In this latest installment of his continuing series, David Swain completes his entries covering Reel 6 of these War Office 28 microfilm records from the British National Archives. This section includes correspondence from several vital posts along the British defensive line in southern Canada, as well as documents from the German regiments who comprised a significant portion of that Colony's garrison, but remain overlooked in the wake of the British defeat at Saratoga. Once again, David is improving our ability to make the Library's collections easier for patrons to use and opening up largely untapped sources for future historical scholarship.
WPT III
WPT III
28.8 Three Rivers, Sorel, Germans; Carleton Isle, Cataraqui, Oswego (Reel 6—second part)
Summary contents:
* Trois Rivières, returns, 1776: 26 documents; documents 1 through 26; printed page numbers 1 through 64
* Sorel, letters and papers, 1778-1781: 25 documents; documents 27 through 51; printed page numbers 65 through 123
* Germans, letters from field officers, 1781: 18 documents; documents 52 through 69; printed page numbers 124 through 176
* Trois Rivières, letters from officers commanding, 1779-1782: 7 documents; documents 70 through 76; printed page numbers 177 through 201
* Sorel, letters from the officers commanding, 1779-1783: 35 documents; documents 77 through 111; printed page numbers 202 through 292
* Carleton Island, Cataraqui, Oswego, letters from officers commanding, 1779-1783: 52 documents; documents 112 through 163; printed page numbers 293 through 416
* Germans, letters from field officers, 1783: 18 documents; documents 164 through 181; printed page numbers 417 through 467
British War Office 28—American Headquarters Records
Annotated List of Contents—Part 8 (end of Reel 6)
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, 197 documents)
28.4 Butler’s Rangers; Canadian Fencible Corps; Jessup’s Rangers; Roger’s Rangers; Royal Highland Emigrants (84th Regiment); McAlpin’s Volunteer Corps (reel 3—first part), 223 documents)
28.5 Royal Regiment of New York, Rogers’ King’s Rangers, Barrack Master General’s Department (reel 3—second part, 33 documents; reel 4, 147 documents)
28.6 General Hospital Department; garrison returns; Engineers Department (reel 5—first part, 204 documents)
28.7 Montreal; St. Johns; Ordnance; Quartermaster-General’s Department (reel 5—second part, 183 documents; reel 6—first part, 58 documents)
28.8 Three Rivers; Sorel; Germans; Carleton Island, Cataraqui, Oswego (reel 6—second part, 181 documents)
28.9 Miscellaneous letters, memorials, order books, etc. (reel 7, xx documents)
28.10 Miscellaneous returns etc. (reel 8, xx documents)
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 or document set.
28.8 Three Rivers, Sorel, Germans; Carleton Isle, Cataraqui, Oswego (Reel 6—second part)
Summary contents:
* Trois Rivières, returns, 1776: 26 documents; documents 1 through 26; printed page numbers 1 through 64
* Sorel, letters and papers, 1778-1781: 25 documents; documents 27 through 51; printed page numbers 65 through 123
* Germans, letters from field officers, 1781: 18 documents; documents 52 through 69; printed page numbers 124 through 176
* Trois Rivières, letters from officers commanding, 1779-1782: 7 documents; documents 70 through 76; printed page numbers 177 through 201
* Sorel, letters from the officers commanding, 1779-1783: 35 documents; documents 77 through 111; printed page numbers 202 through 292
* Carleton Island, Cataraqui, Oswego, letters from officers commanding, 1779-1783: 52 documents; documents 112 through 163; printed page numbers 293 through 416
* Germans, letters from field officers, 1783: 18 documents; documents 164 through 181; printed page numbers 417 through 467
Itemized, annotated contents:
Trois Rivières, returns, 1776: 25 documents with dates from March 14 through June 17, 1776 plus May 1, 1782 (printed page numbers 1 through 64)
1. May 1, 1782
From Captain William Ancrum at Carleton Island to [?]
Enclosing “a State of the Garrison at Carleton Island after the departure of Major Ross, and the Troops taken from it, under his Command”; expressing the opinion that the remaining men are not worth much for duty
[Note: This document appears misplaced from other Carleton Island documents. See documents 112, 119-127, and 130-132.]
