| After spending some time of his youth in Paris and London, he entered the Army. He saw much service abroad under Gustavus Adolphus, but was back in Britain about 1635. Three years after he was in Scotland, became an enthusiastic Covenanter, and gave that body much assistance from his great knowledge of artillery. Some light field pieces which he is said to have made in the Potterow, Edinburgh, were composed of tin and leather bound round with ropes, and from their appearance they were called 'dear Sandie's stoups.' However primitive his artillery may have been, it is said to have largely contributed to the defeat of the English force who opposed the passage of the Tyne at Newburn in 1640. He seems to have served in Ireland for a short time, and, returning to Scotland in 1643, was appointed General of Artillery. He was a party to the 'Engagement' in 1648, and for this was next year deposed from all his military offices. He did not survive long after this, dying 26 November 1649. 'A man of a rare spirit and a werey valiant souldiour.'6 |