84th Regiment of Foot (Royal Highland Emigrants): Difference between revisions
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===== Lachlan Macquarie ===== |
===== Lachlan Macquarie ===== |
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[[File:Ln-Governor-Lachlan macquarie.jpg|thumb|Macquarie by [[John Opie]] (1761-1807)]] |
[[File:Ln-Governor-Lachlan macquarie.jpg|thumb|Macquarie by [[John Opie]] (1761-1807)]] |
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One of the crew in the Battle of the Newcastle Jane was a young recruit [[Lachlan Macquarie]], who eventually became known as "the Father of Australia." Macquarie began his military career in 1776 at the age of fourteen when he sailed from Scotland to the New World. The attackers were successfully repelled and six months later on 9 April 1777 he obtained an ensigncy in the 84th Regiment. He did garrison duty, first in Nova Scotia, and then in New York and Charleston. He was commissioned a lieutenant in the 71st Regiment in January 1781. In 1784 he returned to Scotland from his posting in Jamaica, and was reduced to half-pay. |
One of the crew in the Battle of the Newcastle Jane was a young recruit [[Lachlan Macquarie]], who eventually became known as "the Father of Australia."<ref>"Burke's landed gentry of Great Britain: together with members of the titled and non-titled contemporary establishment" By Peter Beauclerk Dewar, 2001, p. 923</ref> Macquarie began his military career in 1776 at the age of fourteen when he sailed from Scotland to the New World. The attackers were successfully repelled and six months later on 9 April 1777 he obtained an ensigncy in the 84th Regiment. He did garrison duty, first in Nova Scotia, and then in New York and Charleston. He was commissioned a lieutenant in the 71st Regiment in January 1781. In 1784 he returned to Scotland from his posting in Jamaica, and was reduced to half-pay. |
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==== Battle of Fort Howe, St. John ==== |
==== Battle of Fort Howe, St. John ==== |
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Revision as of 00:22, 19 January 2010
| 84th Regiment of Foot (Royal Highland Emigrants) | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1775-1784 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Allegiance | Loyalist (American Revolution) |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Line Infantry |
| Role | Infantry |
| Size | Regiment of two battalions |
| Nickname(s) | Royal Highland Emigrants (1st Battalion), Young Highlanders (2nd Battalion) |
| Motto(s) | Quicquid aut facere aut patri |
| Colors | dark blue facings; the buttonhole lace was white, with red outer/blue middle/red inner worms; the colours were made up when the regiment was intended to be designated "77th Foot" and bore that number (the regimental colour still survives and, until recently at least, was in a private collection in Scotland). |
| Engagements | First Battalion: Moore's Creek Bridge, Fort St. John's, Quebec City, Upper New York Raid of 1777, Lake Champlain Raids of 1778, Mohawk Valley Raids of 1780-1782. Second Battalion: Charlestown, Long Island, Newport, Fort Howe, Penobscot River, Cape Sable, Bay of Fundy, Mohawk Valley, Hampton Roads of 1780, Charlestown, Tompkin's Bridge, Motte's House, Eutaw Springs, Wiggin's Hill, Fair Lawn, Wimboo Creek, Combahee Ferry |
| Commanders | |
| First Colonel of the Regiment | Lt-Gen. Sir Henry Clinton |
| Second (and final) Colonel of the Regiment | Gen. Sir Guy (Carleton) |
| Notable commanders | Allan Maclean (1st Battalion), John Small (2nd Battalion) |
The 84th Regiment of Foot (Royal Highland Emigrants) was a British regiment in the American Revolution that was raised to defend Nova Scotia, Quebec and Newfoundland from land and sea attacks by American Revolutionaries.[1] The 84th Regiment was also involved in offensive action in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Maine, raids upon Lake Champlain and the Mohawk Valley. The regiment consisted of 2000 men in twenty companies who were clothed, armed and accoutred as the Black Watch, with Lieutenant Colonel Allan Maclean commanding the first battalion and Major General John Small of Strath Ardle commanding the second.[2] The two Battalions operated independently of each other and saw little action together.