2. [no date; probably 1776]
“List of Lieut Colonels of the British Reg’ts Serving in Canada” with the dates of their commissions
3. [no date]
“Return of the Quantity of Provision Remaining on Board the Several Transports, after being Supplied with 28 Days Provisions at full Allowance, from 31st May to 27th June 1776, both days inclusive” [microfilmed twice]
4. [no date]
“A Near Calculation of those Species of Provisions above mentioned, and how many days they will Victual 100 Men, Commencing the 28th June 1776” [microfilmed twice]
5. June 17, 1776
“Report of the British Troops as they marched from Verchères”; signed by Major General William Philips; directed to General Guy Carleton
6. June 12, 1776
“Return of part of four Companies of the Royal Regiment of Artillery on board Four Ordnance Transports Trois Rivieres”; signed by Major Griffith Williams, Office of Ordnance
7. June 10, 1776
“Return of the State of His Majestys 31st Regim’t of foot Commanded by Lt. Gen’l Sr. Adolp’s Oughton R. B. Specifying those on Board & a Shore”; written at Trois Rivières; signed by Lieutenant Colonel Alexander MacKenzie
8. June 10, 1776
“Return of the 53rd Reg’t of Foot which reimbark’d at Trois Rivieres”; signed by Lieutenant Colonel Henry Watson Powell
9. June 10, 1776
“Return of His Majestys 34th Reg’t of Foot Embarked at Trois Rivières, and those who Cannot Embark for want of Ships”; signed by Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Leger
10. June 10, 1776
“Return of the State of His Majestys 31st Regim’t of foot Commanded by Lieut. Gen’l Sr. [James] Adolphus Oughton R. B.”; written at Trois Rivières; signed by MacKenzie
11. June 10, 1776
“Return of the 24th Regim’t on board the Transports at Trois Riviere”; signed by Major Robert Grant
12. June 10, 1776
“Return of Seven Companies of His Majestys 20th Regim’t of Foot not Reimbark’d the Transports not being Provid at Trois Rivers”; “Return of three Companies of his Majestys 20th Reg’t of Foot that reimbark’d on board of Transports at Trois Riviers”; signed by Lieutenant Colonel John Lind
13. June 10, 1776
“Return of His Majesty’s 9th Regiment of Foot Commanded by thle Right Hon’ble Maj’r Gen’l Edw’d Lord Vic’t Ligoneer [Ligonier]”; written at Trois Rivières; signed by Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Hills
14. June 6, 1776
“Return of the Staff” including staff for the General and Commander in Chief, Lieutenant General Burgoyne, Major General Philips, and Major General Riedesel
15. June 1, 1776
“List of the Officers in Canada with the Dates of their Commissions in the Regiment and in the Army”; for the 9th Regiment of Foot; written at “Quebeck Harbour on Board the Lively Transport”; signed by Hills
16. June 1, 1776
“Return of the Brigade of Engineers to serve in Canada”; written at Quebec; signed by Chief Engineer Harry Gordon
17. June 1, 1776
“Return of the officers of His Majestys 20th Regiment of Foot Now Present in Canada, with the Dates of their Commissions”; signed by Lind
18. May [?], 1776
“Return of the Detachm’t on Board the Hellen Transport”; signed by Captain of Artillery Ellis Walker
19. May 31, 1776
“Return of Musket Cartridges on Board the Helen Ordnance Transport”; signed by Walker
20. March 14, 1776
Lengthy (nine mss. pages) and detailed lists of ordnance and stores “Laden on Board the Charming Nancy Transport, John Wilkinson Contractor & John Bell Master…to be delivered to the Order of Alexander Shaw Esq’r Commissary and Paymaster, on an Expedition to Canada North America”; separate listing of “Laboratory Stores”; the whole signed by Williams
21. May 30, 1776
“Return of the Detachment of Major Griffith Williams’ Company of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Artillery on Board the Charming Nancy”; signed by Williams
22. May 29, 1776
From Lieutenant Colonel Simon Fraser, 24th Regiment, at Pointe-au-Tremble, to Lieutenant Colonel Allan Maclean, then adjutant general at Quebec
Concerning the disembarkation, transport, and quarters for his arriving regiment
23. May 15, 1776
“Return of the Names, and Dates of Commissions of the Officers of the 47th Regiment”; written at Quebec; not signed
24. May 18, 1776
“Return of the Detachment of the First Battalion of the R’l R’t of Artillery Disembarked from the L’d Howe”; signed by Second Lieutenant William P. Smithy
25. March 31, 1776
“Return of the Detachment of the Royal Regiment of Artillery Ordered for Foreign Service”; written at Spithead; signed by Williams
26. March 31, 1776
“Return of Officers, Serjiants, Corporals, Drummers, Fifers, Private Men, Women, and Children of His Majesty’s 21st Regiment of Foot /or Royal North British Fusiliers/ Embarked at Plymouth; signed by Lieutenant Colonel James Hamilton”
Sorel, letters, 1778-1781: 25 documents with dates from November 17, 1778 through May 31, 1781, (printed page numbers 65 through 123)
[Note: Some documents in this section are microfilmed out of chronological order.]
27. Heading page written by headquarters: “Letters & papers Relating to Lt. Col. St. Leger and Capt Monro of Sir John Johnson’s Corps”. [See documents 27 through 36 and 38.]
28. May 6, 1779
From Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Leger, commanding the garrison at Sorel, to Captain Francis Le Maistre, deputy adjutant general
Reporting having had to arrest Captain John Munro, “he being a young and very unexperienced Soldier, and Consequently unknowing in the Respect due to Command”; “enclosing Captain Monro’s crime” [enclosures probably included documents 28 through 32]
29. April 30, 1779
Copy of letter from St. Leger to Munro
Expressing pain at what he has had to do “under the necessity to proceed the Lengths my Duty has and will Oblige me to go”; dispensing with the usual rigor of arrest by granting Monro, as a gentleman, “the Liberty of your Line Barracks and the Mess House within them, and your Sword”
30. April 28, 1779
Copy of letter from Munro at Sorel to St. Leger
Expressing personal disagreement with a statement Munro ascribes to St. Leger, that he knew that “there was great many Good Men among the Royalists and better than some of our Officers, and better than some of our Captains, and that I knew it.”; expressing the opinion that such a statement “demands an explanation”
31. April 30, 1779
Copy of letter from Munro at Sorel to St. Leger
Thanking St. Leger for “the indulgence granted” and expressing sorrow that his original letter, “which I though was founded on the most Justifiable Motives, should give Offence, when ever I hear any thing tending to injure the reputation of the Corps or any Individual of it, in which I have the Honour to serve, I think it my Indispensible Duty to take notice of it.”
32. April 30, 1779
Copy of letter from St. Leger to [Munro]
“The Style and tendency of your Letter this Day…Makes it necessary for me to cancel those indulgences and restrict you to the Accustom’d usages of Arrests.”
