Orders Providing Arms to the Highland Regiments, 1757

A meticulously detailed close-up of a Lord Barrington in his office within the 18th-century War Office Building in London. He is hunched over an antique mahogany desk, quill poised in hand, as he carefully inscribes confidential letters by candlelight. The flickering flame casts a warm, golden glow on his furrowed brow and the pile of parchment scattered before him. The walls are lined with ornate, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, filled with leather-bound tomes and rolled maps, revealing the wealth of military knowledge and strategy at his fingertips. An ancient-looking globe rests on a stand in the corner, the known world of the time etched onto its surface. (Jeffrey Campbell, Lord Barrington, 2024. Artist's rendition created with Perchance AI Image Generator)

Orders Providing Arms to the Highland Regiments, 1757

War Office 13th January 1757

Sir,

His Majesty Having thought fit to order two Highland Battalions of Foot to be forthwith raised each Battalion to Consist of Forty Serjeants Forty Corporals Twenty Drummers and One Thousand Effective Private Men besides Commission Officers, I have the Honour to acquaint you therewith that you may be pleased to receive His Majesty's Commands thereupon and Signify the same to the Master Genl. of the Ordnance that the Arms &c mentioned in the annexed List for the said two Battalions may be delivered out of his Majesty's Stores & the Expence thereof charged to the Estimate of Ordnance for Parliament.

I am 

Sir &c

Barrington

Copy

Rt. Honble Wm. Pitt His Maty's

Principal Secry of State

	Iron Ramrods	Firelocks & Bayonets	Side Pistols	Cartouch Boxes and Straps	Halberts	Drums
First Battalion	1040	1040	1080	1040	40	20
Second Battalion	1040	1040	1080	1040	40	20
Total	2080	2080	2160	2080	80	40

First Highland Battalion was commanded by Lt.-Col. Montgomery, later renumbered the 62nd Regiment of Foot, and finally the 77th Regiment of Foot.

Second Highland Battalion was commanded by Lt.-Col. Fraser, later renumbered the 63rd Regiment of Foot, and finally the 78th Regiment of Foot.

Source:

War Office Records: Out Letters: Secretary at War. General Letters, Dec. 1756-Apr. 1757. LAC, W.O. 4, vol. 53 (Selections).

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2020