Clothing Provincials In The Canadian Department

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The primary purpose of this study was to determine what uniforms were worn by the 1st and
2nd battalions of the King’s Royal Regiment of New York and when; however, these questions are
so intertwined with the Canadian Department’s supply of other Provincial corps, that I have
collected information on a broad front. I have also included information about the various German
units where it sheds light on departmental practices.
Before readers venture into this study (at least from the point of view of the KRR NY,) I
recommend a review the earlier articles in the Uniform Section of the Royal Yorkers’ website, in
particular, Jim Kochan’s.
After eight months of research, I concluded there is no doubt about Kochan’s thesis that the
green uniforms worn by the Royal Yorkers in the early years of the war (1776-80) were drawn
from British supplies sent to clothe Canadian Provincials.
In this day and age, it may seem odd that the British Government believed that several
thousand French Canadians would take up arms to support the Crown. While the reasons for this
conviction are not germane, two basic facts are: 1. In Quebec Province, there were over 14,000
males of military age and, 2. several units of Canadian Militia had given spirited service against
the rebel invasion of Canada, in particular during the defence of Quebec City and in the
subsequent campaign that ejected the rebels from Canada.
It will be seen that Canadian Provincials were expected to act as Light Infantry, so it is
entirely reasonable to believe that the uniforms supplied reflected that specialist role – coats
would be jackets, as substantiated in the Quarter Master General’s Departmental returns, and
waistcoats, the Pattern 1771 type with the front edge cut square.1
My ‘cherry-picking’ of items from the Quarter Master General’s Department’s reports does not
do justice to their incredible complexity. In the original returns, items like Militia Clothing were
often separated from Provincial Clothing by Blankets, or Cabbage and Carrot Seeds, or Nails, or
Cross-cut Saws, or Sledge Hammers, or worse, they were run together without differentiation. So,
please recognize that although hundreds of items were listed in the reports, I have only selected
clothing, footwear and items of personal protection.
Other confusions in the original documents are: the failure of the various compilers to employ
the same designations for items from one report to the next, or to employ clear definitions for one
class of stores versus another. Therefore, much interpretation has been necessary.
I have retained the original arcane spelling, capitalization and punctuation in my transcripts;
however, those found in the Smy Transcripts have been corrected to reflect modern usage.
A year-by-year summary analysis of the clothing for Canadian and American Provincials is
found at the end of this study.
01Jul75 Dartmouth to Carleton, Whitehall2
… the most effectual Means of augmenting the Army under General Gage.
The King relies upon the Loyalty & Fidelity of His Canadian Subjects for their Assistance to
suppress Rebellion, and it is His Majesty’s pleasure that you do, if you see no objection, immediately
upon the Receipt of this letter take the proper steps for raising a Body of 3,000 Canadians in such form
& manner as you shall judge most proper, to act as Light Infantry, either in a separate Corps, or in
conjunction with His Majesty’s other Troops as shall, upon consulting General Gage, be thought most
expedient.
… I have already given the necessary Orders for providing Arms, Ammunition, Cloathing &
accoutrements for 3,000 Men, the whole will be ready in 10 days, and will be sent to you in a Ship
taken up for that purpose.
The expense of the Cloathing will be defrayed here, and for the rest of the Expenses attending the
Levy & Pay of the Men, they must be defrayed by your Bills upon the Lords Commissioners of the
Treasury.
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… I have said that the Officers of the Corps you are authorized to raise are in general to be
Canadians, but it is not meant to preclude you from giving a Commission to a natural born Subject in
any case in which you shall judge it proper.
12Jul75 Dartmouth to Carleton, Whitehall3
This Letter will be delivered to you by ____ of His Majesty’s Ship Lizard who takes under Convoy the
Jacob Store Ship Thos Brown Master having on board Arms Accoutrements and Cloathing for 3000 Men
and also four light Brass three Pounders.
24Jul75 Dartmouth to Carleton, Whitehall4
… upon a Consideration of these Dispatches (from Gage regarding the deepening rebellion], that the
Number of Men to be raised in Canada should be double what was first proposed; It is His Majesty’s
Pleasure, that instead of 3,000 Men which you were authorized to raise by my letter of the 1st of July,
the Number to be raised [to] 6,000; and I have accordingly given Directions for an Additional Supply of
Arms, Cloathing, & Accoutrements in proportion, which will be sent out in another Store Ship that will
be ready to sail in about ten Days.
The manner & form of raising this additional 3,000 is also left to your Judgment, and the
Commissions which you are to give the Officers must be on the like Conditions as are prescribed in my
Letter of the first Instant, Viz, “that none of them when reduced are to be intitled to half Pay, or to Rank
in the Army from having served in this Corps.
Does the phrase “left to your Judgment” and the previous instruction about “natural born Subjects” mean
that Carleton believed he had permission to clothe and arm corps of American Provincials should the
opportunity present?
01Aug75 Maryland Gazette, October 5, 1775 issue5
Dateline “London: Aug. 1. It is said that cloathing for 3000 troops, Canadians, was sent off yesterday,
and that the same contractor has orders for fitting up 7000 more with all possible dispatch.”
02Aug75 Maryland Gazette, October 12, 1775 issue6
August 2: Fourteen-thousand suits of green regimentals are ordered to be made up with expedition, and
sent for the use of the regulars at Boston. All are to be faced red, and the difference only will be in
trimming the button holes with various colours. Officers and private men will be alike.
This misreport likely refers to the orders for Canadian Provincial clothing found in next week’s newspaper
issue (see following entry.) What is this business of trimming the buttonholes with various colours? Is this
coloured twist, as worn by officers of non-laced regiments? And, what is meant about lack of distinctions
between officers and men – that all the coats would be trimmed in coloured twist regardless of rank? In any
event, narrow silver lace was sent to Canada, presumably for Canadian Provincial officers.
07Aug75 Maryland Gazette, October 19, 1775 issue7
Dateline “London: Aug. 7. Cloathing for 9000 Canadians is already shipped for Quebec, which will be
followed very soon by cloathing for 5000 more. The uniform is buff waistcoats and breeches, and green
coats faced with red.”
24Nov75 Quebec Garrison, General Orders8
A quotation from General Orders as transcribed in McBarron and Chartrand’s article, “A Sergeant of
each company to receive a suit of clothes each. It is to be made up immediately & directly, to the Patron
[Pattern] which Mr. McLeod, Taylor, will have ready tomorrow which will be a plain green coat, with buff
waistcoat and Breeches. As there will not be green cloth sufficient to make cuffs and collars, Mr.
McLeod will give as much green cloth as will serve the purpose.”
Quoting from the article (internal quotations from General Orders) – “Later orders directed officers to
have ‘cloathing of the same & so made up, plain green with a cuff & collar a pattern of which Mr.
McLeod will show.’ The men of the ‘Several Companies’ now ‘thinly clad’ were also to have this uniform
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made ‘as far as possible beginning with the oldest Company.’ Silver epaulettes were added to the
officers’ uniforms on December 12.”
When the image of the Quebec City militiamen was painted, presumably neither Chartrand nor McBarron
had seen the other documents [sources provided by Kochan] partially transcribed in this study. McBarron’s
interpretation shows the coats of Militia officers and men as long, i.e. full length, not jackets as sent out for
Canadian Provincials and that were known to have been issued to the city’s militia.
McBarron drew the private’s coat as lapelled on one side and apparently not on the other and the
officer’s coat as single breasted, i.e. without lapels and with one row of buttons on the right side. Both
coats were turned up in white, not buff and the capes/collars were not buttoned down, nor did they have
buttonholes. The militiamen’s hats were shown as the full-sized, cocked version, not round hats or caps.
Note well that a local tailor provided the green cloth for facings. Several hundred coats at ~½yd per coat
would have consumed a substantial amount of cloth. This gives us an indication of the amount of cloth held
by some local merchants! Also, the fact that McLeod supplied the material suggests that the bulk cloth
found later on the QMG’s Returns was not sent with the 1775 shipment.
It is also noteworthy that the city’s militia battalions were allowed to make their own decision about
facing colour and to lay aside the red facings provided with the suits.
07Aug76 Invoice of Clothing Issued to the several Corps in this Garrison by [order] of His
Excellency General Carleton9
This return appears to deal exclusively with the first shipment of clothing sent out from England for
Canadian Provincials and accounts for its disposition. For example: 3120 Privates’ suits had been
received with 3117 waistcoats and 3117 pairs of breeches, 3300 pairs of shoes, 3117 Privates’ hats and
3177 pairs of Hose; 120 sets of Officers’ clothing and Hats and 132 epaulettes; 117 Serjeants’ coats,
123 Sjts’ waistcoats, 120 Sjts’ breeches and 123 Sjts’ shirts & rollers; 57 Drummers’ complete suits.
These proportions fit well with the King’s authorization of 24Jul75 for a brigade of 3000 men.
Looking at Privates’ coats alone – Maclean’s Royal Highland Emigrants drew 337; the British and
Canadian militia battalions of Quebec City drew 860; the 7th Royal Fusiliers, 79; the ad hoc battalion of
Seamen, 471; Marines, 35; Royal Artillery, Artificers and Ordnance, 99 and Capt Beaujeu’s Company of
Militia, 84. These issues consumed 1965 coats. Another 500 suits were dispatched to Montreal, which
left 620 in stores (probably at Quebec City) and 35 in sundry packages.
I was unable to find a record of the landing of the second shipment of 3000 suits of clothing, but
later QMG Stores’ returns indicate that it arrived prior to May78.
The shipment of 500 suits of Canadian Provincial clothing sent to Montreal prior to 07Aug76, led Jim
Kochan to conclude that some were issued to the King’s Royal Yorkers before the onset of cold weather.
From subsequent evidence, this appears to have been the case.
12Sep76 Quebec Gazette
An advertisement placed by Zachary Macaulay shows, amongst a great many diverse items: a neat
Assortment of fine Irish Linens; Jeans [cotton weaves]; Moltons [Melton – stout smooth cloth, nap cut
close]; coarse Cloths [cloth always referred to woollen materials]; yarn and worsted [closely twisted yarn
of long-staple wool – fibres lie parallel to each other] Hose.
26Sep76 Quebec Gazette
An advertisement placed by Robert Willcocks shows, amongst a great many diverse items: Low-priced
Broad-cloths [fine, plain-wove, dressed, double-width]; Strouds [a blanketing material often used for
leggings]; Penistons [coarse woollen cloth for garments/linings] and Blankets of different Sorts.
These advertisements illustrate that a wide variety of materials was available on the local economy.
~09Nov76 Journal of Georg Pausch, Hesse-Hanau Artillery.10
The following winter clothing was supplied. Everyone received a pair of long blue cloth overalls, such as
the boatmen wear, high over the hips and reaching down to the shoes with a regular leggings strap, and
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on each side, up to the calf, a row of five buttons; one large blue woolen cap; four blue, wool-lined
mittens; one large underwaistcoat with sleeves, made of a strong white wool; one Canadian overcoat
with hood and cuffs, made from white woolen blankets, with a blue strip at the bottom of the coat. The
hood and cuffs of heavy white twilled cloth, drawn tight with a bright blue woolen tape, and are fastened
down the front with three toggles. There are three rosettes made of the same cord on the coattails. This
last item is called a “Capot” everywhere in Canada.
… The blue cloth [for overalls] and lining [for what?], already in September, because I was so far
from Montreal, was purchased at the same time as that for the English Artillery, and sent to me upon
my return to Montreal from St. Jean.
Besides illustrating the variety of materials available on the local economy, this description of capote
construction indicates that the hood and cuffs were made from a different material than the coat body.
29Nov76 Carleton to MGen Phillips11
Major Gray… may either cloath them [Jessup’s people] as the Royal Reg’t of New York, or buy them
some cheap uniform cloathing to keep them from the severity of the weather as you shall be pleased to
direct.
31Dec76 Private letter from Canada to Lower Saxony, Germany, Parish of St. Anne, 09Mar-
20Apr77.12
At 10 o’clock, the civic and military authorities, as well as all visiting and resident gentlemen, whether
Canadian or English, assembled at the Government-House. All the resident gentlemen of Quebec, in
accordance with their rank as officers of the militia, wore green suits with paille [straw] facings,
waistcoats, knee-breeches, and silver epaulettes upon their shoulders.
This report of Quebec City militia officers in their green Canadian Provincial coats and buff small clothes
fits well with Kochan’s descriptions, except for the coats’ facing colour. The Maryland Gazette article stated
that the bundles of unmade suits had red facings. Kochan reasons that some buff small clothes might have
been sacrificed to alter the facings on these sixty officers’ coats.13 On the other hand, the German officer,
von Specht, noted on 12May77 that the uniforms had been shipped with different coloured facings.
Whatever the case, the QMG’s Returns reports quantities of buff and green cloth in stores. Chartrand
speculates that the officers’ coats were from after the siege had been lifted and when the supply situation
had improved.
1776 General Abstract of Arms and Necessarys Bo[ugh]t. For the use of the Troops under the
command of Sir John Johnson [clothing items only]14
At Johnstown and St Ridgis [St. Regis, i.e. Akwesasne]
66½ Ells [1 Ell = 45in.] Russia Sheeting
19½ Yards -do-
6 pairs Leggans
55 Yards Linen
10 yds -do-
161 pairs Indian Shoes
8 Blankets
5 Blanket Coats
4 hatts
17½ Yards Stript Cotton
2½ pounds thread
3 pounds -do-
At Montreal
103 pairs Shoes
At Montreal
6 pairs pumps
16 pairs Stockings
7 hatts
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09Jan77 Quebec Gazette
An advertisement dated 02Jan77 placed by Captain Napier shows, amongst a great many diverse items,
such as ready made Shirts, Quilted Tambour [embroidered] Waistcoats, Hats, Hosiery, Boots and Shoes.
11Jan77 Major Gray to Carleton, Point Clair15
Some time ago I received your Excellency’s orders and directions concerning the Messrs Jessups and
followers, according to those, & Major General Phillips’s I have acted; Bought them an uniform the
cheapest that could be got at Montreal, very common Red Stuff turn’d up with Green; as Red seemed to
be their favourite colour and being got rather cheaper than any other I gratified their taste.
NB: 1. Gray was able to buy a large quantity of cloth on the local economy. 2. Jessup’s people were
permitted to make their own choice of uniform colours.
A Jessup’s muster roll taken at Point Clair 24Jan77,16 listed seventy-nine all ranks. In anticipation of
recruits, one would expect that additional unmade uniforms were cut, but Gray’s letter of 20Apr77 hints
otherwise. See below for evidence that John Peters was allowed to outfit his men in this same uniform. No
definitive roll of Peters’ party has yet been found for the fall of 1776 and winter of 77, but a later roll
shows that forty-one men began the campaign on 25Jun77 and these could be the men who were with
Peters in Quebec.17 Dr. Samuel Adams’ Ranging company apparently was also supplied these uniforms.
23Jan77 Journal of Georg Pausch, Hesse-Hanau Artillery18
It was necessary for them to dress properly every day, and to have their hair trimmed and powdered, as
the general daily inspects each man of the artillery personally. My battalion allowances and forage
money however, is exhausted by this neatness, so that I do not know where it goes, because I have had
to issue four good underwaistcoats, two new shirts with two sets of sleeves, two pairs of shoes to every
man, and to almost everyone, new stockings, in order to maintain their proper appearance. In addition
to this, I have had the misfortune to lose my chest with another 47 pairs of white breeches and 49 pairs
of new white leggings, which I have had to replace here and issue to the company. The white breeches
are made of a bleached, fine white cotton cloth because I could not get strong linen here which was
white enough. [a dissertation follows on the relative expense of purchases in Quebec versus Hanau]
Shoes and leather are likewise excessively expensive here, as are all necessities, call them what you will.
Every pair of boots costs 20 florins here, a pair of leather breeches, 20 florins, a coat five time more
than in Hanau…
Here is further proof that officers purchased materials from the local economy to make up for shortages.
26Jan77 Major Gray to Captain Foy, Pt Clair19
Gray wrote of clothing a number of Mohawks who were unable to return to their homes in the Mohawk
Valley. These would primarily be the Fort Hunter Mohawks who settled temporarily at Lachine. He then
continued, “There are a Number of Officers belong to that Department of the Five Nations, who are in
want of both money and Cloathing… I shou’d be glad to have his Excellency’s orders how I am to act
upon this occasion.”
04Feb77 Major Gray to Captain Foy, Pt Clair20
I here transmit you a List of The Inhabitants from York Provance that has taken the Oaths of Alligence, I
have added one Adams in the List wt the Jessups & Jone’s [Jonathon, John and David Jones were early
partisans with the Jessups], but as they will not Joine my Compy they are neither Cloath’d nor
mustered, which is the same Case with the 28 men wt Capt McKay in Montreal. If His Excelly desires I
should doe any more with them, I am ready to obey.
24Mar77 Major Gray to Capt Foy, Montreal21
I send you the Pay Bills, according to Capt Mairs form, and a List of all the men and Officers from the
Province of New York, that’s under my Command. I likwise send the Merchts Acct for the Cloathing
which was Bought for those People By Orders – Youll find By the Pay Bills that the Rations are only
made up to the 24 Decr being Mr. Days order, but Jessups I made up to the 24th Febey.
