John Enys (British Army officer) facts for kids

Lieutenant Colonel John Enys (born December 17, 1757 – died July 30, 1818) was a British Army officer. He served during the exciting and challenging time of the American Revolution.

Early Life and School Days

John Enys was born on December 17, 1757, in Cornwall, England. His parents were John Enys and Lucy Bassett. He was the youngest of six children. John spent a lot of his childhood at Eton College, a famous school. While at Eton, he caught small pox, a very serious illness. Luckily, he was one of the few who recovered from it.

Joining the Army

Because John was a younger son from a wealthy family, a military career was chosen for him. His father bought him a special position called an Ensign in the 29th Regiment of Foot. This happened on April 21, 1775. This was right when the American Revolutionary War was beginning in England's North American colonies.

First Battles in America

On March 21, 1776, John Enys and the 29th Regiment sailed to Quebec City. Their mission was to help the city, which was under attack. The Continental Army had been trying to capture Quebec City all winter. When the British Army arrived with more soldiers, the Americans had to retreat. They moved towards Montreal, Quebec.

John saw his first real fight on June 8, 1776. This was at the Battle of Trois-Rivières. The Americans were defeated by British forces led by General Guy Carleton.

Lake Champlain and Winter Quarters

Later that year, John was also with General Carleton's ships on Lake Champlain. This was during the Battle of Valcour Island on October 11, 1776. The American naval squadron, led by Benedict Arnold, was defeated. However, preparing for and fighting this battle took a lot of time. This meant the British couldn't advance any further that year. John and the 29th Regiment then went to Montreal for the winter.

In 1777, Lt. General John Burgoyne led a big campaign. But John Enys and eight companies of the 29th Regiment stayed behind in Canada.

Promotions and Raids

Burgoyne's army was defeated at Saratoga in October 1777. The 29th Regiment also lost its light infantry company. Because of this, John was promoted to Lieutenant on February 16, 1778. He was placed in a special "Ranger" company. This company took over the duties that the light infantry used to do.

In the autumn of 1778, John and his Ranger company took part in a raid. They went down the eastern side of Lake Champlain. They burned crops, farms, and other supplies that could help the enemy. This was called Carleton's Raid. It was named after its commander, Major Christopher Carleton. He was also from the 29th Regiment and was General Guy Carleton's nephew.

In 1780, the Ranger company joined an even bigger raid. They went along the western shore of Lake Champlain to Lake George. They even reached the Hudson River at Fort Edward. This raid was part of the Burning of the Valleys. Many raids happened across northern New York and Vermont in the fall of 1780.

After the American Revolution

As the American Revolution was ending, John took a leave in July 1782. He went to visit his family back in Cornwall. While he was still on leave, John was promoted to Captain on January 25, 1783. But soon after, he was put on half-pay. This meant he received half his salary because the army was reducing its size. This happened as the war officially ended.

John and his brother Francis then spent the summer of 1783 touring Scotland. They visited old castles, the Antonine Wall, and other interesting places.

Return to Canada and Travel

In 1784, John was called back to active duty with the 29th Regiment. The regiment was still in Canada. For the next three years, John served in Montreal, Kingston, Ontario, and Fort Niagara. At these distant outposts, John found little to do besides fishing. He enjoyed catching the many trout and salmon in the lakes and streams.

In October, the 29th Regiment received orders to return to England. John decided to take another leave. He used this time to tour the new nation of the United States. John spent six months traveling from New England to Virginia. After his tour, he returned to active duty with his regiment in England.

French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars

On March 1, 1794, John was promoted to the rank of Major. This was because his regiment had done an excellent job recruiting new soldiers. On June 1, the 29th Regiment served as marines. They were on board Admiral Richard Howe's fleet. This fleet defeated a French fleet in the North Atlantic Ocean.

In February 1795, Major Enys was ordered to stay in England. He was to command a large group of sick soldiers. This happened as the 29th Regiment was sent to the West Indies. As soon as the men got better, they were sent to the Isle of Jersey. This island is in the English Channel. Their job was to guard against a French invasion.

When most of the regiment returned from the West Indies in 1796, John was promoted again. He became a Lt. Colonel of the 29th Regiment on September 6, 1796.

Campaigns in Ireland and Holland

The 29th Regiment and its commander, John Enys, were sent to Ireland. This was in response to a French landing there. They went with the 100th Regiment of Foot to help the troops already there. The 29th Regiment did not fight in the main battle. However, they did capture many French prisoners who were fleeing.

Next, Lt. Col. Enys went to Holland. A force of British and Russian soldiers went there in 1799. They were led by the Duke of York. Their goal was to try and drive the French out of the Netherlands. Even though they won some small battles, the British and Russian troops soon left. The Netherlands remained part of the French Empire.

Retirement and Legacy

On March 20, 1800, John Enys retired from his active life as a soldier. The officers of the 29th Regiment gave him an expensive, engraved sword. This was a special gift because he had served in the same regiment for all 25 years of his army career. This was unusual, as officers often moved between regiments to get promoted.

John never married. After retiring, he moved to Bath. He often visited the famous baths there to help with his rheumatism. He died on July 30, 1818.

In 1976, a journal that John kept while in North America was published. It was called "The American Journal of Lt. John Enys". In 2010, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall and the Enys family showed a birch bark canoe. John Enys had brought this canoe back from North America. The canoe was displayed at the Museum until September 2011. It was then donated to the Canadian Canoe Museum.

Sources

• The American Journals of Lt. John Enys, John Enys and Elizabeth Cometti (editor), Syracuse University Press 1976
• Travels Through the Interior Parts of America 1776–1781 Volumes 1 and 2, Thomas Anurey, Houghton Mifflin Company 1923
• The Worcestershire Regiment: The 29th and 36th Regiments of Foot, Richard Gale, Leo Cooper LTD. 1970
• The Burning of the Valleys, Gavin K. Watt, Dundurn Press 1997
• Carleton's Raid, Ida H. Washington and Paul A. Washington, Cherry Tree Books 1977
• One of the world's oldest birch bark canoes discovered in Cornwall