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(1979): 29–47.GERMAIN, GEORGESACKVILLE
Germain, George Sackville
(January 26, 1716–August 26, 1785)
English Secretary of State for the Colonies
T
he abrasive Lord Germain capably
oversaw the raising, transport, and de-
ployment of the largest British army
ever sent overseas to that time. It was a Her-
culean effort, well-handled, and merits recog-
nition as such. However, he underestimated
the difficulties of trying to win the American
Revolution at such a great distance from En-
gland. His refusal to adapt strategy to the po-
litical and military realities of the New World
factored largely in Britain’s defeat.
George Sackville was born in London on
January 26, 1716, the youngest son of the
First Duke of Dorset. Like many aristocratic
youths, he received an excellent education at
the Westminster School and later obtained a
degree from Trinity College, Dublin. Sackville
then joined the army in 1737 as a captain in
the Seventh Irish Horse (his father at that
time being Lord Lieutenant of Ireland), and
he later rose to serve as colonel of the 28th
Regiment of Foot. He also was elected to Par-
liament in 1741. Sackville commanded his
regiment throughout the War of the Austrian
Succession (1740–1748) and particularly dis-
tinguished himself at the Battle of Fontenoy
on May 11, 1745. He charged so impetuously
that his regiment careened right into the
French army’s headquarters! His wounds
were subsequently treated in the personal
tent of King Louis XIV. In light of his good
service, Sackville transferred as colonel to
the 20th Foot and 12th Dragoons in succes-
sion, and he rejoined the Irish establishment.
During his father’s second tenure as Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland, he also functioned as a
personal secretary.
Sackville’s star seemed on the ascent in
1755 when he was elevated to major general in
time for the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763). He
fought well during the abortive expeditions
against Saint Malo and Cancale on the French
coast before transferring to the staff of Prince
Ferdinand of Brunswick. His military merits
notwithstanding, Sackville had by this time
also acquired a well-deserved reputation as a
sarcastic and acerbic individual. King George
II disliked him intensely but accorded him
high rank on account of his family ties. For
these reasons Sackville functioned poorly
with Prince Ferdinand, and their dispute came
to a head during the famous Battle of Minden