Troops Destined for the Siege of Louisbourg, 1758

The Siege of Louisbourg was a pivotal operation of the Seven Years' War (known in the United States as the French and Indian War) in 1758 that ended the French colonial era in Atlantic Canada and led directly to the loss of Quebec in 1759 and the remainder of French North America the following year.

Transcription military return provided with a summarisation of the total numbers of men that were destined to participate in the Siege of Louisbourg and other operations, 1759

Major General

Staff Brigadiers

Lawrence

Whitmore

Wolfe

Corps [with Rank & File]

Royal:  983 

Lascelles:  985 

Warburton:  993

Monckton:  802

Lord John Murray:  1000

Lawrence:  1000

Bragg:  700

Webb:  834

Forbes:  695

Hopson:  969

Whitmore:  992

Amherst from England:  900

Anstruther, Col. from Ireland:  700

Recruits with Col. Whitmore for Lord Murrays Regt.:  300

Proportion of recruits with Col. Whitmore for 10 Batts. at 94 per:  940

Officers, Serjeants & Drummers:  1092

3 Companies of the Royal Regt. of Artillery Officers included:  330

Total:  14,215

Rangers:  600

Col. Bastide, Chief Engineer, and a sufficient & proper Battering Train for this Service.

Troops destined for an Irruption into Canada by way of Crown Point

Staff

Major General Abercromby

Brigadier Lord Howe

Col. Gage

Corps [with Rank & File]

Prevost:  450

Abercromby:  836

Blakeney:  695

Maj. Genl Murray:  694

Stanwix:  1145

Otway:  1145

Howe:  699

Frazer:  1145

Independent Companies at New York:  448

Recruits with Col. Whitmore for Frazers Batt:  300

Idem with d`o for Montgomeries Batt. to remain with Frazers:  300

Idem with d`o for 7 Batts. at the rate of 94 per Batt & 8 over:  666

Royal Regiment of Artillery, Officers inclusive:  214

Officers, Serjeants & Drummers:  710

Total:  9447

Provincials:  20,000

Supposing that 1500 of this body are left for the protection of Nova Scotia, there will remain for this Operation 7947 Regulars, and 20,000 Provincials, with a proper Train of Artillery and Ammunition. Arms will be sent for 12,000 Men.

Troops destined for the Ohio, Fort Du Quesne, or other Operations to the Southward

Staff

Colonel Forbes

Lieut. Col. Boquet

Lieut. Col. Montgomery

Lieut. Col. Bradstreet, D.2. M.G., being perfectly acquainted with the Country.

Corps [with Rank & File]

Prevosts Detachment:  350

Montgomerys:  1145

Independent Companies at So. Carolina:  345

Provincials:  5000

Total:  1880

There will be a proper Train of Artillery for this Service also

Recapitulation

Louisbourg

Regulars:  14,215

Rangers:  600

Total:  14,815

Invasion of Canada by Crown Point

Regulars:  7947

Provincials:  20,000

Total:  27,947

Nova Scotia:  1500

Ohio, Fort Du Quesne &c.

Regulars:  1880

Provincials:  5000

Total:  6880

Total:  51,142

Endorsed - Disposition of His M's Forces in America

Source:

Gen. James Wolfe, "Troops Destined for the Siege of Louisbourg." LAC, War Office Records: Amherst Papers. Correspondence Between the Commander-in-Chief and Various Officers in Cape Breton Island, 1759-1763. W.O. 34, vol. 18, pp. 241-244.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2017.