Thrusting your way through the muddied battlefields, you distinctly hear the rattles and cracks of ball and powder, the continuous striking of battalion drums, melodic whistling of company pipers, and the screaming cries of battle. There were no guarantees a soldier would it make home alive - and many did not. Whether soldiers were maimed or killed on the battlefield, or perhaps they succumbed to infectious disease (we know that scurvy alone killed over two million service members from the time of Columbus's voyage to the mid-19th century), life in the army during the Seven Years' War was sheer navigation for survival, no matter one's side of allegiance.
The follow is a chronicled list of both named and unnamed decedents in Colonel Fraser's 78th Regiment, 1757-1763, including some mentions of the wounded. While the deaths of officers were more prominently recorded in official army muster rolls, the many names of non-commissioned soldiers forced to terminate their careers (the wounded, the elderly, etc.) can be found in both our Invalids and Chelsea Pensioners lists.
1757 Decedents
November 24, 1757
New York
N.B. on the bottom of the monthly muster report taken at New York reads: “By last return there are 164 Supernumeraries, of which 10 are dead, and 12 now taken by Earl of Loudoun’s order to replace 12 Men dead of the Battalion, there remains 142 Supernumeraries.”
Source: Monthly Return of the Sixty Third Regiment of Foot, Commanded By Lieut. Colo. Commandant Simon Fraser. LO 4892, Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
November 26, 1757
New York
N.B. on the bottom of what appears to be an update monthly muster report taken at New York reads: "There were by last (return?) 164 Supernumeraries brought from Ireland, of which number there are 10 dead last return remain 154. After this return was given in upon Captain McDonald's coming over with Col. Whitmore. The Supernumeraries were reduced to 90 by deaths in Ireland and compleating the Batt. to 1000.
Numbers of unnamed casualities by company: Major Campbell - 1; Capt. Jno. McPherson - 2; Capt. Simon Fraser - 4; Capt. Donald McDonald - 1; Capt. John McDonell - 1.
Source: Harper, J.R. (1979). The Fraser Highlanders (p. 45).
December 24, 1757
New York
Drummer Roger McDonald, 63rd Foot, initially appears on the regiment’s embarkation muster roll on the Unity transport ship at Cork, Ireland, however, his name does not appear on the final list of arrivals at New York two months later. Presumably, he died at sea en route.
Source: Returns of the Men Belonging to the Two Highland Battalions Who Arrived at New York With Captain Donald McDonald. LO 5042, Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
December 25, 1757
New York
Writing to his friend Baillie James Fraser addressing the loss of men on his Regiment's march from Kilravock to Glasgow, Scotland, Colonel Fraser states: "...I did not lose a man by either [death or desertion] from the day we left Glasgow and but 7 before."
Source: Macdonald, A. (1934). The Old Lords of Lovat and Beaufort (p. 135).
December 27, 1757
Stratford, Connecticut
Corporal James Mackay, 63rd Foot, was stabbed and killed at the hands of his battalion-mate, Serjeant Alexander Fraser, on December 27, 1757, as the regiment garrisoned in Connecticut. A special military Court of Inquery [sic] was held 3 January 1758 by Lieutenant-Colonel Simon Fraser of his Majesty's 63rd Foot (or Second Highland Battalion) concerning the death. Serjeant Fraser was eventually brought to civilian trial at Fairfield Superior Court and acquitted of the charges brought against him.
Sources: Proceedings of a Court of Inquery held by order of Lieut. Colonel Simon Fraser of his Majesty's 63d or second Highland Battalion, concerning the Manner of the Death of Corporal James Macky of the above Regiment, 3 January 1758. NRS, GD45/2/29/2b; Rex vs. Alexander Fraser, Connecticut State Archives, Fairfield County Superior Court, Papers by subject, Box 6, acc#1919-026.
1758 Decedents
April 15, 1758
Boston, Massachusetts
On the 15th. Instant Sent to the Alms House [Boston, Massachusetts] on the Province Accot. by two Selectmen & one Overseer, Jannet Ware an Infant Child belonging to Daman Ware a Soldier in Colo. Frasers Regiment of Highlanders, whose wife being dead & no Person to take Care of the Child & not being able to maintain it himself Left it in the Town.
Note: It is strongly advised to consult the original record as Daman Ware may be a transcription error for Duncan Weir, a serjeant in Captain Alexander Campbell's Company.
Source: Anon. (1887). A Report of the Record Commissioners of the City of Boston, Containing the Selectman's Minutes from 1754 Through 1763 (p. 82-3).
June 8, 1758
Louisbourg, Nova Scotia
Killed at Louisbourg were Captain Charles Baillie, Lieutenant John Cuthbert, Lieutenant [Macgregor] John Murray, Lieutenant Simon Fraser, and 12 unnamed non-commissioned officers and private soldiers.
Sources: Clan Fraser Society of Canada. Officers of the 78th Regiment of Foot, 1757-1763 (Toronto, Canada, 1998-2006); Return of the Killed & Wounded in the Several Regiments on the Island of Cape Breton From 8 June 1758 to 26 July 1758. LAC, W.O. 1, vol 1, pt. 2, p. 348-9.
September 28, 1758
Springfield, Massachusetts
Captain Thomas Fraser, of Colonel Simon Fraser's Regiment, died on the march to Albany, New York, at Springfield, Massachusetts, September 28, 1758, of fever; "an elderly gentleman, whose death was greatly lamented."
