Swain Report Special: War Office 28, Regimental HQ Papers.

War Office 28, Regimental Headquarters Papers
Swain Report Special, Installment 1


This post begins a special installment of the Swain Report series: while most of David Swain's reports have provided a general finding aid to the collections they cover, this series constitutes a full catalog of all items in the War Office 28 microfilm rolls held by DLAR. The miscellaneous nature of the documents, which seem to be leftover returns and correspondence from British and Royal Provincial regiments in Canada, make composing a standard finding aid difficult. A full catalog is necessary for fully realizing the importance of these documents, which help to fill in the gaps left by other collections and provide important insights into the daily minutiae of military life, and to make them more user-friendly for researchers. We are very thankful that David has undertaken this intensive task, which has already revealed a number of interesting documents that might otherwise have been lost in the shuffle.

 WPT III

 


British War Office 28—American Headquarters Records
Annotated List of Contents—Part 2 (Reel 1)

by David Swain

The David Library holds microfilm copies of the British War Office 28 Records, parts 2 through 10 (1775-1785), contained on 8 reels, as follows:

28.2 Letters, returns, etc (reel 1, 176 documents)
28.3 Letters, returns, etc. continued (reel 2)
28.4 Butler’s Rangers, Canadian fencibles, Royal Highland Emigrants or 84 Foot, Jessup’s Rangers (reel 3)
28.5 Royal Regiment of New York, Rogers’ King’s Rangers, Barrack Master General’s Department (reel 3, reel 4)
28.6 Engineers; garrison returns; General Hospital Department (reel 5)
28.7 Montreal; ordnance; Quartermaster-General’s Department; St. Johns; Sorel (reel 5, reel 6)
28.8 Three Rivers, petitions and memorials; Germans; Carleton Isle, Cataraqui, Oswego (reel 6)
28.9 Miscellaneous letters, memorials, order books, etc. (reel 7)
28.10 Miscellaneous returns etc. (reel 8)




Note: The compiler of this annotated list has numbered the microfilmed documents consecutively within each reel. These numbers do not appear on the microfilm and are used here only to maintain a sense of order in the contents.

“Letterbooks” among these documents are not actually bound books but are folders of separate-page letters kept at the time by regiments. The microfilm copies of these letters are mostly in chronological order, with a few exceptions. Apparently at a later time, archivists added consecutive printed numbers to the letter pages within each part. These printed numbers are noted in this list for each letterbook.


28.2. Letterbooks (Reel 1)


Summary contents:

* 34th Regiment of Foot field officer letters 1782-1783: 46 letters; document numbers 1 through 46; printed page numbers 1 through 86

* 34th Regiment of Foot field officer letters 1778-1781: 20 letters; document numbers 47 through 66; printed page numbers 87 through 126

* 31st Regiment of Foot field officer letters 1777-1783: 29 letters; document numbers 67 through 95; printed page numbers 127 through 182

* 8th “Royal Artillery” Regiment field officers letters 1778: 20 letters; document numbers 96 through 115; printed page numbers 183 through 227

* 29th Regiment field officers letters 1778-1780: 19 letters; document numbers 116 through 134; printed page numbers 228 through 264

* 8th “King’s” Regiment field officers letters 1779-1782: 12 letters; document numbers 135-146; printed page numbers 265 through 287

* 44th Regiment field officers, captains, and subalterns letters 1781-1783: 9 letters; document numbers 147 through 155; printed page numbers 288 through 304

* 29th Regiment field officers letters 1781-1783: 21 letters; document numbers 156-176; printed page numbers 305 through 345


Itemized, annotated contents:

34th Regiment of Foot field officer letters 1782-1783: 46 letters with dates from January 23, 1782 through December 22, 1783 (printed page numbers 1 through 86)

1. January 23, 1782
From Colonel Barry St. Leger, at Montreal, to Major R. B. Lernoult, at Quebec, adjutant general to Lord Frederick Cavendish, in London
Concerning a commission for Mr. John Gethen Crone

2. February 14, 1782
From St. Leger at St. Johns to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning appointments, including Crone’s

3. March 15, 1782
From Captain D. Forbes at St. Johns to [probably St. Leger]
Concerning deputy chaplain Mr. Scott’s irregular behavior and recommendation of subaltern officers that he be dismissed

