CHAPTER XI._An Historical Account of the Settlements of Scotch Highlanders in America

FIRST HIGHLAND REGIMENTS IN AMERICA.

The conflict known as THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR, which began in 1754,

forced the English colonies to join in a common cause. The time had come

for the final struggle between France and England for colonial supremacy

in America. The principal cause for the war was brought on by the

conflicting territorial claims of the two nations. Mutual encroachments

were made by both parties on the other's territory, in consequence of

which both nations prepared for war. The English ministry decided to

make their chief efforts against the French in that quarter where the

aggressions took place, and for this purpose dispatched thither two

bodies of troops. The first division, of which the 42nd Highlanders

formed a part, under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir James

Abercromby, set sail in March, 1756, and landed in June following.

The Highland regiments that landed in America and took part in the

conflict were the 42nd or Royal Highland Regiment, but better known as

"The Black Watch" (_Am Freiceadan Dubh_), the 77th or Montgomery's

Highlanders, and the Old 78th, or Fraser's Highlanders.

The Black Watch, so called from the sombre appearance of their dress was

embodied, as the 43rd Regiment, May, 1740, having been composed largely

of the independent companies raised in 1729. When Oglethorpe's regiment,

the 42nd was reduced in 1749, the Black Watch received its number, which

ever since, it has retained. From 1749 to 1756 the regiment was

stationed in Ireland, and between them and the inhabitants of the

districts, where quartered, the utmost cordiality existed. Previous to

the departure of the regiment from Ireland to America, officers with

parties had been sent to Scotland for recruits. So successful were

they, that in the month of June, seven hundred embarked at Greenock for

America. The officers of the regiment were as follows:

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Lieut. |Sir James Cockburn,|Mar. 15, 1755|Q.M. |John Graham |Feb. 19, 1756

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The regiment known as Montgomery's Highlanders (77th) took its name from

its commander, Archibald Montgomery, son of the earl of Eglinton. Being

very popular among the Highlanders, Montgomery very soon raised the

requisite body of men, who were formed into thirteen companies of one

hundred and five rank and file each; making in all fourteen hundred and

sixty effective men, including sixty-five sergeants and thirty pipers

and drummers. The Colonel's commission was dated January 4, 1757, and

those of the other officers one day later than his senior in rank. They

are thus recorded:

Lieut.-Colonel commanding, Archibald Montgomery; majors, James Grant of

Ballindalloch and Alexander Campbell; captains, John Sinclair, Hugh

Mackenzie, John Gordon, Alexander Mackenzie, William Macdonald, George

Munro, Robert Mackenzie, Allan Maclean, James Robertson, Allan Cameron;

captain-lieut., Alexander Mackintosh; lieutenants, Charles Farquharson,

Nichol Sutherland, Donald Macdonald, William Mackenzie, Robert

Mackenzie, Henry Munro, Archibald Robertson, Duncan Bayne, James Duff,

Colin Campbell, James Grant, Alexander Macdonald, Joseph Grant, Robert

Grant, Cosmo Martin, John Macnab, Hugh Gordon, Alexander Macdonald,

Donald Campbell, Hugh Montgomery, James Maclean, Alexander Campbell,

John Campbell, James Macpherson, Archibald Macvicar; ensigns: Alexander

Grant, William Haggart, Lewis Houston, Ronald Mackinnon, George Munro,

Alexander Mackenzie, John Maclachlane, William Maclean, James Grant,

John Macdonald, Archibald Crawford, James Bain, Allan Stewart; chaplain:

Henry Munro; adjutant: Donald Stewart; quarter-master: Alexander

Montgomery; surgeon: Allan Stewart.

The regiment embarked at Greenock for Halifax immediately on its

organization.

Fraser's Highlanders, or the 78th Regiment was organized by Simon

Fraser, son of the notorious lord Lovat who was executed by the English

government for the part he acted in the Rising of the Forty-five.

Although his estates had been seized by the Crown, and not possessing a

foot of land, so great was the influence of clanship, that in a few

weeks he raised eight hundred men, to whom were added upwards of six

hundred more by the gentlemen of the country and those who had obtained

commissions. In point of the number of companies and men, the battalion

was precisely the same as Montgomery's Highlanders. The list of

officers, whose commissions are dated January 5, 1757, is as follows:

Lieut.-col. commandant: Simon Fraser; majors: James Clephane and John

Campbell of Dunoon; captains: John Macpherson, brother of Cluny, John

Campbell of Ballimore; Simon Fraser of Inverallochy, Donald Macdonald,

brother of Clanranald, John Macdonell of Lochgarry, Alexander Cameron of

Dungallon, Thomas Ross of Culrossie, Thomas Fraser of Strui, Alexander

Fraser of Culduthel, Sir Henry Seton of Abercorn and Culbeg, James

Fraser of Belladrum; capt.-Lieut.: Simon Fraser; lieutenants: Alexander

Macleod, Hugh Cameron, Ronald Macdonell, son of Keppoch, Charles

Macdonell, from Glengarry, Roderick Macneil of Barra, William Macdonell,

Archibald Campbell, son of Glenlyon, John Fraser of Balnain, Hector

Macdonald, brother of Boisdale, Allan Stewart, son of Innernaheil, John

Fraser, Alexander Macdonald, son of Boisdale, Alexander Fraser,

Alexander Campbell of Aross, John Douglas, John Nairn, Arthur Rose,

Alexander Fraser, John Macdonell of Leeks, Cosmo Gordon, David Baillie,

Charles Stewart, Ewen Cameron, Allan Cameron, John Cuthbert, Simon

Fraser, Archibald Macallister, James Murray, Alexander Fraser, Donald

Cameron, son of Fassifern; ensigns: John Chisolm, Simon Fraser, Malcolm

Fraser, Hugh Fraser, Robert Menzies, John Fraser of Errogie, James

Mackenzie, Donald Macneil, Henry Munro, Alexander Gregorson, Ardtornish,

James Henderson, John Campbell; chaplain: Robert Macpherson; adjutant:

Hugh Fraser; quarter-master: John Fraser; surgeon: John Maclean.

"The uniform of the regiment was the full Highland dress with musket

and broadsword, to which many of the soldiers added the dirk at their

own expense, and a purse of badger's or otter's skin. The bonnet was

raised or cocked on one side, with a slight bend inclining down to

the right ear, over which were suspended two or more black feathers.

Eagle's or hawk's feathers were usually worn by the gentlemen, in the

Highlands, while the bonnets of the common people were ornamented

with a bunch of the distinguishing mark of the clan or district. The

ostrich feathers in the bonnets of the soldiers were a modern

addition of that period."[136]

The regiment was quickly marched to Greenock, where it embarked, in

company with Montgomery's Highlanders, and landed at Halifax in June

1757, where it remained till it formed a junction with the expedition

against Louisbourg. The regiment was quartered between Canada and Nova

Scotia till the conclusion of the war. On all occasions they sustained a

uniform character for unshaken firmness, incorruptible probity and a

strict regard to their duties. The men were always anxious to conceal

their misdemeanors from the _Caipal Mohr_, as they called the chaplain,

from his large size.

When The Black Watch landed in New York they attracted much notice,

particularly on the part of the Indians, who, on the march of the

regiment to Albany, flocked from all quarters to see strangers, whom,

from the somewhat similarity of dress, they believed to be of the same

extraction with themselves, and therefore considered them to be

brothers.

During the whole of 1756 the regiment remained inactive in Albany. The

winter and spring of 1757 they were drilled and disciplined for

bush-fighting and sharpshooting, a species of warfare then necessary and

for which they were well fitted, being in general good marksmen, and

expert in the management of their arms.

[Illustration: HIGHLAND OFFICER]

In the month of June, 1757, lord Loudon, who had been appointed

commander-in-chief of the army in North America, with the 22d, 42d,

44th, 48th, 2d and 4th battalions of the 60th, together with six hundred

Rangers, making in all five thousand and three hundred men, embarked for

Halifax, where his force was increased to ten thousand and five hundred

men by the addition of five regiments lately arrived from England, which

included Fraser's and Montgomery's Highlanders. When on the eve of his

departure for an attack on Louisburg, information was received that the

Brest fleet, consisting of seventeen sail of the line, besides frigates,

had arrived in the harbor of that fortress. Letters, which had been

captured in a vessel bound from Louisburg to France, revealed that the

force was too great to be encountered. Lord Loudon abandoned the

enterprise and soon after returned to New York taking with him the

Highlanders and four other regiments.

By the addition of three new companies and the junction of seven hundred

recruits "The Black Watch" or 42nd, was now augmented to upwards of

thirteen hundred men, all Highlanders, for at that period, none others

were admitted.

During the absence of lord Loudon, Montcalm, the French commander, was

very active, and collecting all his disposable forces, including

Indians, and a large train of artillery, amounting in all to more than

eight thousand men, laid siege to Fort William Henry, under the command

of Colonel Munro. Some six miles distant was Fort Edward, garrisoned by

four thousand men under General Webb. The siege was conducted with great

vigor and within six days Colonel Munro surrendered, conditioned on not

serving again for eighteen months, and allowed to march out of the fort

with their arms and two field pieces. As soon as they were without the

gate the Indians fell upon them and committed all sorts of outrages and

barbarities,--the French being unable to restrain them.

