James Innes (British Army officer, died 1759) facts for kids

James Innes (around 1700 – September 5, 1759) was an important military leader and political figure in the Province of North Carolina. He led soldiers both in North America and overseas, serving the Kingdom of Great Britain. Innes was put in charge of a group of North Carolina's local soldiers during the War of Jenkins' Ear. Later, in 1754, he became the Commander-in-Chief of all colonial soldiers in the Ohio River Valley during the French and Indian War. After leaving the military in 1756, Innes went back to his home near the Cape Fear River. When he died, Innes left money in his will, which helped start the Innes Academy in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Early Life and Moving to America

James Innes was born around 1700 in the Scottish Highlands in Scotland. In 1732, he bought about 320 acres (130 hectares) of land on the Cape Fear River. This area is now part of Bladen County, North Carolina. Around 1733, he received another grant of 640 acres (260 hectares).

Soon after Innes arrived in North Carolina, Governor Gabriel Johnston chose him to be a justice for New Hanover County. A justice helps keep law and order. The governor also tried to add Innes to his council, which was a group of advisors, but this attempt was not successful.

Military and Political Career

Fighting in the War of Jenkins' Ear

A modern-day photograph of Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, a fort where a lot of fighting happened during the Battle of Cartagena de Indias.

In 1739, a war started between Spain and Great Britain. This war was about who controlled different colonies and areas around the world. At the start of this war, the British asked their colonies to send soldiers for a trip to South America.

Governor Johnston chose Innes to lead a group of 100 men from the Cape Fear area. They were to go to Cartagena, a city in what is now Colombia. Three other groups of soldiers from North Carolina were supposed to join them. On June 7, 1740, Innes was made a Captain in the British Army.

When they arrived in South America, Innes and his men were placed under the command of Colonel William Gooch, who was the Governor of Virginia. The fighting campaign was very difficult because of fevers and diseases. It ended with the Battle of Cartagena de Indias in the spring of 1741. This battle was a disaster for the British.

During the battle, the British ships were slow to land soldiers to attack a key Spanish fort. Also, the ladders the British used were too short to reach the top of the fort's walls. Because of these problems, half of the soldiers were killed or wounded before the attack was called off. Only 25 of Innes's men survived the Cartagena campaign. The North Carolina soldiers returned home in January 1743.

After he returned, Innes was put in charge of the local soldiers in New Hanover. In 1748, the war between the British and Spanish grew into a larger war against the French. This war was known in the colonies as King George's War. During this time, a Spanish fleet attacked Brunswick Town, North Carolina. Innes helped the local soldiers, led by Captain William Dry, to fight off the attacking force.

Between the Wars

Between the War of Jenkins' Ear and the French and Indian War, Innes worked for John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville. He was in charge of selling land for him in the Granville District.

Innes was also active in the colonial government. He served on the Governor's Council from 1750 until his death in 1759. He advised both Governor Gabriel Johnston and Governor Arthur Dobbs.

Leading in the French and Indian War

After King George's War ended in 1748, tensions grew between the French territories in North America and the British colonies along the coast. As war seemed likely in 1754, Innes was chosen to command the North Carolina soldiers. They were sent to help Virginia at the request of Governor Robert Dinwiddie. Virginia was especially worried about French forces moving into the Ohio River Valley.

Governor Dinwiddie, who was a friend of Innes, thought about making Innes the top commander of all colonial forces. However, he first chose a Virginian named Joshua Fry. But Fry died on May 15, 1754. So, on June 4, 1754, Innes was appointed to the position. This happened even though George Washington had been Fry's second-in-command.

Washington was given command of the Virginia Regiment after Fry's death. He led his unit into the Ohio River Valley before Innes became his superior. On May 28, 1754, Washington's unit, along with Native American allies, surprised a French unit. They killed the French commander, Joseph Coulon de Jumonville. A large group of French soldiers then moved to trap Washington. On July 3, 1754, they attacked him at Fort Necessity in what is now Farmington, Pennsylvania. Washington and his men were forced to surrender.

Governor Dinwiddie blamed Matthew Rowan, who was acting as Governor of North Carolina, for this defeat. Dinwiddie said that if Innes's men had gathered on time, they could have gone with Washington to the frontier. This battle marked the beginning of fighting between the French and English in the colonies. By 1755, it had turned into a full-scale war.

A view of Fort Cumberland, a wooden fort on a hill above a river.

Innes's time as commander-in-chief began just as the French and Indian War was starting. Innes was told to go to Wills Creek in Maryland. He was to make a fort there stronger, which later became Fort Cumberland.

The North Carolina soldiers who came to Virginia were difficult to control. They often left the army after being told their pay would be cut. Some even went home after Innes himself broke up their unit because it was so unstable. To make things worse, the Virginians under Innes's command did not like him, especially because he was not from Virginia.

Within five months of Innes being appointed, Horatio Sharpe took over his command. Innes stayed at Fort Cumberland as its "campmaster general." When General Edward Braddock arrived with British regular soldiers in 1755, Innes was made Governor of Fort Cumberland.

Braddock asked Innes to command a group of reserve soldiers at the fort during the terrible Braddock Expedition. In this expedition, Braddock led an army into the Ohio valley where it was ambushed and defeated. Braddock himself was badly wounded and died. During this operation, Fort Cumberland was used to hold wounded and sick soldiers. Innes was one of the first to hear about Braddock's defeat. He was also one of the first to tell Governor Dinwiddie about the disaster. By mid-1756, Innes was allowed to leave the military and return to North Carolina.

Later Life and Legacy

Innes spent the rest of his life as a farmer at his plantation called "Point Pleasant" in North Carolina. He died in 1759.

Innes left behind his wife, Jean. They did not have any children. Jean later married Francis Corbin, who had worked with Innes. After her death, Jean Innes was buried between her two husbands.

Innes's Lasting Impact

After James Innes died in 1759, his will included money to start an academy. This school was named the Innes Academy. The Academy built what is now the Thalian Hall in Wilmington, North Carolina, which is still standing today. Innes Street, a main road in Salisbury, North Carolina, is also named after him.