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The List of Officers where Peters is marked in, I shall be glad to know from what date they are to be
paid as I cannot make up proper Pay Bill till thats done; those men join’d Jessups Core gives me more
truble then I ever had, some of them Join’d and took Arms and Cloathing, one of the Ring Ledders
Hume Joined our Regt as a Volunteer, the other ledder I sends out Cascalian, with twelve men which I
find, Mr. Adams has a hand in it, if my Intelligce be true…
Enclosing List of Jessups Party, & acc of Cloathing purchased for them.
02Apr77 Accot & Return of Provisions & Blankets furnished to Forty one Canadians
Discharged & Deserted from the Kings Royal Regiment of New York and in Major Gray’s
Company between the 1st & the 31st July 1776, Pt Clair22
To 16 Blankets from the Regimental Store JaGray major
Proof that the regiment had its own storage for cloth items.
03Apr77 Quebec Gazette
Advertisement listing a variety of goods for sale by William Wilson including: low pric’d Irish Linens;
five-eights Russia Linen; Linen and Cotton Checks; ruffled and plain Shirts; felt and Castor Hats.
09Apr77 Orderly Book entry23
A Review of Arms Accourtrements and Necessaries of friday at Eleven O’Clock as the Major desires that
the men from St. Anns Under the Command of Capt. Brown be sent to their Companys that they be
Provided in time with Necessaries to take the field when ordered, & Capt. Brown to take the Light
Infantyr Comp’ny, which he is to Compleat Immediately from the Battalion: the old men from Capt.
Watt’s Compy change their coats with those from other Companys who shall come in their places; if
their Coats do not Answer let the wings be taken off & given to those that come in; Capt. Brown to fix
that as he thinks fit.
NB: the regiment’s coats were all the same length, i.e. jackets, as Light Infantry would not have worn full-
length coats.
20Apr77 Major Gray to ?, Point Clair
You’ll find by the Merchants accounts sent you for Cloathing, that the Messrs Jessups’ party & the
Twenty Seven Men that Petition’d the General [is this Peters’ party?] were all provided for, but there was
Adam’s & his Eight Men [Dr. Samuel Adams of the New Hampshire Grants who wished to raise an
independent company of rangers] who are still unprovided for, as they at that time wou’d not accept of
the Cloathing, tho’ Adams has now agreed to join as a Lieut in Jessups Corp, Yet there’s Eight Suits of
Cloaths wanted to compleat the Royalists under my Command, they are now willing to take the
Cloathing, which I have not to give till I am ordered to buy for them; some of them refuse to take arms
or be under any Command but to go along with the Army, the Devil knows what the scoundrels wou’d
be at[.] I have been thirty Years a soldier, but never had so much trouble as with those fellows; I have
try’d every Method to please them, & to show them the Generals good intentions towards them.
27Apr77 Major Gray to Foy?, Pt. Clair24
I inclose you Messrs Jessups Pay bills and have included the 27 men at Montreal and Adams & his
Party which in all makes 97 men beside three Capts 5 Lt. & three Enss. Youll find by the pay bill to the
24 Febry. One Officer & three men Dead. As Mr. Day Could not give in the Provission Rcept for Adams
Party or the 27 men, I thought it the Best way to Charge them from 4 Novr. To put them upon the same
footing with Jessups Party[.]
04May77 Major Gray to Captain Foy, Point Clair25
Gray wrote concerning nine men who had come into the Province from the Mohawk Country, but were
reluctant to enlist. “… its hardly worth the while to give the Cloathing intended for the Regt… Can we fill
them out for a Campaign with such Necessarys as we have done the Regt. – Since writing the above
Seven of the men have Agreed to Join… upon which I am going to Cloath them with the Cloathing of the
Regt.”
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This is a typically imprecise comment about KRR uniforms; however, it is clear that Carleton had dictated
what the clothing was going to be, i.e. “intended for the Regt. By his Excell..” Eight days later, when Gray
wrote about a large number of recruits from the Mohawk Valley, he again says, “I shall Give them the
Cloathing of the Regt.”26
12May77 Johann Friederick von Specht to Duke Carl I of Brunswick27
…several young Canadians have been recruited from each parish a few days ago with whom it is
planned to organize 1 company each in Québec, in Rivière-du-Loup and in Montréal and make them
advance guards under the name of volunteers. Each company is said to be 100 men strong and 50
Savages are said to join each company. The Canadians, who have already furnished volunteers for our
army in previous campaigns but have engaged themselves to their liking for only 6, 8 or 12 weeks, are
now bound to furnish these men for an entire year. Each company will receive green uniforms with
straw-coloured waistcoats and breeches but with different facings. Captain Mackay will be in charge
of one company. Captain Boucherville, who formerly was in the service of the Royal French [army] and
has established himself in Canada, will receive the 2nd; the 3rd, a Captain Monin, likewise a Canadian
had already commanded a small corps of volunteers in the last campaign.
Perhaps the uniforms for these three companies of 300 Canadian volunteers were to be taken from the 500
suits shipped to Montreal the year before; however, it is more likely that additional shipments had been
made from Quebec City inventory. It is possible that the second shipment of 3,000 suits had been received
from England by this time; however, the following comment by another German officer suggests otherwise.
15May77 Journal of Georg Pausch, Hesse-Hanau Artillery28
It has been ordered in the English Artillery for all their troops to be provided with long, large, and wide,
coarse linen overalls, such as the boatmen have, very wide from under the shoes upward in a single
piece with leggings straps. For the most part these are to be made out of old tents.
I found this item of clothing to be well-suited to the local situation and climate, and especially
commodious for the troops when marching and against the small insects here, and a sort of bad snake
which make it very unpleasant for the men in camp and their tents… I have no old tents here, and
because I must perform duty with the artillery on a daily basis, to make this unique uniform item… I
thought nothing of buying the necessary Russian linen at the cheapest price and to have this style of
breeches made and to deduct the actual cost from every non-commissioned officer, musician, and
cannoneer each month for two months, because these, like the winter apparel, are clothing items which
no one can possibly argue are in anyway included in the fund for prescribed uniform items. These
overalls have all been made and are worn in the barracks except when not on duty, and during the early
morning at exercise.
This is another illustration of relying upon the local economy to find tailoring materials. As tents were
generally made from Russia Linen,29 Pausch simply purchased the same material for his men’s overalls,
albeit new, not worn in.
16May77 Sir John’s Orderly book, La Chine30
… the Trowsers & Every thing else to be Ready on Saturday Next: the whole of the Taylors of the Regt.
to be kept at Work & free from Duty till then for that purpose – Jessup’s Corps’ to see that thay are
Ready in Case of Orders for their Marching, & to have their Clothing Ready according to the Above
Orders for the Regt.
Jim Kochan believes that, like other British regiments, when the KRR was warned for active service, the
men laid aside their woollen breeches in favour of more practical trousers (worn with short, black spat-
terdashes) or overalls with integral gaiters. The Orderly Book proves this contention. Although the entry
indicates that ‘Trowsers’ were being tailored, there is no evidence of these being worn in the von Germann
paintings. Of the seven British regiments he painted, four were in overalls and three in breeches with
spatterdashes. Perhaps the officer keeping the KRR Orderly Book used the word “trousers” when he meant
overalls.
22May77 Orderly Book entry31
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It is the Commanding officer’s orders that the Commisson’d[,] Non Commisson’d officers & Soldiers of
the King’s Royal Regt. of New York to be Under arms this Evening at the Usual Place of Exercise at four
o’clock; the Non Commission’d officers are to see that the mens arms are in Duty order; their Regtl’s
Clean; their Regt’l hats well Cocked, & their hair Properly Dressed, So as to appear Decent Saturday
Next at the Review.
Jim Kochan commented, if the Royal Yorkers wore cocked hats, they would have been the only British
regiment in Canada to do so. He conjectures that the KRR wore either a narrow brimmed round hat, or that
same hat cut down to a cap. Jim believes that the round hat was shipped as part of the Canadian
Provincial clothing, but I have been unable to confirm this. As to caps, he cites the von Germann images32 in
which all seven Regular regiments portrayed wore caps. As well, the story told by Jeptha Simms (see
below) states that a Royal Yorker recruiting serjeant was wearing a cap in 1778.
Yet, the above instruction in Sir John’s Orderly Book states “their Regt’l hats [should be] well cocked.”
Kochan theorizes that the order refers either to the proper construction of the caps (i.e. the cocking of the
front shield,) OR to a standard method adopted by the regiment for turning up round hats.
Steve Sandford (OC 1KRR Light Company and 18th Century hatter by avocation) offers the possibility
that the narrow brim round hat may have been cocked with cord tie-ups at front and secured with a hook
and eye in back. This allowed the soldier to turn the hat around on his head and ‘uncock’ the back, which
created a bill to give his face protection from the elements on campaign; however, if this was the hat worn
by the Royal Yorkers, they would have been the only British regiment in Canada to do so and, again, that
seems unlikely.
27May77 Carleton to Germain33
I informed your Lordship that this Army had been joined at Crown Point by parties of the loyal
inhabitants of the adjacent Provinces, who had fled from the persecution they were suffering in the
places of their residence; during the winter their numbers have increased considerably; a body of near a
hundred came here under the conduct of a Mr. Jessup of the province of New York, his brother and
several other men of some note in the neighbourhood of Albany. They have all been sent to Sir John
Johnson’s Corps, but being of a different part of the country, they desired not to be drafted into that
Regiment. I have cloathed them, which they were much in want of, and armed them and they receive
pay as private men, non-commissioned officers, and officers in proportion according to the request of
their leader. Several other similar parties [presumably Peters’ and Adams’] have come in and been
disposed of in the same manner…
29May77 Quebec Gazette
An advertisement for goods just arrived from Bristol by Isaac Roberts shows, amongst a great many
diverse items, Irish linens; sheeting [broad piece of linen or cotton]; cambricks [fine white linen]; lawns
[ultra-fine white linen almost transparent]; cotton checks; worsted shags [long, coarse napped cloth];
Russia duck [strong, untwilled linen-hemp, lighter than canvas]; white, red and blue bays [baize –
coarse cloth with long nap]; Salisbury flannels [open woollen stuff of loose texture usually without a
nap]; superfine broad cloths of various colours; serges [very durable twilled cloth of worsted, or with
warp of worsted and the woof of wool]; glaz’d [lustrous surfaced] linen; mens black and white hats.
31May77 Sir John’s Orderly book, Point Clair34
… the Quarter Master Sergt to see that there is Cloathing taken for the use of the Recruits which the
Taylors are to make at Lachine; what Cloathing is finished to be Given Out to the Recruits; & Sergt
Hillyer [a tailor from Johnstown] to pack up what is not finish’d to be Carri’d along to Morrow.
This entry about completed uniforms being given to recruits gives rise to the question about the frequency of
issuing clothing to Provincials. Regulars were supposed to be given a suit of clothing each year, ideally in
June. In the Yorker case, was the issue simply to recruits who had no regimentals? And, the others, who
already had suits from the previous fall, clothed later? OR, did it mean that only recruits were to receive
clothing and the others were to make do with their earlier issue?
01Jun77 Sir John’s Orderly book, La Chine35
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… the Taylors to begin Directly to work at the men’s Cloathing and to keep Close at them till they are
finished; they are to work in Mr. Pridones Garret.
13Jun77 Sir John’s Orderly book, La Chine36
General Orders – As Cleanliness and a Strict Attention to Duty are Indespensable Necessaries in a
Soldier, Colonel St Leger Desires the troops Under his Command may be Immediately furnished with
Necessarys & Each a black Stock.
Was St. Leger using loose terminology, or did he really mean a stock, as opposed to a roller. Rollers were
often mentioned in the QMG’s Returns, but never stocks.
13Jun77 Journal entry by a Brunswick officer37
Here we found such quantities of mosquitoes that we had to pull caps and gauze-like material we had
ordered for ourselves in Chambly over the whole head and hat.
Another illustration of the local economy in action.
Undated A Hessian officer’s letter home (translated by Jim Kochan)38
Two years ago, the King had… uniforms shipped here to dress the [Canadian] Volunteers… The men
were very offended, saying they were ready to serve the King but not in this clothing. All entreaties were
made but to no avail, and the regimentals were used to clothe the New York Regiment.
What an inexplicable observation! As we have seen above, the Canadian Quebec City militia battalions and
Beaujou’s company of militiamen received the clothing without any protest. More pertinent – there was only
one regiment in Canada at that time that could be known as the “New York Regiment” and that was the
King’s Royal Regiment of New York.
16Jun77 von Specht to the Duke of Brunswick39
… as several companies of Canadians, who had recently been levied, likewise left St. Jean on this day.
The latter’s’ regimentals consisted of brown camilsoles [said to be waistcoats] and very short jackets,
which according to the company were trimmed in red, green or blue ribbons [lace?], and of round
ungarnished hats trimmed with the same sort of ribbons.
En: Captains David Monin’s and René Amable Boucher de Boucherville’s Canadian companies were
assigned to Burgoyne’s army. Captain Hertel de Rouville’s went with LCol Barry St. Leger’s corps.
Monin’s company was from the Montréal, Boucherville’s from the Québec and Rouville’s from the Trois-
Rivières Districts of the province. As early as the middle 17th century, each district had its own
distinctive color: red for Québec, blue for Montréal and white for Trois-Rivières. The different colored
trim on the companies’ uniforms no doubt indicated the district from which they came. The company
from Trois-Rivières may have chosen green instead of traditional white because of the difficulty in
keeping white clean while on campaign. Green is also less visible in the woods. Charles McBarron and
René Chartrand, “The Quebec Militia, 1775-1776,” Military Uniforms in America, Plate No.354.
08Jul77 Sir John’s Orderly Book entry.40
… the Taylors of the Regt begin to work to morrow morning to compleat the mens cloathing.
As discussed above – should it be interpreted that new clothing had been issued to all the men (300+) and
required the usual adjustments to fit the men? Or, that only the new recruits had received clothing and
theirs was being adjusted?
11Jul77 Burgoyne to Sir John, Chambly41 (my emphasis in bold)
I mentioned to Genl Carleton according to your desire the Subject of Levy money.42 His Excellency is of
opinion that the Corps to be raised by you, & that raised last Year by Lt. Col. Macleane are upon very
different Grounds. The latter was undertaken by a Gentleman without any personal weight or
Authority in the Country, He received no Additional Rank in the Service, & the Regiment, when
raised, was like all others upon the Brittish Establishment, liable to be sent to any part of the
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World at the pleasure of the King. This consideration alone made pecuniary Encouragement more
necessary; & the Lt. Col. Receiving no advantage by what he was well entitled to from his military
pretensions, cou’d not be expected to advance any money from his private purse.
The light in which your proposal, Sir, is regarded, is that of a great, opulent distinguished Subject,
who after the Example of a most honourable Predecessor, steps forward in a time of difficulty & danger,
to vindicate the Rights of his Majesty’s Crown, & restore the blessings of legal Government, combining,
as is most just, with those elevated principles the protection of private property, not only that of the
Chief, but also of every Individual who shall take Arms under his Banner, and for this purpose, the
Corps is not to be removed out of America, nor unless upon Exigencies in which every well affected
American Subject is interested, is it intended, I believe, to march them from their own Province. Your
plan therefore is exactly upon the footing with that of the several English Noblemen, who in the year
1745 raised Regiments in their own Counties, and at their own Expense, receiving in return military
Rank, ‘though they had never served in the Army, together with pay according to that Rank. It is
presumed upon the whole that upon the Representation of so respectable a Chief, as yourself, the
Inlistments will be made with little Expense; or should it be otherwise, that the Commander in Chief
would not be justifiable in advancing it without express Orders.
I hope all the arrangement as it now stands will upon reflection be acceptable to you. Every thing
appears fair for the execution of the project we conversed upon. [i.e. the expedition to the Mohawk
Valley] I shall think myself happy in that opportunity, as in every other, to recommend myself to, your
friendship…
Previously, I had only seen the excerpt of this letter in Cruikshank’s history of the regiment43 and under-
stood that all the expenses of raising the regiment were to be met by Sir John. Having seen the complete
letter, it became clear that only the expenses of recruiting were to be met by Johnson and he could expect
support from the government for uniforms, arms, accoutrements and camp equipment. In comparison, see
the Butler’s Rangers’ Beating Order which follows.
Despite Burgoyne’s comment to Johnson, Maclean’s RHE was not put on the British Establishment at
its founding. The RHE served as Provincials until 1778, when the regiment was elevated and numbered the
84th.
15Sep77 Butler’s Rangers’ Beating Order, Quebec44
To John Butler Esqr appointed Major Commandant of a Corps of Rangers to serve with the Indians.