Thus terminated the campaign of 1757 in America, undistinguished by any

act which might compensate for the loss of territory or the sacrifice of

lives. With an inferior force the French had been successful at every

point, and besides having obtained complete control of Lakes George and

Champlain, the destruction of Oswego gave the dominion of those lakes,

which are connected with the St. Lawrence, to the Mississippi, thus

opening a direct communication between Canada and the southwest.

Lord Loudon having been recalled, the command of the army again devolved

on General James Abercromby. Determined to wipe off the disgrace of

former campaigns, the new ministry, which had just come into power,

fitted out, in 1758, a great naval and military force consisting of

fifty-two thousand men. To the military staff were added Major-General

Amherst, and Brigadier-General's Wolfe, Townsend and Murray. Three

expeditions were proposed: the first to renew the attempt on Louisburg;

the second directed against Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and the third

against Fort du Quesne.

General Abercromby took command, in person, of the expedition against

Ticonderoga, with a force of fifteen thousand three hundred and ninety

men, of whom over six thousand were regulars, the rest being

provincials, besides a train of artillery. Among the regulars must be

reckoned the 42 Highlanders. Ticonderoga, situated on a point of land

between Lake George and Lake Champlain is surrounded on three sides by

water, and on one-half of the fourth by a morass. The remaining part of

the fort was protected by high entrenchments, supported and flanked by

three batteries, and the whole front of that which was accessible

intersected by deep traverses, and blocked up with felled trees, with

their branches turned outwards, and their points sharpened.

On July 5th the army struck their tents at daybreak, and in nine hundred

small boats and one hundred and thirty-five whale-boats, with artillery

mounted on rafts, embarked on Lake George. The fleet in stately

procession, bright with banners and cheered by martial music, moved down

the beautiful lake, beaming with hope and pride. The solemn forests were

broken by the echoes of the happy soldiery. There was no one to molest

them, and victory was their one desire. Over the broader expanse they

passed to the first narrows, witnessing the mountains rising from the

water's edge, the dark forest, and the picturesque loveliness of the

scene. Long afterwards General John Stark recounted that when they had

halted at Sabbathday Point at twilight, lord Howe, reclining in his tent

on a bearskin, and bent on winning a hero's name, questioned him closely

as to the position of Ticonderoga and the fittest modes of attack.

After remaining five hours at their resting place, the army, an hour

before midnight, moved once more down the lake, and by nine the next

morning, disembarked on the west side, in a cove sheltered by a point

which still keeps the name of Lord Howe. The troops were formed into two

parallel columns and marched on the enemy's advanced posts, which were

abandoned without a shot. The march was continued in the same order, but

the guides proving ignorant, the columns came in contact, and were

thrown into confusion. A detachment of the enemy which had also become

bewildered in the woods, fell in with the right column, at the head of

which was lord Howe, and during the skirmish which ensued, Howe was

killed. Abercromby ordered the army to march back to the landing place.

Montcalm, ever alert, was ready to receive the English army. On July 6th

he called in all his parties, and when united amounted to two thousand

eight hundred French and four hundred and fifty Canadians. On the 7th

the whole army toiled incredibly in strengthening their defenses. On the

same evening De Levi returned from the projected expedition against the

Mohawks, bringing with him four hundred chosen men. On the morning of

the 8th, the drums of the French beat to arms, that the troops, now

thirty-six hundred and fifty in number, might know their stations and

resume their work.

The strongest regiment in the army of Abercrombie was the 42nd

Highlanders, fully equipped, in their native dress. The officers wore a

narrow gold braiding round their tunics, all other lace being laid aside

to make them less conspicuous to the French and Canadian riflemen. The

sergeants wore silver lace on their coats, and carried the Lochaber axe,

the head of which was fitted for hewing, hooking or spearing an enemy,

or such other work as might be found before the ramparts of Ticonderoga.

Many of the men had been out in the Rising of the Forty-five.

When Abercrombie received information from some prisoners that De Levi

was about to reinforce Montcalm, he determined, if possible to strike a

blow before a junction could be effected. Report also having reached him

that the entrenchments were still unfinished, and might be assaulted

with prospects of success, he immediately made the necessary

dispositions for attack. The British commander, remaining far behind

during the action, put the army in motion, on the 8th, the regulars

advancing through the openings of the provincials, and taking the lead.

The pickets were followed by the grenadiers, supported by the battalions

and reserve, which last consisted of the Highlanders and 55th regiment,

advanced with great alacrity towards the entrenchments, which they found

much more formidable than they expected. As the British advanced,

Montcalm, who stood just within the trenches, threw off his coat for the

sunny work of the July afternoon, and forbade a musket to be fired until

he had given the order. When the British drew very near, in three

principal columns, to attack simultaneously the left, the center, and

the right, they became entangled among the rubbish and broken into

disorder by clambering over logs and projecting limbs. The quick eye of

Montcalm saw the most effective moment had come, and giving the word of

command, a sudden and incessant fire of swivels and small arms mowed

down brave officers and men by hundreds. The intrepidity of the English

made the carnage terrible. With the greatest vivacity the attacks were

continued all the afternoon. Wherever the French appeared to be weak,

Montcalm immediately strengthened them. Regiment after regiment was

hurled against the besieged, only to be hurled back with the loss of

half their number.

The Scottish Highlanders, held in the reserve, from the very first were

impatient of the restraint; but when they saw the column fall back,

unable longer to control themselves, and emulous of sharing the danger,

broke away and pushed forward to the front, and with their broadswords

and Lochaber axes endeavored to cut through the abattis and

chevaux-de-frize. For three hours the Highlanders struggled without the

least appearance of discouragement. After a long and deadly struggle

they penetrated the exterior defences and reached the breastwork; having

no scaling ladders, they attempted to gain the summit by mounting on

each others shoulders and partly by fixing their feet in holes they made

with their swords, axes and bayonets in the face of the work, but no

sooner did a man appear on top than he was hurled down by the defending

troops. Captain John Campbell, with a few men, at length forced their

way over the breastwork, but were immediately dispatched with the

bayonet.

While the Highlanders and grenadiers were fighting without faltering and

without confusion on the French left, the columns which had attacked the

center and right, at about five o'clock, concentrated themselves at a

point between the two; but De Levi advanced from the right and Montcalm

brought up the reserve. At six the two parties nearest the water turned

desperately against the center, and being repulsed, made a last effort

on the left, where, becoming bewildered, the English fired on an

advanced party of their own, producing hopeless dejection.

The British general, during the confusion of battle cowered safely at

the saw-mills, and when his presence was needed to rally the fugitives,

was nowhere to be found. The second in command, unable to seize the

opportunity, gave no commands. The Highlanders persevered in their

undertaking and did not relinquish their labors until they received the

third order to retreat, when they withdrew, unmolested, and carrying

with them the whole of their wounded.

The loss sustained by the 42nd was as follows: eight officers, nine

sergeants and two hundred and ninety-seven men killed; and seventeen

officers, ten sergeants and three hundred and six soldiers wounded. The

officers killed were Major Duncan Campbell of Inveraw, Captain John

Campbell, Lieutenants George Farquharson, Hugh MacPherson, William

Baillie, and John Sutherland; Ensigns Patrick Stewart of Bonskied and

George Rattray. The wounded were Captains Gordon Graham, Thomas Graham

of Duchray, John Campbell of Strachur, James Stewart of Urrad, James

Murray; Lieutenants James Grant, Robert Gray, John Campbell of Melford,

William Grant, John Graham, brother of Duchray, Alexander Campbell,

Alexander Mackintosh, Archibald Campbell, David Miller, Patrick

Balneaves; and Ensigns John Smith and Peter Grant.

The intrepid conduct of the Highlanders, in the storming of Ticonderoga,

was made the topic of universal panegyric throughout the whole of Great

Britain, the public prints teeming with honorable mention of, and

testimonies to their bravery. Among these General Stewart copies[137]

the two following:

"With a mixture of esteem, grief and envy (says an officer of the

55th, lord Howe's regiment), I consider the great loss and immortal

glory acquired by the Scots Highlanders in the late bloody affair.

Impatient for orders, they rushed forward to the entrenchments, which

many of them actually mounted. They appeared like lions, breaking

from their chains. Their intrepidity was rather animated than damped

by seeing their comrades fall on every side. I have only to say of

them, that they seemed more anxious to revenge the cause of their

deceased friends, than careful to avoid the same fate. By their

assistance, we expect soon to give a good account of the enemy and of

ourselves. There is much harmony and friendship between us." "The

attack (says Lieutenant William Grant of the 42nd) began a little

past one in the afternoon, and, about two, the fire became general on

both sides, which was exceedingly heavy, and without any

intermission, insomuch that the oldest soldier present never saw so

furious and incessant a fire. The affair at Fontenoy was nothing to

it. I saw both. We labored under insurmountable difficulties. The

enemy's breastwork was about nine or ten feet high, upon the top of

which they had plenty of wall pieces fixed, and which was well lined

in the inside with small arms. But the difficult access to their

lines was what gave them the fatal advantage over us. They took care

to cut down monstrous large oak trees, which covered all the ground

from the foot of their breastwork about the distance of a cannon shot

every way in their front. This not only broke our ranks, and made it

impossible for us to keep our order, but put it entirely out of our

power to advance till we cut our way through. I have seen men behave

with courage and resolution before now, but so much determined

bravery can hardly be equalled in any part of the history of ancient

Rome. Even those that were mortally wounded cried aloud to their

companions, not to mind or lose a thought upon them, but to follow

their officers, and to mind the honor of their country. Nay, their

ardor was such, that it was difficult to bring them off. They paid

dearly for their intrepidity. The remains of the regiment had the

honor to cover the retreat of the army, and brought off the wounded,

as we did at Fontenoy. When shall we have so fine a regiment again? I

hope we shall be allowed to recruit."

