Historical and genealogical account of the Clan Maclean

Q56 BIOGRAPHICAL AND
the North." In the present day one at least
has done his share to perpetuate the honourable
bearing of his ancestors ; and although I am
well aware that the fact of writing the memoir
of the distinguished Maclean to whom I allude
in his lifetime places me under disadvantages,
which makes it doubtful but I may with my
clansmen risk the accusation of not having done
my duty, I feel myself under a perplexing ne-
cessity to avoid here recording many interesting
facts in the military career of the subject of the
following memoir merely because I happen to
write in his day ; and I am convinced those who
best know him will acknowledge that in the fol-
lowing very imperfect sketch any thing but due
justice is done to the military reputation of their
brave companion in many a hard-fought field. —
Major-general Sir John Maclean, K.CB.
K.C. K.T.S.
Sir John's military career commenced on the
30th April 1794< as ensign in the 1st regiment,
or Royal Scots, and on the following day he was
promoted to a lieutenancy in the Gordon High-
landers, now the 92d regiment. In 1797 he was
promoted to the rank of captain, and was in
active service during the whole of the cam-
paign in Holland ; and in that campaign re-
ceived the first of his numerous severe wounds,