Moses Corbet | |
|---|---|
 Major Moses Corbet,c. 1779 | |
| Born | 1728 |
| Died | 1814 (aged 85–86) |
| Allegiance |  Great Britain |
| Service | British Army |
| Rank | Major |
| Commands | Garrison of Jersey |
| Battles / wars | |
MajorMoses Corbet (1728 – 1814) was aBritish Army officer who served as thelieutenant governor of Jersey from 1771 to 1781.
Corbet joined theBritish Army c.1745. In 1748 he was an Ensign in the7th Regiment of Foot and by the start of theSeven Years' War he had been promoted to Captain, sailing with his regiment from Ireland to help relieve theSiege of Fort St Philip (1756) inMenorca.[1] The relief failed and his regiment moved toGibraltar where he served until ill health forced his return to England.[2]
Whilst in England he married and becameAide-de-camp to Lieutenant ColonelLord Robert Bertie the commander of the7th Regiment of Foot[1] He rejoined the regiment in Gibraltar and received promotion to Major on 14 December 1761 within the7th Regiment of Foot.[3] Returning with the regiment to England, he left the army because of ill health and settled back inJerseyChannel Islands.
Becoming involved in politics and following theCorn Riots disturbances in 1769, Corbet was appointedLieutenant Governor of Jersey on 4 April 1771.[4]
In 1779 theFranco-Dutch Invasion of Jersey was attempted at St Ouen's Bay. The defenders, led by Moses Corbet, were able to prevent the landing, suffering only a few men wounded when a cannon burst.[5]
On 6 January 1781 a French invading force led byPhilippe de Rullecourt secured the town ofSaint Helier and surprised Corbet in bed in Government House (then situated at Le Manoir de La Motte).[6] De Rullecourt convinced Corbet that thousands of French troops had already overwhelmedJersey. He threatened to burn the town and slaughter the inhabitants if the garrison did not capitulate and Corbet, unable to ascertain the true situation, surrendered.[7] MajorFrancis Peirson, suspecting that De Rullecourt only had a small force, took command of the British troops in Corbet's absence and counter-attacked leading to a decisive engagement in which the British forces were victorious.[6][8][9]
Corbet was subsequently tried byCourt-martial atHorseguards.[10]
The charges were
The French General had written the capitulation letter in his own hand and to get Corbet to sign threatened to destroy the town and shipping in the harbour, disclosing in great detail the defences of the Island, leading Corbet to believe many units had been captured and wishing to save the town from destruction by fire, and believing his powers of command had already been removed as he was a prisoner, agreed to sign. Corbet received good references fromLord Robert Bertie and others.[1] The outcome of the Court Martial was inconclusive; he was dismissed as Lieutenant-Governor, but granted a pension of £250 p.a. for life.
A formal full-length portrait of Major Moses Corbet's portrait was created by noted artistPhilippe Jean (1755–1802).[11] Philippe Jean was made famous for his miniature portrait of Guernsey bornSir Isaac Brock as well as his commissioned portrait ofKing George III.
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Rudolph Bentinck (acting) | Lieutenant Governor of Jersey 1771–1781 | Succeeded by |