He was an avid pro-Williamite in the struggle between William of Orange and King James II of England for the British crown, and was consequently attainted by King James' first Parliament in 1689. He was rewarded by William for his loyalty by being put in command of a regiment of infantry and created Custos Rotulorum of Tyrone and Armagh. After Willams's victory the regiment was disbanded but in 1701 he was given command of the new 36th Foot Regiment and promoted in 1704 to the rank of Brigadier-General. He took the regiment to Spain, taking part in the Siege of Barcelona and the attack on Fort Montjuïc in 1705. Although contentiously removed from his command of the regiment, he was nevertheless promoted in 1707 to the rank of Major-General and made Governor of Counties Armagh and Tyrone.