Captain Alexander Wood's Company

The following is a list of the officers and men of the 78th Regiment [Fraser's Highlanders] attached to Captain Alexander Wood's Company when the regiment was discharged in 1763. Of the approximately 865 enlisted men and NCOs of the regiment, only 170 men are documented as discharged in America. The other soldiers that stayed were transferred to different regiments in the area.

It should be noted that in these subsistence rolls there are female names appearing in italicised script type. And the more interesting question of what part they played in the regiment can be found in the following notes:

1. In "Louisbourg, Key to a Continent" by Fairfax Downey, p. 160: "--- yet more draft had to be manpower, no animals being available, and it proved to be womanpower as well. Among the parties who tugged on the drag ropes, one thousand strong with frequent shift changes, were several hundred laundresses, a number being allowed to each British regiment by regulation, and carried as 'married and on the strength'. Heavy fire from [the guns of] Louisbourg disconcerted them no more than it did the men."

2. In "The Great Fortress" by William Wood, p. 112: "The practice of assigning laundresses, usually the wives of NCOs to military units was frequently followed. In the U.S. Army, where four were allowed each company, it persisted through the Indian Wars."

3. In "The Fraser Highlanders" by J.R. Harper, p. 73, appears: Included in Wolfe's final orders for embarkation to Quebec from Louisbourg, May 17, 1759: "The regiments are to receive provisions for no more than three women per company of 70, and four per company of 100 men."

These rolls should prove to be of great historic value to those who claim ancestry to soldiers who fought at Louisbourg and Quebec with the 78th Regiment. Many of the soldiers who chose to enlist in Fraser’s Highlanders, did so for the money, and those who stayed when the regiment was discharged in 1763, likely felt that their chances of land ownership were better in the New World than they would have been had they returned to Scotland.

Captain Alexander Wood's Company
Time of Entry: Aug. 30, 1763
Number of Days Victualled: 14

1. Corporal John Fraser
2. Private John McDonell
3. Private Donald Cameron
4. Private Alexander McKenzie
5. Private Donald McDonald
6. Private John Kennedy
7. Private James McKenzie
8. Private Angus Gillis
9. Private William Graham
10. Private John McDougal
11. Private John McDonell
12. Private Ranald McDonell
13. Jennet McDonell

Time of Entry: Sep. 6, 1763
Number of Days Victualled: 7

14. Private Roderick McDonell
15. Private John McDonell
16. Private James Crawford
17. Private Lachlin McKenon
18. Private Angus Morrison

Sources:

Treasury Board Papers, "Subsistence Rolls of Fraser's Highlanders (the 78th), 1763." LAC, T.1, vol. 422.

Ibid., "Subsistence Rolls of Fraser's Highlanders (the 78th), 1763." TNA, T.1, vol. 422.

Marie Fraser, "Subsistence Rolls of Fraser's Highlanders (the 78th), 1763." Clan Fraser Society, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2001.

McIntosh, Walter H. 78th or Colonel Simon Fraser's Regiment [Topsfield, Massachusetts, n.d.].

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2018. 

Private Andrew McCulloch Returns to England

Andrew McCulloch's name appears with Major James Abercrombie as private soldier discharged from the 78th Regiment on August 23, 1763. And while his name does not appear on the official list of Soldiers Discharged in America, it is quite evident he remained in Canada for at least two years following the conclusion of the war.

Secretary's Office 2d July 1765

To Lieut. James Hall

Agent to the Transports 

at Quebec.---

Embarkation list:
Nicholas Ribichon, his Wife and seven Children: 9
Pierre Marchand, his Wife & seven Children: 9
Jean Baptists Delome, his Wife & three Children: 5
Joseph Tarraux and two Children: 3
Luc Emble, his Wife & two Children: 4
Pierre Michelaux, his Wife & two Children: 4
John Packer a soldier of the 27th Regmt.: 1
Andrew McCulloch, his Wife & Child: 3

