78th Regiment at Isle of Orleans

General James Wolfe, ill with dysentery and suffering from rheumatism, commanded the expedition to capture the city of Quebec. By late June 1759, his entire convoy had passed up the St. Lawrence River and had reached the Island of Orleans, which lay opposite Quebec along the river. At the end of that month, he and his brigadiers agreed on a plan to land troops across the river a short distance upstream and to the west of Quebec. The resulting attack, which involved scaling the cliffs only one mile from the city, was carried out on September 12 and surprised the French on the fields of the Plains of Abraham.

Writing from camp at Montmorency one month prior to the attack, Wolfe discusses with Colonel Monckton the positioning of Fraser's 78th Highlanders into the Isle of Orleans.

Dear Sir

        Two divisions of the six of Fraser's Regt. that are order'd to be in readyness to move are to pass over into the Isle of Orleans tomorrow, where Mr. Leslie will canton them - Neither Officers nor Soldiers will want Tents: what bedding & conveniences the Officers may chuse to take wth. them, shall be conveyed from the Point of Levy, to the Boscawen Brig - which is now at an anchor here & under orders to fall down this channel, this arriv'd Vessel, will lay near the Highlanders & move up or down as they move - a Flat bottom'd Boat will be at the Point of Levy about 8 tomorrow morning to receive, the little Baggage, which shou'd be carried; the Commanding Officer, after his People are canton'd in the Isle of Orleans, will come over to Genl. Wolfe for his instructions.

I have the honour to be
Dr. Sir
your faithfull &
Obedient Servant
Jam: Wolfe

Montmorency

14th Augt: 1759

P.S.

Provisions are put into the Brig - nevertheless, the Highlanders, shou'd take for 3 days wth. them.

Sources:

Encyclopedia Britannica. James Wolfe, British General. www.britannica.com/biography/James-Wolfe

Wolfe, James. Letter to Colonel Robert Monckton, August 14, 1759. Northcliffe Collection: Series 1: Robert Monckton Papers: C-368. Public Archives Canada.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2019. 

Request for the 78th Regiment to Disband in Scotland

To the Rt. Hon. Welbore Ellis, Secretary at War.

Memorial of the Nobility, Gentry, Freeholders and others in the Northern and Highland Counties of Scotland, Shewith

That in 1759 it having been thought expedient to raise under the command of Colonels Montgomery and Fraser two Highland Battalions (then Nos. 62nd & 63rd of the Army) for immediate service, your memorialists so effectually concurred in this measure of Government that in about two months after the Regiments were not only compleated and reviewed, but also embarked for America, where they have been ever since on constant service, and with the like expedition four additional Companys to each of these two Regiments were soon after raised and went on service.

That in the course of the present war, these parts have been further drained of men by the whole following additional Levys, viz., the Second Battalion to the 42nd, the 87th, 88th, 89th, & 100th Regiments, and by several Highland and Independent Companys drafted into other Regiments : and thro' the uncommon activity of last war, and the honorable share the Highlanders had every where in it, their numbers are reduced to almost the Tenth man of these who originally left the Country.

That your Memorialists have thereby been put to great distress for want of hands to labour the ground, all the young men being there on service and on the very old and children left : whilst the war lasted your Memorialists though it their Duty to give up their own private Conveniency for the good of the Publick, and for that purpose they cheerfully concurred in making the several Levys order'd, But now that the war is over, and that their people have had the honour to contribute a share (and not an inconsiderable one) in the success of it, and as Montgomery & Fraser's Regiments (now changed from their original numbers 62nd and 63rd to 77th and 78th) are to be reduced, your Memorialists humbly hope that His Majestys will have the goodness to order the remains of these Gallant men to be sent home to repeople the Country, and Breed a Race of Soldiers who may emulate the actions of their Fathers in another War. And as the Country really wants them, and as the service of these poor men seems to merit this mark of publick attention, which His Majesty has already been graciously pleased to show the 87th and 88th Regiments now returned from Germany.

Your Memorialists pray you to represent the case of their parts of the Country and of Colonels Montgomery and Fraser's Regiments to His Majesty, that His Majesty be graciously pleased to order these Regiments to be sent home and Disbanded in Scotland.

Source:

"Memorial to the Rt. Hon. Welbore Ellis, Secretary at War, of the nobility, gentry freeholders, and others in the northern and highland counties of Scotland, asking that the regiments of Colonel Montgomery and Colonel Fraser be disbanded in Scotland." 1763. NAS GD87-1-95. Printed in T.G.S.I., vol. XXIV, 1904-07.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2019.

Payroll Account of Corporal Alexander Fraser

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 Corporal Alexander Fraser, 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 8 - Corporal Alexander Fraser]

Income

To 9 Weeks arrears & Pay Due from y'e. 5th July to y'e. 5th Sepr.

     £: 1. 10. 9

To 5 Weeks arrears of Pay Due from y'e. 5th Septr. to 10th Octr.

     £: 0. 8. 4

To 3 Weeks arrears @ 5p week

     £: 0. 1. 3

To 6 Weeks Pay & arrears Due from y'e. 17th Oct'r. to y'e. 28th Nov'r. 1757

     £: 1. 0. 6

To 21 Weeks arrears of Pay Due from y'e. 28th Nov'r. 1757 to y'e. 24th Apr'l. 1758

     £: 1. 16. 1½

[Total]  £: 4. 11. 11½

Expenses

To 1 Pair Shoes & 1 Nap sack

     £: 0. 6. 6

To 1 Haversacks & 1 Cocade

     £: 0. 1. 8

To 1 Pair Garters & 1 Sett buckles

     £: 0. 1. 4

To 1 Kilt & 1 Small belt

     £: 0. 1. 4

To 1 Turn Key Screw brush & wire

     £: 0. 0. 9

To Provisions at Glasgow

     £: 0. 4. 8

To Spruce beer at Halifax

     £: 0. 2. 8

To 2 Cheqd. Shirts

     £: 0. 7. 0

To 10 Months Stops for @ 1p month

     £: 0. 0. 10

To 7 D'o D'o. for y'e. Barber @ 2p D’o.

