford, Ireland |
| Died | 1712 (aged 54–55) |
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Infantry |
| Rank | Major-General |
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Major General Francis Fergus O’Farrell was an Irish soldier who lived from about 1650 to 1712. He was a professional soldier who first served in the Dutch States Army under William III. In 1689, he joined the English Army. During a war called the Nine Years' War in 1695, he was removed from his position because he surrendered the town of Deinze too early. However, he was given his job back in 1696 and later fought in the War of the Spanish Succession.
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Early Life and Family
Francis Fergus O’Farrell was born in County Longford, Ireland, around 1650. He was likely part of the O’Farrell family, who were important in that area. We don't know much about his parents.
It was unusual for Francis to serve William of Orange, who was a Protestant leader. This is because many of his relatives fought against William. For example, his distant cousin Ceadagh O'Farrell died fighting for the Jacobites (supporters of King James II) in 1690. Other family members joined the French army.
Francis O'Farrell had at least two children. His son, also named Francis Fergus, married Mary Emmett. His daughter, Diana, married Francis Howard, who later became the first Earl of Effingham.
Military Career
O’Farrell probably started his military career in a group called the Scots Brigade. He fought in the Franco-Dutch War, which lasted from 1672 to 1678. By 1688, he had become a Lieutenant Colonel.
In November 1688, he joined William of Orange's army when they went to England. This event was called the Glorious Revolution. There wasn't much fighting because most of King James II's army switched sides. King James then left the country.
On March 1, 1689, O'Farrell became a Colonel of a regiment (a military unit) called the Earl of Mars Regiment. This happened because the previous leader, Thomas Buchan, stayed loyal to King James. O'Farrell's regiment went to Flanders and fought in the Battle of Walcourt in August 1689. His regiment was considered an elite, or special, unit.
In July 1692, French soldiers captured O'Farrell. But he was released quickly. He then fought in the Battle of Steenkerque in August 1692 and the Battle of Landen in 1693.
The Surrender of Deinze
In July 1695, O'Farrell was in charge of the soldiers defending the town of Deinze. He surrendered the town to the French army without fighting. Another nearby town, Diksmuide, also surrendered.
Normally, prisoners of war were exchanged quickly. However, the French kept the 6,000 to 7,000 soldiers captured at Diksmuide and Deinze. This was because of a disagreement about the surrender terms. The French army needed more soldiers, so they tried to get prisoners to join their side. They even put officers and men in prison cells. O'Farrell wrote to a friend in September, complaining about this treatment.
King William was very strict with the officers from Deinze and Diksmuide. One officer, Ellenberg, was executed. O'Farrell was removed from his position, and others who signed the surrender papers faced a court-martial. A court-martial is a military trial.
Reinstatement and Later Years
Most of the officers were quickly given their jobs back, including O'Farrell. He was reinstated in 1696, but he lost command of his regiment.
During the War of the Spanish Succession, in January 1704, he was promoted to Major General. Records show that he was assigned to the army of John V of Portugal. He stayed in this position until December 1708. Francis Fergus O'Farrell died in 1712.
Images for kids
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Deinze, the town O'Farrell surrendered in 1695.