The English outnumbered the French four-fold, and with their artillery,

which was near at hand, could have forced a passage. "Had I to besiege

Ticonderoga," said Montcalm, "I would ask for but six mortars and two

pieces of artillery." But Abercrombie, that evening, hurried the army to

the landing place, with such precipitancy, that but for the alertness of

Colonel Bradstreet, it would at once have rushed in a mass into the

boats. On the morning of the 9th the army embarked and Abercrombie did

not rest until he had placed the lake between himself and Montcalm, and

even then he sent the artillery and ammunition to Albany for safety.

The expedition against Louisburg, under Major-General Jeffrey Amherst,

set sail from Halifax on May 28, 1758. It was joined by the fleet under

Admiral Boscawen. The formidable armament consisted of twenty-five sail

of the line, eighteen frigates, and a number of bomb and fire ships,

with the Royals, 15th, 17th, 22nd, 28th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 47th, 48th,

58th, the 2d and 3d battalions of the 60th, 78th Highlanders, and New

England Rangers,--in all, thirteen thousand and nine men. On June 2nd

the vessels anchored in Garbarus Bay, seven miles from Louisburg. The

garrison, under the Chevalier Ducour, consisted of twenty-five hundred

regulars, six hundred militia, and four hundred Canadians and Indians.

The harbor was protected by six ships of the line and five frigates,

three of the latter being sunk at its mouth. The English ships were six

days on the coast before a landing could be attempted, on account of a

heavy surf continually rolling with such violence, that no boat could

approach the shore. The violence of the surf having somewhat abated, a

landing was effected on June 8th. The troops were disposed for landing

in three divisions. That on the left, which was destined for the real

attack, commanded by Brigadier General Wolfe, was composed of the

grenadiers and light infantry, and the 78th, or Fraser's Highlanders.

While the boats containing this division were being rowed ashore, the

other two divisions on the right and center, commanded by Brigadier

Generals Whitmore and Lawrence, made a show of landing, in order to

divide and distract the enemy. The landing place was occupied by two

thousand men entrenched behind a battery of eight pieces of cannon and

swivels. The enemy wisely reserved their fire till the boats were close

to the shore, and then directed their discharge of cannon and musketry

with considerable execution. The surf aided the fire. Many of the boats

were upset or dashed to pieces on the rocks, and numbers of the men were

killed or drowned before land was reached. Captain Baillie and

Lieutenant Cuthbert of the Highlanders, Lieutenant Nicholson of Amherts,

and thirty-eight men were killed. Notwithstanding the great

disadvantages, nothing could stop the troops when led by such a general

as Wolfe. Some of the light infantry and Highlanders were first ashore,

and drove all before them. The rest followed, and soon pursued the enemy

to a distance of two miles, when they were checked by the cannonading

from the town.

In this engagement the French lost seventeen pieces of cannon, two

mortars, and fourteen swivels, besides seventy-three prisoners. The

cannonading from the town enabled Wolfe to prove the range of the

enemy's guns, and to judge of the exact distance at which he might make

his camp for investing the town. The regiments then took post at the

positions assigned them. For some days operations went on slowly. The

sea was so rough that the landing of stores from the fleet was much

retarded; and it was not until the 11th that the six pounder field

pieces were landed. Six days later a squadron was fairly blown out to

sea by the tempest. By the 24th the chief engineer had thirteen

twenty-four pounders in position against the place. The first operation

was to secure a point called Lighthouse Battery, the guns from which

could play upon the ships and on the batteries on the opposite side of

the harbor. On the 12th this point was captured by Wolfe at the head of

his gallant Fraser's and flank companies, with but little loss. On the

25th, the fire from this post silenced the island battery immediately

opposite. An incessant fire, however, was kept up from the other

batteries and shipping of the enemy. On July 9th the enemy made a sortie

on General Lawrence's brigade, but were quickly repulsed. In this

affair, the earl of Dundonald was killed. There were twenty other

casualities. The French captain who led the attack, with seventeen of

his men, was also killed. On the 16th, Wolfe pushed forward some

grenadiers and Highlanders, and took possession of the hills in front of

the Lighthouse battery, where a lodgement was made under a fire from the

town and the ships. On the 21st one of the French ships was set on fire

by a bombshell and blew up, and the fire being communicated to two

others, they were burned to the water's edge. The fate of the town was

now almost decided, the enemy's fire nearly silenced and the

fortifications shattered to the ground. All that now remained in the

reduction was to get possession of the harbor, by taking or burning the

two ships of the line which remained. For this purpose the admiral, on

the night of July 25th sent six hundred seamen in boats, with orders to

take, or burn, the two ships of the line that remained in the harbor,

resolving if they succeeded to send in some of his larger vessels to

bombard the town. This enterprise was successfully executed by the

seamen under Captains Laforey and Balfour, in the face of a terrible

fire of cannon and musketry. One of the ships was set on fire and the

other towed off. On the 26th the town surrendered; the garrison and

seamen amounted to five thousand six hundred and thirty-seven, besides

one hundred and twenty pieces of cannon, eighteen mortars, seven

thousand five hundred stand of arms, eleven colors, and eleven ships of

war. The total loss of the English army and fleet, during the siege

amounted to five hundred and twenty-five. Besides Captain Baillie and

Lieutenant Cuthbert the Highlanders lost Lieutenant J. Alexander Fraser

and James Murray, killed; Captain Donald MacDonald, Lieutenant Alexander

Campbell (Barcaldine) and John MacDonald, wounded; and sixty-seven rank

and file killed and wounded.

The third expedition was against Fort du Quesne, undertaken by Brigadier

General John Forbes. Although the point of attack was less formidable

and the enemy inferior in numbers to those at either Ticonderoga or

Louisburg, yet the difficulties were greater, owing to the great extent

of country to be traversed, through woods without roads, over mountains

and through almost impassable morasses. The army consisted of six

thousand two hundred and thirty-eight men, composed of Montgomery's

Highlanders, twelve hundred and eighty-four strong, five hundred and

fifty-five of the Royal Americans, and four thousand four hundred

provincials. Among the latter were the two Virginia regiments, nineteen

hundred strong, under the command of Washington. Yet vast as were the

preparations of the army, Forbes never would have seen the Ohio had it

not been for the genius of Washington, although then but twenty-six

years of age. The army took up its line of march from Philadelphia in

July, and did not reach Raystown until the month of September, when they

were still ninety miles distant from Fort du Quesne. It was Washington's

earnest advice that the army should advance with celerity along

Braddock's road; but other advice prevailed, and the army commemorated

its march by moving slowly and constructing a new route to the Ohio.

Thus the summer was frittered away. While Washington's forces joined the

main army, Boquet was detached with two thousand men to take post at

Loyal Hanna, fifty miles in advance. Here intelligence was received that

the French garrison consisted of but eight hundred men, of whom three

hundred were Indians. The vainglory of Boquet, without the consent or

knowledge of his superior officer urged him to send forward a party of

four hundred Highlanders and a company of Virginians, under Major James

Grant to reconnoitre. Major Grant divided his troops, and when near the

fort, advanced with pipes playing and drums beating, as if he was on a

visit to a friendly town. The enemy did not wait to be attacked, but

instantly marched out of their works and invited the conflict. The

Highlanders threw off their coats and charged sword in hand. At first

the French gave way, but rallied and surrounded the detachment on all

sides. Being concealed in the thick foliage, their heavy and destructive

fire could not be returned with any effect. Major Grant was taken in an

attempt to force into the woods, where he observed the thickest of the

fire. On losing their commander, and so many officers killed and

wounded, the Highlanders dispersed, and were only saved from utter ruin

by the provincials. Only one hundred and fifty of the Highlanders

succeeded in making their way back to Loyal Hanna.

In this battle, fought September 14, 1758, two hundred and thirty-one

Highlander's were killed and wounded. The officers killed were Captain

William Macdonald and George Munro; Lieutenants Alexander Mackenzie,

William Mackenzie; Robert Mackenzie, Colin Campbell, and Alexander

Macdonald; and the wounded were Captain Hugh Mackenzie, Lieutenants

Alexander Macdonald, Archibald Robertson, Henry Munro, and Ensigns John

Macdonald and Alexander Grant.

General Forbes did not reach Loyal Hanna until November 5th, and there a

council of war determined that no farther advance should be made for

that season. But Washington had plead that owing to his long intimacy

with these woods, and his familiarity with the difficulties and all the

passes should be allowed the responsibility of commanding the first

party. This having been denied him, he prevailed on the commander to be

allowed to make a second advance. His brigade was of provincials, and

they toiled cheerfully by his side, infusing his own spirit into the men

he commanded. Over the hills white with snow, his troops poorly fed and

poorly clothed toiled onward. His movements were rapid: on November 15th

he was at Chestnut Ridge; and the 17th at Bushy Run. As he drew near

Fort du Quesne, the disheartened garrison, about five hundred in number,

set fire to the fort, and by the light of the conflagration, descended

the Ohio. On the 25th Washington could point out to the army the

junction of the rivers, and entering the fortress, they planted the

British colors on the deserted ruins. As the banner of England floated

over the Ohio, the place was with one voice named Pittsburg, in honor of

the great English premier William Pitt.

The troops under Washington were accompanied by a body of Highlanders.