Total Thirty eight Persons: 38

James Murray letter:
The above is a List of Men and their Families that have been Employed at the Iron works near Three Rivers, in this government ever since the Reduction of the country, at which time they were prevailed upon by General Amherst to Continue working at the Forge upon his promise that they should be sent to England in His Majesty's Ships or Transports, free of expense. This therefore is to require you to give orders to the Masters of the Transports under your care, now bound to Ireland with the 44th Regmt. to Receive on Board and Victual the said Families in the same manner as the Troops are Victualled, until their arrival at Deptford, where they are to Disembark, and proceed to London with the Letter I will write concerning them to the Secretary of State. And you are also required to give orders for the Passage and Victualling of John Parker a soldier of the 27th Regiment, who is to pay for his Provisions as the other soldiers do; and Andrew McCulloch a Reduced Soldier from the 78th Regiment with his wife and one child, said McCulloch having lost his leg is recommended to Chelsea, is an object of Charity, and therefore is to pay nothing for his Provisions nor that of his wife and child, for doing of which this shall be your sufficient authority.~

                                                                                  Given under my hand & seal at

                                                                                  arms at the Castle of St. Levis

                                                                                  in the City of Quebec the 27th day of

                                                                                  August 1765

Void

                                                                                  Signed                   Ja: Murray

                                                                                  By His Excellency's Command

An updated list, signed by James Murray and dated 31 August 1765, was discovered in succession to the former as follows:

Embarkation list:
Nicholas Ribichon, his Wife and seven Children: 9
Andrew McCulloch, his Wife & Child: 3
John Paker, a Soldier of the 27th Regiment: 1
Elenor McBeth with her Child, wife of an Invalid of the 15th Regiment: 2

Total: 15

Royal Chelsea Hospital Admissions:
Private Andrew McCulloch was admitted to the Royal Chelsea Hospital on 13 Dec. 1765 as follows:

Andrew McCulloch
Age: 40 years
Time in Serv: 10 years
Ailment: Lost his right leg
Born: Tayne [Scotland]
Occ: Taylor

Sources:
"Reduced soldiers employed at the Iron Works, 1765." Letterbook/Copie de lettres, 1763-1771. Microfilm 10462, Series RG4, C2, vol. 1. Public Archives Canada. n.d. Print.

"An Account of His Majesty's Royal Bounty of Fourteen Days Subsistence, also the Sword Money paid the following Men of the 78th Regiment Discharged in America." Microfilm C-10462, Series RG4 C2 vol. 1, National Archives of Canada. n.d. Print.

Public Records Office. Royal Chelsea Hospital Admission Books, TNA, W.O. 116-6 [Kew, U.K.]

©  Jeffrey Campbell, The 78th Regiment of Foot, 2018.  All rights reserved.  

Campaign Quotables

A collection of inspirational quotes about the men of Fraser's 78th Highlanders found among the many historical military documents gathered from various sources over the years. We hope you enjoy these as much as we do!

[Alexander Gregorson, Ensign, 78^th Regiment]

“…very strongly recommended by Colonel Campbell & to whose friends I am so much indebted that I should take his being provided for as a very great favour."

-Colonel Simon Fraser, on board Halifax off Nantasket Lighthouse

“…Amhersts & the Hiland Regts. alone By their Soldier like and Cool Behaviour would undoubtedly have beat back the whole Canadian army if they Had been order’d to attack them.”

-General James Wolfe, Camp at Quebec

“…I shall only observe that both fleet and army Did their Duty like true Sons of Britton, and it was a common saying all over the fleet that the Highlanders behaved like angels!”

-John Clephane, on board Prince of Orange in Halifax Harbour

“Captain Donald McDonald a Brave and Experienced officer who had been on several little party’s this winter, having asked to have the Command of a Company of Volunteers, I formed one for him this Day consisting of Picked men, as such a Corps might be of use, and I thought Necessary to give officers who were willing to have an Opportunity to distinguish themselves.”

-General George Townshend, Camp at Quebec

[Robert Macpherson, Chaplain, 78^th Regiment]

“…This gentleman is a most deserving Sensible man & the best chaplain I ever knew.”

-Major James Abercrombie, at New York

“…The Highlanders returning towards our main body tho’ had all this time kept their order and behaved nobly with the outmost courage and regularity.”

-Chaplain Robert Macpherson, Camp at Quebec

“…Besides the loss of officers and men this victory compleats, it was to our sad regrete too dearly Brought in the death of our gallant commander Mr Wolfe.”

