Character Preludes: Lt McGregor

“The Decorated Soldier”

Selected entries from the Diary of Lord Jotham de Lacy, Baron of Bowland (1704 – 1714).

Gibraltar, August 1704. (Marine siege, X is part of land force that storms Gibraltar)

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Mediterranean, August 1704. (Battle of Malaga, George Rooke takes half of the marine force to join battle, X wounded from cannon exchange with Jotham)

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Chatham, December 1704. - Have returned home to my beloved home and country. My heart beat heavily in my chest as we injured combatants from the Malaga stood on deck of HMS Somerset to see the grey winter over an English port again. Beside me was the Yorkshire man whom had made my return possible, Lieutenant McGregor.

The Somerset docked at Chatham. News of our return had ensured a carriage was waiting for me in the town after we alighted in good cheer. I offered Lt Mc a ride to any destination in surrounding East Essex but he declined, stating that he needed to allay his nerves with ‘some god English rum’ at one of the harbour establishments. I fear the wounds he sustained from Toulouse’s cannons have blackened his humour, of which there was little left by the time we sighted the east coast of Kent.

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Bowman House, September 1705. - The recuperative influence of our family estates here in Bowman have worked a miracle over the shrapnel wounds I received during the battle of Malaga. In no small part I have also found it beneficial to describe that conflict and the preceding capture of Gibraltar to my father and other guests to our manor over the genial summer nights after supper, which I feel has tempered the strange dreams that sometimes strangle my sleep.

Lord Darby informed us today that Admiral Rooke continues to see our allied Navy successful in expunging the French from the Mediterranean. He also spoke of some of the ‘wilder’ encounters between the Spaniards and Q. Anne’s privateers in the Atlantic, to which my younger sisters and brother delighted in his reports of great courage. I must admit the news has made me yearn again for that excitement and even terror I experienced when we stormed the Bay of G.

And this has brought with it another conflict. Father, although proud of the service I have shown for the crown thus far, admonishes me to remain safe within England and focus my energies on becoming a useful member of the parliament in London.

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London, July 1708. – Today I had the honour of witnessing Lieutenant McGregor being Knighted by Q. Anne into ‘The Order of Anne’s Cross’, one of many brave men whom had distinguished themselves for Britannia. His recommendation had come not only from my own family, his recurring succor in the War of Succession had become a recurring topic amongst other young noblemen on the western battlefields of Spain.

I tried to meet with Lt Mc after the ceremony in Westminster Abbey, but was pressed to attend a small meeting with Lord Christie at sundown at his apartments in Paddington. Discussed the recent union of parliaments before his queer indulgence in his ‘parlour games’...

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London, February 1714. – Debate continues on the succession of the Hanoverian through his mother Sophia as the Queen’s health rapidly declines. I remained late in the chambers giving my support to George, our burden now to prevail upon the Tories into accepting his legitimate claims, lest we bring about another rebellion with a Popish King!

Afterward delivered personal letters as Lord C requested. The address was an unsavoury slum in Covent Gardens, which I’m told is frequented by one of our rivals in parliament. On our return toward London the carriage dogs, whom usually snarled at drunkard beggars, had run ahead to whine and lick the hands of a man lying in filth. I was shocked to recognize an old acquaintance from the Spanish Wars lying stupefied in his ragged red coat uniform. Halting the carriage in disbelief I stepped down into the street to confirm what my eyes had presented, the decorated hero of Gibraltar and Malaga, Sir Logan McGregor now destitute and pallid as a corpse to be interred!

With the aid of my coachman we lifted the sick man into the compartment and escorted him to an Inn outside Mayfair. Mrs Gory, the owner of the house prepared a broth for Logan whilst we moved him into a private room to recover his senses. It saddens me to have learnt tonight that L is wasting away of consumption, which only months left before the cruel disease takes his brave soul.

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Paddington, February 1714. – Lord C has just met with my friend Sir L, after my explanation of the events that delayed my return two nights previous. C had read of X’s name in the ‘The Tatler’, and showed some sympathy in his plight, an emotion I never before have witnessed in his stern countenance.

We traveled to Mrs Gory’s about 9pm. L had been bathed and treated by the old widow as best she could manage, leaving us alone in the guest room to talk for some hours before midnight. After we had all become acquainted, Lord C mentioned that he had learnt of a remedy during his travels on the continent to forestall the disease, asking that I leave the room whilst he appraised L’s chances of recovery.

Strict instructions were left with Mrs G to close all the windows of the Inn, and to lock McGregors' door until sundown on the morrow when we would return. I have some faith in C’s therapy, seeing that the man has always retained an unblemished complexion for over a decade now. He credits his longevity to avoiding strong light, particularly the rays of the sun. I myself have taken his advice, keeping indoors when possible to avoid the open elements...

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