On the morning of November 25th, the army advanced with the provincials

in the front. They entered upon an Indian path. "Upon each side of which

a number of stakes, with the bark peeled off, were stuck into the earth,

and upon each stake was fixed the head and kilt of a Highlander who had

been killed or taken prisoner at Grant's defeat. The provincials, being

front, obtained the first view of these horrible spectacles, which it

may readily be believed, excited no kindly feelings in their breasts.

They passed along, however, without any manifestation of their violent

wrath. But as soon as the Highlanders came in sight of the remains of

their countrymen, a slight buzz was heard in their ranks, which rapidly

swelled and grew louder and louder. Exasperated not only by the

barbarous outrages upon the persons of their unfortunate fellow soldiers

who had fallen only a few days before, but maddened by the insult which

was conveyed by the exhibition of their kilts, and which they well

understood, as they had long been nicknamed the 'petticoat warriors' by

the Indians, their wrath knew no bounds. Directly a rapid and violent

tramping was heard, and immediately the whole corps of the Highlanders,

with their muskets abandoned, and broad swords drawn, rushed by the

provincials, foaming with rage, and resembling, as Captain Craighead

coarsely expressed it, 'mad boars engaged in battle,' swearing vengeance

and extermination upon the French troops who had permitted such

outrages. Their march was now hastened--the whole army moved forward

after the Highlanders, and when they arrived somewhere about where the

canal now passes, the Fort was discovered to be in flames, and the last

of the boats, with the flying Frenchmen, were seen passing down the Ohio

by Smoky Island. Great was the disappointment of the exasperated

Highlanders at the escape of the French, and their wrath subsided into a

sullen and relentless desire for vengeance."[138]

The Highlanders passed the winter of 1758 in Pittsburg, and in May

following marched to the assistance of General Amherst in his

proceedings at Ticonderoga, Crown Point and the Lakes.

Before the heroic action of The Black Watch at Ticonderoga was known in

England, a warrant was issued conferring upon the regiment the title of

Royal, so that it became known also by the name of 42d Royal Highland

Regiment, and letters were issued to raise a second battalion. So

successful were the recruiting officers that within three months, seven

companies, each one hundred and twenty men strong were embodied at Perth

in October 1758. Although Highlanders only were admitted, yet two

officers, anxious to obtain commissions, enlisted eighteen Irishmen,

several of whom were O'Donnels, O'Lachlans, O'Briens, &c. The O was

changed to Mac, and the Milesians passed muster as true Macdonels,

Maclachlans, and Macbriars, without being questioned.

The second battalion immediately embarked at Greenock for the West

Indies, under the convoy of the Ludlow Castle; and after the reduction

of Guadaloupe, it was transferred to New York, and in July, 1759, was

combined with the first battalion, in order to engage in the operations

then projected against the French settlements in Canada. General Wolfe

was to proceed up the St. Lawrence and besiege Quebec. General Amherst,

who had succeeded Abercromby as commander-in-chief, was to attempt the

reduction of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and then effect a junction

with General Wolfe before Quebec. Brigadier General John Prideaux was to

proceed against the French fort near the falls of Niagara, the most

important post of all French America.

The army first put in motion was that under Amherst, which assembled at

Fort Edward on June 19th. It included the 42nd and Montgomery's

Highlanders, and when afterwards joined by the second battalion of the

42nd, numbered fourteen thousand five hundred men. On the 21st, preceded

by The Black Watch the army moved forward and encamped on Lake George,

where, during the previous year, the army rested prior to the attack on

Ticonderoga. Considerable time was spent in preparations for assaulting

this formidable post, but on seeing the preparations made by the English

generals for a siege, the French set fire to the magazines and

buildings, and retired to Crown Point.

The plan of campaign on the part of the French appeared to have been to

embarrass Amherst by retarding the advance of his army, but not to

hazard any considerable engagement, nor to allow themselves to be so

completely invested as to cut off all retreat. The main object of their

tactics was so to delay the advance of the English that the season for

action on the Lakes would pass away without showing any decisive

advantage on the part of the invaders, whilst their own forces could be

gradually concentrated, and thus arrest the progress of Amherst down the

St. Lawrence.

On taking possession of Ticonderoga, which effectually covered the

frontiers of New York, General Amherst proceeded to repair the

fortifications; and, while superintending this work, was indefatigable

in preparing batteaux and other vessels for conveying his troops, and

obtaining the superiority on the Lakes. Meanwhile the French abandoned

Crown Point and retired to Isle aux Noix, on the northern extremity of

Lake Champlain. General Amherst moved forward and took possession of the

fort which the French had abandoned, and the second battalion of the

42nd was ordered up. Having gained a naval superiority on Lake Champlain

the army went into winter quarters at Crown Point.

The main undertaking of the campaign was the reduction of Quebec, by far

the most difficult operation, where General Wolfe was expected to

perform an important part with not more than seven thousand effective

men. The movement commenced at Sandy Hook, Tuesday May 8, 1759 when the

expedition set sail for Louisburg, under convoy of the Nightingale, the

fleet consisting of about twenty-eight sail, the greater part of which

was to take in the troops from Nova Scotia, and the rest having on board

Fraser's Highlanders. They arrived at Louisburg on the 17th. and there

remained until June 4th, when the fleet again set sail, consisting of

one hundred and fifty vessels, twenty-two of which were ships of the

line. They entered the St. Lawrence on the 13th, and on the 23rd

anchored near Isle aux Coudres. On the 26th, the whole armament arrived

off the Isle of Orleans, and the next day disembarked. Montcalm depended

largely on the natural position of the city of Quebec for defence,

although he neglected nothing for his security. Every landing-place was

intrenched and protected. At midnight on the 28th a fleet of fireships

came down the tide, but was grappled by the British soldiers and towed

them free of the shipping. Point Levi, on the night of the 29th was

occupied, and batteries constructed, from which red-hot balls were

discharged, demolishing the lower town of Quebec and injuring the upper.

But the citadel and every avenue from the river to the cliff were too

strongly entrenched for an assault.

General Wolfe, enterprising, daring, was eager for battle. Perceiving

that the eastern bank of the Montmorenci was higher than the position of

Montcalm, on July 9th he crossed the north channel and encamped there;

but not a spot on the line of the Montmorenci was left unprotected by

the vigilant Montcalm. General Wolfe planned that two brigades should

ford the Montmorenci at the proper time of the tide, while Monckton's

regiments should cross the St. Lawrence in boats from Point Levi. The

signal was given and the advance made in the face of shot and shell.

Those who got first on shore, not waiting for support, ran hastily

towards the entrenchments, and were repulsed in such disorder that they

could not again come into line. Wolfe was compelled to order a retreat.

Intrepidity and discipline could not overcome the heavy fire of a well

protected enemy. In that assault, which occurred on July 31st, Wolfe

lost four hundred in killed.

General Murray was next sent with twelve hundred men, above the town, to

destroy the French ships and open communication with General Amherst.

They learned that Niagara had surrendered and that Ticonderoga and Crown

Point had been abandoned. But General Wolfe looked in vain for General

Amherst. The commander-in-chief, opposed by no more than three thousand

men, was loitering at Crown Point; nor was even a messenger received

from him. The heroic Wolfe was left to struggle alone against odds and

difficulties which every hour made more appalling. Everyone able to bear

arms was in the field fighting for their homes, their language, and

their religion. Old men of seventy and boys of fifteen fired at the

English detachments from the edges of the woods.

The feeble frame of General Wolfe, disabled by fever, began to sink

under the fearful strain. He laid before his chief officers three

desperate methods of attacking Montcalm, all of which they opposed, but

proposed to convey five thousand men above the town, and thus draw

Montcalm from his intrenchments. General Wolfe acquiesced and prepared

to carry it into effect. On the 5th and 6th of September he marched the

army from Point Levi, and embarked in transports, resolving to land at

the point that ever since has borne his name, and take the enemy by

surprise. Every officer knew his appointed duty, when at one o'clock on

the morning of the 13th, about half the army glided down with the tide.

When the cove was reached, General Wolfe and the troops with him leaped

ashore, and clambered up the steep hill, holding by the roots and boughs

of the maple, spruce and ash trees, that covered the declivity, and with

but little difficulty dispersed the picket which guarded the height. At

daybreak General Wolfe, with his battalions, stood on the plains of

Abraham. When the news was carried to Montcalm, he said, "They have at

last got to the weak side of this miserable garrison; we must give

battle, and crush them before mid-day." Before ten o'clock the two

opposing armies were ranged in each other's presence. The English, five

thousand strong, were all regulars, perfect in discipline, terrible in

their fearless enthusiasm, and commanded by a man whom they obeyed with

confidence and admiration. Montcalm had but five weak battalions of two

thousand men, mingled with disorderly peasantry. The French with three

and the English with two small pieces of artillery cannonaded each other

for nearly an hour.

Montcalm led the French army impetuously to the attack. The

ill-disciplined companies broke by their precipitation and the

unevenness of the ground, fired by platoons without unity. The English

received the shock with calmness, reserving their fire until the enemy

were within forty yards, when they began a regular, rapid firing.

