Highland Soldiers Arrive at Stamford, Connecticut, 1757

In early 1758, during their four-month encampment in Stratford, Connecticut, Highlander soldiers amused themselves with target practice by aiming their flintlock muskets at the gilded weathercock atop Christ Episcopal Church. Standing in vivid scarlet uniforms, they fired from the church green at the steeple’s peak, the rooster weather vane shimmering in the morning light. The townspeople, both amused and uneasy, watched as musket smoke curled through the crisp air. Though intended as recreation, the volleys echoed like war across the quiet settlement. This episode reflected both the soldiers’ martial discipline and their restlessness while stationed far from the northern front. (Jeffrey Campbell, Fire on the Spire, 2025)

Highland Soldiers Arrive at Stamford, Connecticut, 1757

To the Honorable the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut to be holden at Hartford on the Second Thursday of May A.D. 1758. These may Certify you Honours that the Highland Soldiers Ordered to be Quartered in the Town of Stamford arrived at said Town on Novr. 30 A.D. 1757 and were Quartered there until March 30th A.D. 1758 the number of soldiers officers included was two Hundred and fifty. there were also belonging to them & in Company with them seventeen women and nine children were at the cost of sd. [said] Town Provided with Houseroom, bedding, firewood, candles, cyder, the necessary utensils for Cooking & Eating their victuals, &c…we have not yet been able to compute the Cost the Town were at on their account so as to lay it upon your Honours. Their officers Insisted on being kept within a small compass which exposed us to much more Cost & otherwise than would have been necessary. So that we conclude the Expense of said Town on their account is full equal to that of any other Town in Proportion to the number there Quartered. we were also at the Cost of £36.10.6-3/4 Lawful money for a guard house & Hospital for them & In behalf of said Town we do Humbly Request your Honours to order such an allowance to said Town for their Expense on account of said Soldiers &c as your Honours shall in your wisdom think proper & as in Duty bound ever pray &c.

Dated at Stamford April 28th A.D. 1758

Comtee for said Town to take care of said Highlanders

[illegible] Hait

Abram. Davenport

Jno. Holly

250 soldiers including officers 17 weeks @ 1/6 p… 318.15.0

6 officers @ 4/ p week 17 weeks in addition… 20.8.0

the Cost of Hospital & Guard House… 36.10.6-3/4     

[Total expenses] - £375.13.6-3/4

This accot. allowed by ye Comitee

Pr. [per] order Thomas Weller

Works Cited:

Judd, Sylvester. Connecticut archives: selected papers of colonial wars. FHL, Microfilm 8199492, vol. 7, p. 278.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2021. 

Embarkation of Troops to the St. Lawrence River, 1759

Perched atop the Nightingale, a 24-gun British frigate, this panoramic view captures New York Harbor at sunrise in 1759, during the Seven Years’ War. British transport ships prepare to depart for the invasion of Quebec via the St. Lawrence River. The harbor bustles with sails, colonial buildings, and military activity. Puffy white clouds drift through a brightening sky as the Union Jack and Red Ensign flutter in the breeze. This historically accurate scene highlights the British Navy’s strategic departure from New York, a key moment in the campaign for control of New France in one of history’s global conflicts. (Jeffrey Campbell, British Fleet Departs New York for Quebec – Seven Years’ War, 2025)

Embarkation of Troops to the St. Lawrence River, 1759

Letter from General Jeffrey Amherst to Brigadier General Robert Monckton dated New York, April 5th, 1759, and enclosed in a letter from General Amherst to the Right Honorable William Pitt, April 16th, 1759. The bulk of the letter discusses the embarkation of troops destined for the St. Lawrence River, including Colonel Fraser's regiment to sail from New York to Louisbourg under convoy of the Nightengale. General Amherst is best known as the architect of Britain's successful campaign to conquer the territory of New France during the Seven Years' War. Under his command, British forces captured the cities of Louisbourg, Quebec City, and Montreal, as well as several major fortresses.

New York, April 5th, 1759

Dear Sir

          Enclosed are copies of orders sent to Brig. Genl. Lawrence for the embarcation of His Majestys forces in the Province of Nova Scotia alloted for the expedition up the River St. Lawrence against Quebec, in which expedition His Majesty has been graciously pleased to order you should as Brig. Genl.

