Part 7

Notes.--Trains of artillery seem to have been raised in the time of Henry VIII., and up to 1716 appear to have been disbanded after each campaign. In 1716 several companies received permanent corporate existence, since which exigencies of modern warfare have led to an enormous increase in the number of batteries. But from first to last, the record of the Royal Artillery has been one of distinction, and it may fitly be said to share the honors of all other regiments. The Royal Irish Artillery were absorbed in 1801, and the East India Company’s Artillery in 1858.

BRITISH REGIMENTS AT TICONDEROGA, 1759.

1st.

1751-1812, The 1st, or The Royal Regiment of Foot, also the “Royals.”

1881 (from) The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment).

Nickname--“Pontius Pilate’s Body-Guard.” It is a legend of the Regiment that the Romans carried off a number of wild, war-like Highlanders as prisoners after their conquest of Britain, and these men and their descendants became soldiers of the Roman Empire and as such they guarded the tomb of Our Saviour after the crucifixion. This Scottish company, for it only consisted of one hundred men under a centurion, was kept distinct from the Roman Army proper. At the time of the crucifixion they were called Pontius Pilate’s Scots Guards, and their descendants were the nucleus of the First Royal Scots in later years.

Notes.--The oldest Regiment of Foot in the British Army. Traditionally regarded as the ancient body-guard of the Scottish kings, this famous corps was in the service of Sweden, as “Hepburn’s Regiment,” from 1625 to 1633; and in that of France from 1633 to 1678, when (under Dumbarton) it came to England. It received its title in 1684 in recognition of the capture of a Colour from the Moors at Tangier. At Sedgemoor (1685) it also captured the Duke of Monmouth’s Standard.

17th.

1751-82, The 17th Regiment of Foot. Also “Forbes.”

1881 (from) “The Leicestershire Regiment.”

Nicknames--“The Bengal Tigers” (from its badge); “The Lily-whites” (from its facings).

Notes.--Mainly raised near London; twelve regiments in all were formed in 1688, but this and the 16th (The Bedfordshire) are alone in commission now.

27th.

See above, Ticonderoga, 1758.

42nd.

See above, Ticonderoga, 1758.

55th.

See above, Ticonderoga, 1758.

77th.

1756-63, The 77th (Montgomery Highlanders) Regiment; disbanded 1763.

80th.

See above, Ticonderoga, 1758.

Royal Artillery.

See above, Ticonderoga, 1758.

I

PROVINCIAL REGIMENTS AT TICONDEROGA.

(The writer will have to admit that this list is more or less incomplete, even the N. Y. State Library at Albany had only scattered items. It would seem as if this would be a good subject for an article for some future meeting of the Association and any information will be gratefully received).

1758.

The New York Colonial Manuscripts, edited by Callaghan, page 732, in the list of regiments having officers wounded at the battle of July 8, 1758, gives the following regiments: Col. DeLancey’s, New York; Col. Babcock’s, Rhode Island; Col. Fitche’s, Connecticut; Col. Worcester’s, Connecticut; Col. Bagley’s, Massachusetts; Col. Partridge’s, Massachusetts; Col. Preble’s, Massachusetts; Col. Johnston’s, New Jersey. Parkman mentions Col. Bradstreet with his regiment of boatmen, armed and drilled as soldiers and it is also certain that Roger’s Rangers were with the expedition.

The year book of the Maine Chapter of the Society of Colonial Wars for 1900 gives much information in regard to Col. Preble’s regiment, Maine being in 1758 a part of Massachusetts. Mention is made in this article of regiments officered by “Col. Doty, Col. Joseph Williams, Col. Nickols, Col. Whitings.”

Also in the New York Colonial Manuscripts, Vol. 10, P. 827 it mentions a force of about 3,000 men nearly all of whom were provincials, under Col. Bradstreet, in the expedition against Fort Frontinac after the battle of July 8, 1758, and of the number of soldiers engaged, the list is given as “New Yorkers 1112, Col. Williams’ regiment 413, Col. Douty’s 248, Rhode Island 318, and Jersey 418.”

It is not clear whether these regiments were at the battle of Ticonderoga and were not mentioned in list page 732 of the New York Colonial Manuscripts because none of the officers were wounded, or whether they were the same regiments but with different officers, a change having been made after the battle.

