Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Russell, David
RUSSELL, Sir DAVID (1809–1884), general, was the eldest son of Colonel James Russell of Woodside, Stirlingshire, and of Mary, daughter of John Stirling, esq., of Kippindavie, Perthshire. He was born on 27 May 1809, was educated at Edinburgh and Dresden, and entered the army on 10 Jan. 1828 as a cornet in the 7th light dragoons. He became lieutenant on 1 Oct. 1829 and captain on 5 April 1833, and on 10 April 1835 he exchanged to the 84th foot. In that regiment he became major on 7 July 1845 and lieutenant-colonel on 10 Dec. 1847, and he was made brevet colonel on 28 Nov. 1854.
His first and only active service was in the Indian mutiny. In the second relief of Lucknow, by Sir Colin Campbell, he commanded the fifth brigade. He covered the left of the army as it fought its way to the residency, and captured Banks's house, but was wounded and disabled in the attack of the hospital (14–17 Nov. 1857). After the relief he remained with Outram at the Alambagh, commanding the first brigade. In the siege and capture of Lucknow, in March 1858, he commanded the second brigade in Franks's division, which took part in the attack on the Kaisarbagh. For these operations he was specially mentioned in despatches (vide London Gazette, 16 Jan. and 25 May 1858). Besides the medal with clasp, he received a reward for distinguished service, and was made C.B. (24 March 1858).
On 31 Aug. 1858 he was appointed inspecting field officer for recruiting, and on 3 Sept. 1862 he became major-general. He was employed in Canada during 1867, and from July 1868 to 1871 he commanded in the south-eastern district. He became lieutenant-general on 25 Oct. 1871 and general on 1 Oct. 1877. He was given the colonelcy of the 75th foot on 18 Jan. 1870, and transferred to the 84th (now the second battalion of the York and Lancaster regiment) on 24 Oct. 1872. He was made K.C.B. on 20 May 1871. He died in London on 16 Jan. 1884.
[Raikes's Roll of Officers of the York and Lancaster Regiment; Times, Obituary, 17 Jan. 1884; Kaye and Malleson's History of the Indian Mutiny.]