Thursday, July 27, 2017

Extract of Letter from Lord Breadalbane to John Campbell of Barcaldine, Feb. 1757

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London, 19 Feby. 1757

Sir, 

 I have now before me your letters of the 30th past and the 6th and 10th inst. I hope the Major is with you before now. I'm glad to hear his Company is in such forwardness. I wrote long ago to Achalader to help him what he could, and I wrote the same two posts ago to Carwhin. I have heard (and also believ it is true) that the D. of Ar. had insisted that no men should be raised in his countrey. I was also told that I had declared the same as to Breadalbane: I did indeed say that I believed few men would be got in Breadalbane because I had discouraged idle people, and most men there are employed; and indeed I would not chuse to have the country stript of men, so as to be defenceless in case of any future troubles, which I hope will never happen, but I cannot forget the year 1745.

I heard it said a fortnight ago that Major Clephane had raised 70 men in four days: and that Capt. Campbell (brother of Capt. Dougal) had got 70 men in Glasgow. I am curious to know if it is true.

The significance of this [extract] letter cannot be overstated; this is the first instance where we've identified the possibility of recruiting efforts taking place in the Glasgow area. The possibility of local surrounding townsmen being sent to Glasgow waiting for the remaining companies of the regiment to arrive from the north must also be considered.

 Major James Clephane was appointed senior Major in Fraser's Highlanders, commission dated 5th January 1757: he was probably recruiting in anticipation of that regiment being raised 1400 strong. The Hon. Simon Fraser of Lovat raised 800 men in a few weeks; and others, including the officers of the regiment, added more than 700, so that they actually landed at Halifax in America in August 1757.

The Capt. Campbell, brother of Capt. Dougal, mentioned may be Capt. John C. of Ballimore, appointed to the same regiment on the same date. Archibald Campbell, son of Glenlyon, was one of the Lieutenants. He was wounded at The Battle on the Plains of Abraham, 1759.
 
Source:
Gaelic Society. Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness, 1898-99, Vol. XXIII [Inverness, 1902].

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

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Sunday, July 23, 2017

Payroll Account of Serjeant James Robertson, 1758

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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 James Robertson, 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 document. Additionally, it would not be uncommon to discover accounting errors as these were gentlemen who created inaccuracies the same as you and I.

[Page 1 - Serjeant James Robertson]

 Income

To 9 Weeks Pay w/ arrears & 2 weeks arrears in Ireland Due him
     £3. 3. 2
To 6 Weeks arrears at Halifax
     £0. 5. 10
To 6 Weeks Pay & arrears from y'e. 17th Oct'r. to y'e. 28th Nov.
     £2. 1. 0
To 21 Weeks arrears from y'e. 28th Nov. 1757 to y'e. 24th Apr'l. 1758
     £1. 1. 0
To Cash Due for paying 90 Effectives of Major Clephane's Comp'y.
for 10 months
     £3. 16. 3
To Cash Due for paying 14 Men of s'd. Comp'y. for 4 months
£0. 4. 8

[Total]  £10. 11. 11

Expenses

To 1 Pair Shoes & 1 Nap Sack
     £0. 6. 6
To 1 Haversack & 1 Cocade
     £0. 1. 8
To 1 Kilt & 1 Small belt
     £0. 1. 4
Provision at Glasgow
     £0. 4. 8
Spruce Beer at Halifax
     £0. 2. 8
To 2 Cheq'd. Shirts
     £0. 7. 0
To Y'e. Proportion of a Cook's Frock
£0. 0. 8
To 7 Months stopages for y'e. Barber
     £0. 1. 2
To Cash given at Fairf'd. & advance
     £0. 18. 8

  [Total]  £2. 4. 4

 [Income minus Expenses equals Cash Paid]

To Cash Paid as Ball'ce. of y'e. above
       £8. 7. 7

Halifax 17th May 1758 Rec'd. the above Ball'ce. in full of all my Pay & arrears of Pay from the Date of my Attestation to the 24th Apr. last as witness of my hand.     
                                                                                                  [signed]  Jas Robertson Serjt.