Montcalm was everywhere, braving dangers, though wounded, cheered others

by his example. The Canadians flinching from the hot fire, gave way when

General Wolfe placing himself at the head of two regiments, charged with

bayonets. General Wolfe was wounded three times, the third time

mortally. "Support me," he cried to an officer near him; "let not my

brave fellows see me drop." He was carried to the rear. "They run, they

run," cried the officer on whom he leaned. "Who run?" asked Wolfe, as

his life was fast ebbing. "The French," replied the officer, "give way

everywhere." "What," cried the dying hero, "do they run already? Go, one

of you, to Colonel Burton; bid him march Webb's regiment with all speed

to Charles River to cut off the fugitives." "Now, God be praised, I die

happy," were the last words he uttered. The heroic Montcalm, struck by a

musket ball, continued in the engagement, till attempting to rally a

body of fugitive Canadians, was mortally wounded. On September 17th, the

city surrendered.

The rapid sketch thus given does not represent the part taken by

Fraser's Highlanders. Fortunately Lieutenant Malcolm Fraser kept a

journal, and from it the following is gleaned: June 30th, the

Highlanders with Kennedy's or the 43rd, crossed the river and joined the

15th, or Amhersts', with some Rangers, marched to Point Levi, having

numerous skirmishes on the way. Captain Campbell posted his company in

St. Joseph's church, and there fired a volley upon an assaulting party.

On Sunday, July 1st, the regiment was cannonaded by some floating

batteries, losing four killed and eight wounded. On the 9th, before

daylight, the Highlanders struck tents at Point Levi, and marched out of

sight of the town. On the 11th three men were wounded by the fire of the

great guns from the city. On the 21st, it was reported that fourteen

privates of Fraser's Highlanders were wounded by the Royal Americans,

having, in the dark, mistaken them for the enemy. On the night of July

24th, Colonel Fraser, with a detachment of about three hundred and fifty

men of his regiment, marched down the river, in order to take up such

prisoners and cattle as might be found. Lieutenant Alexander Fraser,

Jr., returned to the camp with the information that Colonel Fraser had

been wounded by a shot from some Canadians in ambush; and the same shot

wounded Captain MacPherson; both of whom returned that day to camp. On

the 27th the detachment returned bringing three women and one man

prisoners, and almost two hundred cattle. July 31st Fraser's and

Amherst's regiments embarked in boats at Point Levi and landed on the

Montmorenci, where, on that day, General Wolfe fought the battle of

Beauport Flats, in which he lost seven hundred killed and wounded. His

retreat was covered by the Highlanders, without receiving any hurt,

although exposed to a battery of two cannons which kept a very brisk

fire upon them. The regiment went to the island of Orleans, and on

August 1st to Point Levi. On Wednesday, August 15th, Captain John

MacDonell, seven subalterns, eight sergeants, eight corporals and one

hundred and forty-four men of Fraser's regiment, crossed from Point

Levi to the Island of Orleans and lodged in the church of St. Peter's,

and the next day marched to the east end of the island, and on the 17th

crossed to St. Joachim, where they met with slight resistance. They

fortified the Priest's house, and were not reinforced until the 23rd,

and then all marched to attack the village, which was captured, with "a

few prisoners taken, all of whom the barbarous Captain Montgomery, who

commanded us, ordered to be butchered in a most inhuman and cruel

manner.... After this skirmish we set about burning the houses with

great success, setting all in flames till we came to the church of St.

Anne's, where we put up for this night, and were joined by Captain Ross,

with about one hundred and twenty men of his company." The work of

devastation continued the following day, until the forces reached Ange

Gardien. August 28, Captain MacDonell with Captain Ross took post at

Chateau Richer. September 1st, Chateau Richer was burned, and the force

marched to Montmorenci, burning all the houses on the way. On the 2nd

the Highlanders returned to their camp at Point Levi. Captain Alexander

Cameron of Dungallon died on the 3rd. On the 4th Captain Alexander

Fraser of Culduthell arrived with a fourteenth company to the regiment.

On the 6th a detachment of six hundred Highlanders with the 15th and

43rd regiments, marched five miles above Point Levi and then crossed the

river in crowded vessels, but for several days remained mostly on board

the ships. On September 17th, the Highlanders landed at Wolfe's Cove,

with the rest of the army, and were soon on the plains of Abraham. When

the main body of the French commenced to retreat "our regiment were then

ordered by Brigadier General Murray to draw their swords and pursue

them; which I dare say increased their panic but saved many of their

lives. * * * In advancing we passed over a great many dead and wounded

(French regulars mostly) lying in the front of our regiment, who,--I

mean the Highlanders--to do them justice behaved extremely well all day,

as did the whole of the army. After pursuing the French to the very

gates of the town, our regiment was ordered to form fronting the town,

on the ground whereon the French formed first. At this time the rest of

the army came up in good order. General Murray having then put himself

at the head of our regiment ordered them to face to the left and march

thro' the bush of wood, towards the General Hospital, when they got a

great gun or two to play upon us from the town, which however did no

damage, but we had a few men killed and officers wounded by some

skulking fellows, with small arms, from the bushes and behind the houses

in the suburbs of St. Louis and St. John's. After marching a short way

through the bush, Brigadier Murray thought proper to order us to return

again to the high road leading from Porte St. Louis, to the heights of

Abraham, where the battle was fought, and after marching till we got

clear of the bushes, we were ordered to turn to the right, and go along

the edge of them towards the bank at the descent between us and the

General Hospital, under which we understood there was a body of the

enemy who, no sooner saw us, than they began firing on us from the

bushes and from the bank; we soon dispossessed them from the bushes, and

from thence kept firing for about a quarter of an hour on those under

cover of the bank; but, as they exceeded us greatly in numbers, they

killed and wounded a great many of our men, and killed two officers,

which obliged us to retire a little, and form again, when the 58th

Regiment with the 2nd Battalion of Royal Americans having come up to our

assistance, all three making about five hundred men, advanced against

the enemy and drove them first down to the great meadow between the

hospital and town and afterwards over the river St. Charles. It was at

this time and while in the bushes that our regiment suffered most;

Lieutenant Roderick, McNeill of Barra, and Alexander McDonell, and John

McDonell, and John McPherson, volunteer, with many of our men, were

killed before we were reinforced; and Captain Thomas Ross having gone

down with about one hundred men of the 3rd Regiment to the meadow, after

the enemy, when they were out of reach, ordered me up to desire those on

the height would wait till he would come up and join them, which I did,

but before Mr. Ross could get up, he unfortunately was mortally wounded.

* * * We had of our regiment three officers killed and ten wounded, one

of whom Captain Simon Fraser, afterwards died. Lieutenant Archibald

Campbell was thought to have been mortally wounded, but to the surprise

of most people recovered, Captain John McDonell thro' both thighs;

Lieut. Ronald McDonell thro' the knee; Lieutenant Alexander Campbell

thro' the leg; Lieutenant Douglas thro' the arm, who died of this wound

soon afterwards; Ensign Gregorson, Ensign McKenzie and Lieutenant

Alexander Fraser, all slightly, I received a contusion in the right

shoulder or rather breast, before the action become general, which

pained me a good deal, but it did not disable me from my duty then, or

afterwards.

The detachment of our regiment consisted, at our marching from Point

Levi, of six hundred men, besides commissioned and non commissioned

officers; but of these, two officers and about sixty men were left on

board for want of boats, and an officer and about thirty men left at the

landing place; besides a few left sick on board, so that we had about

five hundred men in the action. We suffered in men and officers more

than any three regiments in the field. We were commanded by Captain John

Campbell; the Colonel and Captain McPherson having been unfortunately

wounded on the 25th July, of which they were not yet fully recovered. We

lay on our arms all the night of the 13th September."

On the 14th the Highlanders pitched their tents on the battlefield,

within reach of the guns of the town. On the following; day they were

ordered to camp near the wood, at a greater distance from the town.

Here, within five hundred yards of the town, they commenced to make

redoubts. After the surrender of Quebec the Highlanders marched into the

city and there took up their quarters. On February 13, 1760, in an

engagement with the French at Point Levi, Lieutenant McNeil was killed,

and some of the soldiers wounded. March 18th Captain Donald McDonald,

with some detachments, in all five hundred men, attacked the French

posts at St. Augustin, and without loss took eighty prisoners, and that

night returned to Quebec.

Scurvy, occasioned by salt provisions and cold, made fierce work in the

garrison, and in the army scarce a man was free from it. On April 30th a

return of Fraser's Highlanders, in the garrison at Quebec, showed three

hundred and fourteen fit for duty, five hundred and eighty sick, and one

hundred and six dead since September 18, 1759.

April 27th, the French under De Levi, in strong force advanced against

the English, the latter being forced to withdraw within the walls of

Quebec. Fraser's Highlanders was one of the detachments sent to cover

the retreat of the army, which was effected without loss. At half-past

six, the next morning General Murray marched out and formed his army on

the heights of Abraham. The left wing was under Colonel Simon Fraser

composed of the Highlanders, the 43rd, and the 23rd Welsh Fusiliers. The

Highlanders were exposed to a galling fire from the bushes in front and

flank and were forced to fall back; and every regiment made the best of

its way into the city. The British loss was two hundred and fifty-seven

killed and seven hundred and sixty-one wounded.

The Highlanders had about four hundred men in the field, nearly one-half

of whom had that day, of their own accord, come out of the hospital.