33. April 30, 1779
Copy of St. Leger’s arrest order containing his summary of Munro’s crimes
34. May 1, 1779
From John Valentine, adjutant, at Sorel, to Munro
“Verbal orders from Lieu’t Col’l St. Leger to Adj’t Valentine Your are to acquaint Capt Munro, that I do not Deprive him of any Liberty as a Man. That he may Walk the line of Barracks, and to the Mess house, But deprive him of Wearing a Sword as an Officer”
35. [no date]
Copy of statement by Captain T. Gumersall directed to St. Leger
Statement “on the Reception he met with when he delivered Captain Jo’n Munros Letter to Lieut Col’l St. Leger—also what the Col’l said to him”; stating that Munro had shared his letter with “several Gentlemen of the Regiment” in the barracks and has asked their concurrence with its contents and had asked him to deliver it; stating that when St. Leger read the letter, “he expressed himself in this Manner the Man is Mad, he has certainly either lost his ears or understanding or both, if he wants satisfaction he must Go to the Commander in Chief”; stating that “I knew Nothing of the Matter but a very short time however what Little I knew then & what I have learnt since from Cap’t Munro, has influenc’d me to concur in Sentiments with him”
36. April 30, 1779 and May 1, 1779
Copy of statements by Captain R. Duncan at Sorel
Statement: stating that St. Leger had asked him whether he knew of Munro’s letter, to which he responded positively; St. Leger stated to him that “Cap’t Munro mistook his meaning, that the person he meant was One whome he himself as well as others had pointed out to him as a bad Man Viz Cap’t Adams, he also said that he did not mean to reflect on the Corps of Royal Yorkers, and beged of me to signify the same to the Officers”; stating that St. Leger had misconstrued Duncan’s statement that Captain Munro “had taken that upon himself”, which led Duncan subsequently to write a letter to St. Leger, viz
Letter by Duncan to St. Leger: clarifying that Munro did not represent his opinion alone in the letter; that “I did at the time he told me, and do now concurr in Sentiments with him”; stating further that “Cap’ts McDonell & Anderson begs me to acquaint you that they also concurr in Sentiments with Cap’t Munro”
37. [no date]
Lengthy, detailed statement by Munro telling his version of the situation in which St. Leger allegedly made the statement about royalists being better than regular officers; commenting on what Munro believes are St. Leger’s misinterpretations in his letters to Munro
38. November 17, 1778
From St. Leger at Sorel to Le Maistre
Since “The good Christians of this placed have repeatedly petitioned me for divine service”, requesting assistance in getting Monsieur Brien to take the necessary steps to provide such
39. May 27, 1779
From St. Leger to “your Excellency”, General Frederick Haldimand, commander in chief in Canada
Stating that Munro has acknowledged his “mistaken conduct”; proposing to withdraw his arrest and, given his inexperience, to overlook his “shady adherence to the King’s Cause”
40. September 9, 1779
From St. Leger at Sorel to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning resolution of the “embarrassment I [St. Leger] was under in relation to the detachment of the New York Corps”
41. September 30, 1779
From St. Leger to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning “The man returned on furlong, [who] is a poor consumptive deserving treature…and reported unfit for service”
42. October 11, 1779
From St. Leger at Sorel to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning the need for clothing for troops at Sorel
43. November 22, 1779
From Major A. Dundas of the 34th Regiment, at Sorel, to Le Maistre at Quebec
Reporting on the movement of troops in and out of Sorel, including some from the 34th sent to Trois Rivières and arrival of others from Sir John Johnson’s and Captain McAlpin’s Corps
44. May 18, 1780
From St. Leger at Sorel to Le Maistre
Concerning reception of rebel prisoners from a brig; concerning a detachment of artillery that left Sorel but without the post commander (St. Leger) being informed
45. May 31, 1781
From Lieutenant Colonel Forbes Maclean at Sorel to Le Maistre
Reporting on five rebel prisoners at Trois Rivières, one of whom had escaped; on eight other prisoners “belonging to Major Rogers’s Corps” to be sent to Quebec; on several deserters from the 84th, one of whom was “an old offender who had been guilty twice before”; on three Newfoundland recruits of the 84th who had deserted and had not yet been apprehended
46. June 14, 1780
From St. Leger to Le Maistre
Reporting a decision to move prisoners from the brigs to Amherst so as to avoid “anarchy and confusion that might arise among People without any Person in authority to restrain them”
47. August 6, 1780
From St. Leger to Major Richard Berringer Lernoult, adjutant general at Quebec
Reporting that he is sending to Quebec a seaman who deserted 18 months ago from the Frigate Thames and was captured at Yamaska
48. August 27, 1780
From St. Leger to [?; probably Lernoult]
Reporting on an attempted escape by prisoners that was thwarted
49. September 21, 1780
From Leger to Lernoult
Enclosing the court of inquiry report on the conduct at Trois Rivières of a German private named Muller [not microfilmed]
50. September 7, 1780
From St. Leger at Sorel to Lernoult at Quebec
Concerning settlement of the matter of an adjutant commission
51. September 17, 1780
From St. Leger to Lernoult
Concerning the resignation of Captain Forbes; concerning a rebel prisoner
Germans, letters from field officers, 1781: 18 documents with dates from December 29, 1780 through December 20, 1781 (printed page numbers 124 through 176)
52. January 1, 1781
From Captain C. L. Schoele [?] to Captain Francis de Maistre, deputy adjutant general, at Quebec
Enclosing reports for November and December [not microfilmed] [letter written in French]
53. January 1, 1781
“Extract of a letter [dated December 29, 1780] from Mons’r [Colonel Joseph-Marie Godefroy] Tannancour to H. E. G. Haldimand enclosed in Brig’r [General Friederick] Rauschenplat’s letter of 1st January 1781”
Concerning a local inhabitant who mistreated a lieutenant named Gresse and other matters [written in French]
54. December [?] 29, 1780
From Tonnancour at Trois Rivières to [?]
