Lot 1651 , Thomas Hodgetts after Sir Henry Raeburn R.A., proof mezzotint before letters, 'General Sir David Baird', visible sheet 69 x 40cm

Thomas Hodgetts after Sir Henry Raeburn R.A., proof mezzotint before letters, 'General Sir David Baird', visible sheet 69 x 40cm
£120-180
Baird entered the Army in 1772. He was sent to India where he saw active service and was held prisoner in Mysore for four years. Having briefly returned to Britain, in 1790 Baird returned to India where he captured Pondicherry in 1792 and was promoted to colonel. Baird was disappointed that command of the Indian continent was given to Lord Wellesley rather than to him. Instead, he was given command of the Indian army in its expedition to expel the French from Egypt in 1801. In 1804, he commanded the expedition to capture Cape Town and on his return was immediately sent to participate in the Peninsular War. Baird received his promotion to general in 1814, and he later served as commander-in-chief in Ireland.

Sold for £260