1759

The provincial regiments mentioned in Commissary Wilson’s Orderly Book as being in the Ticonderoga expedition of 1759 are as follows: Col. Lyman’s, Connecticut; Col. Whiting’s, Connecticut; Col. Worcester’s, Connecticut; Col. Fitch’s, Connecticut; Col. Willard’s, Massachusetts; Col. Ruggle’s, Massachusetts; Col. Lovell’s, New Hampshire; Col. Schuyler’s, New Jersey; Col. Babcock’s, Rhode Island.

J

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF AS MANY OF THE OFFICERS OF 1758 AS COULD BE TRACED.

_James Abercrombie._

James Abercrombie was promoted to a captaincy in the 42nd or 1st Battalion of the Royal Highlanders on the 16th of February, 1756. On the 5th of May, 1759, he was appointed aide de camp to Maj. Gen. Amherst, with whom he made the campaigns of that and the following year. On the 25th of July, 1760, he was appointed Major of the 78th or Fraser’s Highlanders and in September following was employed by Gen. Amherst in communicating to the Marquis de Vaudreuil the conditions preparatory to the surrender of Montreal and in obtaining the signature of that governor to them. (Knox’s Journal). The 78th having been disbanded in 1763, Major Abercrombie retired on half pay. On the 27th of March, 1770, he again entered active service as Lt. Colonel of the 22nd Regiment then serving in America under the command of Lt. Col. Gage and was killed in the memorable Battle of Bunker Hill on the 17th of June, 1775.

New York Colonial Manuscripts by Broadhead, Weed, Parsons Co., Albany, 1856, page 160.

_Hugh Arnot._

Hugh Arnot was taken from the half pay list and appointed a Lieutenant in the 42nd Highlanders, 9th April, 1756, at the augmentation of that Regiment on its coming to America, and was promoted to a Company on the 27th December, 1757. He served in the unfortunate affair of Ticonderoga in 1758, and in 1759 accompanied Amherst as above. On the 16th August, 1760, he exchanged into the 46th Foot, in which Regiment he continued to serve until 1769, when his name was dropped from the Army List.

Wilson’s Orderly Book, p. 143.

_Patrick Balneaves._

Patrick Balneaves, of Edradour, entered the 42nd, as Ensign, 28th January, 1756, and was promoted to be Lieutenant 1st April, 1758; he was wounded at Ticonderoga, 1758; and again at Martinico in 1762; became Captain-Lieutenant 23rd August, 1763, and left the army in 1770.

Stewart. Army Lists. N. Y. Colonial Manuscripts, p. 729, Vol. 10.

_Allan Campbell._

Allan Campbell, son of Barcaldine, entered the Army as Ensign of the 43d (now the 42nd) Highlanders, Dec. 25, 1744, and served that year against the Pretender. Was made prisoner of war at Preston Pans, 21st Sept. 1745 and sent on parole to Perth. Was appointed lieutenant Dec. 1, 1746. He obtained a Company 13th of May, 1755, and the next year came to America, where he shared the difficulties and honors of the Regiment. In June, 1759, he was appointed Major for the campaign under Amherst, and was actively employed at the Head of the Grenadiers and Rangers, clearing the way for the army up the Lakes. He became major in the army 15th August, 1762, and went on half-pay on the reduction of the regiment in 1763, having obtained a grant of 5,000 acres of land at Crown Point. He served 19 years in the regiment. In 1770, he was appointed Major of the 36th or Herefordshire Foot, then serving in Jamaica; became Lieutenant-Colonel in the army in May (1772), and of his regiment in January, 1778; Colonel in the Army, 17th Nov. 1780; Major-General in 1787; and died 1795. His Regiment did not serve in America during the Revolutionary War.

An extract from his will dated 2nd March 1787, reads:

“And whereas I am under a grant from the Crown intitled to a considerable tract of land and heredits situate, lying and being in the Province of New York in the County of Albany in America, between Ticonderoga and Crown Point. * * * I do hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my two sisters, Isabella Campbell, (wife of John C. of Archalader, in the Shire of Perth, in North Britain, aforesaid Esquire), and Jane Campbell of Edinchip, in the Shire of Perth, aforesaid, widow of Colin Campbell of Edinchip, aforesaid, Esq. deceased, their heirs, executors, Administrates, and Assigns, all my said track of land and heredits, in America,” etc.

Browne, IV, 150.

Knox Journal, I, 373, 377, 387; II, 401.

Army List. Commissionary Wilson’s Orderly Book. 1759. p. 18. Stewart of Garth Appendix.