-Chaplain Robert Macpherson, Camp at Quebec

"...The Colony of Connecticut & the 2d Highland Battalion are hand & glove & we are the only old countrymen they believe capable of performing great exploits, not but they hold themselves as the great Warriors, & suffer us only to follow longo intervallo."

-Colonel Simon Fraser, Camp at Connecticut

"...I dare assure you that I shall be able, when I come to Glasgow, to make out a company of 110 or 112 men, as good hearty young fellows as are to be seen in many regiments, and all as willingly and cheerfully engaged as is possible any men to be, for not one of them ever confined, and not one deserted while here, in which I glory and have great joy."

-Major James Clephane, at Inverness

[Battle of Sainte-Foy]

"...I assure you, that during the Siege we had not above 2000 Men fit for Duty; the rest were taken ill with Flux and Scurvy; and it must be said of the Governor and Garrison, that they have acted with a Spirit worthy of True Britons."

-Officer of Colonel Fraser's Regiment

"...The Highlanders are very usefull serviceable soldiers, and commanded by the most manly corps of officers I ever saw; they have behaved with distinction."

-Brigadier General James Wolfe to Lord George Sackville

Sources:

Major James Abercrombie, "Letter addressed to John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun, discussing Chaplain Robert McPherson, 15 September 1763." John Campbell Loudoun Papers Concerning the Siege and Fall of Quebec, 1756-1784. Houghton Library, Harvard University, cat. no. 45M-113F.

John Clephane, "Letter to Major James Clephane at New York, 10 November 1759." NAS, GD125/22/17/29.

Colonel Simon Fraser, "Letter addressed to John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun, discussing Ensign Alexander Gregorson, 23 April 1758." Loudoun Papers, LO 5447, Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.

Robert Macpherson to Andrew Macpherson, "Camp Before Quebec, 16 September 1759." James Grant of Ballindalloch papers, 1740-1819. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., microfilm 46.

Rose, H., and Lachlan Shaw. A genealogical deduction of the family of Rose of Kilravock: with illustrative documents from the family papers, and notes [Edinburgh, 1848].

Wolfe, B.G James. Report on the Manuscripts of Mrs. Stopford-Sackville of Draytonhouse Northamptonshire [London, 1904].

General George Townshend, "Personal journal entry discussing Captain Donald McDonald, 24 April 1763." LAC, Northcliffe collection: Series 1: Robert Monckton papers, Microfilm C-368.

General James Wolfe, "Personal journal entry discussing Amherst’s and the Highland regiments, 2 August 1759." LAC, Northcliffe collection: Series 1: Robert Monckton papers, Microfilm C-369.

Colonel Simon Fraser, "Letter of Col. Simon Fraser to Colonel Forbes, Adjutant General, at His House in the Broadway or at the Fort, New York." NAS, GD45-2-29, pp. 18-19.

“Battle of Sainte-Foy.” Public Advertiser, 24 July 1760.

© Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2018.

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 with fireing & their genius in such that they do easily whatever they think themselves oblig'd to do, but not a lot more; therefore if any reference is made to head quarters, if it cannot be determined for us I wish the matter of right may not be determin'd against us, & then I think we can persuade them; for it will be very expensive for a Subaltern to pay a dollar a week for firing, which is what the people askd at the beginning when they thought themselves under no obligation to furnish it.

I shall follow your directions about Serjt. Fraser, but I imagine you will think it proper to let me have as soon as conveniently may be The Earl of Loudoun's further orders, because I was told two days ago that the Governor had wrote to the Authority of this place & left it in their discretion to claim Serjt. Fraser or not, directing them at the same time to take care that guilt shoud not come upon the land. Now if he was tried by a Court Martial they woud be satisfied there was no guilt to come upon the land & woud think no more of claiming him, which I know they want to avaoid if they can conscientiously.

                                                                 
                                                                                       I am with great regard

                              

                                                                                       Dear Sir

                                                                                       Your most obedient & most

                                                                                        humble Servant

                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                     S. Fraser

Stratford Janry 23d. 1758.

Note: The ten drafts Colonel Fraser spoke of were being sent to Otway's 35th Regiment to augment heavy losses during the siege on Fort William Henry. The colonel was ordered to send 90 men in December 1757, but it's not clear if these ten are fulfilling that original requirement or if they are additional augmentees, thus possibly raising the final number to 100.