Source:
Major James Clephane, "Payroll account of Serjeant James Robertson, 1758." Military Account Book at Halifax, NAS GD125-34-5, pp. 6-7.

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

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Wednesday, July 19, 2017

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

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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 give them, however that be, I fancy you will think it unreasonable that so many Men of our Regiment shoud go about without vests, while those Regts. wear the vests bought for our Men and paid for by me - the original price will not be an equivalent, because if those vests are not return'd, I must buy new ones at a leas'd rate than those cost at home, & yet perhaps those Regts. may grudge paying the Reginal price; I beg you may be so good to Advise me what I shoud do in this Matter, which I have mention'd to Genl. Webb, but without making any demand.

 Serjt. Fraser was tried for the death of Corporal McKeye by the Superior Court yesterday, the indictment was laid for Murder, of which the Jury brought him in not guilty & the Court acquitted & dismissed him; I must do them the Justice to say that the Court & Jury behav'd with such moderation decency & propriety as Surprized me. 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.
     
My Lord preſs'd last Sunday in great health - your warm room was ready, but I own I was not sorry you did not apear for such a jaunt in rich weather coud hardly be Salutary.
    
                                                                                I am with great regard
                                                                                Dear Sir
                                                                                Your most obedt. & most 
                                                                                humble Servant
                                                    
                                                                                S. Fraser

Cover sheet:
Stratford Febry 25th 1758

Source:
Col. 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. 

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

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Saturday, July 15, 2017

Accoutrements of the 78th Regiment of Foot, May 1758

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This author has discovered an accounting ledger among the personal papers of Major James Clephane, Colonel Fraser’s second in command, dated May 1758. The ledger's purpose was for tracking expenses for each soldier in his company, including accoutrements issued and the monthly pay received. Considering the date of the ledger and the items listed, we believe these to be of initial government issue and part of a private soldier's kit he would have carried.

Since the original publishing of this article, new information has been uncovered strongly suggesting the 78th Foot wore the same tartan as Lord Loudoun's 64th Foot. See our FAQ page for full details.

Clothing & Accoutrements
1. 1 - Pair Shoes
2. 1 - Napsack
3. 1 - Haversack
4. 1 - Cocade
5. 1 - Pair Garters & 1 Sett Buckles
6. 1 - Kilt & Small Belt 
7. 2 - Cheq’d Shirt 
8. 1 - Turn Key Screw, Brush & Wire 
9. Proportion of a Cooks Frock 
10. Leather Frock

 The major's sister Betty Clephane (wife of the chief of Clan Rose), discussed some of these items in a 1757 letter to her brother John, updating him on the recruiting efforts taking place: "We are already in such order, that we have our men received everyday with a stick on his shoulder and a good sack on his back, and a philibeg about his loup." Her jubilant thoughts expressly conveyed women were in fact involved in the raising of the 78th Regiment.

Notes: 
1. One new pair of shoes issued every six months at a cost of 3s 4p.
3. Multiple men in the Major Clephane's Company are recorded as having received two haversacks; one prior to departing Kilraick, Inverness for North America, the second while en route at Cork, Ireland.
6. Some accounts lists small belt as pistle belt.
7. Issued by Major Clephane.
8. Used in maintaining and repairing the firelocks.
9. Each soldier was charged proportionally.
10. Only one soldier charged for this item; quite possibly the company blacksmith.

Newspaper Editorial 
The Public Advertiser Newspaper
Thursday, February 3, 1757
Glasgow, Jan. 24. On Wednesday an Order was received from London, to provide 2400 pairs of shoes and also Shoulder-Belts for the two Highland Regiments now raising.