By virtue of the power and authority in me vested by the King, I do hereby authorize and empower you,
or such officers as you shall direct, by the beat of the Drum, or otherwise, forthwith to raise, on the
Frontiers of this Province, as many able bodied men, of His Majesty’s loyal subjects, as will form one
Company of Rangers, to serve with the Indians, as occasion shall require: which Company shall consist
of a Captain, a first Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant, three Serjeants, three Corporals and fifty private
men; and when you shall have compleated one Company as aforesaid, you are further empowered to
raise and form another in like manner, and of like numbers as the first, and so on, untill you shall have
compleated a number of companies of rangers as aforesaid, not exceeding in the whole eight companies;
observing that the first be compleated, armed and fit for service, and have passed muster, before such
person as shall be appointed for that purpose, by some one of the Commanding Officers of His Majesty’s
Troops, nearest to where the said companies so raised, shall be at the time, before another be begun to
be raised. And of which eight Companies, or such part thereof as you shall be able to raise, you shall be
Major Commandant, two of the Companies aforesaid (to be composed of people speaking the Indian
language and acquainted with their Customs and Manner of making War) for their encouragement shall
be paid at the rate of four shillings New York Currency by the day, non Commissioned Officers in
proportion from the day of their inlisting, and the other said companies (to be composed of people well
acquainted with the Woods) in consideration of the fateague they are liable to undergo, shall be paid at
the rate of two shillings New York Currency by the day; Non Commissioned Officers in proportion, the
whole to cloath and arm themselves at their own expense. You and the Officers so raised, to be paid
as is customary to the Officers of like rank, in his Majesty’s service, and you are carefully to obey and
follow such orders and directions; as you shall from time to time receive from me, or the Commander in
Chief for the time being, or any other of your superior Officers, according to the rules and discipline of
War, in pursuance of the trust hereby reposed in you.
Given under my hand and Seal at Quebec this 15th day of September one thousand seven hundred
and seventy seven and in the Seventeenth year of the Reign, Guy Carleton
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03Oct77 LCol Carl von Kreutzbourg to the Hereditary Prince of Hesse Kassel, Wilhelm of
Hesse Hanau, Ticonderoga45
The many thickets and dense forest that make passage difficult have been the cause of the loss of many
hats. The corps is shy of about 14 hats even though I had bought quite a number of them wherever
possible. For this reason I propose that the present style be supplanted by a very small hat with the
brim bent up in the back and the sides and front of the brim cut off close to the crown which would be
better than the present shape. This style of hat would require neither cockade nor cord, but solely a
button with a white woolen string which would hold up the brim in the back; and instead of the green
and white plume, it could carry colors to distinguish one company from another. Under the present
system a Jäger or a Dragoon cannot be distinguished from one another, neither can their companies be
distinguished by their plumes. I believe that either entirely white, entirely yellow, entirely red, and
entirely green plumes should be given to a company of Jägers, and none to the dragoons for whose hats
have all thus far have been lost or torn off, anyway.
01Feb78 Von Kreutzbourg to the Hereditary Prince, St. Antoine, QC46
I ordered overalls of gray sateen to be made for the entire corps, and these were made to fit over the
shoes like gaiters. They had horn buttons along the leg up to the knee and from there they started to
bulge out up to the waist line to a band, on to which, if necessary, an undershirt could be buttoned.
This time, the men have paid for their breeches with their own money, but in the future, I would
earnestly propose that the eight shillings trouser money as proposed to Your Serene Highness
previously may be granted to them, especially since all leather breeches have been completely spoiled by
water.
01May78 General Return of Stores in the Quarter Master Generals Department in the several
Storehouses at Quebec… – Montreal47
Articles
Quebec
Montreal
Chambly
St John’s
Great Coat and Legging Cloth Bales
119
Trimmings for ditto
Bales & Casks 10
Shoes
Pairs
8069
1236
Shirt Linnen &c
Cases
9
3½
Mittens
Bales & Casks 14
380 pairs
Stockings
Pairs
1433
Oil Cloths Containing 20
in Each
Cases
3
Canvas
Bolts
7
Clothing for Provincials
Suits
700
217
Leggings made up for ditto
Pairs
700
150
Canadian Shoes for ditto
ditto
1400
1232
Stockings for ditto
ditto
700
284
Hatts for ditto
700
314
Cloathing for Canadian Provincials
Provincials not made up, }
with Serjeants, Drummers } Suits
619
2085
Coats &c in proportion }
with Trimmings &c for ditto }
Cloathing made up
Suits
141
Cloathing for Canadian Provincials
Fine Green Cloth
Pieces
6
Coarse ditto
Bales
9
Coarse ditto
Pieces
13
Articles
Quebec
Montreal
Chambly
St John’s
Fine Buff Cloth
Pieces
3
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Shalloon
Pieces
14
Scarlet
ditto
½
White Fustian for Lining
Pieces
16
Buckram
ditto
7
Serjeants Stockings
Pairs
54
Silver Lace for Officers Hatts
Pieces
3
Narrow ditto for Coats
ditto
3
Ditto for Serjeants Hatts
ditto
3
Silver Epaullets
Pairs
50
Hatts
Casks
19
Coarse Watch Coats
49
Officers Silver Plated Buttons Gross
22
Waistcoat Ditto
ditto
12
Thread Hatt Lace
Bundles
32
Shirts
Bales
5
Ditto Unbaled
70
Coarse Sheeting
Bales
14
Officers Hatts
98
Common Garter Buckles
Pairs
29
Blanket Coats
190
N.B. 1350 Blanket Coats at St John’s And 142 ditto at Montreal made by Order of Lieut. General
Burgoyne –
75 Suits of Provincial Cloathing made by Order of Lieut. General Burgoyne
Immediately, we are faced with the necessity to interpret. What was the difference between “Cloathing for
Provincials” and “Cloathing for Canadian Provincials”? Was the former the red faced green coats
purchased by Major Gray for Jessups,’ or was it the blue faced white coats so disliked by the Royalist
Corps? In fact, probably both! Judging from the sheer volume of what was held in stores, the Canadian
Provincial clothing was the green clothing sent from Britain, not the brown suits made for the three
‘volunteer’ Canadian companies that accompanied Burgoyne and St. Leger.
Unfortunately, nothing was said about the facing colour of the made up suits, or which colour of pre-cut
facings was in the baled clothing. Obviously, the presence of fine and coarse green cloth suggests that
facings could be made in that colour if desired. Also, the large quantity of fine buff cloth indicates that this
was available for officers’ clothing.
01May78 Return of Regiments Cloathing in the Kings Stores in Canada, Montreal48
Regiments
Quebec
Bales Cases or Casks
Royal Highland
Emigrants
3
12
As noted above, Maclean’s Highland Emigrants drew Canadian Provincial clothing in the fall of 1775 and
wore it until their Scottish pattern clothing arrived from Britain. The clothing referred to in this document is
the Scottish pattern that matched the 42nd Foot Black Watch, as dictated in the regiment’s Beating Order.
21May78 Quebec Gazette newspaper article49
Run away on Saturday night the 10th Instant, a Negro man named JACK, about five feet eight inches
high, had on when he went away a red coat faced with green, buff waistcoat and breeches, and an old
blanket coat, speaks no other tongue but English, and that upon the Guinea accent, his foretop turned
back, very black, with a large beard, was lately purchased of Captain Covells, of Colonel Peters
Volunteers. Whoever will secure the said Negro, that his Master may get him again, shall have a
Reward of EIGHT DOLLARS and all reasonable charges paid by FINLAY & GREGORY, merchants near
the Marketplace Montreal. MONTREAL, May 13, 1778.
This wonderfully complete description of a servant from Peter’s Queen’s Loyal Rangers is exactly what we
hoped to have found in the provincial newspapers for the KRR NY. Note – the man was wearing the red
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coat faced green as supplied by Major Gray for Royalists. He was also wearing a buff waistcoat and
breeches that may have been purchased on the local economy, as no issuing documents have yet been
found that prove the QLR drew from Canadian Provincial inventories.
04Jun78 Captain Walter Butler to Carleton, Quebec50
The Rangers, when they join the Corps, are nearly destitute of clothing and necessaries, and having no
bounty allowed them confirmed by the General, their being obliged to pay for their arms brings them
greatly in debt and subjects Major Butler to many losses, either by their being killed or by natural
death.
12Jul78 LCol von Kreutzbourg to to the Hereditary Prince regarding the Hesse Hanau
Infantry detachment under Captain von Schoell.51
These poor fellows all look miserable in their old uniforms. I am told that no new equipment has been
sent for the new arrival of recruits from London to Portsmouth, but hope is expressed that some will be
sent shortly. If it does not arrive during this year, it will be impossible for these recruits to do service,
as they do not even have muskets.
26Aug78 Lieut William Fraser to Haldimand, Isle aux Noix52
Fraser wrote to the governor about the formation of his Independent Company. “Nothing is wanting to
render them fit for immediate Service but Cloathing and light Arms, concerning which would be glad to
receive your Excellency’s Orders, in what manner they are to be provided for in these Particulars.”
07Sep78 LCol Carl von Kreutzbourg to the Hereditary Prince of Hesse Hanau, Terrebonne53
Since no new equipment will be received this year and since the cloth used for the uniforms has been of
very poor quality, more than 200 men of the Jäger Corps had new uniforms made for themselves…. The
eight pieces of green and one piece of carmine cloth which were sent to me I will keep in reserve until
this winter when I expect to use them up for necessary repairs.
Some time ago I proposed in a letter from Ticonderoga an amount of 8 shillings per year for trouser
money. This is not necessary anymore and can be saved by supplying the Corps in America with a pair
of heavy linen overalls for the summer, and grey ones, made of cloth instead of the leather breeches
which were included in previous equipments for winter wear. The Captain took along samples of the
new style of trousers [I presume he means Captain von Schoell of the Hesse Hanau Erbprinz infantry
detachment – Justin Boggess.] For the rest of the time, one pair of trousers not being sufficient for two
years, I will make arrangements for the men to buy their own.
15Sep78 Von Kreutzbourg to the Hereditary Prince, Terrebonne54
Von Schoell’s detachment appeared with a force of 214 men; all were dressed in white linen trousers
since the black winter trousers are not ready. Your Serene Highness undoubtedly would not approve of
such long black trousers for wear in Europe. However, in this country they are very useful to the men.
This black cloth was given as a present to the men who served in the campaign of 1777. This black
cloth for sergeants was given by General Carleton to recruits, staff employees, and servants so that all
are dressed alike in formation. For the officers and sergeants I ordered very dark brown garments and
the recruits had to pay the sergeants for the black cloth.
26Sep78 A General Return of Stores in the Quarter Master Generals Department in the
Kings Magazines at Quebec55
19 Bales of Legging Cloath
8 Casks and Boxes for Trimming Ditto
10 Casks & Bales of Mittens, 297 pair loose
1541 Pairs of Stockings
39 Casks of Shoes Containing 5200
3 Casks of Oyl Cloaths, 20 in each
9 Cases of Shirting Linnen Supposed to contain near 20,000 Yards
Militia Cloathing
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23 Bales & Casks Containing 374 Suits
50 Hatts Serjeants
Provincial Cloathing
687 Suits of Cloathing
1377 Pairs of Mogasins
696 Pairs of Leggins made up
681 Hatts
35 Serjeants Suitts of Cloaths
Oct78 Report by LCol St. Leger56
St. Leger advised that a large fatigue party from the KRR NY was employed with other loyalists in
constructing barracks and fortifications at Sorel where he was commandant. The colonel sympathized
with their complaints about clothing, which, he said, was in a deplorable state and declared that the
contractor who supplied it deserved to be hanged.
Was St. Leger referring only to the clothing of the “other loyalists” or to all the men’s clothing including the
Royal Yorkers?
01Oct78 Von Kreutzbourg to the Hereditary Prince, Terrebonne57
I ordered fur caps for the entire corps made of the pelt of the American lynx to be worn during the
winter duty. The crown is made of green cloth and has a cockade of feathers on the left side; my
company’s feathers are white; Captain von Francken’s, white and black, striped lengthwise; Captain
Count von Wittgenstein’s, white with a black border at the bottom; and, Captain Castendyk’s, black on
top and white on the bottom. The effect is very fine if a company is assembled. The caps are made so
that Jägers can turn down the sides and in that way they protect the entire head and neck as well as
part of the shoulders. During the present cold weather these caps served to very good advantage.
14Oct78 Return of Cloathing in Store at Sorell.58
Number
Provincial Cloathing made up
Bales
4
Canadian Do unmade
Bales (50 each)
6
Do Do Do
Hogshds (100 Do)
4
Hatts
Cases
18
Green Cloth
Bales
5
Legging Cloth
Bales
20
Trimings for Legings
Boxes
2
Stockings
Bales
1
Shoes
Casks
1
Shirts
Bales
3
Blanket Coats
Bales (50 each)
2”
Once again, interpretation is necessary. What was Provincial and what was Canadian? Presumably, the
Provincial was blue faced white or red faced green. The Canadian was part of the shipment from Britain.
Again, note the large volume of bulk green cloth.
30Oct78 Sir John to Haldimand, Montreal59
… the Men of my Regiment are in great want of the necessaries due to them, returns of which I gave
into Your Excellency at Sorell…
21Nov78 Haldimand to Germain.60
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I also keep the Cloathing which Remains of General Burgoyne’s Army for the Supply of the Troops
under my Command; considering the difficulty and Risk attending the transporting of Supplies to the
Country.
“Troops under my Command” most probably refers to Regular regiments only. This clothing was reported in
detail in several QMG Department reports. In the late war, the 84th was issued with uniforms of the 21st
Regiment taken from this inventory. The balance was ultimately returned to Britain.
02Dec78 Eben Jessup, Sam’l Adams, Robt Leake, Edward Jessup & Jer. French to
Haldimand, Sorel61
With all Respect and due difference we the subscribing Officers of the Loyalists beg leave to represent to
Your Excellency, that the Cloathing in Store at this Garrison being Blue faced with White, the same as
the Uniform of many Regiments of our Enemies, we are apprehensive that should we be sent on service
with this Cloathing, many fatal accidents might happen, from mistakes of Indians and our own
Scouting Parties, as was actually the case several times last Campaign. We are aware that to expect this
Cloathing should be totally laid aside, for such reasons, after the great expense the Crown has been at,
must be deemed unreasonable; our wishes only are that Your Excellency will Order us, Red Clothing, as
along as any remains in Store, and that the Blue may be made use of the last.
Lieut Colonel St. Leger has been pleased at our request to suffer us to draw only half Mounting, for
the present, the Blanket Coats we have purchased for the Men by his directions, supplying the place of
the Coats, untill Your Excellency will be pleased to decide for us; and whatever that decision may be we
shall be entirely satisfied – The Transporting the Cloathing at this Season, we are sensible will be
attended with some Expense to Government, which we do not wish to burthen it with; but should Your
Excellency Order us the Red Clothing we will chearfully defray the Expense of Carriage.
Jim Kochan concluded that these blue uniforms faced white were ‘prize’ clothing either taken from rebel
storehouses after the expulsion of the Continental Army from Canada in 1776, or found in stores at
Ticonderoga in 1777. Yet, the wording of this letter suggests otherwise, i.e. “the great expense the Crown
has been at.” Was it not more likely referring to the purchasing and shipping of the clothing?
Another consideration – the blue and white clothing was issued as early as 1777, yet the first mention
of “Prize” clothing was in the 31Dec78 return noted immediately below. Very mysterious.
31Dec78 General Return of Stores in the Quarter Master Generals Department in the Several
Store Houses… Montreal62
Articles
Quebec
Montreal
Chambly
St John’s
Sorell
Great Coat & Legging
Cloth
Bales
87
pieces 3
17
Articles
Quebec
Montreal
Chambly
St John’s
Sorell
Trimmings for Ditto
Bales & Cases
8
cases 2
cases 2
Shoes
Pairs
5024
702
318
Shirt Linnen &c Pieces
887
150
72
Mittens
Bales & Casks
10
Pairs 701
Pairs 375
Pairs 100
Stockings
Pairs
860
264
Articles
Quebec
Montreal
Chambly
St John’s
Sorell
Oil Cloths Contg
20 in each
Cases
2¾
cloth 1
cloths 8
Clothing for Provincials
Suits
614
7
375
Leggings made up for ditto
Pairs
614
150
Clothing for Provincials
Canadian Shoes for Ditto
ditto
1228
400
400
Stockings for ditto ditto
614
76
383
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Hatts for ditto
614
163
Clothing for Canadian Provincials not made Up with Serjts Drummers Coats in Proportion
with Trimmings &c for Ditto
suits
344
1500
625
Fine Green Cloth Pieces
6
Coarse Ditto ditto
10
Coarse Ditto
Bales
3
5
Fine Buff Cloth
Pieces
3
Shalloon
ditto
13
Scarlet
Ditto
½
White Fustian for Lining
ditto
12
Buckram
ditto
8
Serjts Stockings Pairs
44
Silver Lace for Officers
Hatts
Pieces
3
Narrow Lace for Coats ditto
3
Ditto for Serjts Hatts ditto
3
Silver Epaullets Pairs
50
Hatts
Casks
18
Officers Silver Plated Coat
Buttons
Gross
22
Waistcoat Silver Plated
Buttons
Gross
12
Shirts
Bales
1
2
Ditto Unbaled
92
101
Coarse Sheeting Bales
4
6
Officers Hatts
98
Common Garter Buckles
Pairs
29
Blanket Coats
187
273
Canadian Caps
11
Prize Clothing for
Provincials
Suits
172
Prize Clothing!? As ‘prize’ is a common Naval term, the clothing may have been taken from a rebel ship, as
several were captured and brought into Quebec City during the war.