“Extract enclosed to B. G. Rochenplat Jan’y 1st 1781”; more concerning the Lieutenant Gresse incident and other matters [written in French]
55. January 6, 1781
Copy of letter from Tonnancour at Trois Rivières to Rauschenplatz at Bécancour
Concerning the Lieutenant Gresse incident [written in French]
56. January 6, 1781
Copy of letter from Rauschenplatz at Bécancour to Tonnancour at Trois Rivières
Concerning “quelque chose de démeties entre des Inhabitant et des Soldats de ce Regiment à la Baye St. Antoine” and other matters [written in French]
57. [no date]
Copy of response from Tonnancour to Rauschenplatz “en regard de la plainte, données de bouche, au Lieut’t Moching et Auditeur Imme” [written in French]
58. January 10, 1781
“Déposition de l’Inhabitant de la Baye de St. Antoine Joseph Bellisle” [written in French]
59. January 12, 1781
From Rauschenplatz at Bécancour to [?]
Concerning “la difficulté que le Lieut’t de Kressen a eu avec un Habitant de St. Antoine” and other matters [written in French]
60. January 30, 1781
From Joseph [?] at Machiche [?] to Tonnancour at Trois Rivières
Concerning a deposition about “emigrants” coming to the area of Machiche [?] [written in French]
61. February 8, 1781
From Rauschenplatz to “Son Excellence”
Concerning “Premier Lieutenant de Kressen” [written in French]
62. February 9, 1781
From Tonnancour at Trois Rivières to [?]
Concerning complaints against “des soldats émigrant” [written in French
63. May 9, 1781
From Lieutenant Colonel C. de Creuzbourg at St. Thomas to [?]
Advising against taking troops on intelligence journeys because the Indians “would take away all the furs and [bury?] them in the woods”
64. June 24, 1781
From Brigadier General Ernst Ludwig Wilhelm De Speth at Montreal to Brigadier General Allan Maclean
Concerning a prisoner of Sir John Johnson’s Regiment calling himself Wagener but actually named Steckhan and belonging to Speth’s Regiment of Brunswick troops; requesting that his court martial be delayed until the commander in chief can give appropriate orders; note at bottom of letter by Major William Dunbar “Brig’r Maclean has ordered Horn [?] to be Deliver’d up to Brig’r Speth”
65. August 30, 1781
From Lieutenant Colonel de Barner at Montreal to [?]
Concerning a number of matters of a number of detachments [written in French]
66. August 30, 1781
From Creuzbourg at “camp” to [?]
Concerning what sort of “rappart [report] is to be made to Major Gen. Clarke”
67. November 22, 1781
From Major General Friedrich von Riedesel at Sorel to Le Maistre
Stating he will send returns of his troops as soon as they have arrived in their winter quarters “in the several parishes”
68. December 6, 1781
From Brigade Major Frederick de Papet at Montreal to [?]
Enclosing “Listes du District du Brig’r Gen’l de Speth”; expecting to send “La Liste de ce Regiment À la Liste Générale de tous les Trouppes Anglois, avec la poste prochaine” [lists not microfilmed]
69. December 20, 1781
From Major d’Allenbucaum [?] of the Regiment of Zollberg at St. Thomas to Major Richard Berringer Lernoult, adjutant general
Enclosing a “List of the Officers of the Regiment of Zollberg, with the dates of their Commissions” [list not microfilmed]
Trois Rivières, letters from officers commanding, 1779-1782: 7 documents with dates from December 14, 1779 through January 25, 1781 (printed page numbers 177 through 201)
70. December 14, 1779
From Ensign H. Arden of the 34th Regiment, commander at Trois Rivières, to Captain Francis Le Maistre, deputy adjutant general, at Quebec
Reporting having taken custody of three rebels who had escaped from the Quebec jail and were apprehended at Mr. Duma’s Forge; seeking orders on where to send them
71. January 21, 1780
From Arden at Trois Rivières to Le Maistre at Quebec
Reporting having taken up a suspicious looking fellow, traveling without a passport from Quebec to Montreal; having put him in the guard house, requesting orders for what to do with him
72. December 18, 1779
From Arden at Trois Rivières to Le Maistre at Quebec
Reporting having sent off several prisoners under escort
73. April 14, 1780
From Arden at Trois Rivières to Le Maistre at Quebec
Recommending the sergeant of his detachment to be made provost at Trois Rivières
74. May 26, 1780
From Arden at Trois Rivières to Le Maistre at Quebec
Reporting having confined a man who deserted from the sloop Mary, Captain Cornhill; seeking orders about what to do with the man
75. May 30, 1780
From Lieutenant William Osborne [?] Hamilton of the 34th Regiment, at Trois Rivières to Le Maistre
Reporting having in custody three men who had been rebel prisoners; requesting orders about what to do with them
76. January 25, 1781
From Ensign Magrath, 34th Regiment, at Trois Rivières, to [?; Probably Le Maistre]
Reporting having taken custody of a man thought to be a spy who “gives but a very indifferent account of himself”
Sorel, letters from the officers commanding, 1779-17883: 35 documents with dates from June 5, 1779 through November 3, 1783 (printed page numbers 202 through 292)
77. June 5, 1779
From Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Leger at Sorel to Captain Francis Le Maistre, deputy adjutant general, at Quebec
Sending prisoners, “agreeable to Brigadier Powell’s orders”; providing information about some of them
78. June 17, 1779
From St. Leger at Sorel to Le Maistre at Quebec
Reporting having detained “a supposed delinquent named Bayley...brought to the Main Guard without any Crime”; having learned that he soon intended to marry his landlord’s daughter; seeking guidance on how to handle him
79. June 21st, 1779
From St. Leger at Sorel to Le Maistre
Reporting on new information obtained about the man Bayley, whose real name is Augustus Poor, and who had deserted from the Rebel army near Saratoga, had joined Captain Leake’s company, had deserted from there, and had been living with an Acadian; a search of his home had yielded few papers; suspects that he has “abilities enough to conceive, and villainy enough to execute the worst of and blackest mischief”; but doubting that treason charges can be brought against him; suggesting that he might be tried as a deserter and then “punishe’d, and packd out of the Province in the first Man of War that sails from Quebeck.”
