Payroll Account of Serjeant John Watson, 1758

Much like today, accounting books were used in the eighteenth century for documenting military pay and other related expenses accrued over periods of time. The payroll account of Serjeant John Watson, 78th Regiment, covers the period of July 5, 1757, through April 24, 1758.  Note: Category headers and bracketed script have been added for clarification and do not appear in the original...

Payroll Account of Serjeant Alexander Rose, 1758

Much like today, accounting books were used in the eighteenth century for documenting military pay and other related expenses accrued over periods of time. The payroll account of Serjeant Alexander Rose, 78th Regiment, covers the period of July 5, 1757, through April 24, 1758.  Note: Category headers and bracketed script have been added for clarification and do not appear in the...

78th Regiment Grenadier Company Return of Dec. 14, 1757

The military used monthly returns which reported on the strength of each regiment, including total numbers of men present, absent, sick, or on extra daily duty, as well as giving a report of officers and some categories of enlisted men. They were a very useful and effective planning tool in eighteenth-century combat operations and are still in practical use throughout today's armed forces. Reporting...

Draught Soldiers to the 15th Regiment

In the summer of 1763, having received King George's Instructions regarding the reduction of the British armies in North America, the acting generals put in motion their plan for augmenting the three regiments that would remain guarding Quebec. It was decided the 15th, 27th, and 2d Battalion, 60th Royal Americans would be assigned this task. An analysis of the official Subsistence Rolls of...

Generosity

Generosity increasingly came in the 17th century to signify a variety of traits of character and action historically associated [whether accurately or not] with the ideals of actual nobility: gallantry, courage, strength, richness, gentleness, and fairness. Writing in his journal late in the month of November 1759, General Townshend unknowingly documented the empathy and personal character of each...