08Mar79 Sir John to Haldimand, La Chine63
Captain Sherwood informs me that he has been at considerable expense since his Appointment at St
Johns by General Carleton, and that he was promised Extra Pay, he beg[g]ed I would mention it to Your
Excellency, in hopes of Receiving a favourable Answer. – he also acquaints me that he could engage a
number of Men to Serve for six Months under his Command as Rangers, receiving the same pay and
Cloathing that the other Loyalists do, they have no objection to Serving in a Battalion for that time…
Haldimand had slapped a recruiting moratorium on all of Burgoyne’s Provincial corps in favour of
completing the Highland Emigrants and Royal Yorkers. This is why Sir John, who was managing the
various Royalist corps as well as the KRR, posed the question on Sherwood’s behalf.
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01Apr79 General Return of Stores in the Quarter Master General’s Department in the several
Storehouses… Head Quarters, Quebec64
At Quebec
Legging Cloth
Bales
85
Trimmings for Do
Bales & Casks
7½
Shoes
Pairs
4887
Shirt Linen
Pieces
872
Mittens
Casks & Bales
10
Stockings
Pairs
350
Oil Cloths
55
Cloathing for Provincials
Suits
214
Leggings made up for Do
Pairs
214
Canadian Shoes for Do
Do
428
Stockings for Do
Do
214
Hats for Do
214
Cloathing for Canadian Provincials not made up, with Serjeants & Drummers Coats in proportion
& Trimmings for Do
Suits
344
Prize Cloathing purchased for Provincials
Do
173
At Montreal
Shoes
Puncheons
2 – Pairs 14
Shirt Linen &c
Pieces
116
Mittens
Pairs
506
Stockings
Ditto
120
Oil Cloths
20
Cloathing for Provincials (Two of the Coats Rotten)
Suits
7
Canadian Shoes for Do
Puncheons
1
Stockings for Do
Pairs
45
Hats for Do
163
Cloathing for Canadian Provincials not made up with Serjeants, Drummers Coats &c in proportion
with Trimmings &c for Do
Bales 56 Suits 130
Fine Green Cloth
Pieces
6
Coarse Do
Do
10
Do Do
Bales
3
Fine Buff Cloth
Pieces
3
Shalloon
Do
13
Scarlet
Do
½
White Fustian for Lining
Do
12
Buckram
Do
7
Serjeants Stockings
Dozens
3
Silver Lace for Officers Hats Pieces
3
Narrow Lace for Coats
Do
3
Ditto for Serjeants Hats
Do
3
At Montreal
Silver Epaulets
Pairs
50
Officers Silver Plated Coat Buttons
Gross
22
Waistcoat Do
Do
12
Shirts
Bales
1
Do
unbaled
72
Coarse Sheeting
Bales
4
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At Montreal
Officers Hats
98
Common Garter Buckles
Pairs
29
At Saint Johns
Blanket Coats
187
Mittens
Pairs
620
Canadian Caps
4
Coarse Sheeting
Yards
204
Fine Do
Do
493
Stockings
Pairs
187
Shoes
Do
46
Leggings
Do
56
Legging Cloth
Yards
128
Indian Shoes
Pairs
86
Mogasons
Do
42
Breeches
Do
17
Waistcoats
18
Coats
19
Donations
20 Bales of Legging Cloth Contg
Yards
4750
2½ Do of Stockings
Pairs
887
5 ½ Do of Mittens
Do
5467
Shoes
Do
157
27 Bales of Blanket Coats Marked
Lieut. Genl. Burgoyne
Containg
1350
10 Bales much damaged by the Rats
At Sorel
Legging Cloth
Bales
17
Leggings made
Pairs
160
Blanket Coats long and short
260
Provincial Cloathing
Suits
439
Canadian Cloathing unmade
(in Casks)
Do
200
Ditto Do
(in Bales) 25 Suits ea
Bales
14
Shirts
Do
2
Stockings
Pairs
476
Shoes, English
Do
280
, Canadian
Do
500
Mittens
Do
92
Coarse Sheeting
Bales
6
Blankets
Bales of 80 ea
4
Hats
Cases
18
Do
Loose
153
Cases of Linen
2
Oil Cloths
16
Boxes of Trimmings for Leggings
2
Oznaburgh
Pieces
3
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16Apr79 Germain to Haldimand.65
The Clothing and other Necessaries sent for 2000 Provincials is meant to enable you to supply the
Canadian Corps you are authorized to raise, as well as those already on foot.
Despite the failure of both Carleton and Burgoyne to raise Canadian Provincials in 1776&77, in the latter
half of 1778, Haldimand’s Secretary, Edward Foy, was convinced that the province’s inhabitants now
recognized where their best interests lay and that Provincials could be raised. He persuaded the governor
to make preparations for this new venture and the ordering of the above supplies was the result. Foy died
on 27Apr 79, and the dream died in Quebec, although the home government never lost hope.
Haldimand, whose army in Canada was always small and disparate, knew he would have to rely on
the Canadian Militia in the event of a second American invasion. He believed Canadian support was
possible only if there was no participation by the French army or navy. Year after year, Canada was
threatened with a second invasion and, to meet such an emergency, the governor held back a substantial
inventory of uniforms and arms.
Question – did the phrase, “those already on foot,” include the KRR NY?
08May79 Return of Half Mounting wanting for Recruits Join’d The Kings Royal Regt of New
York, Since the 1st Octr 1778, Montreal – signed John Johnson
Companys
No of Men Shirts
Rollers
Stockgs
Shoes
Lieut Col Sir John Johnson’s
7
7
7
7
7
Major James Gray’s
6
6
6
6
6
Captains
John Munro
6
6
6
6
6
Patrick Daly
2
2
2
2
2
Richd Duncan
3
3
3
3
3
Saml Anderson
3
3
3
3
3
John McDonel
6
6
6
6
6
Angus McDonel
1
1
1
1
1
Alexr McDonel
Joseph Anderson
1
1
1
1
1
Total
35
35
35
35
35.
10May79 Sir John to Haldimand, La Chine66
I inclose herewith two returns for Arms, half-mounting &c wanting to compleat my Regiment at the
same time I must beg leave to remind your Excellency of a Return given in last fall for Blankets which, I
believe, was given to Captain Barnes, as the Men can no longer do without them.
I wish your Excellency would allow me to give in a Return for every thing Necessary to Compleat the
Regiment to its full Establishment as I am in daily expectation of getting Numbers sufficient to fill the
Regiment, and should it be ordered upon service, it would be best to have more than is Necessary for
the Regiment, as I am pretty confident great Numbers of Men will be coming in from the frontiers, if they
find us near them.
13May79 Haldimand to Sir John, Quebec67
I expect Lieut. Colonel [Thomas] Carleton [Quarter Master General] here in a few days and I shall then
arrange and order, the arms, and Blankets, you have sent Returns for.
I should be glad to have a return from you, of what is wanting to compleat the Regiment, but must
observe, that as Our Stores in the Province are not considerable, and Our Supplies uncertain then
nothing may be asked for but what is absolutely necessary.
17May79 Sir John to Haldimand, Montreal68
Sir John, who was also managing the Secret Service at this time, wrote of John Dafoe/Defau, who was
being regularly employed as a courier of dispatches – “I thought it best to return him on the List of
Loyalists for Eleven Pounds a Muster, and have also fitted him out with Cloaths &c…”
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20May79 Sir John to Haldimand, La Chine69
Inclosed herewith I transmit the Return of Arms[,] Regimentals &c to compleat the Regiment to its
Establishment… I have not mentioned Tents, or Camp Equipage, tho’ they [are] wanting for the whole
Regiment.
20May79 Return of Regimentals & Blankets wanting to Compleat The Kings Royal Regiment
of New York agreeable to the Establishment, Montreal – signed by John Johnson
Sergt Majors Suit
1
Sergeants Suits
2
Drum Majors Suit
1
Sergts Shirts & Rollers
4
Sergeants Stockings
4
Sergeants Hatts
4
Privates Suits
151
Drummers Suits
4
Privts Shirts & Rollers
187
Privates Stockings
187
Privates Hatts
187
Shoes
188
This return confirms Kochan’s contention that the KRR NY drew clothing from general stores during the first
clothing period – 1776-1779. As the Apr79 regimental strength of 376 privates was twice the numbers
shown here, the question again arises about how long clothing was expected to last in Provincial corps. It
appears that Haldimand’s stricture to Johnson to limit the request to what was “absolutely necessary” was
adhered to and that half the regiment was expected to make-do with the previous issue of clothing.
23May79 Haldimand to Sir John, Quebec70
I have received your Letter of the 20th Instant, with the enclosed returns for Arms, and Accoutrements,
also for Cloathing and Blankets, and shall send you my determination, respecting these Articles in a
Short time.
15Jun79 Sir John to Haldimand, La Chine71
Sir John explained the state of Leake’s Company’s clothing, “… he also informs me that the Cloathing
received last Winter, from the badness of its Quality, cannot possibly last through a Campaign of any
length, being certain from its present state, that the men will be almost Naked before the end of
August.”
17Jun79 Haldimand to Sir John, Quebec72
Captain Lakes… Cloathing must likewise be repaired, so as to last the Campaign – All the Regiments in
the Province are, in that Respect, in the same predicament, and there are some who are wearing the
Cloathing of 1777.
06Sep79 Sir John to Haldimand, Montreal73
I wish Your Excellency would be pleased to Issue an Order to the Quarter Master General to furnish the
Cloathing and other Necessarys wanting to Compleat my Regiment agreeable to the Returns long since
given in, having many Recruits Entirely destitute of Cloathing and everything else Necessary to fit them
for Service for which reason I shall be obliged to leave many good men behind.
08Sep79 A List of Sundry Articles Wanted for the Use of Major Butler’s Corps of Rangers74
2 pieces fine green cloth for officers
4 do white do
3
do middling green for Sergeants
Buttons and trimmings suitable for the above
360 suits of clothing for men
360 blanket coats or blankets in proportion
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50 pieces of binding for ditto
1500 pairs men strong shoes
1500 shirts
1440 pairs stockings
30 dozen hatts
40 pieces of Russia sheeting for trousers
30 doz shoe buckles
30 do knee do
30 do sleeve do
10 pieces Russia Drilling for knapsacks
This list appears to be a survey of requirements made in preparation for the purchase of cloth, etc… for the
next season. It raises an obvious question, just what colour of facings were on the Rangers’ coats?
Conventional wisdom is that Butler’s coats were green with red facings. If so, where is the red cloth on the
above list?
As a simple, inconclusive exercise – using the 1:2 ratio of fine green cloth to fine white as noted on the
list, the utilization of cloth may be interpreted as 2¼ yards of green for a jacket to 4½ yards of white for a
set of jacket facings @ ½ yard; two waistcoats @ 2 yards and two pair of breeches @ 2 yards. From this
analysis, one may conclude that Butler’s coats were faced in white, at least in 1779.
There is little doubt the Ranger’s regimentals were green. Glenn F. Williams of the U.S. Army Center of
Military History notes, “In my research I came across references to Butler’s Rangers wearing uniforms from
American sources. One described that, during a raid by Brant in the Catskill area in June [1778,] before
Major Butler attacked Wyoming, that “two green coat soldiers” arrived with an express for Brant from
Butler (this would have been for the council at Tioga).” In another, Robert Jones gave a deposition to a
justice of the peace regarding the arrival of Brant in the Old English District – Butternuts settlement in May
1778 with “Six Indians and 2 or 3 green Coat soldiers.”75 Glenn believes the observer was referring to a
Sergeant John Young and Ranger Richard McGinnis, as in a letter from Major Butler to Governor Carleton
carried by Walter Butler from Canadesaga in May, those two men are mentioned as having been
detached with Brant to gather supplies and bring in some recruits from Unadilla and Onaquaga [Oquaga.]
09Sep79 Haldimand to Sir John76
I shall give the Qutr Mastr General Orders to Compleat Your Detachment with every necessary they may
have occasion for, & if possible those at Carleton Island, which will be delivered to you at Sorel, or
Montreal.
13Sep79 Haldimand to Germain.77
The governor commented, “The Cloathing sent out for Provincials has, upon variety of Occasions, been
very serviceable.”
24Sep79 Von Kreutzbourg, Hanau Jägers to the Hereditary Prince78
[T]he results of my demands have awarded to the detachment of 1 captain, 2 officers, 8 non-coms, 3
helicon players [hornists], 1 field surgeon, and 100 Jägers which marched to Carlton Island on the 10th
of this month, not only new tents, from the government, but also new kettles, bottles [canteens], tent
covers, axes, hatchets, as well as a pair of new shoes and long woollen trousers for each man.
01Oct79 General Return of Stores in the Quarter Master Generals Department in Canada –
Head Quarters, Quebec79
At Quebec
Legging Cloth
Bales
41 & 142½ Yds
At Quebec
Trimmings for Do
Cases
3
Shoes
Pairs
8477
Shirt Linnen
Yards 40333
Mittens
Pairs
1452
Stockings
Bales
45 & 125 Pairs
Oil Cloths
26
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At Quebec
Militia Clothing
Bales & Casks 20
Clothing marked Capt. Foy Suits
250
Unmade Clothing
Bales
3
Hatts
large Case
1
Do
loose
229
Officers Hatts
14
Facings Red & Green
Cask
½
Canadian Shoes
Pairs
973
Leggings
Pairs
82
At Montreal
Oil Cloths
4
Coarse Linnen
Pieces
7
Coarse Hatts
117
Shirting
Pieces
12
Shirts
46
Stockings
21
Shoes
Pairs
96
At Sorel
Made Canadian Cloathing
Green
Bales
3
Unmade Do
Do
64
Green Cloth
Do
9 & 9 Pieces
Fine Green Cloth
Pieces
5
Fine Buff Do
Do
3
Fine Scarlet Do
Do
½
Shalloon
Do
13
Buckram
Do
6
Fustain
Do
12
Hatts Fine
92
Do Coarse
1853
English Shoes
Pairs
248
Canadian Shoes
Do
520
Legging Cloth
Bales
19
Trimmings for the Legging Boxes
2 – Cask 1
Coarse Sheeting
Bales
8
Linnen for Shirtg
Loose Pieces 794
Cases 2/Containing Pieces 94
Shirts & Rolers Loose
112
Bales
1
Trimmings for Officers Clothing
Narrow Silver Lace
Pieces
3
Epaulets
50
Buttons, Coat
Groce
19
, Waistcoat
Do
8
Mohair Buff
Bundles
12
Hatt Laces, Officers
Pieces
3
, Serjeants
do
2
Stockings fine
Pairs
36
Provincial Clothing Made
Red faced Blue, Bales 2 Containing Suits 75
Blue faced White
Suits
130
Brown, Bales 2 Containing Suits
66
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At Sorel
Stockings
Case
1
Loose Pairs
266
Blanket Coats, Long
Bales 5 Contg 331
, Short
167
Mittens, Loose
Pairs
20
, Casks
2
, Bales Contg 1000 pair each
5
Oil Cloths, Cases Contg 20 each
2
, Loose
10
At St. Johns
Blanket Coats
187
Pairs of Mittens
371
Canadian Caps
4
Yards of Coarse Sheeting
204
Do of Fine
451
Pairs of Stockings
106
Do of Shoes
46
Do of Leggings
54
Yards of Legging Cloth
128
Pairs of Canadian Shoes
86
Do of Mogasons
3
Do of Breeches
16
Waistcoats
17
Coats
18
Donations
20 Bales of Legging Cloth Containing
Yards
4747¼
2½ Do of Stockings
Pairs
886
5½ Do of Mitts
do
5467
Shoes
do
157
04Nov79 Sir John to Haldimand, La Chine80
The Cloathing for my Regiment being arrived, and the Agent pressing for the payment I must beg leave
to remind your Excellency of the remainder of the Off Reckonings81 due to me, for which I hope you will
grant me a Warrent, that I may be enabled to transmit the money to the Agent by the first Opportunity.
Perhaps the seventy-five suits of red faced blue at Sorel were part of this shipment. This letter was the first
indication I have found in military correspondence that Sir John had a regimental agent.
28Dec79 Von Kreutzbourg to the Prince, Longeuil, QC82
The deduction of one half pound of flour per day per man by the government has caused much
displeasure in the entire army. The general however has managed to overcome this in another way by
giving every man in the army black cloth for overcoats [presumably coats] and brown cloth for long
trousers, a pair of shoes, a pair of soles, and a pair of woollen gloves. I ordered the overcoats for the
Jägers to be supplied with green collars and trimmings in the same colors making a very good
appearance and this distinguishes the corps from all other troops.
17Mar80 Germain to Haldimand, Whitehall.83
Sir John Johnson’s great merit intitles him to particular Attention upon this occasion and if it should
happen that the Service in which he is engaged should prevent him from availing himself of the
Encouragement now given to complete his Corps as soon as others, you will nevertheless preserve to his
Corps it’s Rank & Seniority when it’s Condition shall enable you to report in it’s favour.
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Prompted by the repeated assertions of John Peters and Eben Jessup, Haldimand decided to allow them to
re-recruit their battalions to a semblance of full strength on the understanding that they would do so
promptly and without unduly disturbing the recruiting efforts of the 84th RHE or the KR. Germain offered
the above assurances to Johnson in view of Haldimand’s decision.
