Orders Providing Camp Necessaries, 1757

Viewed from the crow’s nest of an 18th-century British warship, this cinematic composition captures a bustling dockyard during military preparations. Below, Royal Navy officers in red and blue observe the loading of “Camp Necessaries,” including copper kettles and marked crates, onto the pier. Workers move efficiently across the wooden planks as rigging ropes and the ship’s mast frame the action from above. The scene reflects the logistical intensity of British naval operations during the Seven Years’ War and delivers richly detailed, historically accurate realism ideal for academic, museum, or military history publications. (Jeffrey Campbell, Bird’s-Eye View of 18th-Century British Naval Supply Loading at Dockyard, 2025)

Orders Providing Camp Necessaries, 1757

War Office 14th January 1757

My Lord & Sir,

Having Signified His Majesty's Pleasure to George Ross Esqr. to provide forthwith Camp Necessaries for the Second Highland Battallion of Foot to be forthwith raised under the Command of Lieut. Colonel Simon Fraser, and Employed in the defence of His Majesty's Colonies in North America, for which £548.12.9 is to be allowed to the said Battallion, agreeable to the allowances made to the Regiments of 100 Men a Company; (excepting Copper Kettles for the use of the said Battallion instead of Tin ones) I am to acquaint you, it is His Majesty's Pleasure, that you do advance Two Thirds of the above sum of £548.12.9 for the said Battallion, to Geo. Ross Esqr., to provide the Camp Necessaries accordingly; and as soon as a proper Return shall be made to me, that the Camp Necessaries are all provided, I will send you the proper Warrant to vouch payment of the whole.

My Lord & Sir

Your most obedt. humble Servt.

Barrington

Rt. Honble Lord Viscount

Dupplin and Thos. Potter Esqr.

Paymaster General./

Note: George Ross, who represented a number British regiments, was the hired agent to Colonel Fraser's battalion for the duration of the war in North America. 

Works Cited:

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.