4. April 3, 1782
From Cavendish in London to [?]
Extract from a letter concerning the deputy chaplain’s conduct


5. April 21, 1782
From St. Leger at St. Johns, by now commander there, to Lernoult at Montreal
Concerning the succession of Lieutenant Hamilton to Captain Nodder’s position

6. April 23, 1782
From St. Leger at Montreal to Lernoult
Concerning Lieutenant Hamilton’s status

7. June 21, 1782
From St. Leger at St. Johns to Cavendish
Concerning request by Lieutenant Atkins to go to Europe for medical attention to his leg

8. June 15, 1782
From Dr. H. A. Kennedy concerning the lame leg of Lieutenant Atkins, recommending that he go to baths in England or Germany for treatment

9. July 23, 1782
From St. Leger at Montreal to Lernoult
Concerning filling a vacant position with Lieutenant Aldworth

10. October 2, 1782
From St. Leger at St. Johns to Lernoult
Concerning Lieutenant Wingrove’s request to be relieved of his command

11. October 2, 1782
From St. Leger to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning replacing Lieutenant Ireland who had died in Ireland with St. Leger’s son

12. September 25, 1782
From W. Dantus or Santus [?] at La Chine, Canada to St. Leger
Confirming Lieutenant Ireland’s death, with attached death notice from a newspaper in Limerick, Ireland dated September 3, 1781

13. October 13, 1782
From St. Leger to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning Lieutenant Crofts and Lieutenant Wingrove

14. November 7, 1782
From St. Leger at Montreal to Lernoult
Report that the 34th Regiment passed La Chine on its way to Niagara; since the weather had been tough on the men, St. Leger had loosened the general order against rum; if not consented to by His Excellency (Cavendish), the regiment would recompense the Crown for the cost of the rum

15. November 11, 1782
From Major Charles Green to Lernoult
Concerning delay in submitting regimental returns because the regiment had been on the march; written at St. Leger’s request

16. November 18, 1782
From St. Leger to Lernoult
Informing His Excellency that four POWs had arrived from Niagara

17. November 25, 1782
From St. Leger at Montreal to Lernoult
Concerning the prisoners of war

18. November 28, 1782
From St. Leger at Montreal to Lernoult
Concerning the attached return for the prisoners [not microfilmed]

19. December 2, 1782
From St. Leger to Lernoult
Concerning a German recruit named Pyper [?] who had deserted to the Mohawks, married, and become part of the tribe; Mohawks wanted him to become a “free man”; St. Leger expressed little hope of bringing him back to military justice but awaited His Excellency’s decision

20. December 19, 1782
From St. Leger to Lernoult
Concerning prisoners, including a deserter from the 29th regiment and a hospital mate, Mr. Connor

21. January 2, 1783
From St. Leger to Lernoult
Concerning apprehension of a deserter from the 24th regiment

22. January 6, 1783
From St. Leger at Montreal to Lernoult
Concerning prisoner Hudman, who had been taken by civil authorities from military custody to be tried in civil court; also recommending pardon for deserter John Clark of the 34th Regiment

23. January 13, 1783
From Major Charles Green at Montreal to Lernoult
Showing that by now, St. Leger had been promoted to brigadier general and was in command at Montreal; concerning British soldier prisoners being escorted to Quebec for court martial


24. March 20, 1783
From St. Leger to Lernoult
Concerning deserters

25. May 9, 1783
From St. Leger to Lernoult
Concerning Quartermaster Bullers [?], a prisoner for murder; attached list of prisoners sent from Niagara and Oswego [not microfilmed]; other prisoner matters

26. June 2, 1783
From St. Leger to Lernoult
Concerning prisoners

27. June 9, 1783
From St. Leger to Lernoult
Concerning prisoner problems; belief that some German guards were conspiring with British soldier prisoners to escape together; plan to replace these guards with “confidential men”; desire to put prisoner Bullers under civil law for trial

28. June 26, 1783
From St. Leger to Lernoult
Reporting that 52 prisoners of war arrived from Niagara, including men, women, and children; problems with “insolent” civil jailor; problems with differing conditions between civil jail and provost (military) jail

