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Clan Munro USA
Genealogy Pages
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 Abt 1690 - 1749 (~ 59 years)
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| Name |
John Munro |
| Suffix |
Of Newmore |
| Born |
Abt 1690 |
Of, Newmore  |
- Estimate: This birth date is an estimate based on the birth dates of nearest relatives or contemporaries, or based on other clues such as christening date, marriage date, birth order, etc.
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| Gender |
Male |
| Died |
6 Apr 1749 |
| Person ID |
I12341 |
Munro |
| Last Modified |
18 Nov 2009 |
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| Notes |
- John was one of the strongest men in Ross-shire. Tradition relates the most extraordinary feats of streanth performed by him.
John Munro of Newmore was Ensign in Clayton's Regiment (14th) in 1731. He sat as a Member of Parliament for Ross in 1733-1734. He then served as Lieutenant in Deseurey's Regiment (32nd) then Captain in 1740 in the 42nd Highland Regiment when it was first organized.
He accompanied his regiment to Flanders and fought at the battle of Fontenoy. The following is from a letter John wrote to his uncle, Lord-President Forbes of Culloden describing his part in the battle.
"A little after four in the morning, the 30th of April, our cannon began to play, and the French batteries, with triple our weight of metal and numbers too, answered us: about five the infantry was in march; we (the Highlanders) were in the centre of the right brigade; but by six we were ordered to cross the field (I mean our regiment, for the rest of our brigades did not march) to attack a little village on the left of the whole called Fontenoy. As we passed the field the French batteries played upon our front, and right and left flanks, but to no purpose, for their batteries being upon rising ground their balls flew over us and hurt the second line. We were to support the Dutch who, in their usual way, were very dilatory. We got within musket shot of their batteries, when we received three full fires of their batteries and small arms, which killed us forty men and one ensign. Here we were obliged to skulk behind houses and hedges for about an hour and a half, waiting for the Dutch, who when they came up, behaved but so and so. Our regiment being in some disorder, I wanted to draw them up in rear of the Dutch, which their General would scarce allow of; but at last I did it, and marched them again to the front. In half an hour after the Dutch gave way, and Sir Robert Munro thought proper we should retire; for we had then the whole batteries from the enemy's ground playing upon us, and three thousand foot ready to fall upon us. We retired; but before we had marched thirty yards, we had orders to return to the attack, which we did; and in about ten minutes after had orders to march directly with all expedition, to assist the Hanoverians, who had got by this time well advanced upon batteries upon the left. They behaved most gallantly and bravely; and had the Dutch taken example from them we had supped at Tournay. The British behaved well; we (the Highlanders) were told by his royal highness that we did our duty well. . . . By two of the clock we all retreated; and we were ordered to cover the retreat, as the only regiment that could be kept to their duty, and in this affair we lost sixty more; but the Duke made so friendly and favourable a speech to us, that if we had been ordered to attack their lines afresh, I dare say our poor fellows would have done it."
Because of the bravery displayed by Captain John Munro of Newmore at the battle of Fontenoy, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on 17 Jul 1745 succeeding Sir Robert Munro in that post. This promotion was unusual because he was chosen ahead of one Major and three senior Captains.
He died unmarried in 1749.
References:
(1) "The Munro Tree (1734)" by R. W. Munro (1978) - R/8, R/9
(2) "History of the Munros of Fowlis" by A. Mackenzie (1898) - p. 196-199
Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA
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