Among the killed were Captain Donald Macdonald, Lieutenant Cosmo Gordon

and fifty-five non-commissioned officers, pipers and privates; their

wounded were Colonel Fraser, Captains John Campbell of Dunoon, Alexander

Fraser, Alexander MacLeod, Charles Macdonell; Lieutenants Archibald

Campbell, son of Glenlyon, Charles Stewart, Hector Macdonald, John

Macbean, Alexander Fraser, senior, Alexander Campbell, John Nairn,

Arthur Rose, Alexander Fraser, junior, Simon Fraser, senior, Archibald

McAlister, Alexander Fraser, John Chisholm, Simon Fraser, junior,

Malcolm Fraser, and Donald McNeil; Ensigns Henry Munro, Robert Menzies,

Duncan Cameron, of Fassifern, William Robertson, Alexander Gregorson and

Malcolm Fraser, and one hundred and twenty-nine non-commissioned

officers and privates.

Lieutenant Charles Stewart, engaged in the Rising of the Forty-Five, in

Stewart of Appin's regiment, was severely wounded at Culloden. As he lay

in his quarters after the battle on the heights of Abraham, speaking to

some brother officers on the recent actions, he exclaimed, "From April

battles, and Murray generals, good Lord deliver me!" alluding to his

wound at Culloden, where the vanquished blamed lord George Murray for

fighting on the best field in the country for regular troops, cavalry

and artillery; and likewise alluding to his present wound, and to

General Murray's conduct in marching out of a garrison to attack an

enemy, more than treble his numbers, in an open field, where their whole

strength could be brought to act. No time was lost in repeating to the

general what the wounded officer had said; but Murray, who was a man of

humor and of a generous mind, on the following morning called on his

subordinate, and heartily wished him better deliverance in the next

battle, when he hoped to give him occasion to pray in a different

manner.

On the night of the battle De Levi opened trenches within six hundred

yards of the walls of the city, and proceeded to besiege the city, while

General Murray made preparations for defence. On May 1st the largest of

the English blockhouses accidentally blew up, injuring Captain Cameron.

On the 17th the French suddenly abandoned their entrenchments. Lord

Murray pursued but was unable to overtake them. He formed a junction, in

September with General Amherst.

General Amherst had been notified of the intended siege of Quebec by De

Levi; but only persevered in the tardy plans which he had formed. Canada

now presented no difficulties only such as General Amherst might create.

The country was suffering from four years of scarcity, a disheartened,

starving peasantry, and the feeble remains of five or six battalions

wasted by incredible hardships. Colonel Haviland proceeded from Crown

Point and took the deserted fort at Isle aux Noix. Colonel Haldimand,

with the grenadiers, light infantry and a battalion of The Black Watch,

took post at the bottom of the lake. General Amherst led the main body

of ten thousand men by way of Oswego; why, no one can tell. The labor of

going there was much greater than going direct to Montreal. After

toiling to Oswego, he proceeded cautiously down the St. Lawrence,

treating the people humanely, and without the loss of life, save while

passing the rapids, he met, on September 7th, the army of lord Murray

before Montreal, the latter on his way up from Quebec, intimidated the

people and amused himself by burning villages and harrying Canadians. On

the 8th Colonel Haviland joined the forces. Thus the three armies came

together in overwhelming strength, to take an open town of a few hundred

inhabitants who were ready to surrender on the first appearance of the

English.

The Black Watch, or Royal Highlanders remained in America until the

close of the year 1761. The officers were Lieutenant Colonel Francis

Grant; Majors, Gordon Graham and John Reid; Captains, John McNeil, Allan

Campbell, Thomas Graeme, James Stewart, James Murray, Thomas Stirling,

William Murray, John Stuart, Alexander Reid, William Grant, David

Haldane, Archibald Campbell, John Campbell, Kenneth Tolmie, William

Cockburne; Captain-Lieutenant, James Grant; Lieutenants, John Graham,

Alexander Turnbull, Alexander McIntosh, James Gray, John Small,

Archibald Campbell, James Campbell, Archibald Lamont, David Mills, Simon

Blair, David Barclay, Alexander Mackay, Robert Menzies, Patrick

Balneaves, John Campbell, senior, John Robertson, John Grant, George

Leslie, Duncan Campbell, Adam Stuart, George Grant, James McIntosh, John

Smith, Peter Grant, Simon Fraser, Alexander Farquharson, John Campbell,

junior, William Brown, Thomas Fletcher, Elbert Herring, John Leith,

Archibald Campbell, Alexander Donaldson, Archibald Campbell, Patrick

Sinclair, John Gregor, Lewis Grant, Archibald Campbell, John Graham,

Allan Grant, Archibald McNab; Ensigns, Charles Menzies, John Charles St.

Clair, Neil McLean, Thomas Cunison, Alexander Gregor, William Grant,

George Campbell, Nathaniel McCulloch, Daniel Robertson, John Sutherland,

Charles Grant, Samuel Stull, James Douglass, Thomas Scott, Charles

Graham, James Robertson, Patrick Murray, Lewis Grant; Chaplain, Lauchlan

Johnston; Adjutants, Alexander Donaldson, John Gregor; Quarter-Masters,

John Graham, Adam Stewart; Surgeons, David Hepburn, Robert Drummond.

At the close of the year 1761 The Black Watch, with ten other regiments,

among which was Montgomery's Highlanders, embarked for Barbadoes, there

to join an armament against Martinique and Havanna. After the surrender

of Havanna, the first battalion of the 42nd, and Montgomery's

Highlanders embarked for New York, which they reached in the end of

October, 1762. Before leaving Cuba, all the men of the second battalion

of the 42nd, fit for service were consolidated with the first, and the

remainder shipped to Scotland, where they were reduced the following

year.

The 42nd, or The Black Watch was stationed at Albany till the summer of

1763 when they, with a detachment of Montgomery's Highlanders and

another of the 60th, under command of Colonel Henry Boquet, were sent to

the relief of Fort Pitt, then besieged by the Indians. This expedition

consisting of nine hundred and fifty-six men, with its convoy, reached

Fort Bedford, July 25, 1763. The whole country in that region was

aroused by the depredations of the Indians. On the 28th Boquet moved his

army out of Fort Bedford and marched to Fort Ligonier, where he left his

train, and proceeded with pack-horses. Before them lay a dangerous

defile, several miles in length, commanded the whole distance by high

and craggy hills. On August 5th, when within half a mile of Bushy-Run,

about one o'clock in the afternoon, after a harrassing march of

seventeen miles, they were suddenly attacked by the Indians; but two

companies of the 42nd Highlanders drove them from their ambuscade. When

the pursuit ceased, the savages returned. These savages fought like men

contending for their homes, and their hunting grounds. To them it was a

crisis which they were forced to meet. Again the Highlanders charged

them with fixed bayonets; but as soon as they were driven from one post

they appeared at another, and at last entirely surrounded the English,

and would have entirely cut them off had it not been for the cool

behavior of the troops and the good manoeuvering of the commander.

Night came on, and the English remained on a ridge of land, commodious

for a camp, except for the total want of water. The next morning the

army found itself still in a critical position. If they advanced to give

battle, then their convoy and wounded would fall a prey to the enemy; if

they remained quiet, they would be picked off one by one, and thus

miserably perish. Boquet took advantage of the resolute intrepidity of

the savages by feigning a retreat. The red men hurried to the charge,

when two companies concealed for the purpose fell upon their flank;

others turned and met them in front; and the Indians yielding to the

irresistible shock, were utterly routed.

The victory was dearly bought, for Colonel Boquet, in killed and

wounded, in the two days action, lost about one-fourth of his men, and

almost all his horses. He was obliged to destroy his stores, and was

hardly able to carry his wounded. That night the English encamped at

Bushy Run, and four days later were at Fort Pitt. In the skirmishing and

fighting, during the march, the 42nd, or The Black Watch, lost

Lieutenants John Graham and James Mackintosh, one sergeant and

twenty-six rank and file killed; and Captain John Graham of Duchray,

Lieutenant Duncan Campbell, two serjeants, two drummers, and thirty rank

and file, wounded. Of Montgomery's Highlanders one drummer and five

privates were killed; and Lieutenant Donald Campbell and volunteer John

Peebles, three serjeants and seven privates wounded.

[Illustration: OLD BLOCK HOUSE, FORT DUQUESNE.]

The 42nd regiment passed the winter at Fort Pitt, and during the summer

of 1764, eight companies were sent with the army of Boquet against the

Ohio Indians. After a harrassing warfare the Indians sued for peace.

Notwithstanding the labors of a march of many hundred miles among dense

forests, during which they experienced the extremes of heat and cold,

the Highlanders did not lose a single man from fatigue or exhaustion.

The army returned to Fort Pitt in January, 1765, during very severe

weather. Three men died of sickness, and on their arrival at Fort Pitt

only nineteen men were under the surgeon's charge. The regiment was now

in better quarters than it had been for years. It was greatly reduced

in numbers, from its long service, the nature and variety of its

hardships, amidst the torrid heat of the West Indies, the rigorous

winters of New York and Ohio, and the fatalities on the field of battle.

The regiment remained in Pennsylvania until the month of July, 1767,

when it embarked at Philadelphia for Ireland. Such of the men who

preferred to remain in America were permitted to join other regiments.

These volunteers were so numerous, that, along with those who had been

previously sent home disabled, and others discharged and settled in

America, the regiment that returned was very small in proportion of that

which had left Scotland.