_Archibald Campbell._

Archibald Campbell. Born 1720. Eldest son of Duncan Campbell of Glendaruel and Lockhead. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. Archibald Campbell of Inverary. He was appointed Ensign 42d Regt. 23d Jan. 1756, Lieut. 28th July 1757, Captain 4th Dec. 1759. Died 3d June 1762.

_Donald Campbell._

Donald Campbell, son of Donald Campbell Bailie of McKairn, Taynuilt Argyll, was appointed Ensign in the 42d Regt. of Foot, 5th May 1756. He was with one of the additional companies in the “Anandall” which sprang two leaks, lost her mizen mast, was attacked three times by Privateers (which they beat off with small arms), and was driven into the West Indies, so that she did not arrive in New York, in time for the company to join the attack on Ticonderoga. He was appointed Lieut. 24th July 1758 and retired 13th June 1761, having served with the Royal Highlanders from 1758 to 1761.

Highlanders in America by MacLean, page 176, N. Y. Colonial Documents, page 629.

_Duncan Campbell (Killochronan, Island of Mull)._

Extract from the Memorial of Captain Duncan Campbell, American Loyalist Claims.

“Humbly Sheweth, that he was a native of Great Britain and he was appointed Ensign in the 42nd Highlanders 26 January 1756, in which Corps he served the war before last in America and the West Indies. And in August 1763 the Regiment was ordered on an expedition to the relief of Fort Pitt, then invested by the savages.

On the march he was severely wounded at the battle of Bushy Run, and for a long time rendered unfit for service. (In this skirmishing warfare the troops suffered much from the want of water and the extreme heat of the weather) which occasioned his retiring on half pay in 1764.

He soon thereafter settled at Fredricksburg, Dutchess Co. in the Prov. of New York (in 1769) and purchased a valuable track of land from Colonel Beverly Robinson and others on good terms. In 1775 he was Colonel of Militia and Magistrate for the said county.

That at the commencement of the troubles he took an early and decided part in favor of His Majesty’s government, which rendered him so obnoxious to the popular party where he dwelt that he was obliged to fly to New York, to save his life, from the family and abandon his property in June 1775. That soon after his arrival there he engaged as an officer in the 2nd Battalion Highland Emigrant’s in which he continued doing duty until the cessation of hostilities, and consequent reduction of the Regiment in Nova Scotia, in which Province he now dwells. (2 January 1784).

That early in June 1775 he got on board the Asia ship of war (64 gun frigate) then stationed in New York and soon after was joined by some recruits he had engaged to follow him. In July thereafter he went to Boston where Gen. Gage then Commander-in-Chief, gave him command of an armed transport in which he returned to New York where he enlisted and received on board about 60 more recruits. That in September he returned again to Boston where he left all his recruits except 26 which were left on board as Marines, on the 8 October he was sent back on the same service. But on the 16 of the same month was unfortunately shipwrecked on the coast of New Jersey.

On this service he lost all his money and baggage to the amount of £100. This loss His Excellency Sir William Howe, then Commander-in-Chief, would not think of reimbursing at the time. In consequence of the shipwreck he and his party had the misfortune to be made prisoners and was carried to Philadelphia where he was fourteen months in a small apartment of the dismal gaol where he contracted a sickness which was likely to prove fatal to him.

How soon he was taken his family were turned out of doors and deprived of everything they had except some wearing apparell. The distressed situation of the family so driven from their home may be easier felt than described. It brought on for a beginning the untimely death of an amiable wife, and deprived his five infant children of a mother’s care whereby they for some time became objects of compassion which he was unable to rescue them from. Until he was exchanged and joined his Regiment (in January 1777) he thereafter continued to serve during the war.

N. B. The Memorialist was appointed Second Oldest Captain in the 2nd Batt. 84th Regiment the 14 June 1775 and was reduced in October 1783 without a step of preferment in the Regt. or in the Line.

Captain 4th Breadalbane Regt. of Fencibles 2nd Batt. 1 March 1793; Major 17 Feb. 1794; Lieut. Col. 9 Dec. 1795; Regiment disbanded 18 April 1799. He died at Edinburgh in Dec. 1799.”

Major Sir Duncan Campbell of Barcaldine, Bart. C. V. O.

Stewart, I, 279; II, Appendix No. 11.

_John Campbell of Duneavis._

John Campbell, of Duneaves, Perthshire, was originally a private in the Black Watch. In 1743, he was presented, with Gregor McGregor, to George II, as a specimen of the Highland soldier and performed at St. James the broadsword exercise and that of the Lochaber axe, before his Majesty and a number of General officers. Each got a gratuity of a guinea, which they gave to the porter at the gate of the palace as they passed out. Mr. Campbell obtained an Ensigncy in 1745 for his bravery at the battle of Fontenoy; was promoted to be Captain-Lieutenant, 16th February, 1756, and landed in New York the following June. He was among the few resolute men who forced their way into the work at Ticonderoga, on the 8th of July, where he was killed.

