Monthly Return of Sep. 24, 1759

The monthly Army Returns reported on the strength of each regiment, including total numbers of men present, absent, sick, or on extra daily duty, as well as giving a report of officers and some categories of enlisted men. They were a very useful and effective planning tool in eighteenth-century combat operations and are still in practical use throughout today's armed forces.

Ten soldiers of the 78th Regiment were admitted to Royal Chelsea Hospital on July 20, 1759, nine of which are listed as having sustained injuries at Louisbourg. James Williamson; Roderick Mcniel; William Fraser Callum; James Cummings; John Gillis; William Cunnison; Alexander McTavish; Robert Thompson; John Fraser, John Macallum.

MONTHLY RETURN OF HIS MAJESTY’S FORCES IN THE RIVER ST. LAWRENCE, UNDER THE COMMAND OF BRIGR. GENL. ROBERT MONCKTON, SEPTR. 24TH 1759.
78TH REGIMENT: COLONEL FRASER’S
OFFICERS PRESENT
COMMISSION
Colonels	Lt. Colonels	Majors	Captains	Lieutenants	Ensigns
1			11	25	13
OFFICERS ABSENT
Major Clephane			Left sick at New York
Major Campbell			Never joyn’d His Majesty’s
Lieut. McTavish			Left with the sick at Louisbourg
NAMES OF VACANT OFFICERS
Capt. Ross			Killed Sepr. 13th
Lieut. Roderick McNeil			Killed Sepr. 13th
Lieut. Alexr. McDonell			Killed Sepr. 13th
STAFF
Chaplains	Adjutants	Qr. Masters	Surgeons	Mates
1	1	1	1	2
EFFECTIVES			RANK & FILE
Fit for Duty	Sick/Present	Sick/Hospital	Absent sick & on duty	Recruiting	On Furlow
744	245	241	66
TOTAL: 1296
WANTING TO COMPLEAT
Serjeants	Drummers	Rank & File
		149
SINCE LAST RETURN
Recruited	Dead	Discharged	Deserted	Killed	Wounded
	8	1		27	137
JOYN’D			INVALIDS
Serjeants	Drummers	Rank & File	Recommended to Chelsea and kept on Regiments pay
4	2	131	11
PRISONERS OR MISSING			---

Source:

Casgrain, P.-B. A few remarks on "The siege of Quebec" and the battle of the Plains of Abraham by A. Doughty in collaboration with G.W. Parmeles, and on The probable site of the battle of the Plains of Abraham, by A. Doughty. App. III, J. Hope, 1903. 

©  Jeffrey Campbell, The 78th Regiment of Foot, 2019.

Major Abercrombie's Letter to Earl of Loudoun, Sep. 1763

Transcription of a letter giving details of military affairs in America at the end of the French and Indian war, sent to Earl of Loudoun as former commander in America. Parson Robert Macpherson returned home in September [prior to the mutiny at Quebec], having obtained leave from General Murray, while the main body of the 78th Regiment departed Quebec in early October, arriving at Glasgow in December 1763.

Quebec Sepr. The 15^th 1763

My Lord

I have nothing worth giving your Lordship the trouble of a letter however I could not let slip this opportunity of congratulating you on your return from Portugal, for by what I have heard of the few Portuguese troops & the handful of English your Lordship had few laurele could have been reapt.

The Indian War is almost become general in this Country, all the upper posts have been cut off except Detroit, your Lordship will readily excuse me coppying the New York Gazette, besides the bearer Mr McPherson Chaplain to the 78^th can acquaint you with what we know, this gentleman is a most deserving Sensible man, & the best Chaplain I ever knew, I hope your Lordship will therefore be pleased to honor him with your countenance.

The 47^th & 78^th have been drafted to compleat the 15^th, 27^th, 2d Bn. Royal America, those three Regts remain in this govt. & trois rivieres – the 28^th at Montreal who were completed from the 4^th Battn. Rl. Americans & the 44^th the last Regt. garrisons Crown Point & fort Levi – alias fort Wm. Augustus.

Nothing is yet setled in Canada either in respect to governor or governments all Murray expects to remain & will be much dissapointed should it happen otherwise.

Your friend Robertson has gone to Pensacola & Louisana to settle the posts there, I hope it will be made worth his while, for it is a most dissagreable jaunt.

I intended to have gone home with the remains of the Regt. but Sir Jeffery has desired I would go by New York, I shall therefore set out for thence in a few days, & I don’t think it improbable but I may be sent a Scouting if theres the least probability of a step I shall accept with pleasure, but without that I will not be fond of Indian hunting.

My best respects to Miss Kitty, & I have the honor to be,

Your Lordship

Much obliged & most

Humble Servant

James Abercrombie ~ 

To the Earl of Loudoun

Source:

Abercrombie, James. "Letter addressed to John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun, 15 Sept. 1763." John Campbell, Loudoun papers concerning the siege and fall of Quebec, 1756-1784. Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, cat. no. 45M-113F.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, The 78th Regiment of Foot, 2019.