Serjeant Fraser was involved in the killing of Corporal Mackay, at the guardhouse, and his chain of command was in turmoil about turning him over to the civilian authorities, or try him internally by military court martial.

Source:

Colonel Simon Fraser, "Letter of Colonel Simon Fraser to Colonel Forbes, Adjutant General, at His House in the Broadway or at the Fort, New York." NAS, GD45-2-29-12.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2017.

Lieutenant Alexander Gregorson, 78th Regiment

Lieutenant Alexander Gregorson, of Ardtornish [1730-1789] - s/o James Macgregor & Marjorie Campbell [dau. of Alexander Campbell of Airds] - a gentleman volunteer gazetted an ensign on June 10, 1758 after the death of Lieutenant John Cuthbert created a vacancy. 

Colonel Simon Fraser recommended him for the promotion before the regiment sailed for Halifax and Louisbourg in a letter, 23 April 1758, to Lord Loudoun, describing Mr. Gregorson as "very strongly recommended by Colonel Campbell & to whose friends I am so much indebted that I should take his being provided for as a very great favour." And while the real identity of Colonel Campbell is not known, the introduction of Gregorson as a civilian suggests no earlier military service. The recording of his commission in the British Army Lists advocates his assignment with Colonel Fraser as his first post.

Gregorson, a descendant from Clan Macgregor, and whose kinsman, John, also served in Quebec with the 2nd Battalion of the 60th Royal American Regiment, was listed among the officers who sailed for Louisbourg in 1758; fought at Plains of Abraham on September 13, 1759 where he, along with Ensign McKenzie and Lieutenant Alexander Fraser, was described in the journal kept by Malcolm Fraser as "slightly wounded." Additionally, he sustained injuries at the Battle of Sainte-Foy on April 28, 1760, where he was taken a prisoner and almost killed by Indians, but erroneously documented as "dead" in Governor Murray’s Return of Prisoners of War.

List of Officers Sent in Governor Murray’s Return not Included in the List of English Prisoners returned from Canada, June 14, 1760

Fraser’s: Ens. Alexr. Gregorson: Prisoner on Parole at Quebec. Dead.

                Ens. Malcolm Fraser: Prisoner on Parole at Quebec. Dead.

Otway’s: Capt. Ince: Dead

Lascelle’s: Capt. Archbold: Dead

Amherst’s: Ens. Montgomery: Dead

Lawrence’s: Lt. Forbes mentioned in Govr. Murray’s is Dead.

A contemporary newspaper account from the period captured the death of Captain Ince and the four other officers correctly.

The Pennsylvania Gazette, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1760

That Captain Ince, of Otway's, and four other Officers, wounded and taken Prisoners the 28th of April, died of their Wounds at Montreal.

The ensign was promoted to lieutenant on April 29, 1760 in room of Lt. Cosmo Gordon, killed.

Alexander's kinsman, John, having knowledge his regiment were to remain and provide the guard to Quebec after the war, joined the 78th in the summer of 1763 in order to return to Europe.  The Highlanders' sailed home in October and "broke" at Glasgow on December 14, 1763, where both men were exchanged to half-pay.

Gregorson returned to active service on January 23, 1788 as a then-58-year-old lieutenant in the Landguard Fort Invalid Company, and was discharged dead the following year.

The Edinburgh Evening Courant, October 16, 1789
INVALIDS. Lieut. Robert Thomas, from  Capt. James Malcolm's Independent Company at Sheerness, to be Lieutenant in Captain William Pemble's Independent Company at Landguard Fort, vice Alexander Gregorson, deceased.

Note: Since the publishing of this post, new evidence has surfaced suggesting John Gregorson transferred from the 78th Regiment to the 2nd Battalion, 60th Royal Americans prior to September 1761.

Sources:

Fraser, Malcolm. Extract from a Manuscript Journal Relating to the Siege of Quebec [Quebec, 1886].

Marie Fraser, “Officers of the 78th Regiment.” Clan Fraser Society, Canada, 2001.

Macgregor, Amelia Georgiana Murray. History of the Clan Gregor: from public records and private collections. Vol. 2 [William Brown, 1901].

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2017. 

This article last update 18 October 2021.