80. July 1, 1779
From St. Leger at Sorel to Le Maistre
Reporting per orders received, having put Augustus Poor in irons and having had his Acadian landlord interrogated; reporting the results of the interrogation; reporting about other prisoners; enclosing orders from Brigadier General Henry Watson Powell about four rebel prisoners
81. [no date]
From St. Leger to Le Maistre with the 8th or King’s Regiment
Apologizing for having sent the wrong envelope (“what it was I know not”) instead of the envelope containing the interrogation of the Acadian
82. [no date]
St. Leger’s notification to “all Commanding Officers of Posts” of Powell’s order that four rebel prisoners (William Cox, Michael Carrol, James Britten, and George Jones) are to be sent to Quebec.”
83. July 1, 1779
From Powell at St. Johns to St. Leger
Informing St. Leger that he is sending four rebel prisoners from Chambly to Sorel, suggesting that the men are not useful and that St. Leger should send them on to Quebec.
84. July 12, 1779
From St. Leger at Sorel to Le Maistre
Concerning rebel prisoners
85. July 25, 1779
From St. Leger to Le Maistre
Pointing out that little guidance is available in the standard training manuals of the British army that apply to fighting in the woods of Canada; suggesting that the 34th Regiment has learned a lot in practice; desiring more opportunities to learn; reporting that Ensign Arden, “of whom I have the highest opinion”, has proposed to learn “every part of an American Officers duty” and “begs that he may be allowd to make himself master” of it all; suggesting Lieutenant Fraser of St. Hyacinthe as a capable instructor
86. August 5, 1779
From St. Leger at Sorel to Le Maistre
Reporting that the 34th light company marched this day for Montreal; Lieutenant Roche’s party returned full of provisions from Lac St. Pierre; related information
87. August 10, 1779
From St. Leger at Sorel to Le Maistre at Quebec
A letter from His Excellency to Captain John Adolphus Harris missed him at Sorel but was “immediately dispatchd after him”
88. [no date]
From St. Leger to Le Maistre
“Corps to go down to give him the attention he wishes to declare himself on account of Regimental business.” [This may be the incomplete last-page contents of a longer letter, the rest of which is lost or at least not microfilmed.]
89. August 12, 1779
From St. Leger at Sorel to Le Maistre at Quebec
Reporting discovery by Captain Munro of a plot by a former deserter from the rebel army to desert with several others, now from the British army at Sorel; reporting related matters
90. September 6, 1779
From St. Leger at Sorel to Le Maistre
Considering future movements of troops; requesting needed supplies in anticipation of such movements
91. April 23, 1780
From St. Leger at Sorel to Major Richard Berringer Lernoult, adjutant general, at Quebec
Reporting having executed received orders; waiting for spring to arrive
92. June 7, 1780
From St. Leger at Sorel to Le Maistre at Quebec
Acknowledging starting to make “the necessary preparations…to lodge the Prisoners on shore” rather in boats as some “conventioners” have been
93. October 1 [?], 1780
From St. Leger at Sorel to Lernoult at AQuebec
By order of Brigadier General Allan Maclean, sending “one deserter from Lake’s Corps to gether with a disaffectionate subject belonging to Butler by the Schooner Paris”
94. October 5, 1780
From St. Leger at Sorel to Lernoult
Reporting various news of events and actions taken at Sorel, including wood cutting
95. October 19, 1780
From St. Leger at Sorel to Lernoult at Quebec
Commenting positively about a redistribution of troops, through which the 34th is being reassigned to St. Johns
96. April 1, 1781
From Lieutenant Colonel Forbes Maclean, commander at Sorel, to Lernoult
Enclosing the monthly return for the detachment of royal artillery, as well as the lists “of the Office of Ordnance at Quebec and of the Civil Department attending the Field Train in Canada Usually given in on this day.”
97. April 19, 1781
From Forbes Maclean at Sorel to Lernoult at Quebec
Expressing positive sentiments on viewing the King’s Regiment and particularly recommending “Mr Allan Maclean an Exceeding well behaved Young Man of Genteel Address and appearance and of good Education”
98. April 30, 1781
From Lieutenant William Fraser, commander of the loyalist blockhouse at Yamaska to Forbes Maclean at Sorel
Reporting on behalf of himself and his brother Thomas Fraser that four men, three of them rebel prisoners, who were working on the new fort, had deserted and had not been apprehended
99. May 2, 1781
From William Fraser at Yamaska to Forbes Maclean
Reporting that the four deserters had been captured and were being returned to Yamaska
100. May 3, 1781
From Forbes Maclean at Sorel to Lernoult
Enclosing monthly returns for the “Three Regiments in this District” [not microfilmed]; enclosing two letters from Yamaska concerning rebel prisoners [documents 98 and 99]
101. May 7, 1781
From Forbes Maclean at Sorel to Lernoult
Concerning the men who had escaped at the Yamaska blockhouse and Fraser’s desire to have other reliable labor, beyond rebel prisoners, to work on the blockhouse
102. May 21, 1781
From Forbes Maclean at Sorel to Le Maistre
Having received orders to send the three rebel prisoners to Quebec, Fraser requested that they be permitted to stay at the blockhouse, since “they are remarkable Good Workmen, of professions which were greatly wanted & Could not be easily procured there” and precautions had been taken to maintain security by “having them so Constantly Watched” that they could not escape
103. June 33, 1781
From Forbes Maclean at Sorel to Le Maistre
Enclosing monthly returns for the 29th and 84th Regiments [not microfilmed]. The return for the 53rd was being forwarded by another “not so regular a Channel”
104. June 14, 1781
From Forbes Maclean at Sorel to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning several personnel matters; reporting that five rebel prisoners had escaped from Trois Rivières but had been recaptured
105. August 20, 1781
From Forbes Maclean at Sorel to Le Maistre at Quebec
Concerning “desertion of the four Hesse-Hanau Chasseurs & the Soldier of the 44th Regiment”; concerning a general court martial Maclean had convened
106. August 29, 1781
From Forbes Maclean at Sorel to Lernoult
Reporting not yet having lists of miners in the three regiments of the district but hoping to have them soon; requesting consideration of relieving the detachment in Major John Adolphus Harris’ 84th Regiment from its long duty at the hospital at Trois Rivières
107. August 30, 1781
From Forbes Maclean at Sorel to Lernoult at Quebec
Enclosing a return of all miners in the three regiments under his command; intending to send all seven of them to Quebec as soon as one of them returns from Montreal [return not microfilmed]
108. March 10, 1783
From Forbes Maclean to Lernoult
Reporting compliance with an order to send Thomas Todd of Major Walker’s company to Quebec
109. October 2, 1783
From Forbes Maclean to Lernoult
Reporting compliance with an order to move artillery at Chambly, St. Johns, and Isle aux Noix to Sorel; reporting that two deserters from the artillery were sent this day to Quebec; enclosing a return of the four companies of the 2nd Battalion newly arrived at Sorel [return not microfilmed]
110. November 3, 1783
From Brigade Major J. Lemoine, of the Royal Artillery, at Sorel, to Lernoult
Enclosing “the crime of Four seamen belonging to the Rapid Hoy, for Breaking open, and taking out of Several Boxes belonging to the Loyalists, which they were bringing from Quebec to this Post, also a list of the Articles Stolen” [crimes document 111; list of articles stolen not microfilmed]
111. November 2, 1783
From Peter Van Alstine [?] at Sorel to [?]
