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August 1 2003
General Abercromby, the commander-in chief, took charge of the expedition against Ticonderoga, with a force of
15,390 men, of whom 6337 were regulars (including Lord John Murray's Highlanders), and 9024 provincials, besides
a train of artillery.
Fort Ticonderoga stands on a tongue of land between Lake Champlain and Lake George, and is surrounded on three
sides by water; part of the fourth side is protected by a morass; the remaining part was strongly fortified with
high entrenchments, supported and flanked by three batteries, and the whole front of that part which was accessible
was intersected by deep traverses, and blocked up with felled trees, with their branches turned outwards and their
points first sharpened and then hardened by fire, forming altogether a most formidable defence. On the 4th of July
1758 the commander-in-chief embarked his troops on Lake George, on board 900 batteaux and 135 whale-boats, with
provisions, artillery, and ammunition; several pieces of cannon being mounted on rafts to cover the landing, which
was effected next day without opposition. The troops were then formed into two parallel columns, and in this order
marched towards the enemy's advanced post, consisting of one battalion, encamped behind a breast-work of logs.
The enemy abandoned this defence without a shot, after setting the breast-work on fire and burning their tents
and implements. The troops continued their march in the same order, but the route lying through a wood, and the
guides being imperfectly acquainted with the country, the columns were broken by coming in contact with each other.
The right column, at the head of which was Lord Howe, fell in with a detachment of the enemy who had also lost
their way in the retreat from the advanced post, and a smart skirmish ensuing, the enemy were routed with considerable
loss. Lord Howe unfortunately fell in the beginning of this action. He was much regretted, being "a young
nobleman of the most promising talents, who had distinguished himself in a peculiar manner by his courage, activity,
and rigid observance of military discipline, and had acquired the esteem and affection of the soldiery by his generosity,
sweetness of manners, and engaging address".
Perceiving that his men were greatly fatigued, General Abercromby ordered them to march back to their landing place,
which they reached about eight o'clock in the morning. having taken possession of a saw-mill in the neighbourhood
of Ticonderoga, which the enemy had abandoned, General Abercromby advanced towards the place next morning. It was
garrisoned by 5000 men, of whom 2800 were French troops of the line, who were stationed behind the traverses and
felled trees in front of the fort. Receiving information from some prisoners that General Levi, with a force of
3000 men, was marching to the defence of Ticonderoga, the English commander resolved to anticipate him by striking,
if possible, a decisive blow before a junction could be effected. He therefore sent an engineer across the river
on the opposite side of the fort to reconnoitre the enemy's entrenchments, who reported that the works being still
unfinished, might be attempted with a prospect of success. Preparations for the attack were therefore instantly
made. The whole army being put in motion, the picquets, followed by the grenadiers, the battalions and reserve,
which last consisted of the Highlanders and the 55th regiment, advanced with great alacrity towards the entrenchments,
which they found to be much more formidable that they expected.
The breast-work, which was regularly fortified, was eight feet high, and the ground before it was covered with
an abbatis or chevauz-de-frize, projecting in such a manner as to render the entrenchment almost inaccessible.
Undismayed by these discouraging obstacles, the British troops marched up to the assault in the face of a destructive
fire, and maintained their ground without flinching. Impatient in the rear, the Highlanders broke from the reserve,
and, pushing forward to the front, endeavoured to cut their way through the trees with their broadswords. After
a long and deadly struggle, the assailants penetrated the exterior defences and advanced to the breast-work; but
being unprovided with scaling ladders, they attempted to gain the breast-work, partly by mounting on each other's
shoulders, and partly by fixing their feet in the holes which they made with their swords and bayonets in the face
of the work. No sooner, however, did a man reach the top, than he was thrown down by the troops behind the entrenchments.
Captain John Campbell, with a few men, at length forced their way over the breast-work, but they were immediately
despatched with the bayonet. After a desperate struggle, which lasted about four hours under such discouraging
circumstances, General Abercromby seeing no possible chance of success, gave orders for a retreat. It was with
difficulty, however, that the troops could be prevailed upon to retire, and it was not till the third order that
the Highlanders were induced to retreat, after more than one-half of the men and twenty-five officers had been
either killed or desperately wounded. No attempt was made to molest them in their retreat, and the whole retired
in good order, carrying along with them the whole of the wounded, amounting to 65 officers and 1178 non-commissioned
officers and soldiers. Twenty-three officers and 567 rank and file were killed.
The loss sustained by the 42d was as follows, viz - 8 officers, 9 sergeants, and 306 soldiers wounded. The officers
killed were Major Duncan Campbell of Inveraw, Captain John Campbell, Lieutenants George Farquharson, Hugh MacPherson,
William Baillie, and John Sitherland; Ensigns Patrick Stewart, brother of Bonskeid, and George Rattray. The wounded
were Captain Gordon Graham, Thomas Graham of Duchray, John Campbell of Strachur, James Stewart of Urrard, James
Grant, Robert Gary, John Campbell, William Grant, John Graham, brother of Duchray, Alexander Campbell, Alexander
Mackintosh, Archibald Campbell, David Miller, Patrick Balneaves; and Ensigns John Smith and Peter Grant.
