He studied law at the University of Edinburgh and then joined the British Army, serving in the American War of Independence.

He took part in Sir Eyre Coote's campaign against Hyder in the Second Anglo-Mysore War, and was present at the siege of Cuddalore[2][4] where he commanded the attack on the right of the main position in the assault of 13 July 1782.

[3] He served in the campaign of 1790, under General Sir William Medows, against Tipu Sultan, attacking the fortresses of Dindigul and Palghaut.

He served under Cornwallis during the campaigns of 1791–2, and led the siege of Seringapatam,[4] commanding the centre column in the assault of 6 February 1792.

Promoted to lieutenant-general in 1802,[2] he took part in the Second Anglo-Maratha War in 1803 but in 1805 returned to England in bad health.