Statement naming the four seamen and their crime
Carleton Island, Cataraqui, Oswego, letters from officers commanding, 1779-1783: 52 documents with dates from November 29, 1779 through September 1, 1783 (printed page numbers 293 through 416)
Note: This section contains documents from several outlying posts during overlapping time periods. Documents thus are not organized chronologically throughout the section. Rather, they are organized more or less geographically, and more or less chronologically within the documents for each post, as follows:
* Carleton Island: documents 112, 119-127, 130-132; also document 1 and
* Cataraqui: documents 113-118
* Oswego: documents 128-129, 133-163
112. November 29, 1779
From Captain Alexander Fraser, commander at Carleton Island to [?]
Reporting that Captain Forbes has rejoined his regiment, as ordered; supporting his wishes that he be allowed to rejoin the detachment at Carleton Island
113. August 1, 1783
From Major John Ross at Cataraqui to Major Richard Berringer Lernoult, adjutant general, at Quebec
Reporting planning, as instructed, to settle his troops “as Comfortably as possible in the Province when it can properly be done”
114. August 1, 1783
From Ross at Cataraqui to Lernoult
Enclosing returns [not microfilmed]; reporting difficulties with disease at Oswego, lack of a surgeon there, and unhappiness with the behavior of surgeon’s mate “Prendercrast”, whom he had sent to attend to the sick there [microfilmed twice]
115. August 18, 1783
From Ross at Cataraqui to Lernoult
Concerning the situation of certain traders at Cataraqui, in relation to the policy on traders and sutlers at Oswego [microfilmed twice]
116. September 10, 1783
From Ross at Cataraqui to Lernoult
Reporting complying with order to set up “an entire staff to be put to recruiting [?] the [?] Corps”
117. October 18, 1783
From Ross at Cataraqui to Lernoult
Reporting having sent a detachment of artillery to Quebec, as ordered; reporting that a building apparently under construction will “contain 400 men”
118. November 3, 1783
From Ross at Cataraqui to Lernoult
Reporting that the measles has come to this post, brought by Loyalists from Sorel; that the Indians and some of the garrison will be infedcted; that the surgeon suggests an all-vegetable diet “for a radical cure”; but that such a diet is not available at the post
119. January 30, 1781
From Ross at Carleton Island to Lernoult
Enclosing a return of strength of the garrison, a return of arms, and “the Royalists declarations on oath agreeable to the form Sent”; commenting concerning the procedure for declarations and the frame of mind of the loyalist soldiers; concerning other matters [return of garrison not microfilmed; return of arms document 120]
120. January 30, 1781
“A State of the Arms, Carleton Island”; signed by Ross
121. April 7, 1781
From Ross at Carleton Island to Lernoult
Concerning Captain William Ancrum’s desire to command the detachment at Carleton Island; enclosing a return of the troops [not microfilmed]
122. November 22, 1781
From Ross at Carleton Island to Lernoult
Reporting having executed an order to send chasseurs to Montreal
123. December 7, 1781
From Ross at Carleton Island to Lernoult
Concerning arrival of troops and Indians; concerning the promise of arms by spring; recommending that the scattered remains of Sir John Johnson’s 2nd Battalion, just arrived, to “join on soon”
124. March 8, 1782
From Ross at Carleton Island to Lernoult
Concerning the supply and repair of arms
125. April 5, 1782
From Ross at Carleton Island to Lernoult
Concerning Mr. Vandervelder, who “does not seem satisfied with his Excellencys proposals”; Ross “having no use for his Services in this part of the World”; Ross has given him leave to return to Canada
126. June 3, 1782
From Ancrum at Carleton Island to Lernoult at Quebec
Enclosing the state of the garrison; concerning movements of troops
127. November 10, 1782
From Captain Lieutenant James McDonell, 2nd Battalion at Carleton Island to Lernoult
Concerning movements of troops; enclosing a list of medicines needed, which are requested “as soon as possible” [list not microfilmed]
128. November 26, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Enclosing a “Return of the Effective Strength of this garrison Stipulated for the winter” [not microfilmed]; enclosing a copy of a letter from a soldier of the 84th Regiment [document 129] to a friend on the Mohawk River, “who with his Colleague here have been discoverd, and punished accordingly.”