Jim Kochan believes that some sort of official decision altered the KRR’s status in 1779, which allowed
Sir John to purchase his own design of uniforms for the following year; however, a thorough search of
correspondence has not uncovered what that decision might have been. Does this arcane letter from
Germain tell us something? Looking at Germain’s assurances pragmatically, of what value could it have
been to Sir John and his regiment to retain seniority on the Provincial establishment in Canada, other than
simple vanity? It would not give the officers half-pay for life, nor give the men access to the Pensioners’
Hospital at Sorel (the Canadian equivalent of Chelsea) if their health failed.
In any event, seniority was based upon the date of the Beating Order, not the size of the regiment and,
by that measure, the KRR NY was senior to all others. So strange…
20Mar80 Sir John to Haldimand, Montreal84
I take the Liberty to transmit here with returns for Cloathing half mounting Donations and Blankets
wanting to Compleat my Regiment up to June 1780 – the want of which has occasioned no small
uneasiness in the Regiment.
Donations!? I have found no answer as to what constituted donations, in any context.
23Mar80 Haldimand to Sir John, Quebec85
I have Received Your Letter of the 19th Instant, covering Returns of Cloathing &c. due to your Regiment
up to June next. They shall be given to the Qr Mstr General with directions to Compleat the Regiment
with the several Articles due to the above mentioned period.
The governor must have been referring to the half mountings requested, as Johnson had already received
advice that the red clothing from Britain had arrived.
01Apr80 General Return of Stores in the Quarter Master Generals Department in Canada,
Head Quarters, Quebec86
At Quebec
Legging Cloth
Bales 40 Pieces 16 Yards 89½
Trimmings for Leggings
Cases 3
Shirting Linnen
do 17 Pieces 68 Yards 20
Stockings
Small Bales 46 Pairs 119
Shoes
Pairs 8238
Shoe Soles
do 10475
Canadian Shoes
do 951
Leggins Green
do 77
Militia Clothing
Bales 16
Ditto marked C
Casks 4
Made Cloathing
Bales 1
Unmade Do
do 3
In Seven Bales
Jackets, Marked Capt Foy
249
Waistcoats Do
235
Breeches Do Pairs
242
Hatts Fine
14
Ditto Coarse Large Case
1, Loose 221
Facings Red & Green
Cask 1
Shirt Buttons
Gross 3
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At Quebec
Mittens
Pairs 1027
Russia Drill
Malled Bales 10
Oil Cloths
26
At Montreal
Provincial Cloathing
Shirting
Pieces 12
Coarse Linnen for Linings
do 6
Coarse Hatts
112
Shirts
46
Stockings
Pairs 19
Shoes
do 8
Donation Cloathing
Brown Cloth
Pieces 2
Black Do
do 7½
Mittens
Pairs 451
At Sorel
Made Canadian Cloathing
Bales 3
Unmade Do
do 64
Green Cloth
do 9 Pieces 9
Do Fine
Pieces 5
Buff Do
do 3
Scarlet Do
do ½
Buff Shalloon
do 13
Buckram
do 6
Fustain
Pieces 12
Fine Hatts
92
Coarse Do
1807
English Shoes
Pairs 109
Legging Cloth
Bales 13
Trimmings for Legging
Casks 1 Boxes 2
Coarse Sheetting
Bales 7½
Shirting Linnen
Case 1 Pieces 789
Shirts & Rolers
Bale 1 Loose 61
Stockings Fine
Pairs 36
Officers Hatt Laces
Pieces 3
Serjeants Do
do 2
Blanket Coats, Long Bales 5 Contg
331
Ditto Short
167
Trimmings for Officers Cloathing
Narrow Silver Lace
Pieces 3
Epaulets
50
Coat Buttons
Groce 19
Waistcoat Do
do 8
Mohair Buff
Bundles 12
Provincial Cloathing Made
Red faced blue
Bales 2 Contg 75 suits
Blue faced white
Suits 84
At Sorel
Brown Bales 2 Contg do 66
Stockings Coarse
Case 1 Pairs 5
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At Sorel
Mittens Bales Contg 1000 Pair Ea 5 Casks 2 Pairs 20
Oil Cloths Cases Contg 20 Each 2 Loose 10
At St. Johns
Narrow Tape
Yards 290
Broad Do
do 300
Coats
16
Waistcoats
17
Breeches
Pairs 15
Leggings
do 33
Linnen fine
Yards 308
Do Coarse
do 80
Blanket Coats
848
Black Cloath
Yards 1110
Brown Do
do 1117¾
Mittens
Pairs 4050
Stockings
do 812
Shoes
do 424
Mogasons
Pairs 22
In this return, a substantial number of jackets, waistcoats and breeches continued to be held in the name of
Captain Foy, who had died the previous year. For some mysterious reason, this quantity, with tiny
variations, would be held in Foy’s name until the end of the war. See subsequent returns and comments.
04Apr80 Germain to Haldimand, Whitehall.87
… the whole is now shipped in the Bridgewater Storeship which will sail with this Convoy; Other
Necessaries for the Troops have also been provided and sent out in this Ship agreeable to the inclosed
List calculated for the Supply of 5,500 Regulars and 3,000 Provincials; A Blanket, a pair of Mittens and
Leggings have this and the former year been superadded to the Ordinary Regimental Clothing of the
Troops by His Majesty out of his Royal Bounty in humane Consideration of the Severity of the Climate
and the Hardships the Men may be exposed to in a late or early Campaign and as an Encouragement to
a cheerful performance of such laborious Services as you may find it necessary to employ them in.
08Jun80 Major Daniel McAlpin to Captain Mathews, Montreal88
McAlpin had replaced Sir John as the senior officer of the small royalist corps. “When I was at Quebec
last fall I give in a Return for Cloathing for the Corps of Loyalists but from the hurry of other business I
suppose it was forgot.
The Loyalists that are called Corps wishes to get the same Clothing with Sir John Johnson’s
Regiment as they think they are the same Kings soldiers they ought to be Equally Clothed[.] [T]he last
Clothing they got was very bad and they are now very much in want of others[;] it is above a year and a
half since they have received the last Clothing which was in November 1778.”
24Jun80 LCol Cornelius Dubois, 11th Albany County Militia to NY Governor Clinton, Catskill
Landing89
… Peter Plank said that the 14 of June last, that there Came three men at his house dressed in green
Coats turned up with white; they demanded provition; Plank said he had none to spare; they tould him
they would have some, and Likewise took it; then Plank ask them if they had no Indians with them;
they tould him no; Plank said I beleave you have, for I have seen one; then they Caled to the Indians
and told them to com in; then they told Plank that they was a scout from Nigary sent by Coll. Bottoler,
and that they was in great want of provition and that they was agoing to Beasex but Plank says he
thinks they are gone bak. There was three white men and two Indians…
Were these three men Butler’s Rangers? Butler sent recruiting and scouting parties to the Catskills, so on
that basis, they could be his. There were Indians with them, which made it very unlikely that they were
loyalist troops out of New York City. Might they have been Royal Yorkers, or Royalists from one of
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Burgoyne’s old corps? Possibly, but what reason would they have for claiming to be Butler’s men, if they
were not?
So, if these men were Butler’s Rangers, here is a second piece of evidence that the coats worn by that
regiment were green faced white, at least in 1780.
09Jul80 Return of Militia & Provincial Cloathing in the Quarter Master Generals Stores at
Quebec, Head Quarters, Quebec90
Militia Cloathing
Made Cloathing (1 Bale Contg)
Suits
25
Unmade (7 Bales do)
Coats
386
Ditto (2½ Bales) Supposed to contain Waistcoats & Breeches for the above Coats
Green Cloath (3 Bales Contg)
Yards
396
Gray Cloth (2 Bales Contg)
Do
264
Provincial Cloathing, Marked Capt Foy
In Seven Bales
Jackets Red faced Green & Blue Faced White
241
Waistcoats
227
Breeches
Pairs
234
N:B:
Cloathing Issued Marked Capt Foy
1779
December 7th
2 Serjeants Suits Blue faced White to}
2 Private Suits Do Do } The King’s Rangers
16th
1 Serjeants Suit Do to Lieut Breckinridge of Do
1780
1 Private Suit Do to a Rebel Prisoner
March 15th
1 Private Suit Do to Ignace Vallet
April 26th 1 Private Suit Do to Augustine L’Chance
13Jul80 Captain Francis Le Maistre, Haldimand’s Secretary, to Sir John91
The captain wrote, “The Cloathing necessary for the use of your Battalions the General cannot at
present determine in what manner to provide. He expects to have it in his power as soon as the fleet
arrives from England to supply their present necessity from the Cloathing which was destined for some
of the Regiments, now under convention.” It appears that the new clothing had not yet arrived for the
Royal Yorkers and Sir John had applied to Haldimand for assistance.
28Aug80 Sir John to Haldimand92
From the nature of the Service the Troops destroy their Cloaths surprisingly. The Indian Shoes they
received for the last Expedition [May80] were scarcely worth accepting. Blankets, overalls, and Shoes
are necessary, which I hope Your Excellency will order for them as an Encouragement to go through the
Service with cheerfulness.
04Sep80 Haldimand to Sir John93
A few of the best marksmen of the Chasseurs [Hanau Jägers] would I think be useful to you, and as the
Indians are not partial to them, they could be employed about yourself disguised in Blanket Coats[.] I
shall give Directions to Capt Fraser to Order any number You Require.
05Sep80 Eben Jessup to Haldimand, Quebec94
I wish to know if your Excellency will give me leave now to furnish my Corps with Cloathing and will
Please to Order the two Pence pr. Day pr. Man to be paid for the Same; and if I may at my Own Risk
Order Six Hundred Suits of Cloaths for New Year, and the stoppages only to be made from Men in
Actual Service to pay for the same as far as it may go in Case the Regiment will not be Compleat next
year. –
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06Sep80 Jessup’s Orderly Book – Haldimand to Jessup and Peters
This entry included instructions for when they could take rank as LCol and announced the continuation
of subsistence for their Officers while they were completing their companies. “… in Regard to Cloathing I
Shall Take Care that a Sufficiant Quantity Shall be Provided as Recruites Comes in.”
07Sep80 Sir John to Haldimand95
I have received no Blankets[,] Leggens or Indian Shoes, and I fear Colonel Bolton will only supply those
with them who are to come from Niagara… As the men of my second battalion are entirely destitute of
proper Cloathing for the approaching Season, they will not be fit for any immediate Service…
Sir John would not have ordered clothing from England for his 2nd battalion in 1779, as he did not have the
manpower and could hardly have forecast the huge recruitment success he enjoyed in May80.
So from this entry, it appears that the recruits of the 2nd battalion drew clothes from the QMG’s
Department for the fall of 1780 and winter of 1781, but we can only speculate whether the coats were
green, brown or blue faced white.
09Sep80 Haldimand to Sir John, Quebec96
… that the equippement of Blankets &c for Your Detachment may be Drawn from the Indians Store at
Oswegatchie or Carleton Island, or purchased from the Merchants if they cannot be procured from the
former.
Sep80 Captain John Munro to Captain Mathews, Point Clair, 30Jul8197
Munro wrote the following about the preparations made by Sir John and himself for their October
expeditions. “… when Sir John Johnson went off with his detachment the Men and Arms were picked
from the whole Regiment – when I rec’d my Orders, I had no Arms fit for Service, many of the Men
which went with me were Recruits [who] did not receive their Cloathing and the party in General in
want of every thing fit for the Service they were [enter]ing upon, which obliged me Imediately to employ
all the Gunsmiths, Taylors, Shoemakers &c in the Regiment and Montreal in order to get ready. I made
application to the Kings Stores For Arms and Other Articles, and all I received was 12pr of Shoes and
Six Blankets for which I gave my obligation to return the Same in Quantity and Quality, I supplied every
Man with 2pr of Shoes, Trousers, Knapsacks, &c &c for which they have pay’d – I found myself under
the necessity of purchasing all those necessary to Complete the Men for the duty which they had to
perform.
The Articles which I have charged in said Acct. were of the cheapest sort that could be found, and
for the other Articles it was Impossible to avoid them unless I would suffer the Men to die in the woods.
The Men also observing all the Loyalists Completely Cloathed at St John’s, who had only to go by
water with Major Carleton to Crown Point, and remarking that their Brother Soldiers which went with
Sir John Receiv’d all Necessarys for a Campaign…”
11Sep80 Major Ross to Captain Mathews?, Coteau du Lac98
I hope youll be kind enough to put His Excellency in mind of the Cloathing and Arms for the [2nd]
Battalion.
22Sep80 Sir John to John Blackburn, regimental Agent, Oswego99
I wrote you sometime ago and enclosed you a Bill on Drummond’s Bank for £2,000 and an order on Mr.
Baker for whatever money of mine he might have in his hands. Letters to him have miscarried. I send
you another which makes the third, having sent them by Halifax in the month of January. You will also
receive herewith a second Bill of Exchange for £2,000 which I must earnestly wish may come safe to
hand having been so long already kept out of it to my no little mortification. The favourable opinion
entertained of my constant endeavours to promote the service of my most gracious Sovereign are highly
flattering to me, and I hope the result of the expedition I am now going upon will prove serviceable and
that my conduct will merit further approbation and be the means of procuring an establishment for my
regiment, which now consists of two battalions, the Generals Beating order for which, dated 12th July
last I have ordered to be sent to you that you may apply for the 20 months offreckonings to enable you
to send me their cloathing and accoutrements which I would have you do by the safest conveyance next
year, together with the cloathing for the first battalion which must be ordered to be made larger than
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the last, they proving too small for most of the men. You will find by the Beating order that the
establishment of each battalion is five-hundred-and-sixty rank and file whereas you only sent cloathing
for the provincial establishment.
You should also send a sergeant major’s and drum major’s suit, the appointments to be the same
for both battalions. [next followed a discussion a four-man band of Musick and their instruments]
When I see the arms coming out for the officers of the first battalion I shall send for the like proportion
if they are approved of for the gentlemen of the second.
PS I would wish to have a Blue Worm in the mens lace.
Johnson also mentioned wanting a better quality, but not wider lace, for the Officers.
This letter made it clear that Sir John had earlier ordered specific clothing and officers’ arms [side arms
only or fusils as well?] for the 1st battalion and noted the placement of an order for the 2nd battalion’s
clothing. It also indicated that the uniform crisis of July, which Le Maistre had written about, had passed,
as the 1st battalion’s new clothing had been received from Britain and was found wanting for size.
01Oct80 General Return of Stores &c in the Quarter Master Generals Department in Canada,
Quebec100
At Quebec
Legging Cloth
Bales 96, Pieces 6, Yds 202
Trimmings for Leggings
Cases 11
Shirting Linnen
do 17 Pieces 66
Stockings
Bales 36, Pairs 113
Shoes
Pairs 4943
Canadian Shoes
do 945
Leggings Green
do 77
Militia Cloathing
Bales 15, Casks 4
Made Cloathing
Bales 73, Casks 32 [is this Canadian Provincial]
Unmade Do
do 3
In Seven Bales
Jackets Marked Capt Foy
235
Waistcoats Ditto
221
Breeches Ditto
Pairs 228
Fine Hatts
14
Coarse Ditto large Cases 1, Loose 215
Facings Red & Green
Cask 1
Mittens
Pairs 9565
Russia Drill Matted Bales 6
Oil Cloths
17
Blanket Coats long
100
At Sorel
Legging Cloth
Bales 13½
Trimmings for Legging
Boxes 1, Cask 1
Shirting Linnen
Pieces 818
Stockings
Bales 9, Pairs 46
Shoes
Hhds 5, Pairs 421
Leggings
do 13
Made Clothing
Bales 3
Unmade Do
Do
64
Fine Hatts
92
Coarse Do
Casks 12½
Mittens
Pairs 4030
Oil Cloths
38
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At Sorel
Green Cloth
Bales 9, Pieces 9
Ditto Fine
Pieces 5
Duff Ditto
do 3
Scarlet Ditto
do
½
Shalloon Buff
do
13
Buckram
Pieces 6
Fustain
do 12
Shirts & Rolers
109
Trimmings for Officers Cloathing
Coat Buttons
Gross 19
Waistcoat Do
Do 8
Narrow Silver Lace
Pieces 3
Epaulets
50
Mohair Buff
Bundles 12
[Thread] Buff
lbs
4
Scarlet
Do
½
Green
Do
2
White
Do
3
Officers Hat Lace
Pieces 3
Serjeants Do
Do
1½
Blanket Coats long
143
Ditto Short
167
Made Provincial Clothg
Brown
Suits 66
Blue faced white
Do
175
At Montreal
Legging Cloth
Bales 7, Pieces 6
Shirting Linnen
Pieces 16
Stockings
Pairs 15
Shoes
Puncheon 4
Coarse Hatts
110
Mittens
Pairs 1451
Shirts
6
At St. Johns
Oil Cloths
4
leggings
Pairs 100
Blanket Coats
620
Legging Cloth
Yards 1682
Linnen
Do 312
Tape Broad
Do
1803
Tape Narrow
Do
1472
Buttons
Groce 80
Blue Cloathing
Suits 15
Shoes
Pairs 206
Stockings
Do 750
Mittens
Do 4050
05Oct80 Capt Mathews to Major Ross, Quebec101
You will likewise be furnished with cloathing and Arms (such as can be procured) by sending down a
Batteau to Montreal and transmitting to Brigadier General Maclean a Return of the Number You will
have occasion for…
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Think how cold the weather would be along the St. Lawrence River by October, and still the men had not
been properly supplied.