-
Lt Colonel Allan MacLean -
Major John Small
Historical context
Nova Scotia
During the American Revolution, the 84th Regiment was tasked with defending Quebec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland from American Patriot attacks by land and sea. Throughout the war, American Privateers devestated the Nova Scotia economy by pillaging and raiding many of the Coastal communities. There were constant attacks by American Privateers,[3] such as the Sack of Lunenburg (1782), the numerous Raids on Liverpool (October 1776, March 1777, September, 1777, May 1778, September 1780) and the Raid on Annapolis Royal (1781).[4]
To guard against such attacks, the 84th Regiment was garrisoned at four forts around the Bay of Fundy, such as Fort Howe[5], at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy and the St. John's River. Fort Howe was immediately pillaged and burned by American Privateers (August, 1775).[6] St. John was raided three more times in the span of two months (1777) before the 84th Regiment was able to rebuild Fort Howe.
The 84th Regiment also defended Nova Scotia at sea, such as attacking an American Privateer ship of Lunenburg (1775). The 84th was lead by Captain John MacDonald. They boarded the warship when part its crew were ashore seeking plunder. they captured the crew, hoisted sail and saild her into Hailfax.[7]
There were also American Patriot attacks on Nova Scotia by land, such as the Battle of Fort Cumberland (i.e., the Eddie Rebellion) (1775). There was the constant threat that American Patriots would attack Halifax by land. The threat involved American Patriots landing in Windsor and marching to Halifax. As a result, in the summer of 1778, Major John Small moved the headquarters of the 84th Regiment from Halifax to Fort Edward (Nova Scotia) in Windsor.
Troops were also stationed around the Bay of Fundy at Fort Edward, Fort Howe (St. John), Fort Anne (Annopolis) and Fort Cumberland (Amherst) to also ward off any possible land assault on Halifax and protect the coastal communities.[8]
Newfoundland
In Newfoundland, the American Privateers sacked numerous ports such as Chateau Bay (1778) and Twillingate (1779). Off the coast of Newfoundland, the 84th Regiment were the first to defeat an American Privateer vessel in the Battle of the Newcastle Jane (1776). Major Small also had companies from the 84th Regiment stationed in Placentia, Newfoundland.
Quebec
Quebec was attacked on numerous occassions such as the Siege of Fort St. Jean and the Battle of Quebec.
First Battalion
Lieutenant Colonel Allan Maclean
By the time Lieutenant-Colonel Allan Maclean (1725-83) was commanding the 84th Regiment, First Battalion, had already had significant military career. He was born in Torloish, Scotland, and began his military service as a 17-year-old lieutenant in the Scots Brigade of the Dutch Army. Accounts differ as to which side he fought on in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745
In the Seven Years War, MacLean served in the British Army in the 60th Foot, and was badly wounded at the Battle of Ticonderoga (1758) and Battle of Fort Niagara. He served as a captain under Wolfe at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham(possibly in Montgomery's Highlanders), and later took command of a New York Independent Company. On the death of his wife in 1760, he returned to Scotland to care for his three daughters, and to raise the short-lived MacLean's Highlanders (114th Foot).
By 1775, MacLean was back in North America to fight in the American Revolution. He was authorized by General Thomas Gage to raise a regiment from Scottish communities in Canada, New York and the Carolinas. This regiment would be known as the 84th Highland Regiment.
Fort Niagara
Allan MacLean was made commander of Fort Niagara (1777), headquarters of the 84th Battalion, 1st Battalion.[9]
Military operations
Under McLean's command, the First Battalion acted primarily to defend Quebec from American Patriot forces. The 84th Regiment tried to repel Brigadier General Richard Montgomery's invasion in the Siege of Fort St. Jean, Quebec. During Montgomery's invasion, the 84th Regiment made two attempts to relieve St Johns, but was forced to return to Quebec, where the Regiment helped to stiffen the resolve of the civil population until Carleton's return from Montreal.
The 84th Regiment was also involved in the Battle of Quebec (1775). Montgomery's and Benedict Arnold's combined invasion in the Battle of Quebec (1775). Col Allan MacLean lead 230 of the 84th Regiment and others repelled the American Patriots in the milled of a severe snowstorm (Craig, p.52)
Later in the war, they took part in raids upon Lake Champlain in 1778 and into the Mohawk Valley in 1780, 1781, and 1782.
Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge, North Carolina
Col MacLean and 84th Highland Regiment were in the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge, North Carolina (1776). On 27 February, 1776, the 84th Regiment, with a number of new recruits, was marching to the port of Wilmington, North Carolina. There they were to emback on a convy and sail north to join the Regiment in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The 84th Regiment, numbering 1300 American Loyalists, met up with a 9000 American Patriots. The American Loyalists were able to push back the Patriots on two occasions, forcing them to withdraw to Moore's Creek Bridge. Captain McLeod, who had survived the Battle of Bunker Hill, was killed leading the charge at Moore's Creek Bridge. Half of the Regiment was captured and thirty were killed; with ninety six officers and men taken prisoner.[10]
Second Battalion
Major John Small
When Col. Allan Maclean landed in America, he discovered that Major General John Small, had begun raising a regiment to be known as the "Young Royal Highlanders". This nascent battalion was, instead, integrated as the second battalion of the Royal Highland Emigrants under Small as Major in command. Officers were commissioned in Boston.
On one occasion, the transport George in New York which was filled with 172 Immigrant Highlanders. Major Small went aboard and expplained the situation and impressed the men into service. Small gave them assurance their families would be well taken care f by the Regiment. at his own expense.
Already an experienced soldier, Small's final fight was the Battle of Bunker Hill. Boston was evacuated in March 1776 and Major Small arrived in Halifax with his regiment. A few months later on June 11, 1776, Small and some of his Highlanders left for New York.
Fort Edward
Initially, the headquarters for the 84th Regiment was in Halifax. During the nine years, members of the Battalion served on Detachments at the Redoubt & Fort Needham, (Halifax), Fort Sackville, (Bedford), Ft. Clarence, (George's Island), Eastern Battery, (Dartmouth).
During the nine years, the 84th Regiment was also stationed at four locations around the Bay of Fundy: Ft. Edward (Windsor), Ft. Anne (Annapolis), Ft. Cumberland (Amherst), Ft. Howe (Saint John).
There were also Fort the 84th were stationed at on Cape Sable, Spanish River (Sydney), Placentia (Nfld.). As well as Ft. Hughes, Brooklyn Heights and Ft. Augusta in America.
Because of the threat of a land assault on Halifax via American Patriots landing in Windsor, Small moved the headquarters for the 84th Highland Regiment from Halifax to Fort Edward, Windsor. The 84th worked at land and sea. In June 1779, for example, The 8th Regiment had taken twelve American Privateers prisoner, who had plundered mansmall vessels and neighbouring inhabitants on the Bay of Fundy. The prisoners were wounded. They were almost rescued by another American Privateer vessel the Statagem, from Marblehead which had nine American Privateers on board. Upon seeing the fate of the prisoners, however, they abandoned the rescue mission for fear of sharing the same fate. One report stated, "It is to be hoped that if they dare return they will fare no better." (Stacy, p. 31)
Small assigned Captain Allan McDonald, husband of the famous Scottish heroine Flora MacDonald (Scottish Jacobite), to be the commander of Fort Edward for fives years.
Flora MacDonald
Captain McDonald had fought in the Battle of Bridge in North Carolina. He was taken prisoner by the American Patriots for two years. Captian Allan McDonald was a prisoner for two years until a prisoner exchange happend in 1777 and he was sent to New York and then on the Fort Edward in Windsor, Nova Scotia. Major Small gave him the command of the 84th Regiment, Second Battalion at Fort Edward (Nova Scotia).
In 1750, at the age of 28, Flora married Captain Allan MacDonald of Kingsburgh, and in 1773 together they emigrated to Montgomery County (formerly Anson), North Carolina. Flora actively participated in recruiting the men for the 84th Highland Regiment, displaying once more her resolute courage. She exhorted the 84th Regiment at Cross Creek, North Carolina (present-day Fayetteville) before the went off to fight in the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge.
After Flora's husband was taken prisoner, Flora remained in hiding while the American Patriots ravaged her family plantation and lost all her possessions. When her husband was released from prison she travalled with out of out of North Carolina to New York and then to Fort Edward in Windsor, Nova Scotia in the fall of 1778.
Flora only stayed in Nova Scotia for one year at Fort Edward, Windsor. In 1779 Flora returned home to Dunvegan Castle in Isle of Skye, Scotland. After the war, in 1784, Allan followed her.
