The New International Encyclopædia/O'Reilly, Count Alexander

O'REILLY, Count Alexander (c.1722-1794). An Irish soldier in the Spanish service. At an early age he went to Spain, where he entered the military service. After serving in Italy against the Austrians he entered their service in 1757, and fought in two campaigns against the Prussians. In 1759 he entered the French Army, but soon afterwards was induced to return to Spain, and in the campaign of 1762 against Portugal earned promotion to the rank of brigadier-general. He was made major-general, and was appointed Governor of Havana. There he rebuilt the fortifications which had been demolished by the British. In 1769, appointed Governor of Louisiana and sent with a large force to reduce the rebellious French colonists, he arrested and tried the leaders of the revolution, and had some of them shot, but having thus demonstrated his master's power, he then devoted himself to winning the affections of the colonists by the affability of his demeanor and the liberality of his policy. In 1770 he returned to Spain, where he was made Governor of Madrid. On the death of General Ricardos he was appointed commander of one of the armies operating against the French, and died while on his way to the frontier.