78th Fraser Highlanders

78th Regiment of Foot
Active 1757–1763
Country Scotland
Allegiance Great Britain
Branch Infantry
Type Infantry
Size Two Battalions
Nickname(s) Fraser's Highlanders
Motto(s) Je suis prest
Colors White or Buff facings and no (?) lace.
Engagements Battle of the Plains of Abraham
Siege of Louisbourg (1758)
Battle of Signal Hill
Commanders
Notable
commanders		 Simon Fraser
For other units with the same regimental number, see 78th Regiment of Foot

The 78th Regiment, (Highland) Regiment of Foot otherwise known as the 78th Fraser Highlanders was a British infantry regiment of the line raised in Scotland in 1757, to fight in the Seven Years' War (also known in the USA as the French and Indian War ).

History

The regiment was formed as the "2nd Highland Battalion" having its roots in a Highland company of 1745. With the buildup of 2nd battalions of various regiments into separate regiments it was then numbered as the 62nd Regiment of Foot, the 63rd and then finally as the 78th in 1758.

The regiment fought at the capture of Louisbourg in 1758, at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759, at the capture of Montreal in 1760 and at the Battle of Signal Hill in 1762. In 1763 at the end of the war, they were disbanded in what is now Canada. Many soldiers remained in the area of Quebec, others returned to Scotland and some joined the 84th Regiment of Foot (Royal Highland Emigrants).

A new 78th (Highland) Regiment of Foot was created in 1793.

The motto "Je suis prest" was specific to Clan Fraser of Lovat, a cadet branch of the Lowland Clan Fraser.

Equipment

The Death of General Wolfe
Artist Benjamin West
Year 1771
Medium Oil on canvas
Dimensions 151 cm × 213 cm (59 in × 84 in)
Location National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa

The 78th Fraser Highlanders wore both the great kilt (feileadh mor) and the little kilt (feileadh beag). It is unknown whether they wore the government sett (Black Watch) or the modified Fraser sett, although several sources, including Benjamin West's The Death of General Wolfe, indicate the latter.

They wore a short red coat with buff facings, and red and white diced hose. Blue balmorals with bearskin hackles were issued. Sporrans and dirks were not issued, and reflected the soldier's wealth.

The 78th were issued .66 caliber carbines with bayonets that had originally been used by the regiments of horse. Evidence suggests the regiment may have exchanged their carbines for Long Land pattern arms when they arrived in Nova Scotia. Soldiers were also issued the basket-hilted broadsword. Examples exist which are marked '2 – HB' for the 78th's precursor, the 2nd Highland Battalion (Darling 1988).

Recreation

A reenactment group recreated the regiment for the 1967 Worlds Fair in Montreal. The recreated regiment has grown to include many branches across North America, taking part in various cultural and reenactment activities. Although modeled after a military organization, the various chapters operate as fraternal organizations. During the summer months, one group portraying the regiment performs musket and bagpipe demonstrations at the Fort de l'Île Sainte-Hélène.

See also

References

    External links

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