Order Book Entry
Saturday, 11 May 1762
"...Every soldier to be provided with a Brush weir, worm stopper, Turn key screw & rag for his arms, a hammer Stale [?] & flint case of proper Leather never to be taken off except when under arms, or on duty, 4 good shirts & stocks, one night cape, an Ivory & horn come for the hair, Black ball & Shoe Brushes, the men for guard allways to be well sheav'd have Clean shirts their hair ty'd behind & Clubb'd. Their arms very clean shoulder belts & Cartridge Boxes well Blacked, & shoulder Belt Buckles Brisk, every soldier whether he is on duty or not to have his face hands & knees well wash'd his hair well com'd cut short on the top of his head & his locks short, his Bonnet proper so as to reach his Brues before, & as high as possible behind with the Cockard fix'd so as the haf of it may stand upright above the Bonnet, his plaid never to be worn but kelted, the fillibeg or little kelt to be allways worn in summer or harvest except when upon duty."

See the article entitled, Clothing for the Highland Regiments, 1757, for a discussion on regimental clothing, including the 42nd, 77th and 78th Regiment of Foot.

Sources:
Major James Clephane, "Military Accounts at Halifax, 1758." NAS, GD125-34-5.

Captain John Nairne, "Order Books, 1762." LAC, R5991-0-3-E, MG23-GIII 23.

Betty Clephane, "Letter to 'Dear Brother', 1757." NAS, GD125-22-2, pp. 5-7.

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

Last updated 22 August 2021.
 

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Saturday, July 8, 2017

British Officers of the 78th Regiment Serving in America

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Compiled from the official British Army Lists of the English Army for the period of the French and Indian War, by Worthington Chauncey Ford in 1894, the author was fortunate enough to find these annual rosters in the Astor Library, New York, and from the 'official' registers the following 89 names from the 78th Regiment of Foot have been extracted. Alphabetically arranged, this list includes name, rank, and date of commissioning.


Abercombie, James
     Rank:  Major
     Date:  25 July, 1760

Baille, Charles
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  10 January, 1757

Baille, David
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  26 July, 1757

Burnet, Charles
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  8 May, 1760

Cameron, Alexander
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  21 July, 1757

Cameron, Allan
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  23 June, 1762

Cameron, Donald
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  30 September, 1758

Cameron, Duncan
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  25 September, 1759

Cameron, Evan
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  5 January, 1757
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  9 June, 1758

Cameron, Hugh
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  12 January, 1757
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  25 September, 1759

Campbell, Alexander
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  7 May, 1757

Campbell, Alexander
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  23 July, 1760

Campbell, Alexander
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  5 October, 1760

Campbell, Archibald
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  23 January, 1757
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  29 April, 1760

Campbell, John
     Rank:  Major
     Date:  6 January, 1757

Campbell, John
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  9 January, 1757
     Rank:  Major
     Date:  5 October, 1760

Campbell, John
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  27 September, 1758
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  13 December, 1759

Campbell, -----
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  12 December, 1759

Chisholme: John
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  17 January, 1757
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  4 September, 1759

Clephane, James
     Rank:  Major
     Date:  4 January, 1757

Douglas, John
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  18 June, 1757

Fraser, Alexander
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  12 February, 1757

Fraser, Alexander
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  22 July, 1757

Fraser, Alexander
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  15 September, 1758

Fraser, Alexander
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  15 January, 1757
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  27 September, 1758

Fraser, Alexander
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  13 December, 1759

Fraser, Alexander
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  4 October, 1760

Fraser, Archibald
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  7 April, 1760
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  23 June, 1762

Fraser, George
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  24 April, 1761

Fraser, Hugh
     Rank:  Adj`t
     Date:  12 January, 1757

Fraser, Hugh
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  9 June, 1758
     Rank:  Qt. Mr.
     Date:  22 April, 1759
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  29 April, 1760

Fraser, Hugh*
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  23 October, 1761

Fraser, James
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  4 January, 1757
     Rank:  Qt. Mr.
     Date:  12 January, 1757
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  27 September, 1758

Fraser, John
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  19 January, 1757
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  22 April, 1759

Fraser, John
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  24 January, 1757
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  15 April, 1760

Fraser, John
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  30 January, 1757

Fraser, John
     Rank:  Qt. Mr.
     Date:  27 September, 1758

Fraser, Malcolm
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  18 July, 1757
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  25 September, 1759

