Charles Best

Charles Best (also Carl Conrad Best; February 1765 in Hannover – 5 December 1836 in Verden) was a British army officer of Hanoverian descent who served in the armies of the East India Company, Britain and Hanover from 1781 until the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Biography Best commenced his military career in 1781, as a cadet in the 2nd, or Duke of York's (Prince Frederick's) Hanoverian Regiment of Infantry Two Hanoverian regiments of foot being raised for the service of the East India Company, styled the 14th and 15th regiments, this officer was appointed, June, 1781, ensign in the former. On his arrival at Madras, Charles Best took the field with a detachment of the two above-mentioned corps, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Wangenheim, and joined the British army under Major-General Stuart, then before Cuddalore, in the beginning of June, 1783. He was present at the battle of Cuddalore, 13 June, and severely wounded: he returned to Madras in July of that year, with the sick and wounded, and was promoted to a 2nd lieutenant 24 July 1784. Lieutenant Best continued in India during the peace, in different garrisons, and until the period when the service of his corps expired. The 15th Regiment was sent home in 1791, and disbanded; the 14th was sent home in 1792, and remained on the strength of the Hanoverian Army. In 1793, it was appointed a light infantry regiment and Lieutenant Best nominated 1st lieutenant to one of the rifle companies. He joined the British and Hanoverian army, under the command of Frederick, Duke of York, in April, 1794, in Flanders; he was present at the battle of Mouscron (25 April 1794), when the French army under General Pichegru, invaded Flanders. The allies retreated, fighting, to Courtray, which place being soon after taken by the French, Lieutenant Best had a narrow escape of being made prisoner. He was engaged at the battles of 18 and 22 May 1794; and also at the battle of Rouselaer and Hooglede (13 June). He was promoted to a company 24 July 1794. Captain Best was present at most of the out-post affairs on the rivers Dommel and Aa, as well as other skirmishes, retreating upon the Meuse, and passing through Grave to the Waal: he was engaged in some skirmishes with the enemy near fort St. Andree. In October 1794, he was engaged in an out-post fight with the enemy before Nijmegen, by which the troops of the allies were thrown into that place in the following month.