Battle of Montreal 1760 - Canadian Military Heritage Project

Battle of Montreal, Aug-Sep 8, 1760: Royal Highlanders (42nd) & Fraser’s Highlanders (78th)

Thanks goes to Deborah for this series of articles, which she generously donated to The Canadian Military Heritage Project and which is used here with consent. After years of warlike activity with France, England officially declared war on May 18, 1756, beginning the Seven Year’s War in Europe. But the focus of the war soon shifted away from the continent to the colonies. Echoeing the conflicts in Europe, the final struggle for the empire was to take place in North America and in the West Indies. British regulars and American militia joined forces against France and her Indian allies in a campaign commonly known as the French and Indian Wars. After suffering numerous defeats and disappointments, England and her colonies successfully reversed the course of events and conquered the Canadian and regular armies of France. Peace between Britain and France was proclaimed with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on February 10, 1763; however, warfare against the Indians endured for sometime after. The following accounts of the French-Indian Wars focus mainly on the involvement of the Highland Regiments in the battles and expeditions listed below. However, a list of other regiments involved, and the field officers in general command during these battles, have been noted in order to facilitate further research.

After years of warlike activity with France, England officially declared war on May 18, 1756, beginning the Seven Year’s War in Europe. But the focus of the war soon shifted away from the continent to the colonies. Echoeing the conflicts in Europe, the final struggle for the empire was to take place in North America and in the West Indies. British regulars and American militia joined forces against France and her Indian allies in a campaign commonly known as the French and Indian Wars. After suffering numerous defeats and disappointments, England and her colonies successfully reversed the course of events and conquered the Canadian and regular armies of France. Peace between Britain and France was proclaimed with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on February 10, 1763; however, warfare against the Indians endured for sometime after.

The following accounts of the French-Indian Wars focus mainly on the involvement of the Highland Regiments in the battles and expeditions listed below. However, a list of other regiments involved, and the field officers in general command during these battles, have been noted in order to facilitate further research.

Battle on the Heights of Abraham, September 13, 1759

Source: “Sketches of the Character, Manners and Present State of the Highlanders of Scotland; with details of The Military Service of The Highland Regiments”, by Major-General David Stewart, Vol I & II, (1825), Edinburgh.

Advance on Montreal & Surrender of Canada, Aug-Sep 8, 1760

Highland Regiments: Royal Highlanders (42nd) & Fraser’s Highlanders (78th) Other Regiments: the Grenadiers and Light infantry; and ? Battle Under General Command of: Commander-in-chief General Jeffrey Amherst; Brigadier-General James Murray; and Colonel William Haviland

Abridged text: General Amherst, being compelled by the inclemency of the weather to relinquish his intention of proceeding down the St. Lawrence to co-operate with Wolfe, had placed his troops in winter quarters in the month of October. In May following, he again commenced operations, and made the necessary arrangements for the junction of his army with that of General Murray at Montreal. This was the only place of strength which the enemy now possessed in the country.

Colonel Haviland was detached with a body of troops to take possession of the Isle aux Noix, and from thence to penetrate, by the shortest route, to the banks of the St. Lawrence. General Murray had orders to proceed up the river with all the forces he could muster.

On the 7th of August, Colonel Haldimand was sent with the Grenadiers, Light infantry, and a battalion of the Royal Highlanders, to take post at the bottom of the Lake, and assist the armed vessels in passing to La Galette. On the 10th of August, the whole army embarked, and proceeded on the Lake towards the mouth of the St. Lawrence; and after a difficult navigation down the river, in which several boats were upset, and about eighty men lost, landed on the 6th of September, six miles above Montreal. On the evening of the same day, General Murray appeared below the town; and so admirably were all the arrangements executed, that Colonel Haviland came down on the following day on the south side of the river; and thus, after traversing a great tract of unknown and intricate country, three armies united, and were ready to attack Monsieur Vandreuil, who saw himself thus surrounded and unable to move. If he attempted to march out of the town to attack either of the opponents who were advancing upon him, the other was ready to march in, and thus he would be exposed in the open fields to the attack of the three divisions. He therefore entered into a correspondence, which ended in a surrender, upon what were considered favourable terms. Thus was completed a conquest the most important that the British arms had achieved in the Western World.

Lord Rollo was immediately sent with a body of troops to take possession of the outposts, and to receive the submission of the inhabitants, who came in from all quarters. The judicious arrangements of the Commander-in-chief, and the spirit and enterprise of General Murray, command our admiration. Much praise is likewise due to the justice and humanity of Sir William Johnson, who by his unbounded influence over the Indians, so controlled them, that, from the time the army entered the enemy’s country till the close of the campaign, there was no act of barbarity or plunder committed.

42nd & 78th Highland Officers Killed (0 soldiers):

Nil recorded

42nd & 78th Highland Officers Wounded (0 soldiers):

Nil recorded

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