09Oct80 Captain Leake to Haldimand, Carleton Island102
I must beg leave to remind Your Excellency, there is Cloathing yet due to the five Serjeants, the same
number of Corporals, and two Drums, of the Detachment under my Command, and Humbly to request
you to Order an allowance, Your Excellency may judge Proper to be paid to them in place of the
Deficiency.
15Oct80 Captain Gumersall to Sir John, Oswego 08Sep83
… was orderd by the following Regimental order to proceed to Montreal on that Duty viz “Capt
Gumersall to proceed immediately to Montreal to receive Arms for the Regt from Colo. Campbell, and
Cloathg which his Excellency had orderd to be Issued from the Qr. Mr. Genl Stores…”
Col John Campbell was the superintendent of the Quebec Indian Department.
16Oct80 Captain Jacob Maurer [2KRR & Quebec’s DQMG] to Captain Mathews103
I have wrote to Lt’t Duport about the Colour of Sr. John’s 1st. Battn. Regimt[.] Should no answer be
given yet by His Exclly begg you’ll Please to let me have one by next Post.
17Oct80 Major Ross to Captain Mathews, Coteau du Lac104
I hear my Quarters are fixed for Carleton Island, I have sent the only Officer here (except Ensn Arden)
for Cloathing and Arms to Montreal.
Oct80 Interrogation of Daniel Uhlendorf of Butler’s Rangers105
He sat out from Niagara with about a hundred of Butler’s Greens and a small number of Regulars of the
34th on board a vessel.
This is the only reference I have found to Butler’s Greens. The Royal Yorkers’ two sobriquets, Johnson’s
Greens and Royal Greens, so frequently found in 19th & 20th Century accounts, are not found in 18th
Century letters, reports or returns.
08Nov80 Sir John to John Blackburn106
… send clothing for officers of both battalions, but officers’ belt plates gilt, not silver – we have been
obliged to have [the last ones] gilded here.
09Nov80 Israel Ferguson to Captain Mathews, St. Johns107
I am desired by Major Rogers To write to you, as he has not yet returned from the Expedition,
Concerning Clothing for what men we have, we Expect to be on service in a short time, Major Rogers
has wrote to Colonel Rogers at Hallafax for clothing to be sent round to Quebec this fall, and has
likewise Applied to Captn. Prentis to write to him when it might arrive their. If it has not come to
Quebec beg you will mention it to his Excellency General Haldimand Beging he will allow Some Sort of
Clothing to secure them from the rigars of this approaching winter. [T]hay are Unfit for Service for want
of Clothing at preasant.
14Nov80 Major Ross to Captain Mathews, Coteau du Lac108
PS The Letter I suspected in my last to be lost by Mr. McComb, actually was so, my orders for Cloathing
and Arms came from Brigadier McLean.
20Nov80 Captain John Munro to Captain Richard Lernoult, Lachine109
… the men in great want of Provisions; and was distressed for everything having wore out all their
Shoes, Mockosins, Trowsers, Leggings, &c…
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Note this strange mixture of clothing – trousers and leggings, shoes and moccasins – items that were
usually mutually exclusive. Was Munro’s company outfitted with trousers and shoes and the other KRR
company on the expedition with breeches, leggings and moccasins, or visa versa, or some other
combination?? Or, were the Yorkers thoroughly mixed in their issues?
01Dec80 Eben Jessup to Captain Mathews, Verchere110
Major Nairn told me that he had Sixty Suits of Cloathing Which he Should Distribute to the Men to be
at Yemaska Post, and the Recruits for the Late Major McAlpins Corps – The Severity of the weather
makes me ask Cloathing for our Men also –
09Dec80 Jessup’s Orderly Book – Regimental Orders, Vershere
Major Nairne requires all the officers and Men belonging To the Several Corps of Royalists Quartered in
this Parish to assemble at his quarters on thirsday 12th Instant…
What ever arms and accutrments the officers and Men are Possessed of are to be Brought along with
them that all Deficiences May appear and Proper applications Shall be made for Every Necessary
Equipment for those who are ancious to Serve as Soldiers During the war…
When Daniel McAlpin died, Major John Nairne was transferred from 1-84/RHE to command the remnants
of Burgoyne’s Royalist units. Nairne was an experienced officer who had served in Fraser’s Highlanders
during the Seven Years’ War and settled in Canada before taking up the sword again with Maclean.
04Jan81 Jessup’s Orderly Book – Regimental Orders, Vershere
Ensign John Fraser and Every Non Commissioned Officer and Private man of the Several Corps of
Royalists Who have Received New Cloathing are Ordred by Major John Nairne to be Paraded at his
quarters on Monday… to March to the Post of Yamaska and to be Releived those that are Now there.
The Commander in Cheif having Ordred that Mr. Wm. Frasers Company Shall be Stationd as Soon
as Possible at the Post of Yamaska theire Cloathing must Be Made up with all Expedition Mr. Titus
Simons is Required to over look the Taylors belonging to the Corps of Royalists and Take Perticolar Care
that They Shall on No Pretences Do Any Other Work Till the Clothing of Mr. William Frasers Company is
finished…
27Jan8[1] Jessup’s Orderly Book – Regimental Orders, Vershere
It Being Necessary that a Return Should be Made of the Names of all the able bodied Serjeants
Corporals and Private Men of the Several Corps of Royalists Now in Cantonments at this Place Country
Cure and St. Oars Mentioning those that have Received Cloathing Either here or at Quebec &c &c…
01Apr81 General Return of Stores And Batteaux in the Quarter Master Generals Department
in Canada – Head Quarters Quebec111
At Quebec
Legging Cloth
Bales
58, Pieces 9, Yards 412
Trimmings for Legging
Cases
8
Shirting Linnen
Do
21, Pieces 61, Yards 14
Stockings
Bales
32, Pairs 79
Shoes
Pairs
509
Canadian Shoes
Do
916
Leggings Green
Do
69
Militia Cloathing
Bales
15
Ditto Marked C
Casks
4
Fine Hatts
14
Coarse Ditto
Case
1, Loose 167
Caribeana Macazons
Pairs
297
Mittens
Pairs
6572
Russia Drill
Bales
6
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At Quebec
Made Cloathing Green
Bales
27, Brown 10, Bales
Unmade Ditto
Do
3
Jackets Marked Capt Foy
232
Waistcoats Do
216
Breeches Do
Pairs
223
Oil Cloths
28
Blanket Coates
Long
100
Shirts
Bales
5
Stockings
Do
9
Shoes
Casks
11
Hatts
Do
12
Stock Buckles
Case
1
Drum Slings
Do
1
Facings Red & Green
Cask
½
At Sorel
Canadian Cloathing Made
Suits
100
Ditto Unmade
Bales
30
Green Cloth
Do
4, Pieces 9
Ditto Fine
Pieces
5
Buff Do
Do
3
Scarlet Do
Do
½
Shalloon, Buff
Do
13
Buckram
Do
6
Fustain
Do
12
Fine Hatts
92
Coarse Do
Casks
6
Shoes
Pairs
110
Legging Cloth
Bales
3, Pieces 6
Leggings Made
Pairs
370
Trimmings for Legging
Cases
1
Linnen for Shirting
Pieces
550
Russia Drill
Bales
3, Pieces 6
Shirts and Rolers
126
Stockings
Pairs
756
Blanket Coats
long
143, Short 150
Oil Cloths
36
Trimmings for Officers Cloathing
Narrow Silver Lace
Pieces
3
Coat Buttons
Groce
19
Mohair Buff
Bundles
12
Epaulets
50
Waistcoat Buttons
Groce
8
Provincial Cloathing Brown
Suits
66
Do Blue faced white
Do
89
Mittens
Pairs
1000
At Montreal
Macazons
Pairs
665
Provincial Cloathing
Bales
17
Ditto Shoes
Pairs
107
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At Montreal
Ditto Coarse Linnen
Pieces
2
Ditto Coarse Hatts
Cases
3, Loose 112
Ditto Shirts
Bales
1
Stockings
Pairs
330
Shoes
Pairs
18
At St. Johns
Oil Cloths
4
Leggings
Pairs
234
Blanket Coats
570
Red Caps
123
Legging Cloth
Yards
500
Linnen
Do
325
Provincial Cloathing
Bales
5
Green Cloathing
Suits
41
Hatts
97
Broad Tape
Yards
1160
Narrow Do
do
400
Buttons
Groce
113
Cloathing Blue
Suits
15
Shoes
Pairs
66
Canadian Shoes
Pairs
96
Stockings
Do
660
Mittens
Do
2400
Deer Skins
20
Macazons
Pairs
140
06May81 Captain Walter Butler to Major Lernoult, Adjt Genl, Niagara
Lieutenant-Colonel Butler having ordered out on his private credit a complete stand of arms and
accoutrements and this year’s clothing for his Corps, without having any stoppages in his hands to
enable him to pay therefore, which said arms and clothing were ordered out in the very first running
ship for this province and bills promised payment on their landing.
Like other northern loyalist commanders, John Butler’s substantial wealth was comprised of real estate
located in rebel-held New York State. Consequently, his personal credit was limited and the government’s
halting payment of bills could provide great embarrassment.
31May81 Account of Contingent Expenses incurred by Sir John Johnson on Account Of
Government by Order of His Excellency General Haldimand in Sundry Services between 25th
June 1778 and the 24th December 1780.112
1778 Aug 29th
To cash to John Mittlebergers & Danel. Fishers accounts of Cloaths furnished
Scouts between 16th Sep 1778 & 24th June 1779
1780 Novbr 15th To Cash to Daniel Fisher for Cloaths made & furnished Scout between the 25th
June 1779 & the 24th Decr 1780
18Aug81 Return of Army Cloathing and Stores Received from the Shrewsbury and Shipped
on board the Neptune Navy Transport Victualler – Received 18th Augt 1781 by the Pandora113
This listing is organized by the following regiments – 8th, 29th, 31st, 34th, 47th, 84th and Sir John
Johnson. For the latter there were:
“No.1 to 13 – Eleven Bales, Cases & Difft Packages Twenty Eight Baggs Pegs”
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14Sep81 In Persuant to your Excellencys Warrant dated the 14th day of Spetr. 1781… to have
Examined the Cloathing of the following Regiments which came from on Board the Neptune
Navy Transport…114
8th (or Kings) Regiment
Cask No.33
58 Privates and 3 Serjts Hatt Caps, intirely damaged and unserviceable
26Oct81 Return of Donations Remaining in the Quarter Master Generals Stores at Quebec –
Head Quarters Quebec115
Legging Cloth (Equal to an Equipmt for 4800 Men)
Yards 6000
Stockings
Pairs 6480
Shoes
Do
280
Mittens
Do
2907
NB A Complete Equipment has been sent to Montreal for Two Thousand and One Hundred Men the
17th July last Which are not included in the above.
08Nov81 Return of Legging Cloth Shippd on Board the Schooner Coquette for Sorel… for the
use of the Brunswick Troops, being Two Yards and Quarter Each Man in lieu of a Blanket –
Head Quarters Quebec
Legging Cloth
Yards 787½
NB The Hessians under the Command of Brigadier D’Loos had only a Blanket given them on their
Arrival from New York.
02Jan82 Edward Jessup to Captain Mathews, Varchaire
Pleas to acquaint the Commander in Chief That the men in the Corps of Royalists are in great want of
Cloathing and that I Beg His Excellancy will pleas to give orders for their being issued of the green
Cloaths as we understand there is a sufficient Quantity of that sort to Cloath the whole Corps. – Capt
Sherwood tells us that his Coat is approved of as a pattern for our uniform which we shall Immetate but
shall need some green Cloath for facings (as the Present facings are Red) I thought it would be but Little
Expence if any Rateaten or Damaged Coats Should be in the Store.
This request yields two important pieces of information. 1. the green coats in QMG Stores in 1782 were
faced red. 2. a commander felt free to request a change of facing colour.
12Jan82 Jessup’s Orderly Book
R. Orders. The Captains and Commanding Officers of Companys are to Deliver with out delay to Acting
Adjutant an Exact Return of their non Commissioned Officers Drummers and Private Men in their
respective Company for whosoever it will be Necessary at Present to give Cloathing – those Employed at
work or absent from the Corps or Who have Recd. Cloathing since 24th of June Past are Not to be
Included –
14Feb82 Major Edward Jessup to Captain Mathews, Varchare116
Captain Sherwood hes requested that I Should apply for Cloaths for the men at his post [Loyal
Blockhouse] and I here send you a Coppy of that part of his Letter Viz.
I am informed that Capt Fraser Draws Ranging Sutes for 32 men at Yamasco[.] I wish you would
have the goodness to apply for 20 Such Sutes for this Post or for Blanket Coats Caps Mitts
Legens & Mogersonons for 20 men which Last I think will be better here then the Ranging Sutes.
I think no post Can require those things more than this as we are obliged to keep up a Constant
round of Scouts. I am Confident the General will not refuse them when you Let him know I have
applied to you for Such Equipment and that I have already been obliged to furnish Several of the
men from my Store for Secret Service and must furnish Several More Soon or not get any
Scouting from them.
Ranging suits!? No such item appears in the QMG Stores. Is this the brown Provincial clothing?
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21Feb82 Return of Cloathing Issued out of the Quarter Master Generals Stores to the
undermentioned Corps & distressed Families of Royalists, Sorel117
To Whom Issued
Sjts Suits
Drummers Privates Suits Shirts Stockings Hatts Moccasons
Compleate Suits
Green f/Red
Pairs
Pairs
Major Jessup
17
6
174
122 197
197
394
Major Rogers
8
3
157
168 168
168
336
Note, the Loyal Rangers is drawing the green coats with red facings, but whether, as requested by Major
Jessup, the regiment received green cloth to alter the facings is an unanswered question.
21Mar82 Sir John to Daniel Claus, London.118
I have now the further pleasure to inform you that I have the Appointment of Superintendent General,
and Inspector General of Indian Affairs and am to be Appointed Colonel Commandant with the Rank of
Brigadier General on the American Establishment and have Obtained with some difficulty an American
establishment for my first Battalion[,] the Second must wait the Generals [Haldimand’s]
recommendation of it, which I have no doubt but he will favor it with…
01Apr82 General Return of Stores &c in the Quarter Master Generals Department in Canada,
Quebec119
Articles
Quebec
Sorel
Montreal
St John’s
Cloathing Canadian
Made
Suits
9
unmade
Bales
17
Loose do
Suit
1
Provincial
made (Green)
Bales
27
4, Cask 1
Suits 199
do Serjeant Majors Coats
(Green faced Red)
3
do Drum Majors do (ditto)
3
do Serjeants do (ditto)
12
do Serjeants Waistcoats (Buff)
45
do Sjts breeches do
10
do Suits (Brown)
Bales
10
2, Suits 66
Bales 9
do do (Blue faced White) Suits
135
90
15
do do (Red faced Green) do
124
Unmade (Green)
Bale
1
do Coats do
16
do w/coats (Buff)
72
do Breeches do
Pairs
36
Stockings
Bales
8
Pairs 110
Shirts
Bales
2
Loose 219
Hatts
Casks
8
3, Loose 16
Coarse Linnen
Pieces
7
Stock Buckles
Case
1
Drum Slings
do
1
Green Cloth
Bales
2
9
Gray do
do
2
Fine green cloth
Pieces
4
Do buff do
do
3
Do scarlet do
do
½
Shalloon (Buff)
do
13
Buckram
do
6
Fustaine
do
12
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Articles
Quebec
Sorel
Montreal
St
John’s
Hatts, Fine
13
92
, Coarse
Case
1, Loose 39 Casks 3
Loose 76
Shoes, English
Pairs
240
223
3
, Canadian
do
412
76
Mocasins
do
2080
706
1670
360
Legging, Cloth
Bales
21
7
, ditto
Pieces
6, Yds 26
Yards 214
, Made
Pairs
55
446
101
Shirting Linnen
Cases
21, Yds 30
Pcs 328
Pieces 10
Yards 101
Shirts
56
Stockings, Fine
Pairs
36
Do, Coarse Small Bales
27, Pairs 60
Pairs 4
Pairs 600
Blanket Coats
78
262
70
Mittens
Pairs
2080
350
1960
1300
Russia Drill
Bales
4, Pieces 30
3, Pieces 6
Deer Skins
19
24
Canadian Red Caps
6
67
Trimmings for Officers Cloathing
Narrow Silver Lace
Pieces
3
Epaulets
50
Button, Coat
Groce
19
, w/coat
do
8
Mohair (Buff)
Bundles
12
Hatt Lace, Offs
Pieces
3
, Sjts
do
½
Black Buttons
Groce
40
Broad and Narrow Tape
Yds
2080
02May82 Regimental Orders, 29th Regiment, Terrebonne120
The Commanding Officers Order that the red Mains be cleaned in the best manner they possible can
and put in the old Caps as the New Cloathing are to be wore on Sunday Next…
The red “Mains” referred to are dyed horsehair. Of significance – the 29th were also wearing caps in 1781.
