Showing posts with label Orders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Orders. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

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.

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Tuesday, December 1, 2020

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.

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Sunday, November 1, 2020

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

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