          As the embarcation of the train of artillery and of Webb's Regiment at Boston is under direction of Colonel Burton and that I have an account from thence that everything is in great forwardness and no difficulties attending the executing the service there, and that the two regiments Viz Lascelle's and Fraser's to be embarked from hence to sail under convoy of the Nightengale for Louisbourg will not require your presence here, I think it will be for the good of His Majesty's Service that you do repair to Halifax to forward the embarcation of the troops there according to the direction I have sent to Brig. Genl. Lawrence, and that you sail to Louisbourg with the said troops so as to be there as near as may be to the time prescribed by the above orders, where you will put yourself under the command of Major Genl. Wolfe.

          You will please to acquaint major Genl. Wolfe that I have on your application to me ordered that Major of Brigade Spittal should serve as Major of Brigade on the above expedition. As the enclosed papers will thoroughly inform you of all steps taken in regard to the embarcation of the troops destined for the River St. Lawrence I have nothing further to add than my warmest wishes for the success of this expedition in which you will have so great a shave & to take this occasion [as I always most gladly seize every one that may offer to me] to assure you that I am etc. Jeff Amherst.

Works Cited:

Amherst, Jeffrey. Letter from General Jeffrey Amherst to Brigadier General Robert Monckton dated New York, April 5th, 1759, and enclosed in a letter from General Amherst to the Right Honorable William Pitt, April 16th, 1759. Northcliffe Collection Series 1: Robert Monckton Papers : C-369. Public Archives Canada.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2021.

Orders Providing Camp Necessaries, 1757

Viewed from the crow’s nest of an 18th-century British warship, this cinematic composition captures a bustling dockyard during military preparations. Below, Royal Navy officers in red and blue observe the loading of “Camp Necessaries,” including copper kettles and marked crates, onto the pier. Workers move efficiently across the wooden planks as rigging ropes and the ship’s mast frame the action from above. The scene reflects the logistical intensity of British naval operations during the Seven Years’ War and delivers richly detailed, historically accurate realism ideal for academic, museum, or military history publications. (Jeffrey Campbell, Bird’s-Eye View of 18th-Century British Naval Supply Loading at Dockyard, 2025)

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 £548.12.9 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. 

Works Cited:

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.

Orders Providing Arms to the Highland Regiments, 1757

A meticulously detailed close-up of a Lord Barrington in his office within the 18th-century War Office Building in London. He is hunched over an antique mahogany desk, quill poised in hand, as he carefully inscribes confidential letters by candlelight. The flickering flame casts a warm, golden glow on his furrowed brow and the pile of parchment scattered before him. The walls are lined with ornate, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, filled with leather-bound tomes and rolled maps, revealing the wealth of military knowledge and strategy at his fingertips. An ancient-looking globe rests on a stand in the corner, the known world of the time etched onto its surface. (Jeffrey Campbell, Lord Barrington, 2024. Artist's rendition created with Perchance AI Image Generator)

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.

Works Cited:

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

Land Petition of Serjeant Alexander Fraser, 78th Regiment

This historical image depicts a British soldier turned settler unloading supplies with his family outside a log cabin in colonial North America. After the Seven Years’ War, British land grants offered to soldiers served as a powerful recruitment and retention incentive. These Crown-issued grants encouraged continued service and permanent settlement, helping maintain army manning levels while reinforcing Britain’s colonial presence. By promising land ownership and opportunity, the British military appealed to veterans seeking stability. This pioneer homestead scene illustrates how land incentives became a vital postwar strategy, linking military service with expansion, loyalty, and long-term population growth in British North America. (Jeffrey Campbell, British Soldier Land Grant Settlement After Seven Years' War, 2025)

Land Petition of Serjeant Alexander Fraser, 78th Regiment

Pursuant to an Order in Counsil from the Honourable Cadwallader Colden Esqr. Lieutenant Governor and Commanded in Chief of the province of New York and the Territories depending thereon in America Bearing Date the twentyfirst day of March Last past.

Surveyed for Alexander Fraser Late a Serjeant in his Majestys Seventy Eight Regiment of Foot and in Collonel Fraser's Company all that Certain tract or Parcell of Land situate Lying and being in County of Albany on the East side of Hudsons River  Beginning at the Southwest Corner of a tract of Land Surveyed for Dugal McFarland Late a Corporal and runs thence East Sixty Chains and Seventeen Links then South Thrity five Chains Then Sixty Chains and Seventeen Links Then North Thirty vive Chains to the Place where this Tract first began Containing two hundred acres of Land and the usual allowance for highways.