Source: Drake, Samuel G. (1886). The History and Antiquities of Boston, From its Settlement in 1630, to the Year 1770 (p. 645, footnote); death announcement also appears in the local Boston newspaper, issue dated October 2, 1758.
1759 Decedents
June 5, 1759
Neptune at sea
In a June 1759 army return compiled aboard the Neptune transport ship at sea, the 78th Regiment reported the deaths of 32 soldiers "...since the reduction of Louisbourg."
Source: Doughtry & Parmelee (1901). The Siege of Quebec and the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, Vol. I. (Embarkation Return of His Majesty's Forces, destin'd for an Expedition in the River St. Lawrence, under the Command of Major General Wolfe. Neptune at Sea. June 5th 1759).
July 31, 1759
Beauport, Canada
In a handwritten army return from the Battle of Beauport (also known as the Battle of Montmorency), the 78th Regiment reported the deaths of eight unnamed "rank & file" soldiers.
Source: Isaac Barre, Deputy Adjutant General (1759). Return of the Kill'd, Wounded & Missing, at the Attack of the Enemys Works, on the 31st of July. LAC, Northcliffe Collection: Series 1: Robert Monckton Papers: C-366, image 70.
September 13, 1759
Quebec, Canada
An army return of officers from the 78th Regiment killed on the Plains of Abraham includes Captain Thomas Ross, Lieutenant Roderick McNeil, and Lieutenant Alexander McDonell. Additionally, the regiment reported the deaths of 14 unnamed "rank & file" soldiers and also 148 men wounded.
Source: A Return of the Kill'd & wounded & Missing of the Army Under the Command of General Wolfe at the Battle of Quebec 13th Septr. 1759. LAC, War Office Records: Amherst Papers. Correspondence between the Governors of Cape Breton Island and the Commander-in-Chief, New York, 1758-1762. W.O. 34, vol. 17, pp. 82-3.
Note: In a separate, undated, and anonymous handwritten army return entitled, Return of the Kill'd Wounded & Missing on the 13th of September at the Battle of Quebec, the 78th Regiment reported the deaths of three officers, one serjeant, and 14 "rank & file" soldiers. The difference between the two records is Lieutenant Rory McNeil listed in place of Roderick McNeil in addition to the death of one unnamed serjeant.
Officers wounded: Captain John McDonnell; Captain Simon Fraser; Lieutenant Ranald McDonell; Lieutenant Archibald Campbell; Lieutenant John Douglas; Lieutenant Alexander Fraser, Senior; Ensign James McKenzie; Ensign Alexander Gregorson; Ensign Malcolm Fraser, Senior.
Finally, in a second undated and anonymously authored handwritten army return entitled, Return of the Killed and Wounded &c. During the Campaign, the 78th Regiment reported the deaths of three officers, two serjeants, and 42 "rank & file" soldiers.
September 24, 1759
River St. Lawrence, Quebec, Canada
In an army return compiled approximately two weeks after the battle on the Plains of Abraham, the 78th Regiment reported, "since the last return," the deaths of eight unnamed soldiers and also “27 others killed.” The eights deaths were presumably of sickness, while those killed were probably from the battle.
Source: Doughtry & Parmelee (1901). The Siege of Quebec and the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, Part III. (Monthly Return of His Majesty's Forces in the River St. Lawrence, Under the Command of Brigr. Genl. Robert Monckton, Septr. 24th 1759).
1760 Decedents
April 28, 1760
Sillery, Quebec, Canada
In a handwritten army return after the Battle of Saint-Foy, the 78th Regiment reported the deaths of Captain Donald McDonell and Lieutenant Cosmo Gordon. Additionally, it was reported three unnamed serjeants, one drummer, and 51 "rank & file" soldiers were killed.
Officers wounded: Lieutenant Archibald Campbell; Lieutenant Hector McDonnell; Lieutenant Donald McBean; Lieutenant Alexander Fraser, Senior; Lieutenant John Nairn; Lieutenant Arthur Rose; Lieutenant Alexander Fraser, Junior; Lieutenant Simon Fraser, Senior; Lieutenant Archibald McAllister; Lieutenant Alexander Fraser (Grenadier Company); Lieutenant John Chisholm; Lieutenant Simon Fraser, Junior; Lieutenant Malcolm Fraser; Lieutenant Donald McNeil; Ensign Henry Munroe; Ensign Robert Menzies; Ensign Charles Stewart; Ensign Duncan Cameron; Ensign William Robertson; Ensign Alexander Gregorson; Ensign Malcolm Fraser; Captain-Lieutenant Charles McDonnell. Additional unnamed soldiers wounded included 10 serjeants and 119 "rank & file" soldiers.
Source: James Murray (1760). Return of the Officers that were Killed, Wounded, Taken Prisoners, Missing [at] Sea, on the 28th of April 1760. LAC, Northcliffe Collection: Series 1: Robert Monckton Papers: C-366, image 707.
Note: It has been purported Lieutenant Simon Fraser died October 4, 1760 of causes unknown.
1763 Decedents
Captain Charles McDonnell, Esqr., the sole member of the 78th Regiment who served in Newfoundland, he received a mortal leg wound in gaining from the enemy the advantageous post of Signal Hill on 15 September 1762. He died a few months later on 21 January 1763 at Newfoundland.
Source: Charles McDonald's epitaph. Papers of the Cuninghame Family of Thorntoun. NRS, GD21/486.
© Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2022.