_John Campbell of Glendaruel._

John Campbell of Glendaruel, born in 1721, was appointed Ensign of the 42nd Regt. of Foot 25th Sept., 1745; Lieutenant 16th May, 1748; Captain Lieut. 2nd July 1759; and Captain 20th July 1760; Captain 27th or Inniskilling Regiment of Foot 25th March 1762; Major Supt. of Indian Affairs in the Province of Quebec 2nd July, 1773; Lieut. Col. of Indian Affairs 29th August 1777; and Colonel 16th Nov. 1790.

He married Marianna St. Lucan (date not given) and died Montreal, 23rd June 1795.

“In the course of a long and meritorious service with his Regiment, the 42nd Highlanders, in all its campaigns from the Rebellion in 1745 to the attack on Ticonderoga, where he was wounded on the 8th July, 1758, and the conquest of Canada, Martinique, and Havanna. He subsequently served in the expedition commanded by General Burgoyne, at the head of a number of Indians, and was distinguished for his spirited conduct as an officer, adorned by that elegance and politeness which mark the accomplished gentleman and his virtues in private life endeared him to his family and companions.

His remains were attended to the grave in a manner suitable to his rank. Not only by a very numerous assembly of citizens of all ranks, but by a large body of Indian warriors, whose very decent behavior evinced the sincerity with which they partook of the universal regret occasioned by the loss of so very respectable a member of society.”

Major Sir Duncan Campbell of Barcaldine, Bart. C. V. O.

_John Campbell of Strachur._

John Campbell of Strachur, in the Highlands of Scotland, entered the Army in June, 1745, as Lieutenant of Loudon’s Highlanders; served through the Scotch Rebellion; made the Campaign in Flanders, 1747, and was promoted to a company on the 1st October of that year. At the peace of 1748, he went on Half-Pay and so remained until the 9th April, 1756, when he was appointed to the 42nd Highlanders previous to the embarcation of that Regiment for America. He was wounded in the attack on Ticonderoga in 1758, and was appointed by General Amherst Major of the 17th Foot on the 11th July, 1759; was promoted to be Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army, 1st February, 1762 and commanded his Regiment in the expedition that year against Martinico and Havana. On the 1st May, 1773, he became Lieutenant-Colonel of the 57th or West Middlesex Foot, returned to America in 1776 with his Regiment at the breaking out of the Revolution; was appointed Maj. General 19th February, 1779, Colonel of his Regiment 2d November, 1780, and commanded the British Forces in West Florida, where after a gallant though ineffectual defence he was obliged to surrender Pensacola to the Spaniards 10th May, 1781. He became Lieutenant-General 28th September, 1787; General in the Army, 26th January, 1797, and died in the fore part of 1806.

Brown, IV., 155, 159.

Stewart’s Sketches of the Highlanders, I, 295, 306, 359, 370; II, 5, app. iii; Knox Journal, I, 373; II, 401; Beatson’s Naval and Mil. Mem. V, 50, 226-233; VI, 274-280; Army Lists. Wilson’s Orderly Book, page 94.

_Moses Campbell._

A native of Scotland, joined the 42nd Regt. and was promoted Sergeant.

Served with this Regiment throughout the war of French and Indians in America of 1756-63, discharged at the reduction, and settled with his family on a portion of Maj. Allan Campbell’s (same Regt.) grant of land, situated on the south (bank) side of Lake Champlain, between Crown Point (about 5 miles above the point) and Ticonderoga.

Also served (possibly in the Royal Highland Emigrants, bounty 50s rendezvous Lake Champlain, 1775) in the War of Independence of 1775, (for which his property was confiscated, including boats.)

He died in active (British) service on the 18th Feb. 1781.

His widow, Elizabeth, and seven children claimed 366 pounds for losses, allowed 80 pounds.

N. B. On behalf of her son, Alexander, (aged 21 years), 50 pounds, who complained that one of the rebels was now living in his house, Feb. 1783.