Given under my hand this sixth day of November one Thousand seven hundred and sixty four

[signed]

Alexr. Colden Surveyor Genl.

Cover sheet:

6th No. 41

[one word illegible] 200 acres of Land on the East Side of Hudsons River for Alexr. Fraser late a Serjt in the 78th Regt & in Coll Frasers Compy

made out

Top row:

Dugald McFarland

Alexander Fraser, Serjeant, 78th Regt., Colonel Fraser's Company [north/south 35 chains, east/west 60 chains, 17 links].

Alexander Fraser, Serjeant, 78th Regt., Captain Hugh Fraser's Company

*Alexander Fraser, Serjeant, 78th Regt., Captain [Alexander] Wood's Company

Allen Cameron, Serjeant

Bottom row:

John McIntire, Corporal, 77th Regt.

John Gibson. Serjeant, 77th Regt.

John Grant, Corporal

David McHo[?]key

Description: A Plot or Description of a Tract of Land Survey'd for Alexander Fraser Late a Serjeant in the 78th Regiment and in Coll Frasers Company Plotted from a Scale of twenty Chains in an Inch.   [illegible] Alexr Colden Surveyor Genl.

18 : 94 [volume/page]

Notes:
1. Serjeant Alexander Fraser's name appears in Captain Alexander Wood's Company as one of the 170 discharged soldiers in America; however, his name does not appear on the company subsistence rolls produced at the end of the war.

2. "The Calendar of N.Y. Colonial Manuscripts Indorsed Land Papers; in the Office of the Secretary of State of New York, 1643-1803" (Albany: 1864) lists all documents on the first series of "Land Papers" as they were rearranged in 1819. There is an index to the personal names and to land tract names or geographical locations at the back of the volume. The series consists of applications for grants of unappropriated land by letters patent from New York Colony and State.

Works Cited:

New York State Department of State Applications for Land Grants, 1643-1803. Series A0272, volume XVIII, p. 94. New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2020.

John Robb, Glasgow City Quartermaster, 1757

This historically inspired 18th-century painting captures Glasgow quartermaster John Robb writing a petition by candlelight, viewed from outside his dimly lit shop window. Surrounded by ledgers, scrolls, and documents, Robb bears the burden of months spent billeting regiments during the Seven Years’ War. The quiet scene conveys exhaustion and civic duty without the presence of soldiers, reflecting the invisible strain placed on civilians. Executed with meticulous period detail, a subdued color palette, and lifelike directional lighting, this 16:9 composition offers a rare civilian perspective on wartime logistics in mid-1700s Scotland. Ideal for historical blogs, museums, and military heritage content. (Jeffrey Campbell, 18th Century Quartermaster John Robb Writing Petition in Candlelight – Glasgow 1760s, 2025)

John Robb, Glasgow City Quartermaster, 1757

29 June 1757

Petition of John Robb, quartermaster

There was a petition given in by John Robb, stationer in Glasgow and quartermaster of the said city, representing that for upwards of these eight months by past he had been put to a considerable trouble and expence by not only billeting the two battalions of Young Buffs when quartered in the city, the two battalions of Highland regiments, three other regiments passing through the city, besides transient military and recruits, which rendered him unable all that time to prosecute and follow further his own private business, he having been constantly employed in billeting the said soldiers both upon public and private houses, but also by paying two men for writing billets clossly, and for furnishing pens, paper, ink and wax extraordinary, besides employing a man for working his own private work, which he could have done himself had he not been so much fatigued in the foresaid billeting, which was nottour, and as the yearly salary for acting as quartermaster was but small in comparison of the great fatigue and expence he hath undergone as before mentioned, craving therefore the council would in respect thereof allow a reasonable gratification to him for the foresaid trouble over and above his present salary as they should think proper. Which petition being read in presence of and considered by the magistrates and council they ordained [the treasurer to pay the quartermaster £15 sterling] over and beside his present years salary.

Note: Glasgow City Quartermaster John Robb was responsible for billeting Colonels Montgomery and Fraser's 1st & 2nd Highland Highland Battalions in both public and private houses at Glasgow in the spring of 1757. Both were separately en route to Cork, Ireland, for their departure to North America.

Works Cited:

Renwick, Robert. Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Glasgow: with Charters and Other Documents. Vol. VI, A.D. 1739-59. Scottish Burgh Records Society, 1911.

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