Keith
a Russian and Prussian military officer; born rear Peterhead, Scotland, June 11, 1696. He studied law at Aberdeen and Edinburgh; in 1715 engaged with his brother in the Jacobite rising, and in 1719 in Alberoni's expedition to the West Highlands, which ended in the "battle" of Glenshiel, Ross-shire. Both times the brothers escaped to the Continent; and James held for nine years a Spanish colonelcy and took part in the siege of Gibraltar (1726-1727).
But his creed, the Episcopal, was against him; and in 1728 he entered the Russian service as a major-general. He distinguished himself in the wars with Turkey and Sweden, particularly at the siege of Otchakoff (1737) and the reduction of the Aland Islands (1743). In 1747, finding the Russian service disagreeable, he exchanged it for that of Prussia. Fredthat of Prussia. Fred erick the Great made him a Field Marshal. He displayed his great ability when the Seven Years War (1756) broke out. He shared Frederick's doubtful fortunes before Prague, was present at the victories of Lobositz and Rossbach, and conducted the masterly retreat from O1mütz. He was killed at the battle of Hochkirch, Oct. 14, 1758.
KELLERMANN