18th century potential military heroes fallen before their time.

All,

I'm trying to put together an amateur alt history novel with a military slant and am looking for some unique characters whom showed promise to impact history but died before their time and were largely forgotten by history as a result.

Mainly, I'm looking for US and/or European individuals whom were young around the time of the 7 years war (1755 to 1763) to early in the American Revolution (1775) and might have played an important part in the American Revolutionary War (1775 to 1783), French Revolutionary Wars (1792 to 1803) or Napoleonic Wars (1803 to 1815) had they not died young or had their careers relatively derailed in some manner.

A few examples:

George Howe - a promising young officer whom died at Ticonderoga (1758ish)

Comte de Gisors (future Duc de Belle-Isle) whom was killed at Krefeld in 1758 - well regarded son of a popular soldier.

Axel von Ferson - Swedish noble (rumored lover of Marie Antoinette) whom was murdered by a mob in Sweden.

I'd like to have a relatively blank slate so I might have the opportunity to have some commit some great act (leading GB to victory over the American rebels, conquest of Constantinople, leading an invasion of England, etc)

Ideally, their time of birth would be somewhere between 1730 and 1755 or so but I welcome any ideas.

Thoughts?

Thanks.
 

Driftless

Donor
Maybe a little late in career for your purpose, but Benedict Arnold. If he were killed in action at the Bemis Heights battle of the Saratoga campaign; he would be remembered as a great hero (from the American perspective ;))

Arnold moved toward that action, recklessly riding between the lines and remarkably emerging unhurt. He led the charge of Learned's men through the gap between the redoubts, which exposed the rear of Breymann's position, where Morgan's men had circled around from the far side. In furious battle, the redoubt was taken and Breymann was killed Arnold's horse was hit in one of the final volleys, and Arnold's leg was broken by both shot and the falling horse
 

Rubicon

Banned
Axel von Ferson - Swedish noble (rumored lover of Marie Antoinette) whom was murdered by a mob in Sweden.
von Fersen (the younger) was 54 years old when he was dragged out and lynched. While he did participate in the Russo-Swedish 1788-1790, he never showed much in the ways of martial capabilities. So I'd not call him 'young' or even 'capable'. I'd not say he's a good example for your list.
 

Driftless

Donor
Again, not a real young man, but a general capable of more: Louis Coulon de Villiers

He won a couple of hard fought victories on the North American frontiers during the French & Indian/Seven Years War. He died from Smallpox
 

TFSmith121

Banned
Major General Richard Montgomery:

Victor of Fort Chambly and Fort Saint John, conqueror of Montreal; died leading an assault on Quebec in the middle of December, 1775 ... if he and Arnold had prevailed, the history of North America would have been vastly different.



Best,
 
General Wolfe and Montcalm could have had longer and more notable careers. Wolfe in particular, he was only 32 after all.
 
General Wolfe and Montcalm could have had longer and more notable careers. Wolfe in particular, he was only 32 after all.

Wolfe is the obvious one I'd say

"Mad is he, then I wish he'd bite some of my other Generals"

King George II to the Duke of Newcastle upon being told that Wolfe was too mad to be given command of the Quebec operation.

Robert "Black Bob" Craufurd - Formed and led the Elite British/Portugese Light Division in the Peninsular war. One of the best and certainly the first of Wellington's Generals.

Died after being mortally wounded leading his men into the 'lesser breech' at Ciudad Rodrigo in Spain 1812
 
Barthélemy Catherine Joubert was favored by Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès to be the "sword" (military backer) for his planned overthrow of the French Directory. But Joubert was killed at the Battle of Novi. So Sieyès was forced to settle for Napoleon Bonaparte who quickly out maneuvered him after the coup and seized power for himself. Had Joubert lived we may have seen a radically different France with Sieyès at its helm.
 
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