01Jun82 Return of Stores in the Quarter Master Generals Department at this Post, Sorell121
Canadian Clothing, Made
Suits
9
, unmade
Bales
16
, Loose
Suits
11
Green Cloth
Bales
9
Fine, Green Cloth
Pieces
4
, Buff do
do
3
, Scarlet do
do
½
Shalloon Buff
do
13
Buchram
do
6
Fustian
do
12
Hatts, Fine
92
, Coarse
Casks
2½
English shoes
pairs
80
Mocasines
do
650
Leggings, Cloth
Bales
8, pieces 1
, Made
pairs
444
, Trimmings
Boxes
1
Linnen for Shirting, Loose
pieces
589
2007-04-13 A: CLOTHING PROVINCIALS IN THE CANADIAN DEPARTMENT
38
Russia Drill
Bales
3, pieces 1
Shirts
348
Stockings, Fine
pairs
36
, Coarse
Bales
10
Trimmings for Officers Clothing
Narrow Silver Lace
pieces
3
Epauletes
50
Buttons, Coat
Gro
19
, Waistcoat
do
8
Mohair Buff
Bundles
12
Hatt Lace, Officers
pieces
3
, Serjeants
do
½
Blanket Coats, Long
142
, Short
118
Oil Cloths
Case contg 20
Loose
16
Provincial Clothing Made
Brown Bales 2 Contg
Suits
66
Blue Faced White do
135
Red Faced Green do
124
Mitts
pairs
350
Canadian red Caps
6
14Jul82 Von Kreutzbourg, Hanau Jägers to Hereditary Prince, Quebec122
I send my most respectful thanks for gracious advancements and would request a new supply of
uniforms and some cloth for repairs. After uniforms have been worn for three years and will continue to
be worn, a great amount of repairs are unavoidable. It is impossible to buy the necessary supplies for
the repairs in this country because everything is terribly high priced and this would be very detrimental
to our cash account.
10Sep82 Von Kreutzbourg to the Prince, La Prairie, QC123
If it is necessary for the uniform of the corps to be worn for more than three years, then I would
respectfully ask if the cloth necessary for repairs, should be purchased here in this country or if we
should expect to receive materials every year with the equipment from Hanau. The men only have very
ragged apparel, and I cannot understand how they will be able to survive this winter if no new
equipment arrives for them. They have been using their present equipment since 1779 and because of
expeditions, commands, and scouting parties they have been badly ruined.
Blankets were issued to the corps in 1777 at Portsmouth but, ever since then, the men had to carry
them around their bodies on every march, and they used them as beds in winter quarters.
Consequently, hardly more than ten usable blankets can now be found in possession of the corps. At
different times I have made requisitions to the General for new blankets, but I was always informed that
Your Serene Highness had to supply them since the King would not give blankets to any foreign
regiment.
01Oct82 General Return of Stores and Batteaux in the Quarter Master Generals Department
at Several Posts of Quebec… Head Quarters, Quebec124
Articles
Quebec
Sorel
Montreal
St John’s
Canadian Cloathing
Made
Suits
9
Unmade
Bales
13
Loose do
Suits
19
Provincial Cloathing
Made (Green)
Bales
27
4
Suits 197
2007-04-13 A: CLOTHING PROVINCIALS IN THE CANADIAN DEPARTMENT
39
Articles
Quebec
Sorel
Montreal
St John’s
do Serjeant Majors Coats
(Green faced Red)
3
do Drum Majors do (ditto)
3
do Serjeants do (ditto)
12
do Serjeants w/coats (Buff)
45
do Serjeants Breeches do
10
do Suits (Brown)
Bales
10
2
9
do Blue faced White
Suits
135
90
14
do Red faced Green
do
124
Unmade (Green)
Bale
1
do Coats do
16
do w/coats (Buff)
72
do Breeches do
Pairs
36
Velvet Stocks
Case
1
Stockings
Bales
8
Shirts
do
2
Hatts
Casks
8
Coarse Linnen
Pieces
7
Stock Buckles
Case
1
Drum Slings
do
1
Green Cloth
Bales
2
9
Gray do
do
2
Fine Green Cloth
Pieces
4
Do Buff do
do
3
Do Scarlet do
do
½
Shalloon
do
11
Buckram
do
5
Fustain
do
8
Hatts, fine
13
82
, Coarse
Case
1, Loose 39
Casks 2
Casks, Loose 15
Shoes, English
Pairs
55
215
10
, Canadian
do
412
434
Moccasins
do
787
200
1475
320
Legging, Cloth
Bales
16
7
do
Pieces
6½
4
1
Yards 125
, Made
Pairs
43
444
Trimmings for Leggings
Cases
4
2
Shirting Linnen
do
19, Pieces 28 Pieces 580
Pieces 8
Yards 125
Shirts
260
214
Stockings, Coarse
Small Bales
20, Pairs 40
7, Pairs 160
Pairs 90
, Fine
Pairs
36
Blanket Coats
72
260
70
Mittens
Pairs
2068
350
1960
1300
Russia Drill
Bales
4, Pieces 26
2, Pieces 20
Deer Skins
18
20
Canadian Red Caps
6
60
Narrow Silver Lace
Pieces
3
Epaulets
50
Trimmings for Officers
Buttons, Coat
Groce
18
, W/coat
do
7
Mohair (Buff)
Bundles
12
Hatt Lace, Officers
Pieces
3
Articles
Quebec
Sorel
Montreal
St John’s
, Serjeants
do
½
2007-04-13 A: CLOTHING PROVINCIALS IN THE CANADIAN DEPARTMENT
40
Articles
Quebec
Sorel
Montreal
St John’s
Black Buttons
Groce
20
40
Broad and Narrow Tape
Yards
2080
Russia Sheetting
Pieces
2
4
Camp Equipage
Oil Cloths
47
30
53
2
08Nov82 Von Kreutzbourg to the Prince, La Prairie125
(talking about a fire which destroyed a hut full of equipment) The Lieutenant was forced by this
accident, to open the cases containing the Corps’ uniforms and other wearing apparel and to take there
from, 45 complete sets of equipment. Consequently, now I can only make further promises to the men
here who have no such equipment. Therefore, I most respectfully request the soonest possible
replacement of these 42 appropriated accoutrements including hats, stockings, and trousers…
Further, I have not received a detailed list of the equipment which was sent to me. No shoes were
contained therein as was formerly the custom, and the above created a great additional expenditure for
the men. Leggings were omitted also, but green pantaloons [breeches] were included though they are
useless here in this land. Your Serene Highness will undoubtedly recall that when the corps was
formed the men were promised shoes and stockings for their yearly equipment and new leather
breeches in their equipment every second year. These leather pantaloons are as useless here as the
ones made of green cloth. Shoes, however, are very essential commodities, so much so that I am
compelled to ask Your Serene Highness to have them sent here for the corps this coming new year.
Your Highness will be able to reduce the cost of shoes and stockings by curtailing the equipment and
withholding leather or cloth breeches and leggings.
01Jan83 General Return of Stores and Batteaux in the Quarter Master Generals Department
at Quebec – Head Quarters Quebec126
Cloathing, Provincial
Made
Bales
29, Coats 19
do Serjeant Major’s Coats (Green f/Red)
3
do Drum Major’s do ditto
3
do Serjeants
do
ditto
9
do Serjeants Waistcoats (Buff)
46
do Serjeants Breeches ditto
Pairs
11
do Suits (Brown)
Bales
15
do Jackets (Blue faced White)
21
Unmade (Green)
Bales
1
do Coats do
4
do Waistcoats (Buff)
71
do Breeches do
Pairs
22
Stockings
Bales
Included in the Cloathing
Shirts
Loose
364
Hatts
Casks
9, Loose 41
Velvet Stocks
Case
1
Stock Buckles
do
1
Waistcoats (white)
2
Breeches do
Pairs
36
Green Cloth
Bales
2, Pieces 1
Grey Cloth
do
2
Hatts, Fine
Loose
13
, Coarse
Case
1
Canadian Shoes
Pairs
596
Moccasins
do
2669
Legging, Cloth
Bales
14
, ditto
Pieces
7, Yards 12
, Made (Green)
Pairs
42
2007-04-13 A: CLOTHING PROVINCIALS IN THE CANADIAN DEPARTMENT
41
Cloathing, Provincial
Trimmings for Legging
Cases
3
Shirting Linnen
do
14, Pieces 27, Yds 71½
Stockings
Small Bales
10, Pairs 235
Blanket Coats
74
Mittens
Pairs
2988
Russia Drill
Bales
4, Pieces 18
Deer Skins
174
Jackets (Brown)
23
Waistcoats do
23
Damaged Cloathing, Provincial
Coats (Green)
11
do (Red faced Green)
11
do (Blue faced White)
1
Waistcoats
44
Breeches
Pairs
8
Hatts
28
Blanket Coats
3
Stockings
Pairs
143
01Apr83 General Return of Stores and Batteaux in the Quarter Master Generals Department
at the Several Posts… Head Quarters Quebec127
Articles
Quebec
Sorel
Montreal
St Johns
Cloathing, Provincial
Made (Green)
Bales
26
do Serjt Majors Coats (faced red)
2
do Drum Majors do
do
2
do Serjeants Suits (Brown)
12
do Serjeants Waistcoats (Buff)
11
do Suits (Brown)
Bales
10
2
Suits 184
do Coats do
Loose
7
do do (Green)
do
21
156
14
do do (Blue faced White) do
21
119
93
Suits 13
do do (Red faced Green)
do
124
do Waistcoats (White) do
2
243
284
14
do Breeches do
Pairs
36
243
235
14
Unmade Waistcoats (Buff)
17
Stockings
Bales
8
Shirts
353
25
12
Hatts
Casks
9, Loose 41
Loose 10
Loose 53
Velvet Stocks
Case
1
Stock’s Buckles
do
1
Drum Slings & Sword Belts
Case
1
Loose 110
Fife Slings
Loose
6
Corporals Epaulets
do
86
Hatt Lace
Bundles
20
Metal Buttons, Coat
Groce
100
38
, Waistcoat do
6
Clothing
Green Cloth
Bales
2, Yds 114
9, Piece 1
Grey Cloth
do
2
2007-04-13 A: CLOTHING PROVINCIALS IN THE CANADIAN DEPARTMENT
42
Articles
Quebec
Sorel
Montreal
St Johns
Fine Green Cloth
Pieces
4
Buff do
do
3
Scarlet do
do
½
Shalloon (Buff)
do
10
Buckram
do
5
Fustain
do
5
Hatts, Fine
12
81
, Coarse
87
Shoes, English
Pairs
26
19
, Canadian
do
17
67
226
7
Moccasins
do
1841
61
165
268
Legging, Cloth
Bales
13
, ditto
Pieces
7, Yds 3
Pieces 8
Yds 391
, Made
Pairs
42
640
531
Trimmings for do
Cases
3
Shirting Linnen
do
13
Pieces 397
Pcs 8, Yds 29 Yds 274
Stockings, Fine
Pairs
36
, Coarse
Small Bales
16, Pairs 198 Pairs 944
Pairs 50
Pairs 454
Blanket Coats
72
261
13
Mittens
Pairs
2940
320
1293
654
Russia, Drill
Bales
4 Pieces 13
2, Pieces 20
, Sheeting
Pieces
2
4
Canadian Red Caps
6
55
Horn Buttons
Groce
500
8
38
Tape
do
40
Yds 2030
Coarse Linnen for Lining
Pieces
4
Trimmings for Officers Cloathing
Narrow Silver Lace
Pieces
3
Epaulets
50
Buttons, Coat
Groce
17
, Waistcoat
do
5
Mohair (Buff)
Bundles
11
Hatt Lace, Officers
Pieces
3
, Serjeants
do
½
Brown Jackets for Scouts
22
Articles
Quebec
Sorel
Montreal
St Johns
Ditto Waistcoats do
22
Deer Skins
174
6
27
2
Damaged Cloathing, Provincial
Green Coats
7
13
Red do (faced Green)
11
Blue do (faced White)
1
Waistcoats (White)
47
13
Breeches do
Pairs
9
13
Hatts
28
Stockings
Pairs
144
18May83 Regimental Order, 29th Regiment, St. Johns
The Jacketts, Summer Caps & Leggings, to be worn upon all Duty & in future, Fatigues Excepted & the
men to be provided with Summer Westcoats, to be made up after the Regtl form. The Blanket Coats to
be washed and taken to the Store, with the fur Caps of the respective Companys.
Here we are in 1783, and again, ‘caps,’ and note, ‘jackets’ and ‘leggings’ are being worn. Also, ‘Summer
Waistcoats’ – were these simply sleeveless? The fur caps mentioned are Canadian Caps such as von
2007-04-13 A: CLOTHING PROVINCIALS IN THE CANADIAN DEPARTMENT
43
Germann painted in his image of a British Regular marching his winter post in a capote and what look to be
blue cloth overalls. As noted above, a small quantity of “Canadian Red Caps” was held in inventory by the
QMG’s Department from 1778 onwards.
01Oct83 General Return of Stores and Batteaux in the Quarter Master Generals Department
at the Several Posts… Head Quarters Quebec128
Articles
Quebec
Sorel
Montreal
St Johns
Cloathing, Provincial
Made (Green)
Bales
26
do Serjt Majors Coats
(Green faced Red)
2
do Drum Majrs Coats
(Green faced Red)
2
do Serjeants Suits (Brown)
12
do Serjts Waistcoats (Buff)
9
do Suits (Brown)
Bales
7
2
Suits 64
do Coats do
Loose
6
do do (Green)
do
21
56
14
do do (Blue faced White) do
14
76
93
17
do Waistcoats (White) do
2
193
183
31
do Breeches do
Pairs
35
186
134
22
Unmade Waistcoats (Buff)
17
Stockings
Bales
8
Articles
Quebec
Sorel
Montreal
St Johns
Shirts
241
25
6
Hatts
Casks
7, Loose 14
Loose 9
Velvet Stocks
980
12
Stock Buckles
1140
12
Drum Slings & Sword Belts Case
1
Loose 110
Fife Slings
6
Corporals Epaulets
100
86
Hatt Lace
Bundles
20
Metal Buttons, Coat
Groce
100
7
Green Cloth
Bales
2, Yards 114 7, Pcs 5½
Grey Cloth
do
2
Fine, Green Cloth
Pieces
4
, Buff do
do
3
, Scarlet do
do
½
Shalloon (Buff)
do
10
Fustain
do
5
Buckram
do
5
Hatts, Fine
7
69
, Coarse
75
Shoes, English
Pairs
46
19
, Canadian
do
10
25
214
7½
Moccasins
do
945
335
79
5
Legging, Cloth
Bales
4
4
1
, ditto
Pieces
7
4
1½
Yds 457½
, Made
Pairs
41
1140
531
Trimmings for do
Cases
3Incomplete
Shirting Linnen
do
13
Yds 351
Pcs 8, Yds 29
Stockings, Fine
Pairs
36
, Coarse
Small Bales
16, Prs 82
Prs 730
Pairs 13
Pairs 347
Blanket Coats
76
313
17
Mittens
Pairs
2968
820
1236
1275
2007-04-13 A: CLOTHING PROVINCIALS IN THE CANADIAN DEPARTMENT
44
Articles
Quebec
Sorel
Montreal
St Johns
Russia Drill
Bales
4, Pcs 11 1/3 2, Pcs 20
, Sheeting
Pieces
2
4
Canadian Red Caps
6
Horn Buttons
Groce
500
8
50
Coarse Linnen for Linings Pieces
4
Tape
Groce
38
35
Trimmings for Officers Cloathing
Narrow Silver Lace
Pieces
3
Epaulets
47
Buttons, Coat
Groce
17
, Waistcoat
do
5
Mohair (Buff)
Bundles
11
Hatt Lace, Officers
Pieces
3
, Serjeants
do
½
Brown Jackets for Scouts
18
do Waistcoats do
18
Deer Skins
174
5
27
3
Damaged Stores
Green Coats
7
Red Faced Green do
11
Blue faced White do
1
Waistcoats White
47
Breeches do
Pairs
9
Hatts
38
Stockings
Pairs
144
24Dec83 General Return of Stores and Batteaux in the Quarter Master Generals Department
at the Several Posts… Head Quarters Quebec129
Articles
Quebec
Sorel
Montreal
St Johns
Cloathing, Provincial
Made (Green)
Bales
14
12
do Serjt Majr Coats
(faced red)
2
do Drum Majrs do ditto
2
do Serjeants Suits (Brown)
11
do Serjts Waistcoats (Buff)
9
do Suits (Brown)
Bales
3
5
Suits 64
do Coats do
Loose
6
do do (Green)
do
21
56
12
do do (Blue faced White) do
14
42
93
17
do do (Red faced Green) do
134
do Waistcoats (White) do
159
184
29
do Breeches do
Pairs
29
159
135
20
Unmade Waistcoats (buff)
17
Stockings
Bales
6
Shirts
58
199
2
Hatts
casks
3, loose 44
Casks 4
loose 9
Velvet Stocks
980
12
Stock Buckles
1140
12
Drum Slings & Sword belts Case
1
loose 110
Fife Slings
6
Corporals Epaulets
100
86
Hatt Lace
Bundles
18
Metal Buttons
Groce
100
6 1/3
2007-04-13 A: CLOTHING PROVINCIALS IN THE CANADIAN DEPARTMENT
45
Articles
Quebec
Sorel
Montreal
St Johns
Green Cloth
Bales
2, Yds 11¼
7, Yds 5½
Grey Cloth
do
2
Fine, Green Cloth
Pieces
4, Contg 59 Yds
, Buff Cloth
do
3, Contg 68 Yds
, Scarlet Cloth
do
½ Contg 10½ Yds
Shalloon (Buff)
do
10
Buckram
do
5
Fustain
do
5
Hatts, Fine
7
68
, Coarse
78
Shoes, English
Pairs
46
6
, Canadian
do
9
214
5½
Moccasins
do
768
791
77
5
Legging, Cloth
Bales
2
7
1
, ditto
Pieces
1, Yds 21
Pieces 4
Yds 34
Yds 453½
, Made
Pairs
41
1066
529
Trimmings for do
Cases
1
2
Shirting Linnen
do
5, Pcs 15,
7, Pcs 347½ Pcs 6, Yds 10
Yds 4½
Stockings, Fine
Pairs
36
, Coarse
Small Bales
6, Pairs 5
11, Prs 503½ Prs 13
Prs 345
Blanket Coats
76
313
15
Mittens
Pairs
968
2749
1236
1273½
Articles
Quebec
Sorel
Montreal
St Johns
Canadian Red Caps
6
53
Russia Drill
Bales
2, Pcs 11,
4, Pieces 20
Yds 9
, Sheeting
Pieces
2
2
Horn Buttons
Groce
473
4
50
Tape
do
38
35
Coarse linen for Lineings
Pieces
4
Trimmings for Officers Clothing
Narrow Silver lace
Pieces
3
Epaulets
47
Buttons, Coat
Groce
17
, Waistcoats
do
5
Mohair Buff
Bundles
14
Hatt lace, Officers
Pieces
3
, Serjeants
do
½
Brown Jackets for Scouts
18
Do Waistcoats for do
18
Deer Skins
174
4
18
3
Damaged Stores
Green Clothing
Puncheons
2
Red & Green faceings
Casks
2
Brown Cloth
do
1
Green do
Pieces
2
Serjts Coats Green faced Red
4
Serjts Waistcoats
3
Serjts Breeches
Pairs
2
Blanket Coats
5
Linnen
Pieces
11
Canadian Shoes
Pairs
90
Hatts
20
2007-04-13 A: CLOTHING PROVINCIALS IN THE CANADIAN DEPARTMENT
46
NB. … 100 pairs of new Moccasins are distributed at the different Posts that are not included in this
Return.
