James Abercrombie (British Army officer, born 1706)

James Abercrombie (1706 – 23 April 1781) was a British Army officer who served during King George's War, the French and Indian War, and the American Revolutionary War. He is primarily remembered for his disastrous defeat at the Battle of Carillon (Fort Ticonderoga) in 1758.

Abercrombie entered the British Army and rose through the ranks. By the time of the French and Indian War, he was a Major General. In 1757, he was appointed commander-in-chief of British forces in North America, succeeding Lord Loudoun. While nominally in command, much of the strategic planning and tactical execution during this period was handled by his subordinate officers.

In 1758, Abercrombie launched an assault on Fort Carillon (later Fort Ticonderoga), a strategically important French fort controlling access to Lake Champlain. Despite outnumbering the French forces significantly, Abercrombie ordered a frontal assault on well-defended French positions without artillery preparation or scouting. This resulted in heavy British casualties and a decisive victory for the French. Over 2,000 British soldiers were killed or wounded in the attack.

Following the defeat at Carillon, Abercrombie was relieved of his command and replaced by General Jeffrey Amherst. He returned to England and continued his military career, eventually being promoted to full General. He served as a Member of Parliament for Banffshire from 1734 to 1741 and Clackmannanshire from 1741 to 1768. Despite his failure at Fort Carillon, he remained a figure of some influence within the British military and political establishment.

Abercrombie died on 23 April 1781. His legacy is largely defined by his incompetence at the Battle of Carillon, a stark example of poor leadership and tactical misjudgment during the French and Indian War.