Henry Nugent, Count of Val de Soto (died November 1704) was an Irish military officer and nobleman who served as the governor of Gibraltar from 6 August to November 1704.
Early years
Nugent was born at Coolamber, County Longford.[1] His father was Thomas Nugent, who descended from James Nugent, the younger brother of Richard Nugent, 13th Baron Delvin (died 1559). Henry's older brother was James Nugent of Coolamber.[1][2]
On 4 August 1704, Gibraltar was captured by an Anglo-Dutch force after a short siege which ended when Governor Diego de Salinassurrendered Gibraltar to Prince George, who took it in the name of the Archduke, as Charles III, king of Castile and Aragon.[5] Two days later, on 6 August 1704, Nugent was appointed Governor of Gibraltar,[6] with the rank of Major General.[1][6] He was described as "an Irish Catholic, not well regarded by the English" (Spanish: un católico irlandes, mal visto por los ingleses).[7] Brigadier Fox, commander of the English Marines, and junior to Nugent, demanded to go home. Hesse gave a refusal to Fox, prompting antagonism between Nugent and Fox.
During the Twelfth Siege of Gibraltar in November 1704, Nugent was mortally wounded on 9 November[8] and died soon thereafter. His death was caused by wounds sustained at San Pablo Battery (North Bastion). He was succeeded as Governor by Brigadier John Shrimpton of the Royal Marines.[4]