BERESFORD, CARE, Viscount (1768-1854). A British general. He was the natural son of the first Marquis of Waterford, and was horn October 2, 1708. He entered the army in 1785. After serving in India and else where, he bore a conspicuous part in the re conquest of the Cape of Good Hope in 1806, and subsequently, with the rank of brigadier general, was with the British filibustering force that surprised anal took possession of Buenos Ayres. The population, however, on seeing the smallness of the force, banded together under the leadership of the French Chevalier de Liniers, and after a desperate resistance made the survivors prisoners of war. After six months' imprisonment, Beresford escaped, and reached England in 1807. In August, 1808, he joined the British Army in Portugal, and pro ceeded into Spain with Sir John Moore's force, was present at the battle of Corunna, and, after covering the embarkation of the troops, returned with them to England. Ordered a second time to Portugal, in February, 1809, to take com mand of the Portuguese Army, he succeeded in improving its discipline so greatly as soon to render it highly efficient for active service. Ap
pointed marshal of Portugal in March, at the head of 12,000 men he attacked the French in the north of that kingdom, crossed the River Douro, drove Loison's division to Amarante, and uniting with the force under Sir Arthur Wellesley, pursued it in its retreat till it was utterly disorganized. For his services at the battle of Busaco, September 27, 1810, Beresford was nominated a Knight of the Bath. He com manded at the bloody battle of Albnera. May 16, 1811; and for the victory there gained over Sault he received the thanks of Parliament. lie was present at 13ndajoz, at Salamanca, where he was severely wounded, and at various engage ments in the Pyrenees. In 1814 he distinguished himself at the battle of Toulouse. ln 1814 be was (-rented Baron, and in 182:3 Viscount, Beres fo•d. lie also bore the Spanish title of Duke of Elvas, and the Portuguese, of Conde de Trancoso. He received rich rewards from the British Gov ernment. and in the Wellington administration (182S-30) he was appointed to the high office of master-general of the ordnance. Be died Janu ary 8, ]854.