Major Clephane's Road Clearing Detachment, Sep. 1758

General Jeffrey Amherst, having arrived with troops at Boston, Massachusetts on 12 September 1758, and commanding from headquarters at Springfield two weeks later, ordered Major James Clephane, the light infantry of Colonel Fraser's 78th Regiment, and 200 local pioneers to begin clearing the road 14 miles west of headquarters, from the city of Westfield to Blandford, so that he and his troops could pass through an otherwise disheveled road. The general documented a few of the upcoming challenges in his personal journal.

Journal excerpts
24th. [Sept.] I marched before day break by the right and went through a woody Country to Springfield. No part cleared, but the woods with no high underwood, as they have burnt it constantly for nearly two years past, and the Country people say it has spoiled the Ground. I arrived at Springfield in good time, Lt. Col. Robertson met me; he had been to the green wood and thought by Pioneers and the help of some Country People to work we might pass that way, so I changed my intended route. Springfield has five Parishes about 100 Families in each; logs on both Sides of the Connecticut River; is 75 miles from the Sea & the River is very fine, about 500 yards over, but there are some falls between the Town and the Sea that hinder Ships from passing. Navigable for flat bottomed boats. A Sloop of 70 tons was built at Springfield & passed the falls & Rocks in a flood.

25th. I got all the ferry boats and other boats that could be found & passed over the five battalions, and encamped on the other side to be ready to march the next day. I sent forward 200 Pioneers with Tools and the Light Infantry of Fraziers under the command of Major Clepham [sic.] We got boats enough to pass a Regiment & all its Baggage in an Hours time so that the whole were over in good time, and encamped about a half a mile from the water side.

Orders to Major Clephane

"Major Clephane to march with the Detachment of light Infantry of the Highland Regiment and 200 Pioneers as ordered this day, and to en camp to morrow night at about two miles beyond Westfield, He will take with his Detachment [the requisite?] of Tools and a bread Waggon with three days bread.

Lt. Col. Robertson the D. Quarter Master General will be with Major Clephane to morrow night to shew him the Road where his Detachment is to work, that the Troops may pass from Westfield to Blandford No. 3, No. 2 & Sheffield. a waggon for the Major & officers to carry their Tents and a waggon to carry the Mens Tents to be at the waterside to morrow morning and a Guide to be ready there. a Bullock will be killed at Blandford for furnishing the Men with Provisions."

Given at Head Quarters at Springfield this 24th September 1758.   Jeff Amherst

To Major Clephane

Sources:

Amherst, Jeffrey, and John Clarence Webster. The Journal of Jeffery Amherst, Recording the Military Career of General Amherst in America from 1758 to 1763. Edited with Introduction and Notes by J. Clarence Webster. Ryerson Press, 1931.

Jeffrey Amherst, "Orders by General Amherst to Major Clephane, commanding the escort for 200 pioneers who will prepare the road from Westfield to Blandford and Sheffield for the passage of troops." NAS, GD125-22-17-00064.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2019.