The intrepid conduct of the Highlanders on this occasion was made the topic of universal panegyric in Great Britain,
and the public spirits teemed with honourable testimonies to their bravery. If anything could add to the gratification
they received from the approbation of their country, nothing was better calculated to enhance it than the handsome
way in which their services were appreciated by their companions in arms. "With a mixture of esteem, grief,
and envy (says an officer of the 55th), I consider the great loss and immortal glory acquired by the Scots Highlanders
in the late bloody affair. Impatient for orders, they rushed forward to the entrenchments, which many of them actually
mounted. They appeared like lions breaking from their chains. Their intrepidity was rather animated than damped
by seeing their comrades fall on every side. I have only to say of them, that they seemed more anxious to revenge
the cause of their deceased friends, than careful to avoid the same fate. By their assistance, we expect soon to
give a good account of the enemy and of ourselves. There is much harmony and friendship between us". The following
extract of a letter from Lieutenant William Grant, an officer of the regiment, seems to contain no exaggerated
detail: - "The attack began a little past one in the afternoon, and about two the fire became general on both
sides, which was exceedingly heavy, and without any intermission, insomuch that the oldest soldier present never
saw so furious and incessant a fire. The affair at Fontenoy was nothing to it: I saw both. We laboured under insurmountable
difficulties. The enemy's breast-work was about nine or ten feet high, upon the top of which they had plenty of
wall-pieces fixed, and which was well lined in the inside with small arms. But the difficult access to their lines
was what have them a fatal advantage over us. They took care to cut down monstrous large oak trees which covered
all the ground from the foot of their breast-work about the distance of a cannon-shot every way in their front.
This not only broke our ranks, and made it impossible for us to keep our order, but put it entirely out of our
power to advance till we cut our way through. I have seen men behave with courage and resolution before now, but
so much determined bravery can hardly be equalled in any part of the history of ancient Rome. Even those that were
mortally wounded cried aloud to their companions, not to mind or lose a thought upon them, but to follow their
officers, and to mind the honour of their country. Nay, their ardour was such, that it was difficult to bring them
off. They paid dearly for their intrepidity. The remains of the regiment had the honour to cover the retreat of
the army, and brought off the wounded as we did at Fontenoy. When shall we have so fine a regiment again? I hope
we shall be allowed to recruit. Lieutenant Grant's wish had been anticipated, as letters of service had been issued,
before the affair of Ticonderoga was known in England, for raising a second battalion. Moreover, previous to the
arrival of the news of the affair at Ticonderoga, his majesty George II had issued a warrant conferring upon the
regiment the title of Royal, so that after this it was known as the 42d Royal Highland Regiment.
This information was sent in by Murray McCombs
The 42nd Blackwatch Highlander, 1st Battalion, Muster Roll, Oct 24, 1758
Sources: "The Ontario
Register" Vol 3, 1970, p 223, by Mary McCall Middleton, Orange, NJ
The following is the roll of Capt. John Reid's Company of the 42nd, which was commanded by Capt. James Murray during
the expedition. Taken from Atholl Records, page 440, vol. III.
In the bibliography for this article (Appendix O), the Atholl records are shown as "Chronicles of the Atholl
and Tullibardine Families". Collected and arranged by John, Seventh Duke of Atholl, K.T., in five volumes,
Ballantyle Press, 1908.
Lake George Camp - Ticonderoga Oct. 24, 1758
John Reid Capt.
Kenneth Tolmie Lt
David Mill Lt
Charles Menzies Ensign
James McNabb Sergeant
John McAndrews Sergeant
John Watson Sergeant
Alexander Cumming Sergeant
John Cumming Corporal
Jonnathen Grant Corporal
Angus McDonald Corporal
John Stewart Corporal
Walter McIntyre Drummer - Killed 8th July 1758
Allan Campbell Drummer
PRIVATES:
William Anderson
Alexander Cumming
William Carmichall
Angus Cameron
Hugh Christy
Hugh Fraser
Donald Fraser
Donald Fraser
Alexander Fraser
John Forbes
Donald Grant
James Grant
John Grant
John Grant
William Grant
John Graham
William Gordon
James Gordon
Donald Kennedy
Donald Kennedy
John Kennedy
James Michall
James Murray
Donald Murray
Alexander McKenzie
Rodrick McKenzie
Hugh McKenzie
Hugh McKenzie
John McKenzie
Gillis McF-----
Angus McDonald
Achibald McDonald
Lachlin McDonald
John McDonald
Donald McDermid
Robert McGregor
Alexander McGregor
Doanld McGregor
John McIntosh
Donald McIntyre
Alexander McIntyre
Leonard McGlashon
John McGillivarie
Donald McColl
Neill McMillion
Rodrick McLean
Neill McNeill
John McLaren
John McArthur
Neill McEarchern
John McPhie
Hugh McPhie
Neill McLeod
Donald McLish
Donald McLish
William McLinnion
George McAdam
Hugh McKeay
Hector McInven
Donald McPherson
Alexander McPherson
Donald Robertson
Alexnader Reid
James Rea
John Ross
Donald Ross
Alexander Ross
Walter Spalding
John smith
Neill Shaw
Alexander Stewart
Robert Urquhart
Donald Watson
Donald Wheet
Duncan Wright
William Wishart
KILLED 8th JULY 1758:
John Buchanan
Hugh Cameron
Donald Carr
James Farquharson
Hugh Fraser
James McDonald
Archibald McDonald
William McDonald
James McIntyre
Donald McQueen
Dugall McLachlan
Donald McNeil
John McKenzie
Peter McFarlane
Norman McLeod
Hugh Ross
Doanld Stewart
Walter Stewart
Charles Stewart
John Sinclair