78th Fraser Highlanders

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The 78th Fraser Highlanders, more properly the 78th Regiment, Second Highland Battalion of Foot was a British military unit raised in Scotland in 1757, to fight in the French and Indian War. The regiment fought at the capture of Louisbourg in 1758, at the battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759, at the capture of Montreal in 1760 and at the capture of St. John's, Newfoundland in 1761. In 1763 at the end of the war, they were disbanded in what is now Canada. Many soldiers remained in the area of Quebec.

Recreated for the 1967 World Fair in Montreal, the Regiment has grown to include many garrisons branches across North America, taking part in various cultural and reenactment activities. During the summer months, at the Fort de l'Île Sainte-Hélène, the Regiment performs Musket and Bagpipe demonstrations.

1 Uniform
2 Equipment
3 See also
4 References
5 External link
- 5.1 Reenactment groups

[edit] Uniform

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

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

[edit] Equipment

The 78th were issued cavalry carbines^[1]. Some of these carbines were traded with light infantry units for the long brown bess, but most of the unit was equipped with carbines throughout the war.

Soldiers were also issued to Clay Bec, or Scottish Small sword. Made of flexible steel, the blade was sharpened on two sides. There was also a cage that surrounded the soldier's hand offering superior protection.

[edit] See also

78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band, a pipe band from Toronto with the same name.
71st Regiment of Foot (Frasers Highlanders)

[edit] References

1. Sons of the Mountains, The Highland Regiments in the French & Indian War, 1756-1767, Volume Two, Ian Macpherson McCulloch, 2006, Purple Mountain Press (ISBN 1-896941-49-4)