Alexander Kennedy Clark-Kennedy

thumb|I gave the order to my Squadron, "Right shoulders forward, attack the Colour," leading direct on the point myself. Alexander Kennedy Clark-Kennedy, KCB, KH (died 30 January 1864) was an officer in the British Army. He fought through the Peninsular and Waterloo campaigns and, as Captain Clark, 1st royal dragoons, he signalised himself at Waterloo, during one of the charges of his regiment, by capturing, single-handed, the Eagle of the French 105th of the line, afterwards in Chelsea Hospital. He subsequently commanded the 7th dragoon guards, and was full colonel of the Scots Greys at the time of his death. He assumed the name of Kennedy in addition to that of Clark; died in London, aged 83, 30 January 1864, and was buried at his native place, Dumfries. Quotes I did not see the Eagle and Colour (for there were two Colours, but only one with an Eagle) until we had been probably five or six minutes engaged. It must, I should think, have been originally about the centre of the Column, and got uncovered from the change of direction. When I first saw it, it was perhaps about forty yards to my left and a little in my front. The Officer who carried it and his companions were moving...with their backs towards me, and endeavouring to force their way into the crowd.I gave the order to my Squadron, "Right shoulders forward, attack the Colour," leading direct on the point myself. On reaching it, I ran my sword into the Officer's right side a little above the hip joint. He was a little to my left side, and he fell to that side with the Eagle across my horse's head. I tried to catch it with my left hand, but could only touch the fringe of the flag, and it is probable it would have fallen to the ground, had it not been prevented by the neck of Corporal Styles' horse, who came up close on my left at the instant, and against which it fell. Corporal Styles was Standard Coverer; his post was immediately behind me, and his duty to follow wherever I led. When I first saw the Eagle I gave the order, "Right shoulders forward, attack the Colour," and on running the Officer through the body I called out twice together, "Secure the Colour, secure the Colour, it belongs to me." This order was addressed to some men close to me, of whom Corporal Styles was one. On taking up the Eagle, I endeavoured to break the Eagle from off the pole with the intention of putting it into the breast of my coat; but I could not break it. Corporal Styles said, "Pray, sir, do not break it," on which I replied, Very well, carry it to the rear as fast as you can, it belongs to me." Letter written at Leeds (14 July 1839); H. T. Siborne, ed., Waterloo Letters: A Selection from Original and hitherto Unpublished Letters (London: Cassell & Co., 1891), pp. 75-76 External links Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Clark-Kennedy, John Category:1864 deaths Category:Military leaders from the United Kingdom Category:People from Scotland Category:People of the Napoleonic Wars