129. [no date]
Copy of a letter, signed by James Milligan, “a Soldier of the 84th Regiment to his Friend on the Mohawk River, found in the pocket of a Soldier of the 2nd Battalion of the King’s Roy’l Reg’t N York detected and put to death by the Indians in the Act of desertion—“; the letter includes, among other personal matters, the following: “young Pertingell…is here himself a Soldier as well as me, and in sorrowfull manner, I so remain and sore against my will, and several young fellows more of the neighborhood who would wish to be at home again out of this Cursed bondage & hard usage”
130. November 29, 1782
From Major John Adolphus Harris of the 84th Regiment, at Carleton Island, to Lernoult
Enclosing monthly garrison and ammunition returns; stating that “This Post is much distress’d for Artificers of every sort”; complaining that “I am very unhappy to trouble you again on the old Subject but the behavior of the Gentleman whose Crimes I send you has been such that it cannot be got over.”
131. February 23, 1783
From Harris at Carleton Island to Lernoult
Enclosing the results of a court of enquiry [not microfilmed], as a result of which Quarter Master Buttons is a prisoner; a copy of the court of enquiry results will be forwarded to the sheriff at Montreal
132. March 16, 1783
From Harris at Carleton Island to Lernoult
Offering thanks that artificers “are to be orderd up”; enclosing monthly and ammunition returns [not microfilmed]
133. April 24, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Having arrived at Oswego, commenting that his cannon and other ordnance may be inadequate in the event of an attack; saying that “I hope I may be excused saying that I wish for an augmentation of both.”; commenting on other situations that are not as they should be “according to His Excellencys directions”
134. May 4, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Reporting on trying to make the artillery situation workable; reporting the arrival of a vessel from Niagara with some Indians; stating that “I do not think, that the enemy know anything as yet of this place being taken possession of”
135. May 21, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Reporting that muskets had been received; concerning permission for traders to settle here; other matters
136. May 28, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Reporting on work being done to build barracks for anticipated additional troops here
137. June 11, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Reporting having sent Captain Crawford with 20 troops and 100 Indians to join Captain Robertson for a scouting expedition to the Mohawk River
138. June 29, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Reporting that Crawford had returned from the scouting expedition, and Robertson was on his way to Oswegatchie
139. July 7, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Enclosing returns for July 1 [not microfilmed]; Brigadier General Powell had ordered that 100 men be sent to Niagara, which was done; commenting that the size of his garrison is greatly reduced
140. August 3, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
[too light to be able to read accurately]
141. September 1, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Enclosing “the necessary Returns” [not microfilmed]; reporting that recruiting is very difficult for this post; wondering whether “I should send a Return of Eight Companies Compleat before the last Ship sails for Britain”
142. September 3, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Enclosing the “State of the Garrison” [not microfilmed]; apologizing for having omitted casualties; stating that “they are the first Casualtys since my Arrival here, but am Sorry to say are too many”
143. September 12, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Reporting having apprehended a soldier in the 84th Regiment “making his escape to the enemy”
144. September 20, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Reporting having given Lieutenant Lachlan McLean of the 84th Regiment permission to go to Quebec to seek the commander in chief’s leave to go to Britain
145. September 20, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to [?; probably Lernoult]
Since the surgeon of the regiment is “Intirely destitute of any assistance and at present not in a good state of health”, requesting that the surgeon’s mate of the regiment be sent to Oswego
146. September 29, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Reporting having learned that two prisoners escaped at Coteau du Lac
147. October 4, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Enclosing monthly returns [not microfilmed]; reporting on more desertions; reporting having given Ensign McDougal of the 84th Regiment permission to go to Montreal “on some urgent business”
148. October 20, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Enclosing the results of a court of enquiry on Cornelius Lowning and John Clark, both private soldiers, one in the 84th Regiment and the other in Butler’s Rangers
149. October 20, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Reporting that Captain Grant of the 84th Regiment and Ensign Claus of the 2nd Battalion have left for Canada, according to the commander in chief’s permission; reporting having given Ensign Samuel McCay permission to go to Montreal because of ill health
150. October 21, 1782
“Evidences sent from Oswego to attend the General Court martial at Head Quarters”; signed by Acting Fort Adjutant William Fraser
151. October 31, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
“His Majesty’s Royal approbation of my conduct and the Officers and men of the Garrison does us Infinite Honor”
152. November 1, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Enclosing necessary returns [not microfilmed]; sorry to report that another desertion has taken place; commenting that “I believe it will be necessary to make examples of some of them on the spot by the Indians.”
153. November 9, 1782
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Reporting that only one of four intended deserters actually “set off”; “I sent some Indians after him with directions to put him to death, which they accordingly did after a pursuit of Twenty miles, the rest have been severely punished. The season is so far advanced, that I expect no more desertion.”; observing that recruiting is now more difficult [and desertion more likely] because of “the Idea of now living in peace, and quietness in the Colonies”; “had the War been pursued, these very men would have been better soldiers, still I must add that they have submitted to the hard labour—which attended our exertions at this place with cheerfulness”
154. [no date] received February 4, 1783
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
“Please Inform His Excellency that this Garrison is in good health and Spirits and that I have nothing in the least interesting to Communicate at Present.”