There is a plaque at Fort Edward which reads:
"Flora MacDonald: A name that will be mtioned in history, and if courage and fidelity be virtures, mentioned with honour" - Samuel Johnson
The preserve of Bonnie Prince Charlie spent the winter of 1779 here with er husband, Captain Alan Macdonald of the Royal Hignland Emigrants, when returning to her old home in Skye. After exile from her home in North Carolina. Her loyalty and devotion in the midst of troubled days have lonbeen told in Scottish song and story.
Military operations - Maritime Campaign
The Second Battalion trained and operated as marines and primarily served either in Nova Scotia or the Southern maritime colonies, in which they took part in campaigns against Charleston, 1780-1782, and scattered activity in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The light infantry company of the Second Battalion saw extensive activity in Georgia. Two companies of the Second Battalion were sent to Jamaica for garrison duty in 1782. The rest of the battalion returned to New York in April 1782.
The Second Battalion trained and operated as marines and primarily served to defend Nova Scotia from American Privateers, participating in defeating the Rebel American Penobscot Expedition in Maine. While other companies of the Second Battalion fought in the Battle of Eutaw Springs in South Carolina Battle of Fort Motte, Battle of the Combahee River, and The Battle of Fair Lawn, Siege of Ninety-Six. There were also battles fought in and North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
After the war many from the Second Battalion of the 84th Regiment settled in the Douglas Township, Nova Scotia (a region in present day Hants County).
The 2nd Battalion was raised in the Maritimes, New York and the Carolinas. It was placed under the command of the Gaelic speaking Major John Small of Perthshire who had formerly served in the 42nd Regiment (Black Watch). The 2nd Battalion of the 84th was made up of veterans of the 42nd, 77th and 78th Highlanders who had settled in America after the Seven Years (French and Indian) War. It was also composed of American Loyalists and recent Immigrants. The Second Battalion served at numerous forts in the Atlantic Provinces and New York. It's battle experience was mostly confined in the southern theater of the war, (1778-1781), at such places as Savannah, Charleston, and Eutaw Springs. In the early stages of the Revolution, a portion of the Nova Scotia population was pro-American, as exemplified by Jonathan EDDY's rebel attack of Fort Cumberland on 12 November 1776 with support and/or involvement of some Maugerville, (NB), and Amherst, (N.S.), residents. As a result of the American offence, the strength and defense of such strategic areas as Fort Anne, Fort Edward, Fort Cumberland, and Fort Howe became important once again and was ably carried out to a large degree by the Royal Highland Emigrants, and Col. Joseph GOREHAM's Royal Fencible Americans. The strength and stability created by the garrisons enabled the Atlantic Provinces region to remain loyal to the British and to successfully discourage attack by invading Americans.
Battle of the Newcastle Jane, Newfoundland
On October 23, 1776, under the Captain Murdock MacLaine, the 84th Regiment was in the Battle of the Newcastle Jane.[11] This battle was the first in which a merchant British vessel defeated an American Privateer vessel. The 84th Regiment was on the transport ship Newcastle Jane off the coast of Cape Race, Newfoundland. On board the ship was 20, 000 pounds sterling and 3000 sets of uniforms, much of which was for the 84tt Regiment. On October 23rd at 4:00 am American privateer came within 30 yards of the Newcastle Jane. The American Privateer had ten carriage guns and twelve swivel guns and the Jane had only 6 three-pound carraige guns and a few swivels. The ships opened fire on each other. After a 24 hour stand off, the 84th Regiment had out manouved the American Privateers, leaving them with many wounded and a damaged vessel. By the time the battle was over, the Newcastle Jane only had two rounds of shot left. (Stacy, p. 22-23)
Lachlan Macquarie
One of the crew in the Battle of the Newcastle Jane was a young recruit Lachlan Macquarie, who eventually became known as "the Father of Australia."[12] Macquarie began his military career in 1776 at the age of fourteen when he sailed from Scotland to the New World. The attackers were successfully repelled and six months later on 9 April 1777 he obtained an ensigncy in the 84th Regiment. He did garrison duty, first in Nova Scotia, and then in New York and Charleston. He was commissioned a lieutenant in the 71st Regiment in January 1781. In 1784 he returned to Scotland from his posting in Jamaica, and was reduced to half-pay.
Battle of Fort Howe, St. John
Machias, Maine was used as a base for privateering against Nova Scotia and as a staging and supply point for American Patriot attacks on Fort Howe, St. John and Fort Cumberland. In 1776, American Privateers from Machias had burned Fort Howe at St. John to the ground. In 1777, the American Privateers controlled St. John. In response, Major John Small personally took charge repel the Americans.