     £: 0. 1. 2

To yr. Proportion of a Cook's Frock

£: 0. 0. 8

To Cash given at Boston & Halifax

     £: 0. 18. 8

  [Total]  £: 2. 7. 3

£: 0. 18. 8

£: 3. 5. 11

 [Income minus Expenses equals Cash Paid]

To Cash Paid as Bala'ce of Above

       £: 1. 9. ½

  £: 4. 14. ½

Halifax 7th May 1758 Rec'd. y'e. above Bala'ce. in full of my Pay & arrears of Pay from y'e. Date of my Attestation to y'e. 24th Apr. Last as witness of my hand.     [signed] Alexr. Fraser

Source:

Payroll Account of Alexander Fraser, 78th Regiment of Foot, 1758. MS NAS GD125-34-5, pp. 20-21, Military Account Book at Halifax. National Archives Scotland, n.p.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2019.

Letter to Major James Clephane at New York, 1759

Dear Sir

I was extremely sorry to Hear by Capt. Crawford, that you have been in a bad State of Health for Sometime past, I hope by this time you have got the Better of your Illness which will give you one great Satisfaction; as you Intend to sell out I wish you a good market & a safe Return to your native country. By Letters from England in the spring I was informed of your Brother the Doctor’s Death which is not only a great loss to all His Relations, but even to His country in general, as he Had the Honour to be universally usefull in the Public Station he fill’d. Had he lived I am very Certain he would have done something for me on my return to England, having received all the assistance from him in his power, the last time I was at London, I am still first mate of the Prcr. Of Orange, and shall remain this winter at Halifase, which is unlucky for me as I am afraid we shall have a Peace soon, In this case I belive will be my best way to go into the East India Service, but If the war continues, a Recommendation to any of your friends in London may be of use to me. Our ship was one that went on the expedition against Quebec the Particulars of which Capt. Crawford can give you a Better account of that as he was on the spot; 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. If you’ll please to write one before you set out for England and give me a direction to ….. ….. you’ll greatly oblidge.

                                               
Dear Sir

Your affectionate cousin & Humble Servt.

Jo: Clephane

Prce. of Orange in Halifase Harbour

          Novr. ye. 10^th 1759

Note: Letter to Major James Clephane at New York, from his cousin John Clephane, mate of the Prince of Orange, discussing Clephane's impending retirement due to health concerns and wishing him a safe return home. Also, discussing the death of Clephane's brother, Doctor Clephane, and his ship's participation in the expedition to Quebec, where 'the Highlanders behaved like angels.'

Source:

Clephane, John. Letter to Major James Clephane at New York, 1759. GD125/22/17/29. National Archives Scotland.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, 78th Regiment of Foot, 2019.

Payroll Account of Corporal James Gowe

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 James Gowe, 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 7 - Corporal James Gowe]

Income

To 9 Weeks arrears & Pay Due from y'e. 5th July to y'e. 5th Sepr. as Soldier

     £: 1. 10. 9

To 5 Weeks arrears of Pay Due y'e. 5th Sept'r. to 10th Oct'r.

     £: 0. 8. 1½

To 3 Weeks arrears @ 5p week

     £: 0. 1. 3

To 6 Weeks Pay & arrears Due from y'e. 17th Oct'r. to y'e. 28th Nov'r. 1757
as Corporal

     £: 1. 7. 3

To 21 Weeks arrears of Pay Due from y'e. 28th Nov'r. 1757 to y'e. 24th Apr'l. 1758

     £: 1. 14. 1½

[Total]  £: 5. 1. 6

Expenses

To 1 Pair Shoes & 1 Nap Sack

     £: 0. 6. 6

To 2 Haversacks & 1 Cocade

     £: 0. 2. 8

To 1 Pair Garters & 1 Sett buckles

     £: 0. 1. 4

To 1 Kilt & 1 Small belt

     £: 0. 1. 4

To 1 Turn Key Screw brush & wire

     £: 0. 0. 9

To Provisions at Glasgow

     £: 0. 4. 8

To Spruce Beer at Halifax

     £: 0. 2. 8

To 2 Cheq'd. Shirts

     £: 0. 7. 0

To 10 Months Stoppages for y'e. Payment Serjt. @ 1p month

     £: 0. 0. 10

To 7 D'o D'o. for y'e. Barber @ 2p D’o.

     £: 0. 1. 2

To your Proportion of a Cook's Frock

£: 0. 0. 8

To Cash given you at Fairf'd.

     £: 0. 18. 8

  [Total]  £: 2. 8. 3

 [Income minus Expenses equals Cash Paid]

To Cash Paid as Bala'ce of Above

       £: 2. 14. 3

Halifax 11th May 1758 Rec'd. y'e. above Bala'ce. in full of my Pay & arrears of Pay from y'e. Date of my Attestation to y'e. 24th Apr. Last as witness of my hand. [signed] James Gowe.

Source:
Payroll Account of James Gowe, 78th Regiment of Foot, 1758. MS NAS GD125-34-5, pp. 18-19, Military Account Book at Halifax. National Archives Scotland, n.p.

© Jeffrey Campbell, The 78th Regiment of Foot, 2019.