Robert Orme (c.1725 – 1781 or 1790) was a British soldier who took part in the Battle of the Monongahela in July 1755, at the beginning of the

French and Indian War The French and Indian War (1754–1763) was a theater of the Seven Years' War, which pitted the North American colonies of the British Empire against those of the French, each side being supported by various Native American tribes. At the ...

, during which he was shot. He served with the young George Washington, with whom he became friends, and soon after his return to England in 1755 was

painted Paint is any pigmented liquid, liquefiable, or solid mastic composition that, after application to a substrate in a thin layer, converts to a solid film. It is most commonly used to protect, color, or provide texture. Paint can be made in many ...

Joshua Reynolds Sir Joshua Reynolds (16 July 1723 – 23 February 1792) was an English painter, specialising in portraits. John Russell said he was one of the major European painters of the 18th century. He promoted the "Grand Style" in painting which depend ...

Early life

Robert Orme was born around 1725."''Robert Orme'' 1756" by Mark Hallett in Martin Postle (Ed.) (2005) ''Joshua Reynolds: The creation of celebrity''. London: Tate Publishing. pp. 89 & 96. His family origins are unknown but he is not thought to have been of aristocratic birth."Captain Orme's Journal"
by Robert Orme in Winthrop Sargent (Ed.) (1856) ''The history of an expedition against Fort Du Quesne, in 1755; under Major-General Edward Braddock &c''. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott. pp. 281–358.

Career

Orme entered the British army as an ensign in the 35th Regiment of Foot but transferred to the Coldstream Guards in 1745. He became a lieutenant in that regiment in 1751. By the time of the French and Indian War, Orme was '' aide-de-camp'' to

General Edward Braddock Major-general (United Kingdom), Major-General Edward Braddock (January 1695 – 13 July 1755) was a British officer and commander-in-chief for the Thirteen Colonies during the start of the French and Indian War (1754–1763), the North American f ...

. Although officially a lieutenant, he became a

brevet Brevet may refer to: Military * Brevet (military), higher rank that rewards merit or gallantry, but without higher pay * Brevet d'état-major, a military distinction in France and Belgium awarded to officers passing military staff college * Aircre ...

captain and was known as Captain Orme. Also serving as an aide to Braddock was

George Washington George Washington (February 22, 1732, 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Continental Congress as commander of th ...

who wished to acquire military experience and with whom Orme became friends. In 1755, Braddock was engaged in a push by British and American forces towards

Fort Duquesne Fort Duquesne (, ; originally called ''Fort Du Quesne'') was a fort established by the French in 1754, at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers. It was later taken over by the British, and later the Americans, and developed a ...

, in what is now Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, which was held by French opposing forces. In July that year, Braddock's army was decisively ambushed by a smaller French and native Indian force in the Battle of the Monongahela with the loss of nearly 900 British and American soldiers. Braddock was mortally wounded and Orme shot in the leg. Some of the dead were scalped by the Native American allies of the French and their scalps nailed to trees in order to terrify the British. Orme escaped in the disorderly retreat and returned to England in 1755, becoming something of a celebrity as a survivor of the massacre. He resigned from the army in 1756. Orme's account of the campaign was published in 1856 in an edition edited by

Winthrop Sargent Winthrop Sargent (May 1, 1753 – June 3, 1820) was a United States patriot, politician, and writer; and a member of the Federalist party. Early life Sargent was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts on May 1, 1753. He was one of eight children ...

of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

Family

After his return to England, Orme resigned his commission in the army and eloped with Audrey Townshend (died 1781),"Townshend, Etheldreda, Viscountess Townshend (c.1708–1788)"
by John Martin in ''

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography The ''Dictionary of National Biography'' (''DNB'') is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published since 1885. The updated ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' (''ODNB'') was published on 23 September ...

'', Oxford University Press, 2004. Online edition, Jan 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2016. the only daughter of Charles Townshend, 3rd Viscount Townshend of Raynham and his wife Audrey, Lady Townshend.

Death

Orme died in 1790 according to modern sources, or in February 1781 according to a source published in 1856.

References

External links