29. July 7, 1783
From St. Leger at Montreal to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning prisoners of war; request orders about what to do with “rebel” Canadians still incarcerated in the Provost, along with one Negro slave who had run away from his master in Detroit and really didn’t belong in the Provost at all and should probably be sent back to his master; expectation that with most prisoners leaving, the number of guards can be reduced

30. July 21, 1783
From James Hughes to Lernoult
Concerning a grievance against St. Leger about being ordered to be commanded by a militia captain, with a copy of St. Leger’s order attached [not microfilmed]

31. August 2, 1783
From James Hughes to Lernoult at Quebec
Sending a garrison return to Lernoult


32. August 11, 1783
From St. Leger at Montreal to Lernoult
Concerning Brigadier General McLean, who felt he had been rebuked by headquarters and, in consequence, had engaged in inappropriate behavior; St. Leger’s opinion that he was not really a bad soldier but misinformed

33. August 22, 1783
From St. Leger to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning arrival of a detachment under Lieutenant Warburton

34. September 7, 1783
From St. Leger to Lernoult at Quebec
Reporting arrival and arrest of hospital mate Mr. Connor

35. September 13, 1783
From Major Robert Hayes at Niagara to Lernoult
Concerning a request from Captain Steele to be approved for leave back to England because of bad health; also leave requests of Lieutenant Arden and Lieutenant Crofts

36. August 10, 1783
From Dr. Charles Blake Simpson at Montreal to [?]
Certifying the health condition of Captain Steele

37. September 18, 1783
From St. Leger to [?]
Concerning prisoner problems with attachment of a “German discharge” paper in German; the man in question, a member of the “Brunswick Troops” had been placed in the Provost prison; request for orders on what to do with him

38. May 6, 1783
The discharge paper in German, dated with the above date, attached to the previous letter

39. [no date]; received October 1, 1783
From St. leger to Lernoult
Concerning the German soldier, whose discharge paper was a forgery, with the man’s name inserted over a previous name; concerning Captain Steele

40. October 6, 1783
From St. Leger to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning an artillery group coming through Montreal


41. October 16, 1783
From St. Leger at Montreal to Lernoult
Reporting that prisoners of the 24th Regiment were under guard of thee 84th Regiment; some of these military prisoners were expected to be transferred to civil authority soon

42. October 21, 1783
From Major Hayes at Niagara to General Federick Haldamend, governor of Quebec
Concerning Ensign Walsingham Gresley’s hardship in purchasing his ensigncy

43. October 21, 1783
From Ensign Gresley to “Lieutenant Colonel” Hayes explaining his situation in relation to his ensigncy

44. December 15, 1783
From St. Leger at Montreal to Major Matthews
Concerning the status of the 34th Regiment; requesting orders

45. November 30, 1783
From Hayes at Niagara to Lernoult
Concerning sending soldier John Steward to Montreal; supporting Ensign Gresley’s cause

46. December 22, 1783
From St. Leger to [?]
Concerning plans for reduction of the provincial corps at Montreal



34th Regiment of Foot field officer letters 1778-1781: 20 letters with dates from December 20, 1777 through November 6, 1781 (printed page numbers 87 through 126)

47. [no date; probably early January 1778]
From Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Leger to Captain Francis Le Maistre, deputy adjutant general
Concerning Captain Churchill’s petition, who was improperly imprisoned, with Churchill’s letter attached

48. December 20, 1777
From Captain George Churchill at Nouvelle Beauce to the Commanding Officer, 34th Regt at Quebec
Churchill’s petition concerning his improper imprisonment


49. July 14, 1778
From St. Leger to Le Maistre
Request for “things wanted” by the regiment with report attached

50. July 14, 1778
From Quarter Master William Wood at Quebec to [?]
Report concerning need for implements to remove “nusances and rubbish that Surrounds the Barracks.”