The 42nd Royal Highlanders, or The Black Watch, made a very favorable

impression in America. The _Virginia Gazette_, July 30, 1767, published

an article from which the following extracts have been taken:

"Last Sunday evening, the Royal Highland Regiment embarked for

Ireland, which regiment, since its arrival in America, has been

distinguished for having undergone most amazing fatigues, made long

and frequent marches through an unhospitable country, bearing

excessive heat and severe cold with alacrity and cheerfulness,

frequently encamping in deep snow, such as those that inhabit the

interior parts of this province do not see, and which only those who

inhabit the most northern parts of Europe can have any idea of,

continually exposed in camp and on their marches to the alarms of a

savage enemy, who, in all their attempts, were forced to fly. * * *

And, in a particular manner, the freemen of this and the neighboring

provinces have most sincerely to thank them for that resolution and

bravery with which they, under Colonel Boquet, and a small number of

Royal Americans, defeated the enemy, and ensured to us peace and

security from a savage foe; and, along with our blessings for these

benefits, they have our thanks for that decorum in behavior which

they maintained during their stay in this city, giving an example

that the most amiable behavior in civil life is no way inconsistent

with the character of the good soldier; and for their loyalty,

fidelity, and orderly behavior, they have every wish of the people

for health, honor, and a pleasant voyage."

The loss sustained by the regiment during the seven years it was

employed in America and the West Indies was as follows:

| KILLED || WOUNDED

|--------------------------------------------------

| F | C | S | S | D | P || F | C | S | S | D | P

| e | a | u | e | r | r || e | a | u | e | r | r

| d.| p | b | r | u | i || d.| p | b | r | u | i

| O | t | a | j | m | v || O | t | a | j | m | v

| f | a | l | e | m | a || f | a | l | e | m | a

| f | i | t | a | e | t || f | i | t | a | e | t

| i | n | e | n | r | e || i | n | e | n | r | e

| c | s | r | t | s | s || c | s | r | t | s | s

| e | | n | s | | || e | | n | s | |

| r | | s | | | || r | | s | | |

| s | | | | | || s | | | | |

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Ticonderoga, | | | | | | || | | | | |

July 7, 1758 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 9 | |267|| | 5 | 12| 10| |306

Martinique, | | | | | | || | | | | |

January, 1759 | | | | | | 8 || | | 1 | 2 | | 22

Guadeloupe, | | | | | | || | | | | |

February and | | | | | | || | | | | |

March, 1759 | | | 1 | 1 | | 25|| | | 4 | 3 | |57

General Amherst's | | | | | | || | | | | |

Expedition to | | | | | | || | | | | |

the Lakes, July | | | | | | || | | | | |

and August, 1759 | | | | | | 3 || | | | 1 | | 4

Martinique, | | | | | | || | | | | |

January and | | | | | | || | | | | |

February, 1762 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | | 12|| 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 1 |72

Havanna, June | | | | | | || | | | | |

and July, 1762, | | | | | | || | | | | |

both battalions. | | | | | 1 | 3 || | | | | 1 | 4

Expedition under | | | | | | || | | | | |

Colonel Boquet, | | | | | | || | | | | |

August, 1763 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | | 26|| | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 30

Second Expedition | | | | | | || | | | | |

under Boquet, | | | | | | || | | | | |

in 1764 and 1765 | | | | | | 7|| | | | 1 | | 9

Total in the Seven| | | | | | || | | | | |

Years War | 1 | 3 | 9 | 12| 1 |381|| 1 | 7 | 25| 22| 4 |504

Comparing the loss sustained by the 42nd in the field with that of other

corps, it has generally been less than theirs, except at the defeat at

Ticonderoga. The officers who served in the corps attributed the

comparative loss to the celerity of their attack and the use of the

broadsword, which the enemy could never withstand.

Of the officers who were in the regiment in 1759 seven rose to be

general officers, viz., Francis Grant of Grant, John Reid of Strathloch,

Allan Campbell of Glenure, James Murray, son of lord George Murray, John

Campbell of Strachur, Thomas Stirling of Ardoch, and John Small. Those

who became field officers were, Gordon Graham, Duncan Campbell of

Inneraw, Thomas Graham of Duchray, John Graham his brother, William

Murray of Lintrose, William Grant, James Abercromby of Glassa, James

Abercromby junior, Robert Grant, James Grant, Alexander Turnbull of

Strathcathro, Alexander Donaldson, Thomas Fletcher of Landertis, Donald

Robertson, Duncan Campbell, Alexander Maclean and James Eddington. A

corp of officers, respectable in their persons, character and rank in

private society, was of itself sufficient to secure esteem and lead a

regiment where every man was a soldier.

It has already been noticed that in the spring of 1760, the thought of

General Amherst was wholly engrossed on the conquest of Canada. He was

appealed to for protection against the Cherokees who were committing

cruelties, in their renewed warfare against the settlements. In April he

detached, from the central army, that had conquered Ohio, Colonel

Montgomery with six hundred Highlanders of his own regiment and six

hundred Royal Americans to strike a blow at the Cherokees and then

return. The force embarked at New York, and by the end of April was in

Carolina. At Ninety-six, near the end of May, the army was joined by

many gentlemen of distinction, as volunteers, besides seven hundred

Carolina rangers, which constituted the principal strength of the

country. On June 1st, the army crossed Twelve-mile River; and leaving

their tents standing on advantageous ground, at eight in the evening

moved onward through the woods to surprise Estatoe, about twenty miles

from the camp. On the way Montgomery surprised Little Keowee and put

every man to the sword, sparing only women and children. Early the next

morning they reached Estatoe only to find it abandoned, except by a few

who could not escape. The place was reduced to ashes, as was Sugar Town,

and every other settlement in the lower nation destroyed. For years, the

half-charred rafters of their houses might be seen on the desolate

hill-sides. "I could not help pitying them a little," wrote Major Grant;

"their villages were agreeably situated; their houses neatly built;

there were everywhere astonishing magazines of corn, which were all

consumed." The surprise in every town was almost equal, for the whole

was the work of only a few hours; the Indians had no time to save what

they valued most; but left for the pillagers money and watches, wampum

and furs. About sixty Cherokees were killed; forty, chiefly women and

children, were made prisoners; but the warriors had generally escaped to

the mountains.

Meanwhile Fort Prince George had been closely invested, and Montgomery

marched to its relief. From this place he dispatched two friendly chiefs

to the middle settlements, to offer terms of peace, and orders were sent

to Fort London to bring about accommodations for the upper towns. The

Indians would not listen to any overtures, so Montgomery was constrained

to march against them. The most difficult part of the service was now to

be performed; for the country to be passed through was covered by dark

thickets, numerous deep ravines, and high river banks; where a small

number of men might distress and even wear out the best appointed army.

Colonel Montgomery began his march June 24, 1760, and at night encamped

at the old town of Oconnee. The next evening he arrived at the

War-Woman's Creek; and on the 20th, crossed the Blue Mountains, and made

his encampment at the deserted town of Stecoe. The army trod the rugged

defiles, which were as dangerous as men had ever penetrated, with

fearless alacrity, and the Highlanders were refreshed by coming into the

presence of the mountains. "What may be Montgomery's fate in the

Cherokee country," wrote Washington, "I cannot so readily determine. It

seems he has made a prosperous beginning, having penetrated into the

heart of the country, and he is now advancing his troops in high health

and spirits to the relief of Fort Loudon. But let him be wary. He has a

crafty, subtle enemy to deal with, that may give him most trouble when

he least expects it."[139]

The morning of the 27th found the whole army early on the march to the

town of Etchowee, the nearest of the Cherokee settlements, and eighteen

miles distant. When within five miles of the town, the army was attacked

in a most advantageous position for the Indians. It was a low valley, in

which the bushes were so thick that the soldiers could see scarcely

three yards before them; and through this valley flowed a muddy river,

with steep clay banks. Captain Morrison, in command of a company of

rangers, was in the advance. When he entered the ravine, the Indians

emerged from their ambush, and, raising the war-whoop, darted from

covert to covert, at the same time firing at the whites. Captain

Morrison was immediately shot down, and his men closely engaged. The

Highlanders and provincials drove the enemy from their lurking-places,

and, returning to their yells three huzzas and three waves of their

bonnets and hats, they chased them from height and hollow. The army

passed the river at the ford; and, protected by it on their right, and

by a flanking party on the left, treading a path, at times so narrow as

to be obliged to march in Indian file, fired upon from both front and

rear, they were not collected at Etchowee until midnight; after a loss

of twenty killed and seventy-six wounded. Of these, the Highlanders had

one Serjeant, and six privates killed, and Captain Sutherland,

Lieutenants Macmaster and Mackinnon, and Assistant-Surgeon Munro, and

one Serjeant, one piper, and twenty-four rank and file wounded.

"Several soldiers of this (Montgomery's) and other regiments fell

into the hands of the Indians, being taken in an ambush. Allan

Macpherson, one of these soldiers, witnessing the miserable fate of

several of his fellow-prisoners, who had been tortured to death by

the Indians, and seeing them preparing to commence the same

operations upon himself, made signs that he had something to

communicate. An interpreter was brought. Macpherson told them, that,

provided his life was spared for a few minutes, he would communicate

the secret of an extraordinary medicine, which, if applied to the

skin, would cause it to resist the strongest blow of a tomahawk, or

sword, and that, if they would allow him to go to the woods with a

guard, to collect the plants proper for this medicine, he would

prepare it, and allow the experiment to be tried on his own neck by

the strongest and most expert warrior among them. This story easily

gained upon the superstitious credulity of the Indians, and the

request of the Highlander was instantly complied with. Being sent

into the woods, he soon returned with such plants as he chose to pick

up. Having boiled these herbs, he rubbed his neck with their juice,

and laying his head upon a log of wood, desired the strongest man

among them to strike at his neck with his tomahawk, when he would

find he could not make the smallest impression. An Indian, levelling

a blow with all his might, cut with such force, that the head flew

off to a distance of several yards. The Indians were fixed in

amazement at their own credulity, and the address with which the

prisoner had escaped the lingering death prepared for him; but,

instead of being enraged at this escape of their victim, they were

so pleased with his ingenuity that they refrained from inflicting

farther cruelties on the remaining prisoners."[140]

Only for one day did Colonel Montgomery rest in the heart of the

Alleghanies. On the following night, deceiving the Indians by kindling

lights at Etchowee, the army retreated, and, marching twenty-five miles,

never halted, till it came to War-Woman's Creek. On the 30th, it crossed

the Oconnee Mountain, and on July 1st reached Fort Prince George, and

soon after returned to New York.