The 84th Regiment landed at St. John on June 30, 1777, the American Patriots retreated to the woods. The 84th marched through the woods and were ambushed by the American Patriots. Twelve Americans and one member of the Regiment were killed. Weeks later, on July 13, 1777, American privateers attacked St. John again and were successfully repelled by the 84th regiment. In August 1777, American Privateers attacked again and were successful, carrying off 21 boatloads of plunder.[13] The 84th immediately began to rebuild Fort Howe. Fort Howe became instrumental in curtailing privateer action and was used as an assembly point for attacks on the 13 Colonies.
Battle of Cape Sable, Nova Scotia
On September 4, 1778, the 84th Regiment, under the commmand of Ronald MacKinnon, was in the Battle of Cape Sable. American Privateers were threatening Cape Sable Island when the 84th arrived they surprised the ship in the night and destroyed it. For his aggressive action, McKinnon praised highly by General Eyre Massey. In response, one of his freinds Captian MacDonald, wrote to Major John Small, "McKinnon was embarrassed by the praise of the General and requested it not be inserted in the record since he only did his duty." (Stacy, p. 29) Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia.
Battle of Annoplis Royal, Nova Scotia
On October 2, 1778, the 84th Regiment, under the command of Captain MacDonald, was involved in the Battle of Annapolis Royal. Captain MacDonald on a voyage to Annapolis arrived to find a Privateer ship raiding the port. He destroyed the large Privatter vessl, which was mounting ten carriage guns. Captain MacDonald also caught the attention of General Massey who rote that he "highly approved" of his conduct. (Stacy, p. 29).
Captian Campbell of the 84th Regiment in Deceber 1778 took seven men with him to retrieve a American Privateer ship that was abondoned on Partridge Island. They returned the ship safely to Annopolis Royal. (Stacy, p. 31)
Battle of Penobscot, Maine
The 84th Regiment was involved in successfully defeating the great Penobscot Expedition in Maine. This defeat was the biggest defeat for the American Navy prior to Pearl Harbour.
In November of 1777, the 84th Regiment was involved in the Raid of Castine, Maine, a Privateer port, which was a community with a Fort at the mouth of the Penobscot River, Maine. In the spring of 1779, the Massachusetts navy assembled 19 armed ships and 17 hired ships and 40 coastal sloops for transports. The vessels were had approximately 4000 sailors and militia.
The victory of the British force saw 34 American Patriots killed, 33 wounded and the Mashachsetts fleet destroyed.
Battle of Rhode Island
In 1778, Small was brigade major to General Sir Robert Pigot, 2nd Baronet for the Battle for Rhode Island. The two men had fought together in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Although never coming into combat again after Bunker Hill, his skills as an administrator brought him credit and promotion. (Kim Stacy)
Military operations - South Carolina Campaign
Capture of Savannah, Georgia
- December 29 1778 – Savannah Georgia (Craig, p. 54)
It was the opening move in the British "southern strategy" to regain control of the rebellious southern provinces by appealing to the strong Loyalist sentiment believed to be there. The British held Savannah for the duration of the war, which they used as a base to conduct coastal raids from Charleston, South Carolina to the Florida coast. In the fall of 1779, a combined French and American attempt to recapture Savannah failed with significant casualties. The British held Savannah through the remainder of the war and used the city as a staging ground for further attacks in the South, until the British evacuated on July 11, 1782
There were five companies of the Regiment that shipped South from Halifax in JUne 1776 to help in NewYork and theSourthern theatre. The 84th Regiment joined a group of 3500 in theBritish Army assembled in St. Lucia, sailed in the Chrsitmas season to Georgia. ON December 29, 1778, the rebels were overwhelmed and 450 prisoers were taken, and with 48 cannons and other supplie. (Creaig, p. 54)
1779 - 5 companies served at Fort Augusta under General Cornwallis in Carolina (Craig, p. 54)
Lard Rawdon in Carleston (April 1781).
