All described him as a heavy, domineering fellow, personally indolent and slow, on ill terms with the Duke of Brunswick, whom in a quiet and obstinate way he seemed bent on thwarting.
"He is an ill-conditioned brute," one of the officers remarked.
"The only thing to be said for him is that he is not deficient in personal courage.

He has fought several duels, into which he brought himself by his overbearing temper." Although he had frequently carried despatches to Sackville, Fergus had not exchanged a word with him.

The English general had taken the paper from his hand, barely acknowledging his salute; and not indeed glancing at him, but turning on his heel and walking off to read the contents of the despatch, which generally appeared to displease him, judging by the manner in which he spoke to his officers.

Then he would go into his tent, and one of his aides-de-camp would shortly come out with a letter containing his reply.
Fergus naturally came to regard the English commander with the same dislike that his own officers felt for him.

One day, when handing him a despatch, he omitted the usual salute.