A Case of Robbery and Desertion

The stately 18th-century Ursuline Monastery in the heart of Quebec City, basking in the warm embrace of a late afternoon sunset. The ancient edifice, with its steeply pitched roofs and majestic stone facade, stands tall amidst the cobblestone streets and quaint surrounding buildings, which are cast...

Murder Among the Ranks

An enchanting 18th-century streetscape of downtown Quebec City, nestled within the fortified walls of its historic center. Cobblestone streets weave through a tapestry of ancient buildings adorned with vibrant, colonial-era facades, their windows dressed with wooden shutters and cast-iron balconies...

Court-martial of Corporal Angus McDonald, 78th Regiment of Foot, 1761

In his Sketches, Stewart of Garth maintained that the high moral code of the early Highlanders meant that misconduct was virtually unknown within their regiments. Although it is true that Highlanders feature far less frequently in the General Courts-martial records than miscreants from other battalions, it would be wrong to go to the other extreme and suggest that their ranks were filled with plaster...

Letter from Colonel Simon Fraser to General Forbes, Feb. 1758

The following letter, dated 10 February 1758, is from Lt.-Col. Simon Fraser, Second Highland Battalion [78th Regiment], to Colonel John Forbes, Adjutant General. The main body of the letter focuses on the pending litigation against Serjeant Fraser for his involvement in the death of Corporal Mackay [an indictment laid for murder] in Connecticut, both men of the regiment. The colonel appears...

Letter from Colonel Simon Fraser to General Forbes, Jan. 1758

Dear Sir I had the pleasure of your letter Saturday, & acording to your directions have sent the ten drafts with a carefull Serjeant, they are clear by our Regiment to the 25th decr. I did not at all grudge the trouble of making up the controut & only mention'd it as an apology for it being so long unsent. The people here at present fancy themselves oblig'd to furnish our Officers...

Court of Inquiry Regarding the Death of Corporal James Macky, 63rd Regiment, Jan. 1758

Proceedings of a Court of Inquiry 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. Members:  Captain Charles Baillie, President Lieut. John Cuthbert Lieut. Charles McDonnell Lieut. John Fraser Ensign Simon Fraser The Evidence of William McKardy...

Unlucky Accident in Connecticut Involving Soldiers of the 78th Regiment of Foot, Dec. 1757

Dr. Sir         I have just heard of an unlucky accident that happened today at Stratford, a Sergt. & Corporal of our grenadier Company having quarrel'd (both I'm afraid drunk) the Corporal was killed, the account I have had is very imperfect but from it the deceased seems to have been the Aggressor, how soon I can have it properly enquired into I take the Opportunity of...

Letter from Colonel Simon Fraser, 2d Highland Battalion, to General Forbes, Feb. 25, 1758

Dear Sir I hope you are Satisfied before now that I am not so much to blame as you Imagin'd with regard to the Returns but to prevent a poſsibility of mistake I send inclosed the Return for this Month, & have sent one also by this bearer to Genl. Webb. The 35th, 44th, & 48th have kept the vests the drafts from our Regt. had on, the reason assigned is that those Regts. have no vests to...