51. August 27, 1778
From Major A. Dundas at Quebec to Le Maistre at Montreal
Concerning execution of general marching orders of August 24

52. November 30, 1779
From St. Leger at Quebec to Le Maistre
Concerning a memorial in the case of Mr. Blake, supporting promotion of Henry Stiles to surgeon, Stiles’ memorial attached

53. October 20, 1779
From Surgeon’s Mate Henry Stiles at Sorel to General Frederick Haldimand, governor of Quebec
Memorial for promotion to surgeon

54. November 15, 1779
From Dundas at Sorel to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning movements of troops and ships to Sorel; delays due to “bad weather and contrary winds”

55. December 2, 1779
From St. Leger at Sorel to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning returns and Surgeon Blake who was living “in idleness” but not reported as absent without leave

56. June 21, 1780
From St. Leger at Sorel to Le Maistre
Recommendation and request for permission to drum Moses Livermore out of the regiment for being a “notorious villain”

57. June 22, 1780
From Captain David Forbes, adjutant of the 34th Regiment, to St. Leger at Sorel
Report of the misdemeanors of Moses Livermore

58. August 31st, 1780
From St. Leger at Sorel to “His Excellency” [probably Governor Haldimand]
Supporting Adjutant Forbes’ wish to resign his position in favor of Ensign Maurice Atkin
59. September 14, 1780
From St. Leger at Sorel to Major Lernoult, adjutant general, at Quebec
Concerning reassignment of Captain Shoud to a detachment command at Niagara

60. October 12, 1780
From Dundas at Sorel to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning Dundas’ desire to purchase a lieutenant colonelcy if available; hopeful comment about capture of “Mr. Laurence Late President of the Congress, with all their plans of operation…”

61. November 26, 1780
From St. Leger at St. Johns to Lernoult
Hoping for a promised donation from His Excellency to help the troops through the winter

62. November 29, 1780
From St. Leger at St. Johns to Lernoult
Concerning a grievance by Captain Anerum

63. June 6, 1781
From St. Leger to Le Maistre, now deputy adjutant general, at Quebec
Concerning a possible promotion for Mr. Arden

64. August 11, 1781
From St. Leger to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning insufficient available captains to form a court martial, with attached distribution of officers

65. August 11, 1781
Reported by Ensign Maurice Atkin
Distribution of officers, by name, in the 34th Regiment

66. November 6, 1781
From St. Leger at Chimney Point to General Haldimand, governor of Quebec
Concerning the placement of junior ensign Maurice Atkin ahead of senior ensign W. Graham, with a request for rectification


31st Regiment of Foot field officer letters 1777-1783: 29 letters with dates from October 18, 1777 through November 30, 1783 (printed page numbers 127 through 182)

67. October 18, 1777
Lieutenant Colonel Jeremiah French at St. Johns to [?]
Concerning the memorial of Captain William Sanford for a commission in the regiment

68. December 20, 1777
From French at St. Johns to [?]
Concerning a scout bringing in rebels, including 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, and 1 private, apparently under a flag; seeking orders on what to do with them; other news of loyalists and spies

69. April 27, 1778
From Pay Master Bryer McCumming at St. Johns to French
Concerning a request to obtain funds to make overdue payments

70. April 29, 1778
From French at St. Johns to Captain Francis Le Maistre, deputy adjutant general at Quebec
Forwarding McCumming’s letter and seeking action

71. June 21, 1778
From French at St. Johns to Brigadier General Henry Watson Powell at Montreal
Concerning the provision of arms to officers

72. July 2, 1778
From French at St. Johns to [?]
Concerning Ensign Davis’ memorial to purchase a vacant lieutenancy caused by Ensign Blankley’s requesting a leave of absence

73. July 16, 1778
From French at Montreal to General Haldimand, commander in chief of British forces in Canada
Concerning and supporting a leave of absence for Ensign Blankley to return to England for personal reasons

74. December 26, 1778
From French at St. Johns to Le Maistre, adjutant general at Quebec
Concerning Robert Johnson, a deserter

75. August 22, 1779
From French at St. Johns to Haldimand
Concerning the memorial on behalf of Ensign Davis and related matters
76. September 9, 1779
From French at St. Johns to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning volunteers, purchasing commissions and augmentation of the regiment

77. September 9, 1779
From French at St. Johns to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning the need and request for supplies

78. October 17, 1779
From French to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning a personal leave of absence for Lieutenant Bachan [?]

[no letters dated in 1780]

79. April 14, 1781
From French at Chateau Richer to Lernoult (adjutant general)
Concerning conducting an inquiry into the complaint of the captain of militia against Captain Donaldson for having imprisoned him; French feels the complaint has no basis, at least to the extent it relates to him.