Siege of Ninety-Six, South Carolina
Ninety Six National Historic Site
John Bond
Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings
Battle of Eutaw Springs
Battle of Eutaw Springs – Sept. 8, 1781 – six soldiers skilled, 22 wounded, 2 missing – no prisoners; Casualities were Capt. Robert Cambell – wounded; 6 soldiers killed, 22 wonded, (Criag, p.13)
American Patiot attack at Orangeburg with 2600 troops. The 84th - working as grenadiers - were part of the British which had 2300. The 84th confronted the American Patriot attack at Eutaw S;rings.
Jamaica
Recruitment
Thewas raised from recent immigrants and American Loyalists from the 13 Colonies and the other British colonies of Quebec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. The 84th Regiment of Foot (Royal Highland Emigrants) began as a American Loyalist regiment of the "Provincial Establishment" (military units made up of Colonial citizens of the British Empire), raised during the American Revolution.[14] The two main recruiters were Col. Maclean and Major John Small,
In June 1775, the first officers were commissioned at Boston, and they traveled about to raise their men in different places. In 1775 alone, the officers recruited men in Boston, New York City, the Mohawk Valley, Canada, Nova Scotia, the Island of Saint Johns (PEI), Newfoundland, and North Carolina. These officers then raised men in and around Boston, New York, the Mohawk Valley, Canada, Nova Scotia, the Island of Saint Johns, Colony of Newfoundland, and North Carolina. Most of the recruits from the coast were sent to the Second Battalion, while the majority of the Carolinian recruits were never able to join the regiment, being scattered at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge in February 1776.
The Regiment was raised in 1775 by Lieutenant Colonel Allan Maclean, who was empowered to "enlist for His Majesty's Service, in any of His Provinces of North America, such Highlanders or such other Loyal Subjects..." [15]
However only two were initially authorized owing to the difficulty of recruiting, originally in New York where Maclean was warned on arrival not to disembark in his uniform for fear of attack. Gage signed provisional commissions for the two majors, sixteen captains, fourteen lieutenants, and six ensigns between 12 and 14 June 1775.[16] More men than this were actually recruited, according to available records. In addition, a full complement of senior officers was authorized.
Recruiting preference was to be given to veterans of the 42nd Regiment of Foot (Black Watch), 77th Regiment of Foot (Montgomerie's Highlanders), and 78th Regiment of Foot (Fraser's Highlanders), which had served as Scottish regiments during the Seven Years' War. Many former members had settled in the North American colonies.
Uniform and equipment
The original uniform of the first battalion was the green Provincial uniform, consisting of a long, green coat, tri-cornered black hat, breeches, and gray hose. They were armed with surplus King's Long Land Muskets from the Seven Years' War. In the second quarter of 1777, they received kilts, belted plaids (or perhaps both) in the government sett and wore these with their green Provincial coats (which were shortened) until these wore out, at which time they were replaced with the red coats of regulars. The Second Battalion did not do as well, having to provide for their own uniforms until the local governor was formally ordered to clothe and arm them in the autumn of 1776.
Upon their incorporation into the Regular Establishment, their uniform was standardized to the short Highland style coat with dark blue facings and white turnbacks. The regimental lace is presumed to be white tape with one blue worm centered between two red, but this description is based on a later 84th regiment's practices, as no contemporary descriptions of the regimental lace have been discovered. Buttons had one of three variations, all of which incorporated "84th" with the customary Highland embellishment. Men were issued plaids or kilts of government sett. In addition, each man was issued two pairs of trews, one white and one blue. Companies in the south were issued brown trousers instead of white or blue. Officers' uniforms used gold lace and buttons. In winter, it was common for men to wear both trousers and plaids simultaneously. Members stationed in Canada were issued a wool waistcoat, a blanket coat, overshoes, a watch cape, mittens, ice creepers, and snow shoes.
Of particular note, General Gage specified that the new military unit would be "cloathed Armed and accoutred in like manner with His Majesty's Royal Highland Regiment", indicating that they would wear the Highland Scots military uniform, unlike the more conventional uniforms worn by other Provincial units,
...authorized red coats faced blue, and gold lace and accoutrements. The kilts and plaids were to be of government tartan — the drab dark blue and green worn by the Black Watch — which the King had chosen for all his Highland regiments. However, the sporrans would be of racoon skin, which Allan knew could be bought for a song in the colonies, rather than the more costly badger pelt normally used. Allan arranged for Cox, Mair, and Cox to supply the uniforms, and he ordered his banners from a London firm. These colours were of lustrous, thick silk, the same design as the flags of the 60th Regiment of the Seven Years' War era. Allan ignored the regulations of 1768 since the Royal Highland Emigrants would not be a numbered regular regiment, but a Provincial Corps of the British Army. The earlier regulations permitted a riband bearing the regiment's name, rather than a number in the centre. When he sailed, Allan took only his regimentals and the colours. The rest of the uniforms would be shipped when he learned where he would be posted.[17]
Disbanded
Evacuated from Charlestown South Carolina to Nova Scotia on Oct. 24, 1782.
