[3] His zealous attention to all his duties, as commanding officer of the 11th Dragoons, was rewarded in 1781 with the rank of colonel; in 1790, with that of major-general;[4] He was sent by Horse Guards to command the Army Corps of the Irish Midlands with the rank of lieutenant-general based at Castle Martin, County Kildare.
He insisted the rebels came down to the avenue of Castlemartin House to surrender (which they refused) and would not be bound by the term ending free quartering on the populace.
Ralph Dundas was appointed to replace Edward Mansel as commanding officer of The Blues and The Royals, encamped west of Tournai.
The French under Pichegru advanced with 30,000 men in three columns in thick mud, leaving his right flank unprotected along the Lille-Tournai Road.
The British cavalry pursued them over the boggy plain killing 2000 French, taking 400 prisoners, and 14 guns.
A fleeing French General tried to get away, was confronted and run through by Pvt Joseph White, to great acclaim.