Stipple engraving by John. Collyer,  published 29 May 1797 by William Austin, London, 2 Turnham Green; 18 x 14 in. 

    Charles Grey (1729-1807) began his long and distinguished, military career at the age of 19, as an ensign in an infantry regiment.  During the Seven Years War, he was wounded at Minden while ADC to Prince Ferdinand and later, commanding the 98^th Foot, he fought with merit at the sieges of Belle Isle and Havana.  In 1776 he came to America with “local rank” of major general under Howe.  “No Flint” Grey earned his immortal nickname for the surprise night attack on Anthony Wayne’s Pennsylvanians at Paoli on 21 September 1777, prior to which he had ordered flints removed from all muskets to prevent accidental discharge (and thereby alert the American sentries of their advance).  He repeated this success again a year later at Tappan (28 September) with another night march with fixed bayonets and no flints; both actions, while deemed “massacres” by the Americans, were examples of Grey’s brilliant leadership and combat skills, especially in the petit guerre.  Grey later served with great distinction in the West Indies during the French Revolutionary Wars and was promoted to full general in 1794 and advanced to Earl Grey (1806) shortly before his death.  He is shown wearing the undress uniform of a ieutenant general, with Order of the Bath on left breast.