Footnotes

Provenance
Bonhams London, The Waterloo Sale..., April 2015, lot 104

General Baron Hugh Halkett, G.C.H., C.B. was born in Musselburgh, Scotland in 1783. He was second son of Major-General F.G. Halkett and brother of Lieutenant General Sir Colin Halkett

From 1798 to 1801, Halkett served in India in the Scottish Brigade, which his father had been instrumental in raising. In 1803, he joined the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion of the newly formed King's German Legion, which was under the command of his brother Colin. The 2nd Light were involved in the Cathcart's expeditions to Hanover, Rügen and Copenhagen. During this time he was promoted to Major and his bold initiative on outpost duty won a commendation. From 1808 until 1813 Halkett fought in the Peninsular War, except in 1809 when he took part in the Walcheren Expedition. He fought at the Battle of Albuera in Charles Alten's independent KGL brigade. When his brother was promoted to lead the brigade, Halkett took over command of the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion, KGL. At the Battle of Salamanca, his battalion fought in John Hope's 7th Division. In the Siege of Burgos campaign, he distinguished himself at the Battle of Venta del Pozo. In 1813 he joined the new Hanoverian army and at the Battle of Göhrde he led a brigade of Hanoverian troops in Count Wallmoden's army. He captured a Danish standard at the action of Sehestedt.

At the Battle of Waterloo, Halkett commanded four battalions of Hanoverian landwehr (militia), which were sent to the front with the regulars. These units were organised into the 3rd Hanoverian Brigade of Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton's 2nd Division. Halkett's brigade was held in reserve on the right flank for most of the battle. After the defeat of Napoleon's Imperial Guard, the Duke of Wellington sent Halkett to pursue the disintegrating French forces. He is remembered for capturing General Cambronne while his Osnabrück Battalion engaged the French Imperial Guard.

After Waterloo, Halkett stayed in the Hanoverian service. He rose to be a General and Inspector-General of infantry. He led a Federal Army Corps in the First War of Schleswig (also known as the Prussian-Danish War of 1848), and defeated the Danes at the Battle of Oeversee, a rear-guard action at Sankelmark. Halkett held many foreign orders, including the Prussian Order of the Black Eagle, the Pour le Mérite and the Russian St. Anne. In 1862, he was ennobled (heritable) to a Freiherr (Baron) by King George V of Hanover and died the following year. His brother served with considerable distinction during the Waterloo campaign, being wounded at Waterloo and having four horses shot from under him