80. December 13, 1781
From French at Chateau Richer to Lernoult at Quebec
Recommending Sergeant Major Matthew Thompson

81. December 17, 1781
From French at Chateau Richer to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning Matthew Thompson’s recommendation’

82. April 4, 1782
From Major General Thomas Clarke at Quebec to Haldimand
Concerning a request from Major Nairne to form a grenadier company

83. April 24, 1782
From Clarke at Quebec to Lernoult at Montreal
Concerning regimental returns; the 31st return indicating “the whole totally unfit for Service”

84. May 6, 1782
From O. Tisdell, aid de camp at Montreal, to Lernoult
Concerning a report on the “state of the camp equipage of the different corps in the district under his command”

85. May 9, 1782
From Clarke at Quebec to Lernoult
Concerning camp equipage and “my Treat to the Indians”
86. May 13, 1782
From Clarke at Quebec to Lernoult
Pleasure that his Excellency is sending a detachment from the 84th to Carleton Island

87. May 13, 1782
From Clarke at Quebec to Haldimand
Concerning public works detachments from regiments, including the 31st; arrival of a ship from New York but not the Pandora, from which it had been separated

88. July 10, 1782
From Clarke at Quebec to Haldimand
Concerning selling the commission of Lieutenant Bachan

89. October 14, 1782
From Clarke at Quebec to Haldimand
Concerning clothing for the 31st not delivered, needed, and recommended to be supplied from clothing for the 62nd

90. April 21, 1783
From French at Point aux Trembles to Lernoult
Concerning replacement of a soldier who died with volunteer John McCumming of the 31st

91. August 14, 1783
From Clarke to Lernoult
Recommendation concerning an old soldier named Jeffries wishing to remain in Quebec and practice his trade

92. November 20, 1783
From Clarke to Lernoult
Enclosing a return of Clarke’s regiment and letter from “my Lieu’t Colonel” stating that the number of men willing to re-enlist cannot be ascertained

93. November 20, 1783
From French to Clarke
The letter Clarke enclosed with the return to Lernoult on the same date [above]

94. November 20, 1783
From French [to Clarke]
Return of the present strength of the 31st regiment and enlistment status

95. November 30, 1783
By French at Quebec
Formally written return for the 31st including those to be discharged November 30


8th “Royal Artillery” Regiment field officers letters 1778: 20 letters with dates from July 3, 1778 through December 1, 1778 (printed page numbers 183 through 227)

96. July 3, 1778
Major A. S. De Peyster at Michilimackinac to Captain Francis Le Maistre, deputy adjutant general, Montreal
Concerning the length of time taken to communicate with Michilimackinac, via Niagara

97. July 11, 1778
From Lieutenant Colonel Mason Bolton, garrison commander at Niagara, to Le Maistre
Concerning recommended replacement for Captain Powell, who had died, with Lieutenant Carnegy [?]; enclosing recommended discharge papers for soldiers unfit for service [not microfilmed]; news that Major Butler’s “parties have taken forty four Prisoners and forty five Scalps and every day I expect to hear he has struck a blow of some Consequence”

98. August 10, 1778
From Bolton at Niagara to Le Maistre
Concerning supplying soldiers to the northwest by land and ship; movements of detachments; construction and repair of fortifications; Colonel Butler’s information that “the Indians are a good deal dissatisfied”

99. August 12, 1778
Survey of the Ordnance at Niagara under Bolton’s command [5 pages]

100. August 13, 1778
From Bolton at Niagara to Brigadier General Powell or officer commanding at Montreal
Sending to Montreal Sergeant McIntosh of the 34th regiment who made his escape from the Rebels”

101. August 14, 1778
From Francis Hereford of artillery stores to Lieutenant C. S. Colleton
Demand of stores for Bolton’s garrison for 1777 which had not yet arrived

102. August 16, 1778
From Bolton at Niagara to Powell at Montreal
Sending a lieutenant and four men prisoners to Dour [?] Island to be forwarded to Montreal


103. August 19, 1778
From Bolton at Niagara to Le Maistre
News of fighting with the rebels in Illinois country, including some Virginians and some Kaskaskia Indians; places mentioned include Detroit, the Cahokia settlement, and Vincennes

104. September 4, 1778
From Bolton at Niagara to Haldimand
Concerning Captain Bouchette’s request to go to Montreal to settle some business; navy use of bateaux to send supplies to Fort Erie; similar subjects

