Napier, SIR CHARLES JAMES, the conqueror of Sind, was great-grandson of the fifth Lord Napier and a descendant of Napier of Merchiston. He was born at Westminster, 10th August 1782, and, having received a commission in his twelfth year, served in Ireland during the rebellion. He commanded the 50th Foot during the retreat on Coruña; and at the fatal battle in which Sir John Moore fell he was wounded in five places and made prisoner. Marshal Ney dismissed him, with permission to go to England, where he engaged in literary work, and even wrote an historical romance. In 1811 he returned to the Peninsula. At Coa, where he fought as a volunteer, he had two horses shot under him. At Busaco he was shot in the face, having his jaw broken and his eye injured. He recovered in time to be present at the battle of Fuentes d'Oñoro and the second siege of Badajoz. He took part in a fighting cruise off the Chesapeake, capturing American vessels, and making frequent descents upon the coasts. He did not return to Europe soon enough for Waterloo, but was engaged in the storming of Cambrai, and accompanied the army to Paris. After the peace he was, in 1818, made governor of the island of Cephalonia, the affairs of which he administered with great energy and intelligence; but, being of an excessively combative disposition, he became embroiled with the authorities at home. In 1838 he was made a K.C.B., and in 1841 was ordered to India to assume the command of the army of Bombay against the ameer of Sind. His destruction of a fortification called Emaun Ghur, in 1843, was a most remarkable military feat. The fearful battle of Meeanee (q.v.), on 17th February, followed, where Napier, with 2800 English and sepoys, defeated 22,000 Baluchs, strongly posted. The ameer surrendered, except Shere Mohammed, who brought 25,000 men into line of battle at Hyderabad. Napier had only 5000 men, but in three hours his little army gained a decisive victory. A few days afterwards Napier was in the palace of the ameeers, and master of Sind; and after the annexation Lord Ellenborough made him governor of Sind. He gained the respect and reverence of the inhabitants, but soon became engaged in an acrimonious war of despatches with the British authorities. In 1847 he returned to England. After attending a series of festivals in his honour, he lived in retirement until the disasters of the Sikh war caused the eyes of his countrymen to be turned to the hero of Sind. He went to India, but found on his arrival that the Sikhs had been routed. He now turned his attention, as commander-in-chief of the army in India, to the subject of military reform, and quarrelled with Lord Dalhousie. He bade a final adieu to the East in 1851, and returned to his native country, where he resided until his death, which took place at his seat, at Oaklands, near Portsmouth, on 29th August 1853. He had then attained the rank of lieutenant-general, was G.C.B., and colonel of the 22d Foot. It must be remembered to his honour that he was the first English general who ever recorded in his despatches the names of private soldiers who had distinguished themselves, side by side with those of officers. Brave to rashness, ready alike with tongue, pen, and sword, quarrelsome with his superiors, but beloved by his soldiers, and, to crown all, of wild yet noble and striking appearance, Napier was one of the most remarkable men of his time. See the biography by his brother (4 vols. 1857), that by W. Napier Bruce (1885), and the short Life by Sir W. Butler (1890).
His brother, SIR WILLIAM FRANCIS PATRICK NAPIER, K.C.B., was born 17th December 1785, served in the Peninsular campaign, and became lieutenant-general. Besides his famous History of the War in the Peninsula (6 vols. 1828-40), he published The Conquest of Scinde (1845), and the Life of his brother Sir Charles (1857). He died at Clapham, 12th February 1860. See his Life by H. A. Bruce (1864).