A battalion orderly book covers Prevost's raid. The first entry, April 27, 1779, was penned when the British forces concentrated at Ebenezer, Ga., about to cross into South Carolina; the last is dated June 15, five days before the British victory of Stono Ferry. The orders cover different aspects of the campaign: logistics; Southern loyalists; numerous Negro slaves who "horly resorts to the army," and particularly "great want of Dissiplen." The orders for May 29 noted that "the Batt[alio]n is now become so notorious for maurauding & plundering White & Negroe women of all Denominations, the men absenting themselves from camp day & night without leave asked or given," that the commanding officer had to call on other officers to "to exert their authority in support of their own character & at least to preserve some part of that character given to Scotsmen on the field." The 71st Regiment of Foot (Fraser's Highlanders) was raised in Inverness, Stirling, and Glasgow in 1775, in two battalions. Following the New York and Philadelphia campaigns of 1776, the regiment was sent to Savannah in December 1778. In the spring of 1779, the 71st was attached to the forces under the command of Gen. Augustine Prevost during his invasion of South Carolina. HM 72267. The Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.
Extent
54 pages, 17 cm., disbound, housed in the modern clamshell box.
Prévost, Augustine, approximately 1725-1786 Great Britain. Army. Regiment of Foot, 71st (Highland Light Infantry)--Archives Great Britain. Army--Military life--History--18th century--Sources Great Britain. Army--Scottish regiments--History--18th century--Sources American loyalists--Southern States Slaves--Southern States--History--18th century--Sources Georgia--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Sources South Carolina--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Sources United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--British forces--Sources Military records Great Britain 18th century. (aat) Orderly books Great Britain 18th century. (aat)
Source
Orderly Books of the American Revolution. Manuscripts, Huntington Digital Library
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