105. [no date]
From 2nd Lieutenant of Artillery Herbert Du Vernet to De Peyster and Fernoult
“Return of Ordnance Stores wanting for the Garrisons of Detroit & Michilimackinac” [2 pages]

106. September 10, 1778
From Bolton at Niagara to Le Maistre, deputy adjutant general
Enclosing the monthly garrison return [not microfilmed]

107. September 13, 1778
From Bolton at Niagara to Le Maistre at Montreal
Concerning Lieutenant Yonge’s [?] need to go to Montreal due to illness, with doctor’s certificate enclosed

108. September 26, 1778
From Dr. Hugh Atley [?] Kennedy, physician & inspector at Montreal
Certificate of the ill health of Lieutenant Yonge

109. September 17, 1778
From Bolton at Niagara to Le Maistre
Sending men to Montreal in hopes of bringing back clothing for the regiment

110. October 3, 1778
From Bolton at Niagara to Le Maistre
Sending some officers home; enclosing returns for ordnance stores needed at Detroit and Michilimackinac [probably the undated list, item 105]

111. October 12, 1778
From Bolton at Niagara to Le Maistre
Concerning the death of Mr. Smyth, commissary at Fort Erie, and recommending the drum major to replace him


112. [no date]
From Robert Matthews to Bolton
Concerning Mr. Smith and recommending replacing him with “Warren, our Drum Major, for whom something has been a long time intended to be done”

113. October 22, 1778
From De Peyster at Michilimackinac to Le Maistre
Enclosing several returns of the garrison [not microfilmed]

114. November 11, 1778
From Bolton at Niagara to Le Maistre
Concerns about receiving clothing and being able to transport that and other goods by bateaux before winter

115. December 1, 1778
From Bolton at Niagara to Le Maistre
Concerning rumors of rebel activity toward Sandusky (Ohio) with possible intent of an expedition against Carleton Island


29th Regiment field officers letters 1778-1780: 19 letters with dates from September 15, 1778 through July 8, 1780 (printed page numbers 228 through 264)

116. September 15, 1778
Major Christopher Carleton at Isle au Noix to Captain Francis Le Maistre, adjutant general
Praising “emigrant” and loyalist Canadians for being good, hard workers at wood cutting; other related concerns

117. [no date]
signed by William Johnston, Captain & Fort Adjutant
List of prisoners take by Major Carleton, 40 numbered names

118. November 5, 1778
From Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Carleton [brother of General Guy Carleton; uncle of Christopher Carleton] at Montreal to Le Maistre
“inclosing a letter from Capt Edge concerning German deserters, Copy of a letter from Capt Lernoult, and a Return of prisoners sent from the upper Posts to Montreal”

119. October 13, 1778
From Lernoult at Detroit to Lieutenant Colonel Bolton
Concerning Lernoult’s sending prisoners Josiah Dixon and James Calloway in irons to Niagara because of their “improper discourse” and other behaviors against His Majesty

120. November 2, 1778
From Captain [?] Edge, 73rd Regiment commander at Glen Tier [?] to Brigadier General Powell at St. Johns
Concerning capture of three deserters by Sergeant Hervey

121. October 26, 1778
Return of six prisoners (four rebel soldiers) sent from Niagara to Montreal by Lieutenant Colonel Mason Bolton, including the above mentioned Josiah Dixon and James Calloway

122. November 12, 1778
From Thomas Carleton at Montreal to Le Maistre
Concerning the exchange of prisoner Lieutenant England

123. December 11, 1778
From Christopher Carleton to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning cattle taken from a nearby community and “destroyed”

124. April 1, 1779
From Carleton at Isle aux Noix to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning Carleton’s “distressed” situation and seeking help

125. August 16, 1779
From Carleton at Isle aux Noix to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning an error in the latest return sent to Le Maistre

126. October 8, 1779
From Carleton at Isle aux Noix to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning supplies and transport problems

127. December 4, 1779
From Carleton at Isle aux Noix to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning issues of troop strength

128. December 16, 1779
From Carleton to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning a lieutenancy that is to be sold

129. December 24, 1779
From Careton at Isle aux Noix to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning two men of the regiment who were absent without leave; one was taken and the other gave himself up


130. April 1, 1780
From Carleton at St. Johns to [?; probably Le Maistre]
Return attached; requesting supplies, including ammunition to make the regiment useful for possibly going into the field. “The Reg’t has not rec’d any ammunition since they left Montreal.”

