Orders Providing Clothing and to Inspect Uniform Patterns, 1757

From their London workshop in 1757, two clothiers meticulously inspect neck scarf patterns designed for the civilian sector. While stationed in Quebec through 1763, Colonel Fraser's men of the 78th Regiment of Foot typically received their annual clothing allotment in April of each year, with the exception of 1760, which was hijacked by the French Frigate, Le Machault, en route from Halifax to Quebec. (Jeffrey Campbell, London Clothiers, 2024. Artist's rendition created with Perchance AI Image Generator)

 

Inspecting Uniform Patterns

War Office 13th January 1757

Sir,

His Majesty having been pleased to order Two Highland Battallions of Foot, to be forthwith Raised, under the Command of Lt. Col. Montgomery & Lt. Col. Fraser each Battallion to Consist of 40 Serjeants, 40 Corporals, 20 Drummers, and 1000 Effective private Men, besides Commission Officers; And as the Cloathing, & Accoutrements, &c for the said Battallions are to be immediately provided, I am Commanded to Signify to you, It is His Majesty's Pleasure, that you do forthwith Summon a Board of General Officers to Inspect the Patterns which shall be Exhibited, and do every thing else which shall be necessary, that the said Cloathing and Accoutrements &c may be immediately provided.

I am Sir

Your most obedient

humble Servant

Barrington

Copy

Robert Ince Esqr.

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, 2024.

Requesting Levy Money and Tents for Two Highland Battalions

A clerk at the War Office in Westminster, London, processes several requests from Lord William Barrington (1717-1793; 2nd Viscount Barrington) regarding levy money and tents to be issued for two new Scottish Highland battalions raised for service in North America. (Jeffrey Campbell, Supplying the Battalions, 2024. Artist's rendition created with Perchance AI Image Generator)

Requesting Levy Money and Tents for Two Highland Battalions

In November 1756, at the request of Lord Loudoun to raise additional men for service in North America, the War Office, led by Secretary at War William Barrington, in January 1757, began issuing a series of beating orders, which were instrumental in not only recruiting men for the then-Second Highland Battalion (quickly renumbered 63rd Regiment of Foot, then 78th Regiment of Foot) but also, to begin issuing camp necessaries such as tents, kettles, and other implements to be utilized.

The following two orders address the allotment of three British pounds in currency to each new recruit as levy money for their enlistment, also, that the tents may be issued out of His Majesty's Stores for the use of the newly raised First and Second Highland Battalions, led by Lieutenant-Colonels Archibald Montgomery and Simon Fraser.

Recruit Levy Money

War Office 13 January 1757

My Lord & Sir,
His Majesty having been pleased to order two Highland Battalions of Foot to be forthwith raised & sent to North America each Battalion to consist of 40 Serjeants 40 Corporals 20 Drummers and 1000 Private Men besides Commission Officers (their Establishment to commence from the 23 Decr. Last incl and to allow three pounds per Man Levy Money I have the Honour to acquaint you therewith, that you may be pleased to lay a Memorial before the Rt. Honble the Lords Commissioners of his Maty’s Treasury for the Money wanting for this Service.

    I am
    My Lord & Sir
    Barrington

Lord Visct. Dupplin
& Thos. Potter Esqr. Paymaster Genl.

Copy

Requesting Tents

War Office 13 Janry 1757

Sir

His Majesty Having ordered two Highland Battalions of Foot to be forthwith raised each Battalion to consist of 40 Serjeants, 40 Corporals, 20 Drummers & 1000 Private men besides Commission Officers under the Command of Lieut Colonel Archibald Montgomery and Lieut Colonel Simon Fraser, and be employed for the defense of His Majesty’s Colonies in North America, I am to desire you will be pleased to receive His Majesty’s Command thereupon and signify the same to the Master Genl. of the Ordnance, that Tents may be delivered out of His Majesty’s Stores with all possible Expedition to each of the said Battalions Accordingly to the above mentioned Numbers.

    I am

    sir &c

    Barrington

Rt. Hon'ble Mr. Pitt His Majesty’s

Principal Secry of State

Source:

War Office Records: Out Letters: Secretary at War. General Letters, Dec. 1756 - Apr. 1757, LAC, W.O. 4, vol. 53 (Selections), p. 60.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2023.

Orders Providing Camp Necessaries, 1757

An imposing 18th-century War Office Building in the heart of London, a testament to the grandeur and strategic importance of the era's military administration. The structure, adorned with stately architecture, looms over the cobblestone street with its tall, arched windows and grand, columned entrance. (Jeffrey Campbell, War Office, London, 2024. Artist's rendition created with Perchance AI Image Generator)

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 £548.1.9 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. 

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.

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