Small, the Ninety-Six settlers and the 84th Soldiers arrive in Halifax on the frigate Jason on Novermeber 12. (Craig, p.14).
Following the end of the American Revolution (1783), the 2nd Battalion was disbanded at Windsor, Nova Scotia, on October 10th, 1783. Major Small was given the Township of Douglas in Hants County for his men.[18]
in 1784, the 84th was disbanded, and its men were offered land grants. The First battalion settled mainly in Ontario while the Second mainly in Nova Scotia. A few took passage, instead, to Britain.
This unit, the "old 84th", was completely disbanded and has no direct descendants in the military of the modern United Kingdom. Later regiments to bear this number (84th (York and Lancaster) Regiment of Foot) have no historical nor traditional connection to it. However, the Canadian Army considers the 84th to be continued in the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders.
References
- ^ The provinces of Ontario and New Brunwick were only created after the American Revolution by dividing Quebec and Nova Scotia respectively. Prior to the revolution Ontario was part of Quebec and New Brunwick was part of Nova Scotia.
- ^ Initially, Major John's Small's regiment was named the Young Royal Highlanders and Allan Maclean's was called the Royal Highland Immigrants. John Small's regiment was later amalgamated into Allan MacLeans, both taking on the name the Royal Highland Emigrants. In January 1779, all battalions of the regiment were moved from the Provincial to the Regular Establishment as the 84th Regiment of Foot. They served as part of the Regular Establishment until the end of the war.
- ^ Benjamin Franklin also engaged France in the war to fight against England, which meant that many of the Privateers were also from France.
- ^ Roger Marsters (2004). Bold Privateers: Terror, Plunder and Profit on Canada's Atlantic Coast" , p. 87-89.
- ^ Also known as Fort Frederick.
- ^ Bold Privateers, p. 88
- ^ Craig, C. (1989). The Young Emigrants: Craigs of the Magaguadavic. p. 53
- ^ Island of St. John (i.e., Prince Edward Island) was also also attacked in the Raid of Charlottetown (1775).
- ^ White people, Indians, and Highlanders: tribal peoples and colonial ... By Colin Gordon Calloway,p. 108
- ^ Bruce, Bernard. The British Eighty-Fourth Regiment, (1775-1784. Nova Scotia Records and Archive Management. MG. 100., Vil. 137, No. 9G, pp. 4
- ^ EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM MAJOR-GENERAL MASSEY, COMMANDING HIS MAJESTY' S TROOPS IN THE PROVINCE OF NOVA-SCOTIA, TO ALDERMAN BAKER, OF CORK. Halifax, November 5, 1776.
- ^ "Burke's landed gentry of Great Britain: together with members of the titled and non-titled contemporary establishment" By Peter Beauclerk Dewar, 2001, p. 923
- ^ Stacy, p. 26-27; Craig, p. 54.
- ^ While it wore the Scottish Highland uniform and was known as a Highland Regiment, it consisted of no more than 25% Scottish membership, the rest made up of the other nationalities present in the English Colonies during the American Revolution.
- ^ The original commission from General Thomas Gage called for five battalions of ten company strength, each of "One Field Officer or Captain, two Subalterns, three Serjeants, three Corporals, two Drums, and Fifty private men", giving a theoretical strength of 3,050 men under arms (including drummers and captains).
- ^ Fryer Beacock, Mary, Allan Maclean, Jacobite General, Dundurn Press, Toronto, 1987, p.121
- ^ Fryer Beacock, Mary, Allan Maclean, Jacobite General, Dundurn Press, Toronto, 1987, p.119
- ^ Although some chose to settle elsewhere, chiefly in Pictou, Halifax, and Colchester Counties, as well as along the South Shore.
- Katcher, Philip, Encyclopaedia of British, Provincial, and German Army Units 1775-1783, 1973, ISBN 0811705420