KEITH, JAMES, best known as MARSHAL KEITH, second son of William, ninth ear marischal of Scotland, and lady Mary Drummond, daughter of the earl of Perth, was b. at the castle of Inverugie, in Aberdeenshire, on June 14, 1696. He and his elder brother, George, earl marischal, had for their preceptor their kinsman, Robert Keith, afterwards a bishop in the Scottish Episcopal church, and author of two valuable historical works. The brothers took part, on the side of the house of Stewart. in the insurrection of 1715, and after its suppression were attainted (see KEITH, THE FAMILY OF). Having effected his escape, Keith remained in France for some years, improving his knowledge of the military profession, and waiting for an opportunity of obtaining service. In 1719, along with his brother and other Scottish noblemen, he sailed on board the fleet which was fitted out by cardinal Alberoni and the Spanish court for the invasion of Scotland. The Jacobites were defeated- at Glenshiel by the royal army, under gen. Wightmau, and obliged to retreat. The Spanish auxiliaries were ready to renew the battle, but the Highlanders dispersed, and Keith, after lurking for some time among the mountains, got across the country to Peterhead, and again escaped to the continent. He continued in the Spanish service,,but all his expectations of promotion were disap pointed, in consequence of his firm attachment to the Protestant Episcopal church. In 1727 he made an application for the colonelcy of an Irish regiment, and received, as he himself tells us, the following answer from the king of Spain, "that how soon he knew I was Roman Catholic. I should not only have what I asked, but that he would take care of my fortune." In consequence of this he applied for a recommendation to the Russian government, which was immediately given, and he received from the czar Peter II. a commission as maj.gen. He distinguished himself in the wars with the
Turks and Swedes, particularly at the siege of Oczakoff, and the reduction of the islands of Aland; but finding the Russian service in various respects disagreeable, he entered that of Prussia in 1747. King Frederick knew his merits, and gave him the rank of field-marshal. From this time his name is associated with that of the king of Prussia, who relied as much on the military genius of Keith as he did on the diplomatic ability of his brother, the earl marischal. Keith's talents became more conspicuous upon the breaking out of the seven years' war. He shared the doubtful fortunes of the king before Prague, and was present at the great victory of Rossbach, and at the retreat from Olmiltz. His last battle was not far distant. The Austrians under Dann, and the Prussians under their king, met at Hochkirch on Oct. 14, 1758, Keith commanding the right wing. The Prussian army was beaten, and Keith, surrounded and overwhelmed by numbers while endeavoring to force his way at the bayonet-point, was shot through the heart. His body was recognized by count Lacy, formerly his own scholar in the art of war, and was buried at Ilochkirch. Keith wrote a brief but interesting fragment of a memoir of his own life, commencing with the year 1714 and ending in 1734, which was printed in 1843 by the Spalding club. For his military career after entering the Prussian service, reference may be made to Mr. Carlyle's lbstory of Frederick the Great.