13 Facts About Manley Power

Lieutenant-General Sir Manley Power KCB, ComTE was a British Army officer who fought in a number of campaigns for Britain and rose to the rank of lieutenant general.

Manley Power is chiefly remembered for leading a brigade of Portuguese troops under the Duke of Wellington in the Iberian Peninsular War.

Manley Power is remembered for jointly causing the removal of Sir George Prevost, governor-in-chief of British North America, for Prevost's refusal to press the attack on Plattsburgh, New York, in 1814, during the War of 1812.

Manley Power's grandfather, Sir Henry Power, was a captain of the Battle-Axe Guards.

Manley Power served in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Holland, and Menorca.

Manley Power was part of the force under the command of Sir Ralph Abercromby at the Battle of Alexandria, and later served with the Royal Horse Guards.

Manley Power's Portuguese formed part of the 3rd Division when it was led by Pakenham at Torres Vedras and Salamanca, and when it was led by Sir Thomas Picton at Fuentes de Onoro and Badajoz.

Brigadier-general Manley Power was specifically mentioned by Parliament for distinguished exertions during the bloody siege of Badajoz where the 3rd was ordered to distract the enemy through a diversionary attack with ladders against the high walls of the fortress away from the main gates, but pressed the action to the point where it became the breakthrough into the fortress.

Manley Power took part in the Battle of New Orleans, where Pakenham was killed, which unbeknown to its participants occurred after the Treaty of Ghent was signed in Belgium, but it did not take effect until it was ratified by the United States in February 1815.

Manley Power was then reassigned to Europe in 1815 to rejoin the 3rd Division, which was still under the command of Charles Colville, to lead the 2nd Brigade, as part of the British Army force occupying Flanders and France.

Sir Manley Power later served as the Lieutenant Governor of Malta for six years.

Manley Power would have been familiar with the island, having been previously stationed there in 1802 with the 20th Regiment of Foot.

Sir Manley Power died on 7 July 1826, in Bern, Switzerland, after a few hours illness while returning from Malta to England.