!SOURCE: Rev. Dr. Donald MacKinnon and Alick Morrison, THE MACLEODS --
THE GENEALOGY OF A CLAN, Section III, "MacLeod Cadet Families",
Edinburgh, The Clan MacLeod Society, 1970, pp. 4-5.
William MacLeod 3rd of Feorlig, who emigrated with his parents in
1772 to Cumberland County in Carolina. He became an Ensign in the Corp
of Loyalists in February 1776, and Captain of the Loyal Militia in 1780.
He was taken prisoner on 5th October 1781 but exchanged after a year.
He returned to Britain and appears in the MacLeod Estate Papers as
Lieutenant William MacLeod Tacksman of Feorlig in 1801. In 1782, he is
a Lieutenant in th 100th Regiment of Foot, which was disbanded in 1785.
He now joined the 73rd Regiment and was later transferred to the 76th
adn rose to the rank of Major in 1802. He commanded the 76th Regiment
throughout Lord Lake''s campaign in India and succeeded in passing the
wicket and ascending the ramparts at Aligarh. He was now transferred
to the 69th Regiment, where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in
1805. He was mentioned in Despatches at Arambooly, 10th February
1809, and Kotar and Nager-Coil on 17th February of the same year. His
citation reads, "The Governor in Council has particular satisfaction in
observing the further proof of the military skill and gallantry afforded
by that distinguished and valuable officer Lt. Col. MacLeod of His
Majesty''s 69th Regiment in the action at Cotaur and Nager Coil, which
has been followed by events of a highly important nature". He
commanded the 3rd Brigade in the attack on Bourbon, and his "masterly
and officer-like manner", was cited in the actions at St. Maria, Grand
Chaloupe and St. Denis. In command of the 4th Brigade he led the attack
on the French island of Mauritius. On the 26th August 1811, he
commanded the 2nd Column of six companies of the 69yh Regiment in the
attack on Fort Cornelis in the island of Java. He was killed in carrying a
redoubt. "The most distinguished of the officers who fell was
Lieutenant Colonel William MacLeod". On board the transport,
"Eslambole", Lt. Col. MacLeod made an administration, requisting the
Committee or Acting Paymaster of the 69th Regiment to dispose of his
effects and remit the balance as well as any balance that may be due to
him on the score of Prize Money or pay, to Allan MacLean Esq., agent,
Calcutta, after paying all debts due by him in the Regiment. Lt. Col.
MacLeod however, owed no money in the Regiment.