131. May 14, 1780
From Carleton at St. Johns to Le Maistre
Concerning a second error in the regiment’s return

132. June 3, 1780
From Carleton at Fort St. John to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning reducing troops at the post of Point au Feux

133. July 8, 1780
From Carleton at Chambly to Le Maistre
Concerning a “circumstance relative to the Chasseurs”

134. July [?], 1780
Mr. Dickson Reide, surgeon’s mate, 29th Regiment, at St. Johns
Four-page report entitled “A Narrative of Facts relative to the Charge of the Sick Chasseurs at Isle aux Noix”


8th “King’s” Regiment field officers letters 1779-1782: 12 letters with dates from February 12, 1779 through November 25, 1782 (printed page numbers 265 through 287)

135. February 12, 1779
From Lieutenant Colonel Mason Bolton at Niagara to Captain Le Maistre
Enclosing a return, forwarded letters, and a list of medicines

136. [no date]
From Surgeon R. M. Grusland
Statement that “The Kings Regt at Niagara has not received any Supply of medicines from the General Hospital for near a year & a half”, resulting in their being “subject to very great inconveniencies” and request for a list of medicines

137. September 8, 1779
From Bolton at Niagara to Le Maistre
Sending an overdue monthly return
138. December 2, 1779
From Bolton to Le Maistre
Sending another overdue monthly return


139. October 25, 1780
From Major A. S. De Peyster at Detroit to [?]
Concerning appointment of Captain Bird as acting engineer at Detroit

140. October 28, 1780
From De Peyster to Major Lernoult, adjutant general
Concerning shifting troops between Michilimackinac and Detroit, difficulties of transport this late in the season, and news that Lieutenant Governor Sinclair and Captain Mompesson [?] do not “mention any thing of an Enemy at Chigagou”

141. July 13, 1782
From Lieutenant Colonel A. Dundas, 8th Regiment at Montreal to [?]
Acknowledging orders to “repair without delay to Niagara”

142. August 11, 1782
From Dundas at Niagara to Lernoult at Quebec
Informing Lernoult of arrival at Niagara and that Brigadier General Powell had not yet returned from Detroit but was expected

143. September 2, 1782
From Dundas at Niagara to Lernoult
Concerning a party of men sent to pick up clothing for the regiment plus other personnel business

144. October 24, 1782
From Dundas at Niagara to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning various personnel matters; news that Lieutenant Butler and his rangers have been ill but that Butler wishes that one of his companies continue at Oswego; break up of the ranger and Canadian volunteer camp at Sandusky

145. November 15, 1782
From Dundas at Niagara to Lernoult
Concerning the discharge of two men and rationale for his recommendations

146. November 25, 1782
From Dundas at Niagara to Lernoult
Concerning Lieutenant Bennett’s willingness “to purchase in any established Regiment”




44th Regiment field officers, captains, and subalterns letters 1781-1783: 9 letters with dates from September 10, 1781 through December 6, 1783 (printed page numbers 288 through 304)

147. September 10, 1781
From Captain William Norton at Quebec to Captain Le Maistre, adjutant general
Concerning deserters who are ”disheartened” by being in debt to their officers for the cost of necessary clothing (since the men generally arrived “naked”); seeking assistance from the commander in chief to resolve this problem

148. January 14, 1782
From Norton at St. Charles to Major Lernoult, adjutant general, at Quebec
Recommending again volunteer Samuel Tuffie to become an ensign in the place of Ensign Sullivan

149. April 26, 1782
From P. Sullivan, ensign in the 44th Regiment at New York to General Haldimand
[letter written in French] seeking permission to return to England to attend to his wife’s poor health

150. May 1, 1782
From Norton at St. Charles to Lernoult at Quebec
Requesting that a soldier named White be assigned to a man of war, as he was a useless soldier

151. May 12, 1782
From Norton at St. Charles to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning the suffering of Captain Keugh from rheumatism

152. August 31, 1782
From Keugh to Lernoult
A slip of paper with the names:
“Wm Boullone [?] of St. Clair, 21 years of age” and
“Saml Tuffie 51 [?] d’o d’o”

