William O'Shaughnessy facts for kids
William O'Shaughnessy (born 1673, died 1744) was an important Irish leader and a high-ranking general in the French army. He was also known as "The O'Shaughnessy," which meant he was the chief of his family clan.
Early Life and Family
William O'Shaughnessy came from a powerful Irish family called the O'Shaughnessys. They lived in County Galway, Ireland. His father was the chief of their family, and his mother, Helen O'Brien, came from another important family. William was born at his family's home in Gort.
Around 1689, William became a captain, leading about 100 men from his family and their supporters. In 1690, he went to France to join the army. After his father died in July 1690, William became the new chief. However, his family lost their lands in Ireland because of a war. This meant William could not return home.
Serving in the French Army
William O'Shaughnessy joined the French army. He hoped that supporting France would help the Irish regain control of their lands. He fought in many battles and sieges. These included the siege of Montmelian in 1691 and the Battle of Marsaglia in 1693. In 1696, he was promoted to Commandant of a battalion in the Regiment of Clare.
When a war called the War of the League of Augsburg ended in 1697, many soldiers were sent home. But O'Shaughnessy stayed in the army. He became the captain of the regiment's Grenadiers, who were special soldiers.
Battles and Promotions
When the War of the Spanish Succession began, O'Shaughnessy's regiment grew again. They fought in Germany. He was part of battles at Kehl, Munderkingen, and the first Battle of Blenheim in 1703. The next year, the French army lost the second Battle of Blenheim. However, the Irish regiments, including O'Shaughnessy's, fought bravely. They helped the French army retreat safely.
Two years later, at the Battle of Ramillies, his regiment again helped save the army. They stopped the Dutch and English forces from completely defeating them. The regiment lost many men, but they fought with honor. Because the regimental Major O'Carroll died, O'Shaughnessy was promoted to Major in July 1706. In September, he became a Lieutenant-Colonel.
He and his men continued to fight in battles like Oudenaarde and Malplaquet until the war ended in 1714. In 1721, he became a Brigadier. By 1735, he was a Marechal de Camp, a very high rank. Even in his sixties, he continued to fight actively. In 1743, he became the commander of the garrison at Gravelines. He died there in January 1744.
Interestingly, at the Battle of Malplaquet, William O'Shaughnessy fought against Sir Thomas Prendergast. Sir Thomas was the person who had been given O'Shaughnessy's family lands in Ireland. Sir Thomas Prendergast was killed in this battle.
Personal Life
Major-General O'Shaughnessy was from a very old Irish family line. He married Maire Jacqueline Francoise de Gauville in 1729. They did not have any children. His mother, Lady Helen, died in 1729 at Fiddaun Castle, which was then left empty.
William's cousin, Bishop Colman O'Shaughnessy, became the next family chief. He tried for many years to get their family lands back from Sir Thomas Prendergast's heirs. But he was not successful. After Bishop Colman, Robuck O'Shaughnessy became chief, followed by Robuck's son, Joseph. Joseph died around 1780. After Joseph's death, it seems the main line of the O'Shaughnessy family ended.
The church records in Gravelines, France, tell us about William O'Shaughnessy's death. They say he died on January 2, 1744, at age seventy. He was buried in the church. Important people, including other military officers and a relative, were present at his burial.