155. April 12, 1783
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Suggesting that the men of the regiments in Canada who are fit for service to be permitted [? leave]
156. June 22, 1783
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Reporting new desertions; reporting that many are anxiously awaiting their discharges so they can settle in Canada; requesting a response “as soon as Convenient”
157. April 23, 1783
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Concerning soldier McLeod of the 84th Regiment confined for mutiny who had evaded his court martial trial
158. May 14, 1783
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
“His Majesty’s Proclamation inclos’d has, agreeable to direction, been communicated to the Troops”
159. July 1, 1783
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Enclosing the monthly return [not microfilmed]; reporting that “The Detachment of Rangers Embark’d for Niagara yesterday by order of Brigadier General [Allan] McLean”; reporting having apprehended two deserters
160. July 30, 1783
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
Acknowledging receipt of orders for removal of this Garrison to Cataraqui except for “weak men”; reporting plans to comply
161. July 11, 1783
From Lieutenant Ronald McDonell of the 84th Regiment, at Oswegatchie, to Lernoult at Quebec
Reporting about to proceed to Cataraqui as ordered; enclosing a return of the numbers leaving and the numbers remaining at the Oswegatchie garrison [not microfilmed]
162. July 12, 1783
From Ross at Oswego to Lernoult
“I am exceedingly Sorry that I miscomprehended the General Orders…” concerning monthly returns
163. September 1, 1783
From Captain Thomas Gumersall of the King’s Royal Regiment of New York, at Oswego, to Lernoult at Quebec
Enclosing a “State of the Garrison under my Command” [not microfilmed]
Germans, letters from field officers, 1783: 18 documents with dates from January 30 through July 31, 1783 (printed page numbers 417 through 467)
164. January 30, 1783
From Brigade Major Ritter at Cap St. Ignace to Major Richard Berringer Lernoult, adjutant general, at Quebec
Enclosing a monthly return of the troops in the “District of Major General De Loos” plus a return of the non-commissioned officers and privates in the district [returns not microfilmed]
165. January 25, 1783
“Liste[s] Du Premier Battaillon de Hesse Hanau”, including ranks and names, home town, age, weight, and years in service:
List of the “Companie de Grenadier Capitain de Buttlar”
List of the “Companie du Corps” [microfilmed twice]
List of the “Companie du Lieutenant Colonel Prince Frederic”
List of the “Companie du Capitaine de Schock”
List of the “Companie du Major de Germann”
List of the “Companie du Colonel Lentz”
166. April 3, 1783
From Major General de Loos [also spelled by him de Looz] at Cap St. Ignace to Lernoult
Acknowledging receipt of Lernoult’s letter concerning General Friederick Rauschenplatz, which he has communicated to the commanding officer of Anhalt Zerbst’s Regiment
167. April 29, 1783
From de Loos at Cap St. Ignace to Lernoult
Acknowledging receipt of the King’s proclamations, which he has communicated to the troops under his command
168. May 29, 1783
From de Loos at Cap St. Ignace to Lernoult
Reporting having sent, per orders received, a detachment of General Lossberg’s Regiment to Pointe de Levis and removing the few remaining in the regiment to “this parish”
169. June 9, 1783
From Ritter at Cap St. Ignace to [?; probably Lernoult]
Reporting on capture of a reputed “spy or a great Vagabond”, perhaps a French man of war deserter, who is being sent to Quebec with escort
170. June 18, 1783
From de Loos at Pointe de Levis to Lernoult
Having received orders concerning a detachment of the Hesse Hanau troops and troops from the Regiment of Anhalt Zerbst at Fort St. Francis, reporting that “Proper directions have been sent instantly to the respective Comanders of those Corps to comply with the same without delay.”
171. July 1, 1783
From de Loos at Pointe de Levis to Lernoult at Quebec
“I am oblig’d to Confess that the Contens are the true Nuthmeggs of Consolation of an empty Soldiers purse.”
172. July 3, 1783
From Colone Lentz at Pointe de Levis to [?; probably Lernoult]
A memorandum requesting that nine men of the Hesse Hanau Regiment detached for employment at Sorel be returned to their regiment “as soon as conveniently can be done, he [Lentz] having but very few troops with him at presnt.”
173. July 5, 1783
From Ritter at Pointe de Levis to Lernoult
Enclosing embarkation returns for the German corps in the district of de Loos; reporting that the Regiment of Anhalt Zerbst “arrived yesterday at their new Cantonement at Beaumont”
174. July 8, 1783
From de Loos at Pointe de Levis to Lernoult at Quebec
Reporting having sent to Quebec “Two Gentlemen which have lately been made Officers in the Regiment of Lossberg”; reporting that he has a toothache and that “Ritter is not well too”
175. July 6, 1783
From de Loos at Pointe de Levis to Lernoult
Concerning a guard left at the magazine of provision at St. Thomas, as reported in the enclosed letter from Rauschenplatz [not microfilmed]; requesting guidance on whether the guard should remain or whether the provisions will be moved; note written at headquarters on the back: “The Provisions in store at St. Thomas are ordered to be moved to Quebec immediately, when, the Guard will join their Corps”
176. July 5, 1783
From Rauschenplatz at Beaumont to Lernoult at Quebec
Reporting on circumstances pertaining to the movement of baggage to St. Michel and Beaumont and seeking assistance with those movements [written in French]
177. July 6, 1783
From de Loos at Pointe de Levis to [?; probably Lernoult]
“His most Serene Highness the Landgrave of Hesse Cassell has made the following Promotions in the Regiment of Lossberg in Canada”
178. July 8, 1783
From Lentz at Pointe de Levis to “Your Excellency” the commander in chief
Requesting that ”the [Hesse Hanau] troops of His Serenissime Highness the Prince of Hesse under my command” who have been assigned to work on the fortifications at Quebec be returned to their battalion in preparation for their embarkation for Europe
179. July 26, 1783
From Ritter at Pointe de Levis to [?; probably Lernoult]
Conveying concerns of de Loos that German soldiers employed on the works may take opportunities to desert and remain in North America rather than returning with their fellow troops to Europe; requesting that these troops be reassigned to their regiment
180. July 29, 1783
From de Loos at Pointe de Levis to Lernoult at Quebec
Reporting having just received two sets of orders which “were expedited instantly”
181. July 31, 1783
From de Loos at Pointe de Levis to Lernoult at Quebec
Reporting that “the Regiment of Lossberg has no more than Forty Rounds of Cartridges [per] man”
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