153. August 12, 1782
From Lieutenant Colonel Henry Hope, commander of the 44th Regiment, at Quebec to Lernoult
List of three officers who “have returned themselves for purchase…”

154. November 21, 1783
From Hope at Quebec to Lernoult
Concerning upcoming discharges, reduction in force, and possible reenlistments: believe 210 are entitled to discharge and expect at least 118 to reenlist


155. December 6, 1783
Report by Hope at Quebec: “Return of the Number of Men in His Majesty’s 44th Regiment of Foot Intitled to their Discharge, having been Inlisted since 16th December 1775…”, a total of 251



29th Regiment field officers letters 1781-1783: 21 letters with dates from April 2, 1781 through December 13, 1783 (printed page numbers 305 through 345)

156. April 2, 1781
Major Christopher Carleton to [?; probably to Lernoult]
Concerning a complaint from soldiers about not having received the commander’s “bounty”, a complaint thought by the writer to be “frivolous”

157. July 25, 1781
Major A. Campbell at St. Johns to Major Lernoult, adjutant general
Enclosing “Muster Rolls of Royalists” [not microfilmed]

158. August 8, 1781
From Campbell to Lernoult at Quebec
Enclosing “Muster Rolls of Rogers’s Corps of Royalists” and seeking forgiveness for ”the blotted state I am obliged to send them in…” because of many alterations [not microfilmed]

159. April 26, 1782
From Carleton at La Chenaye to Lernoult at Montreal
Concerning lack of “Camp Equipage” for the regiment, as what they brought from England two years ago was worn out; wishing for replacement

160. May 20, 1782
From Carleton to Lernoult
Enclosed “Return of the Flints” with request for 1,300 to re-establish the original number of 3,000 [not microfilmed]

161. July 15, 1782
From Carleton to Lernoult
Concerning purchases of lieutenancy positions with recommendations

162. August 1, 1782
From Campbell at Terrebonne to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning Carleton’s July 15 letter, stating that parts of it were already resolved and that only one recommendation should have been sent


163. August 19, 1782
From Campbell at Terrebonne to Captain Matthews, secretary to the commander in chief, at Quebec
Recommending that Lieutenant Hollier be allowed to return to England (opening up one of the positions referred to in the two previous letters)

164. August 19, 1782
From Campbell at Terrebonne to Lernoult
Concerning another matter of purchased positions

165. October 3, 1782
From Major William Monsell at Montreal to Lernoult
Requesting to know whether his son “is to succeed to the Ensigney…”

166. September 29, 1782
From Campbell at Isle aux Noix to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning purchase of two lieutenancies, the next men in line have their money ready

167. October 6, 1782
From Campbell at Isle aux Noix to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning sending four men ready for discharge, if approved

168. October 10, 1782
From Campbell at Isle aux Noix to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning money for purchase of a lieutenancy

169. April 26, 1783
From Campbell at St. Johns to Lernoult
Requesting that an ensign’s name be removed from the list of those wishing to purchase a lieutenancy

170. June 11, 1783
From Campbell at St. Johns to Matthews
Concerning resignation of Ensign Harris

171. September 24, 1783
From Monsell at Montreal to Lernoult
Concerning buying Ensign Harris’ commission for his son James, requesting a favor “to serve a Brother Officer”

172. November 23, 1783
From Campbell at St. Johns to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning the reduction of troops in Canada, enclosing a return of those entitled to discharges, but remarking that many of them are ”not fit to be Re inlisted upon a Pace Establishment” [not microfilmed]
173. December 9, 1783
From Campbell at St. Johns to Lernoult
Concerning discharges with recommendations for retaining some supernumerary officers in their places

174. December 13, 1783
From Campbell at St. Johns to Lernoult at Quebec
Enclosing return of those enlisted since December 15, 1775 and those who have reenlisted and those choosing discharge

175. November 23, 1783
Report by Campbell
Return of enlistees since December 15, 1775, total of 185 men, of which 35 had offered to reenlist

176. December 13, 1783
Report by Campbell
Return of enlistees since December 15, 1775 with intentions for discharge on December 24, “next spring” or to reenlist, for a total of 159 men out of 184 men, excluding one man in Europe



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