_Gordon Graham._

Gordon Graham of Drainie in the Highlands of Scotland, was appointed ensign in the 43rd Highlanders in Oct. 25, 1739, and was made lieutenant June 24, 1743. He served in Flanders and shared in the defeat at Fontenoy in 1745, after which the Regiment returned home. In 1747 he made another campaign in Flanders. On August 7, 1747, he was appointed captain. In 1749 the number of the regiment was changed to the 42d and Mr. Graham obtained a company in it 3d June, 1752, came to America in 1756, was at the surrender of Fort William Henry under Colonel Munro in 1757, and was wounded at Ticonderoga in 1758. The Major of the Regiment having been killed on that occasion Captain Graham succeeded to the vacancy, July 17th, 1758, and made the campaign of 1759 and 1760 under Amherst. He next served in the West Indies in the expedition against Martinique and July 9, 1762, became Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment, which returned to New York, and in the year 1763, proceeded to the relief of Fort Pitt, defeating the Indians on the way in the Battle of Bushy Run. In December, 1770, he retired after 31 years of service in the Regiment. As his name does not appear in the army list of 1771 it is presumed that he died at this time.

Brown’s Highland Clans IV, 139, 159. Beatson’s Naval and Mil. Mem. II, 530. Wilson’s Orderly Book, p. 14.

_John Graham._

John Graham was the brother of Thomas; entered the 42nd regiment as Ensign and was promoted to a Lieutenancy 25th January, 1776; was wounded at Ticonderoga 1758; became Captain in February, 1762, and was again wounded at Bushy Run in 1763; shortly after which his company having been disbanded, he went on half pay. He rejoined the regiment 25th December, 1765, and is dropped in 1772, having attained the rank of field officer.

Stewart I, 359, Army Lists. N. Y. Col. Manuscripts, p. 729, Vol. 10.

_Thomas Graham._

Thomas Graham, or Graeme, of Duchay, entered the 43rd, or Black Watch, as Ensign June 30, 1741; was promoted to a Lieutenancy August 6, 1746, and obtained a company February 15, 1756, shortly before the regiment, then the 42nd, came to America. He served in the several Campaigns on the northern lakes; was wounded at Ticonderoga in 1758; was again wounded at the battle of Bushy Run, near Pittsburg, in 1763; served in the subsequent campaigns against the Indians, and embarked for Ireland in 1767. He succeeded Major Reid 31st March, 1770, and became Lieutenant-Colonel 12th December following. He retired from the army December, 1771, after 30 years of service.

Army Lists. Stewart. N. Y. Colonial Manuscripts, p. 729, Vol. 10.

_Francis Grant._

Francis Grant, son of the Laird of Grant, and brother of Sir Ludovick Grant, of Grant, Scotland, was received from half-pay in Loudon’s Regiment and was made ensign in the Black Watch Oct. 25, 1739. Nov. 5, 1739, he was made lieutenant; June 18, 1743, captain; and Oct. 3, 1745, he became major. A vacancy occurring in the lieutenant-colonelcy, in December, 1755, the men of the Regiment subscribed a sum of money among themselves to purchase the step for him, but it was not required; he had already obtained his promotion. He accompanied the Regiment to America in 1756 and was present at the bloody battle of Ticonderoga, July 8, 1758, where he was wounded. In the following year he accompanied Amherst on his expedition, and in 1760 was in command of the van of the Army from Oswego to Montreal. In 1761 he commanded the Army sent to the south to chastise the Cherokees. He served as Brigadier-General in the expedition against Martinico in 1762, and on the 19th of February of that year became colonel in the army. On July 9, 1762, after twenty-three years of service in the Black Watch Regiment, he was removed and appointed to the command of the 90th Light Infantry. In August, 1762, he commanded the 4th Brigade at the siege of Havana and went on half pay at the peace of 1763. In November, 1768, he became colonel of the 63rd; Major-General in 1770; and Lieutenant-General in 1777. He died at the beginning of 1782 (Army Lists).

Lieut.-Gen. Grant’s daughter was married to the Hon. and Rt. Rev. George Murray, fourth son of the Duke of Athol, and Bishop of St. David’s.

Brown’s Highland Clans, IV, 155.

Knox’s Journal, II, 404, 410, 465.

Beatson N. and M., Mem. III, 363, 359.

Debrett’s Peerage. Wilson’s Orderly Book, p. 3.

_James Grant._

James Grant, appointed Ensign, Nov. 20, 1746; Lieutenant, Jan. 22, 1756; Captain, Dec. 26, 1760; removed Aug. 13, 1762, after 16 years of service in the Regiment and was made Fort-Major Limerick. Died in 1778. He was wounded at Ticonderoga.

Stewart of Garth, Appendix.

_William Grant._