The retreat of Colonel Montgomery was the knell of the famished Fort

London, situated on the borders of the Cherokee country. The garrison

was forced to capitulate to the Indians, who agreed to escort the men in

safety to another fort. They were, however, made the victims of

treachery; for the day after their departure a body of savages waylaid

them, killed some, and captured others, whom they took back to Fort

Loudon.

The expedition of Montgomery but served to inflame the Indians. July

11th the General Assembly represented their inability to prevent the

ravages made by the savages on the back settlements, and by unanimous

vote entreated the lieutenant governor "to use the most pressing

instances with Colonel Montgomery not to depart with the king's troops,

as it might be attended with the most pernicious consequences."

Montgomery, warned that he was but giving the Cherokees room to boast

among the other tribes, of their having obliged the English army to

retreat, not only from the mountains, but also from the province,

shunned the path of duty, and leaving four companies of the Royal Scots,

sailed for Halifax by way of New York, coldly writing "I cannot help the

people's fears." Afterwards, in the House of Commons, he acted as one

who thought the Americans factious in peace and feeble in war.

In 1761 the Montgomery Highlanders were in the expedition against

Dominique, and the following year against Martinique and Havanna. At the

end of October were again in New York. Before the return of the six

companies to New York, the two companies that had been sent against the

Indians in 1761, were sent, with a small force, to retake St. John's,

New Foundland, which was occupied by a French force. The English army

consisted of the flank companies of the Royals, a detachment of the

45th, two companies of Fraser's Highlanders, a small party of

provincials, besides Montgomery's. The army landed on September 12,

1762, seven miles northward of St. John's. On the 17th the French

surrendered. Of Montgomery's Highlanders, Captain Mackenzie and four

privates were killed, and two privates wounded. After this service the

two companies joined the regiment at New York and there passed the

winter. As already noticed a detachment was with Colonel Boquet to the

relief of Fort Pitt in 1763. After the termination of hostilities an

offer was made to the officers and men either to settle in America, or

return to their own country. Those who remained obtained a grant of land

in accordance to their rank.[141]

The following table shows the number of killed and wounded of

Montgomery's Highlanders during the war:--

======================================================================

| KILLED || WOUNDED

|-------------------------------------

| O | S |D &| R || O | S |D &| R

| f | e |r | a || f | e |r | a

| f | r |u P| n || f | r |u P| n

| i | j |m i| k || i | j |m i| k

| c | e |m p| & || c | e |m p| &

| e | a |e e| F || e | a |e e| F

| r | n |r r| i || r | n |r r| i

| s | t |s s| l || s | t |s s| l

| | s | | e || | s | | e

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Fort du Quesne, Sept. 11, 1758 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 92|| 9 | 7 | 3 | 201

Little Keowe, June 1, 1760 | | | | 2|| | | |

Etchowee, June 27, 1760 | | 2 | | 6|| 4 | 1 | 1 | 24

Martinique, 1761 | 1 | | | 4|| 1 | 1 | | 26

Havanna, 1762 | 1 | | | 2|| | | | 6

St. John's, September, 1762 | 1 | | | 4|| | | | 2

On Passage to West Indies | 1 | | | || | | |

--------------------------------------

Total during the war |11 | 5 | 2 |110|| 14| 9 | 4 |259

======================================================================

After the surrender of Montreal, Fraser's Highlanders were not called

into action, until the fall of 1762, when the two companies were with

the expedition under Colonel William Amherst, against St. John's,

Newfoundland. In this service Captain Macdonell was mortally wounded,

three rank and file killed, and seven wounded. At the conclusion of the

war, a number of the officers and men having expressed a desire to

remain in America, had their wishes granted, and an allowance of land

granted them. The rest returned to Scotland and were discharged.

The following is a return of the killed and wounded of Fraser's

Highlanders during the war from 1756 to 1763:--

======================================================================

| KILLED || WOUNDED

|--------------------------------------------------

| F | C | S | S | D | R || F | C | S | S | D | R

| d | a | u | e | r | a || d | a | u | e | r | a

| . | p | b | r | u | n || . | p | b | r | u | n

| O | t | a | j | m | k || O | t | a | j | m | k

| f | a | l | e | m | || f | a | l | e | m |

| f | i | t | a | e | & || f | i | t | a | e | &

| i | n | e | n | r | || i | n | e | n | r |

| c | s | r | t | s | F || c | s | r | t | s | F

| e | | n | s | | i || e | | n | s | | i

| r | | s | | | l || r | | s | | | l

| s | | | | | e || s | | | | | e

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Louisburg, | | | | | | || | | | | |

July 1758 | | 1 | 3 | | | 17|| | 1 | 2| | | 41

Montmorency, | | | | | | || | | | | |

Sept. 2, 1759 | | | 2 | | 1 | 18|| 1 | 2 | 3 | | | 85

Heights of Abraham,| | | | | | || | | | | |

Sept 13, 1769 | | 1 | 2 | 1 | | 14|| | 2 | 8 | 7 | |131

Quebec, April, 1760| | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 51|| 1 | 4 |22 |10 | |119

St. John's, Sept. | | | | | | || | | | | |

1762 | | 1 | | | | 3|| | | | | | 7

---------------------------------------------------

Total during

the war | | 4 |10 | 4| 2 |103|| 2 | 9 | 35| 17| |383

Whatever may be said of the 42nd, or The Black Watch, concerning its

soldierly bearing may also be applied to both Montgomery's and Fraser's

regiments. Both officers and men were from the same people, having the

same manners, customs, language and aspirations. The officers were from

among the best families, and the soldiers respected and loved those who

commanded them.

For three years after the fall of Montreal the war between France and

England lingered on the ocean. The Treaty of Paris was signed February

10, 1763, which gave to England all the French possessions in America

eastward of the Mississippi from its source to the river Iberville, and

thence through Lakes Maurepas and Pontchartrain to the Gulf of Mexico.

Spain, with whom England had been at war, at the same time ceded East

and West Florida to the English Crown. France was obliged to cede to

Spain all that vast territory west of the Mississippi, known as the

province of Louisiana. The Treaty deprived France of all her possessions

in North America. To the genius of William Pitt must be ascribed the

conquest of Canada and the deprivation of France of her possessions in

the New World.

The acquisition of Canada, by keen sighted observers, was regarded as a

source of danger to England. As early as the year 1748, the Swedish

traveller Kalm, having described in vivid language the commercial

oppression under which the colonists were suffering, added these

remarkable words:

"I have been told, not only by native Americans, but by English

emigrants publicly, that within thirty or fifty years the English

colonies in North America may constitute a separate state entirely

independent of England. But as this whole country towards the sea is

unguarded, and on the frontier is kept uneasy by the French, these

dangerous neighbors are the reason why the love of these colonies for

their metropolis does not utterly decline. The English government

has, therefore, reason to regard the French in North America as the

chief power which urges their colonies to submission."[142]

On the definite surrender of Canada, Choiseul said to those around him,

"We have caught them at last"; his eager hopes anticipating an early

struggle of America for independence. The French ministers consoled

themselves for the Peace of Paris by the reflection that the loss of

Canada was a sure prelude to the independence of the colonies.

Vergennes, the sagacious and experienced ambassador, then at

Constantinople, a grave, laborious man, remarkable for a calm temper and

moderation of character, predicted to an English traveller, with

striking accuracy, the events that would occur. "England," he said,

"will soon repent of having removed the only check that could keep her

colonies in awe. They stand no longer in need of her protection. She

will call on them to contribute towards supporting the burdens they have

helped to bring on her, and they will answer by striking off all

dependence."

It is not to be presumed that Englishmen were wholly blind to this

danger. There were advocates who maintained that it would be wiser to

restore Canada and retain Guadaloupe, with perhaps Martinico and St.

Lucia. This view was supported with distinguished ability in an

anonymous paper, said to have been written by William Burke, the friend

and kinsman of the great orator. The views therein set forth were said

to have been countenanced by lord Hardwicke. The tide of English opinion

was, however, very strongly in the opposite direction.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 136: Stewart's Sketches of the Highlanders, Vol. II, p. 66.]

[Footnote 137: Sketches of the Highlanders, Vol. I, p. 289.]

[Footnote 138: The Olden Time, Vol. I, p. 181.]

[Footnote 139: Spark's Writings of Washington, Vol. II, p. 332.]

[Footnote 140: Stewart's Sketches of the Highlanders, Vol. II, p. 61.]

[Footnote 141: See Appendix, Note L.]

[Footnote 142: Pinkerton's Travels, Vol. XIII.]

An Historical Account of the Settlements of Scotch Highlanders in America · 第 11 / 17 章