Fraser, Malcolm
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  18 June, 1758

Fraser, Malcolm
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  9 July, 1760

Fraser, Malcolm
     Rank:  Adj`t
     Date:  24 July, 1761

Fraser, Simon
     Rank:  Lt. Col. Com.
     Date:  5 January, 1757

Fraser, Simon
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  5 January, 1757
     Rank:  Capt. Lt.
     Date:  27 September, 1758

Fraser, Simon
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  9 January, 1757
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  18 June, 1757

Fraser, Simon
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  16 January, 1757

Fraser, Simon
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  21 January, 1757
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  25 September, 1759

Fraser, Simon
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  8 February, 1757

Gilchrist, Alexander
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  25 September, 1759
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  4 October, 1760

Gordon, Cosmo
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  24 July, 1757

Gordon, George
     Rank:  Qt. Mr.
     Date:  15 April, 1760

Gregorson, Alexander
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  10 June, 1758
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  29 April, 1760

Henderson, James
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  23 July, 1758
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  8 May, 1760

Mackenzie, James
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  7 May, 1757
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  25 September, 1759

McAlister, Archibald
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  13 January, 1757
     Rank: Lieutenant
     Date:  23 July, 1758

McBean, Daniel
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  28 January, 1757
     Rank:  Capt. Lt.
     Date:  29 April, 1760

M'Cullock, Kenneth
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  9 July, 1760

McDonald, Donald
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  12 January, 1757

McDonald, Ronald
     Rank:  Lieutenant 
     Date:  14 January, 1757
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  17 October, 1759

McDonell, Alexander
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  2 February, 1757

McDonell, Charles
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  19 January, 1757
     Rank:  Capt. Lt.
     Date:  17 October, 1759

McDonell, Hector
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  27 January, 1757

McDonell, John
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  13 January, 1757

McDonell, John
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  23 July, 1757
     Rank:  Ensign, 15th Regiment
     Date:  14 November, 1763
     Rank:  Qt. Mr., 15th Regiment
     Date:  14 November, 1763

McDonnell, William
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  21 January, 1757

McLeod, Alexander
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  11 January, 1757
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  4 September, 1759

McLeod, Norman
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  24 July, 1760

McNeill, Donald
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  20 July, 1757
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  17 October, 1759

McNeill, Rory
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  20 January, 1757

McPherson, John
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  5 January, 1757

McPherson, John
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  5 October, 1760

McPherson, Lachlan
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  22 April, 1759
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  9 July, 1760

McPherson, Malcolm
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  4 September, 1759

McPherson, Robert
     Rank:  Chaplain
     Date:  12 January, 1757

McQueen, James
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  29 April, 1760

Menzies, Robert
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  15 September, 1758
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  23 August, 1760

Monro, Harry
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  23 July, 1757
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  12 December, 1759

Montgomery, Hugh
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  2 June, 1762

Murray, James
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  15 September, 1758

Murray, John
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  6 February, 1757

Nairne, John
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  16 July, 1757
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  24 April, 1761

Robertson, William
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  17 October, 1759
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  5 October, 1760

Rose, Arthur
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  17 July 1757

Ross, Thomas
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  23 July, 1757

Seton, Sir Henry, Bt.
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  17 July, 1757
     Rank:  Captain, 17th Regiment
     Date:  22 April 1759

Sinclair, Charles
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  23 July, 1760

Stuart, Allan
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  7 January, 1757
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  10 June, 1758

Stuart, Charles
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  25 September, 1759
     Rank:  Lieutenant
     Date:  23 July, 1760

Stuart, Kenneth
     Rank:  Ensign
     Date:  29 April, 1760

Walkenshaw, J. Crauford
     Rank:  Capt. Lt.
     Date:  5 January, 1757
     Rank:  Captain
     Date:  9 June, 1758

* Some of these Frasers may be identical

Source:
Ford, Worthington Chauncey. British Officers Serving in America, 1754-1774 [Boston, 1894].

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

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