John Cunningham (officer) facts for kids

John Cunningham was an Anglo-Irish soldier who lived a long time ago. He is mostly known for trying to help the city of Derry during a big event called the Siege of Derry in 1689. This attempt didn't go as planned, and because of it, he was removed from his job and replaced by another soldier named William Stewart. While most people called him John, some old records might call him Thomas Cunningham.

John Cunningham spent a lot of his younger years in Derry and visited the city many times when he was older. It's even said that during the Siege, he had a brother living in the area who might have helped defend the city.

Early Military Career

John Cunningham started his career as a Captain in the English Army. This was during the time when King James II was ruling. Cunningham was part of a political group called the Whigs, who often disagreed with the King.

By May 1688, Cunningham wanted to leave the army. He strongly disagreed with King James's new rules about religion, known as the Declaration of Indulgence. He felt these changes were harming the Church of England. However, after the Glorious Revolution (when King James was removed from power), Cunningham quickly got promoted. He became a Colonel and took charge of a regiment, which is a large group of soldiers. This regiment had previously been led by Henry Cornwall.

The Siege of Derry Mission

In 1689, the city of Derry was under attack. It was one of the few places where Protestants were still holding out against King James's Irish forces, known as Jacobites. Two regiments of soldiers were sent by ship from Liverpool to help Derry. One was led by Cunningham, and the other by Solomon Richards.

Cunningham was the highest-ranking officer on the ships. However, his orders said that once they landed, he would be under the command of Derry's Governor, Robert Lundy.

Arrival at Lough Foyle

When the ships arrived in Lough Foyle (a large bay near Derry), a battle had just happened nearby called the Battle of Cladyford. In this battle, the Irish Army had defeated the Protestant forces. Governor Lundy was very worried and thought Derry couldn't last much longer.

At first, Lundy told Cunningham and Richards to bring their soldiers ashore. But then, he changed his mind. He worried that if the soldiers landed, both regiments would be lost when Derry eventually had to give up.

Dismissal and Aftermath

Because of Lundy's change of heart, Cunningham and Richards returned to England with their soldiers. They brought back sad reports about Derry's chances. Many people in Derry were angry that two well-trained groups of soldiers had left without even trying to help.

Cunningham had also been told that if landing at Derry wasn't possible, he should try to land at either Belfast Lough or Strangford Lough. Since he didn't follow these orders, he was removed from his command and dismissed from the army. He didn't face any other punishment. Solomon Richards also lost his regiment. Cunningham's old regiment was then given to Colonel William Stewart.

Soon after, Governor Robert Lundy left Derry. But the city bravely continued to defend itself under the leadership of Henry Baker and John Mitchelburne. Later, more soldiers arrived to help the defenders, led by General Percy Kirke. Among these soldiers was Cunningham's former regiment, now under Colonel Stewart.

Some people have said that if Derry had fallen quickly, Cunningham and Richards might not have been blamed much. But because the city held out so bravely, questions were raised about why they didn't do more to help.