Jan84 Memorial of the Associated Loyalists, Sorel130
One years Clothing to be issued to Each Family in proportion to their Numbers in the different species
of Articles Issued to those gone to Nova Scotia.
14Nov84 Haldimand to St. Leger, Quebec131
… such Temporary supplies of provision, or clothing & extraordinary objects, for which requisitions
from the Lieutenant Governor in writing will be made to you, such articles of clothing as may be wanted
on these occasions are to be drawn from the Quarter Master General’s store (beginning with the slops
which were provided for the Marine Department) but no purchases are to be made on this account.
AN ANALYSIS OF CANADIAN PROVINCIAL CLOTHING
A Canadian Provincial suit comprised a jacket, a waistcoat and a pair of breeches. Suits
were most often reported as a single inventory item. As unmade suits were stored in bales and,
as there seemed to be no mandated number of suits per bale, I have not been able to track the
number consumed from year to year.
The Quebec City Militia battalions were issued with Canadian Provincial clothing in the fall
of 1775 and a proportion of this clothing may have been laid aside in the Quebec City depot to
clothe these battalions in later years, although Chartrand advises they were stood down on
May 22, 1776 and only assembled again on special occasions, such as the Grand Ball of
December 31, 1776, or for a review under arms. Chartrand’s research indicates that the city’s
battalions had no need to draw new clothing again during the war and that supplies
designated for militia in the city’s depot must have been intended to meet an emergency,
although the quantity stored fluctuated over time indicating that some issues were made.
By Aug 7, 1775 there were 620 suits of Canadian Provincial clothing remaining in Quebec
City stores. No QMG’s records have yet been found for 1776&77.
In May 1778, there were 619 Canadian Provincial suits in stock in Quebec City and 2,226
in Montreal. Although there was no Canadian Provincial clothing held at Sorel that May, by
October there were 700 suits in bales and hogsheads, reflecting Haldimand’s plan to
concentrate his stores there. By year-end, the number of suits in Quebec City had shrunk to
344 and at Montreal to 1,500 with 625 at Sorel for a grand total of 2,479. Therefore, from May
to December, 366 Canadian Provincial suits had been issued, which would have been more
than enough to clothe the privates of the 1KRR, which on June 1, 1778 numbered 298.
In mid-April 1779, Haldimand was advised that additional clothing for 2,000 Canadian
Provincials was being sent out from Britain. That same month, the QMG’s Return listed 344
suits at Quebec, fifty-six bales and 130 suits at Montreal and 550 suits at Sorel. To the month
one year later, there was sixty-seven bales at Sorel, but by October ’80 only three, unidentified
bales remained; however, at Quebec, there were thirty-two casks and seventy-three bales of
unidentified made clothing and three bales of unidentified, unmade. By process of elimination,
this unidentified clothing was Canadian Provincial and, if this was the case, the new shipment
must have arrived.
In April 1781, there were twenty-seven bales of “green” made clothing at Quebec and three
bales of unmade. At Sorel there were 100 made up Canadian Provincial suits and three bales
of unmade and at St. John’s, there were forty-one made suits of “green” clothing.
No return has been found for October 1781; however, a report of February 1782 indicates
that both Jessup’s Loyal Rangers and Rogers’ King’s Rangers were drawing green coats faced
2007-04-13 A: CLOTHING PROVINCIALS IN THE CANADIAN DEPARTMENT
47
red for serjeants, drummers and privates. The utilization of Canadian Provincial clothing had
entirely shifted away from the KRR NY to other American Provincials.
In April 1782, there were twenty-seven bales of made up Provincial ‘green’ clothing at
Quebec that were not listed as Canadian Provincial, four bales and one cask of the same at
Montreal and 199 loose suits at St. John’s. (If not Canadian Provincial, what could it have
been?) In addition, at Quebec, there were the following made, green faced red suits: three
Serjeant Majors, three Drum Majors and twelve Serjeants; also, forty-five buff waistcoats and
ten pair of buff breeches. At Quebec, in unmade green clothing there was one bale (fifty suits)
and sixteen loose coats with seventy-two buff waistcoats and thirty-five pair of buff breeches.
Six months later, the only change to this inventory was to the made up suits at St. John’s,
where two suits had been issued, which prompts the obvious question – if these uniforms were
being issued to the Loyal and/or King’s Rangers, why wasn’t the inventory dramatically
reduced?
AMERICAN PROVINCIAL CLOTHING
If the distribution of Canadian Provincial clothing is considered a complex topic, the
clothing for American Provincials is worse. First, a brief review – the first American Provincial
unit in Canada was the Royal Highland Emigrants. Raised as a pan-North American formation
untied to any one province, the term “provincial” did not perfectly describe the regiment’s
special status. The embryonic regiment found itself in Quebec in 1775 and became a keystone
in the country’s defence. In the fall, the RHE was clothed in the uniforms sent from Britain for
Canadian Provincials, but the next year, their distinctive Highland uniforms arrived and they
no longer wore the Canadian Provincial pattern. The RHE was elevated to the British
Establishment as the 84th in April 1779 and passed from the purview of this study.
In 1776, a second American Provincial unit was raised in Canada from refugees from New
York Province and named by Governor Carleton, the King’s Royal Regiment of New York. This
regiment was issued green Canadian Provincial clothing.
Several smaller bodies of New York refugees also arrived that year, but declined to join the
KRR NY. In the winter of 1777, two of these groups were established as nascent regiments
known as Jessup’s King’s Loyal Americans and Peters’ Queen’s Loyal Rangers. A third, Adams’
Rangers, was soon after established as an independent company. These three formations were
unwilling to accept the Canadian Provincial green clothing and were provided with red coats
turned up in green, which were purchased in Canada from local sources.
At the same time, three independent companies of Canadian Provincials were raised to
support the 1777 campaign. These companies refused to accept the green clothing sent out
specifically for Canadian Provincials and were supplied with brown suits trimmed with
different coloured lacing or twist to reflect the parishes from which each was raised. This
clothing must have been purchased from Canadian sources.
As the campaign developed, KLA and QLR recruits were presumably clothed in the red
coats faced green until stocks ran out. Other American Provincial units joined Burgoyne’s
expedition. These were: Van Pfister’s Loyal Volunteers, McAlpin’s American Volunteers and
Van Alstine’s Bateaux Company. At the highpoint of Provincial recruitment in August,
Burgoyne had over 800 American loyalists in his army.
When the red clothing was tailored in Quebec in the winter of 1777, it was unlikely that
more than two or three hundred men had been provided for; however, from somewhere a
quantity of blue clothing faced white came into stores and, it is known from a 1778 letter of
complaint from officers of the KLA, QLR and LV, that many of Burgoyne’s Provincials were
given these uniforms despite the obvious danger of being mistaken for American rebels. It is
also known that American Provincials with Burgoyne were ordered to obtain Blanket Coats
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when the weather grew colder and it is highly likely that the remnants of these corps were
clothed in capotes when they returned to Canada. A 1778 QMG’s return reported that 1,350
blanket coats ordered by Burgoyne were in inventory, presumably for his Regulars who, by
that time, were held captive in Virginia.
In September 1777, John Butler received his beating order to raise a corps of Rangers. His
recruits were required to provide their own arms and pay for their uniforms, which he
purchased in Britain. None of the QMG’s returns identify any uniforms in inventory as
belonging to Butler’s Rangers. Several pieces of evidence show that Butler’s regiment was
clothed in green; however, to date, the only references found indicate that, as late as 1780, the
coats were faced in white, contrary to conventional wisdom.
In May and October 1778, the QMG’s returns listed Provincial clothing separate from
Canadian Provincial clothing without describing the garments. In December 1778, a supply of
172 suits designated as “prize clothing for Provincials” appeared, but was not described. Is
this what was left of the blue faced white clothing that some American Provincials had been
supplied in 1777? In mid-1778, Leake’s Independent Company was created from the remnants
of the Loyal Volunteers. The men were not given new uniforms and had to make do with their
clothing from the 1777 campaign, which presumably was the unpopular blue faced white.
Then, in 1779, red faced blue; blue faced white and brown clothing appeared in moderate
quantities on the QMG returns as Provincial clothing. Presumably, the red faced blue coats
belonged to the Royal Yorkers as part of their second clothing period. In any event, these red
jackets had disappeared from QMG Stores by April 1780, indicating that the regiment had
warehoused its own clothing.
The “brown clothing” is more mysterious. No clue has been found whether this was a
different design than that worn by the three Canadian Independent companies in 1777. Two of
them had been reduced at the end of the campaign, and only the officer cadre of the third was
maintained in later years. So, this new clothing was not intended for them.
There is mention of “ranging suits” in correspondence in 1781 and perhaps this new brown
clothing was issued to Secret Service operatives and scouts. In any event, the sixty-six suits
that first appeared in October 1779 at Sorel were still there in April 1782, and a total of
twenty-one bales of brown cloth was held at three posts. In October that year, the brown suits
were returned in bales, two at Sorel, nine at Montreal and ten at Quebec City. This
represented a substantial volume of suits for which no similarly large-scale use has been
determined. Perhaps they were being held for Canadian Provincials to be raised in the face of
an American invasion.
Remarkably, the supply of blue faced white coats grew over the years. If the coats had been
taken from rebel warehouses or as prizes from rebel shipping, one could sensibly expect the
supply to be limited; however, the total grew from eighty-four at Sorel in October 1779 and
April 1780, to 175 in October 1780, to 240 at three posts in April 1782. No answer has been
found about where these supplies came from or why.
In April 1780, a new category was returned at Quebec City in the form of pieces of brown
and black cloth designated as “Donation Clothing” and periodic references to this mysterious
classification are found in later returns. I have found no explanation for this category.
In October 1780, yet another category appeared in stock – fifteen suits of “blue clothing” at
St. John’s, presumably to clothe the naval detachments on Lake Champlain.
In the April 1782 return, the various categories were strangely blended. Canadian clothing
(presumably green) was stored at Sorel, but made and unmade green Provincial clothing and
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green faced red serjeant’s suits were stored at Quebec and Montreal. And listed with this green
Provincial clothing was brown clothing in bales and suits, blue faced white in suits and, a new
entry, 124 red faced green suits (which had not been seen in inventory since 1777) at Sorel.
By 1782, only five American Provincial units were stationed in the Canada Department.
1. Eighteen companies of the two-battalion, King’s Royal Regiment, in red faced blue.
2. Ten companies of Butler’s Rangers in green uniforms, with either white or red facings.
3. Ten companies of the Loyal Rangers, whose commandant had requested green uniforms
which he would alter from red facings to green, although that wish does not seem to
have been fulfilled.
4. Three oversized companies of Rogers’ 2nd battalion King’s Rangers. The unit had drawn
a handful of blue faced white uniforms in 1779 and by 1782 was clothed in green faced
red.
5. Herkimer’s Bateaux Company, for which no information about uniforms has emerged.
Which of these units were destined to draw the red faced green coats? Possibly they for
Indian Department officers and men.
THE MYSTERY OF THE INVENTORY HELD IN CAPTAIN FOY’S NAME
Despite previous failures, Haldimand’s military secretary, Captain Edward Foy, formerly
Carleton’s Adjutant General, somehow persuaded the governor that there were excellent
prospects to raise a corps of Canadian Provincials in 1778. Clothing and arms were ordered;
however, Foy died in April 1779 and, without his guiding hand, the initiative faded away,
which it probably would have done in any event.
Six months after Foy’s death, it was reported that 250 suits were being held in Quebec City
stores in his name. Nearby in the return, it was listed a ½ cask of red and green facings, but
whether the cask related to Foy’s special inventory is unknown.
In April 1780, the Foy suits were more precisely defined as seven bales of jackets,
waistcoats and breeches. The bales contained 249, 235 and 242 of each garment respectively.
Again, there was a cask of red and green facings listed in close proximity to Foy’s inventory.
(had the ½ cask really grown to a full one?)
By October 1780, exactly fourteen jackets, waistcoats and breeches had been issued from
Foy’s special stock and the cask of green and red facings was returned in close proximity to
the suits.
Jumping to July 1783, the seven bales of Captain Foy’s Provincial clothing were still held
in Quebec City’s stores and were reported to contain a mixture of red faced green and blue
faced white jackets totalling 241 with 227 waistcoats and 234 pairs of breeches. The only
issues from this stock were in December 1779 with two serjeant’s and one private’s blue faced
white coats going to the King’s Rangers and in 1780, three blue faced white private’s suits
were issued, one to a rebel prisoner and two to French Canadians.
So, it appears that these seven bales, with the exception of the five suits issued, remained
untouched from 1779 to 1783 – although often accounted for with slightly different numbers.
Once Foy had died, what could possibly have been their purpose? And, in view of the great
need by the various loyalist corps, why were they not put into general circulation after 1780?
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1 Justin Clement, “The 1771 Pattern British Light Infantry Waistcoat.” See Research section of the website of the Company of
Select Marksmen. http://www.csmid.com
2 NAC, CO42/34, pp.112-14.
3 Ibid, p.119.
4 NAC, HP, AddMss21687, f.102.
5 Archives of Maryland Online, Maryland Gazette Collection, MSA SC 2731, M 1282.
6 Archives of Maryland Online, Maryland Gazette Collection, MSA SC 2731, M 1282.
7 Archives of Maryland Online, Maryland Gazette Collection, MSA SC 2731, M 1282.
8 H. Charles McBarron, Jr. & Réne Chartrand, “The Quebec Militia, 1775-1776,” Military Uniforms in America – The Ear of the
American Revolution 1755-1795 from the Series Produced by The Company of Military Historians, John R. Elting, ed. (San
Rafael, CA: Presidio Press, 1974) ex NAC, C1713, MS Quebec Garrison, General Orders.
9 WO1/11, p.5; Todd Braisted research: Shipment to Mtl – 30 Sjt’s Coats & Waistcoats & Breeches, 20 Drummers Compleat
Suits, 500 Private Coats & Waistcoats, 3 Dozn Ps Lace for Hats, 550 Pairs of Shoes, 520 Private Hats, 30 Sjt’s Hats & Shirts &
Rollers & Hose, 158 Private Hose & Shirts & Rollers, 39:26 Ps Hessen for lining, 27 Suits of Officers Clothing w/Trimmings, 30
Officers Hats w/Lace, 15 Officers Epaulets, 270 Yds of Silver Braid.
10 Pausch, Georg, Georg Pausch’s Journal and Report of the Campaign in American, Bruce E. Burgoyne tr. (Bowie, MD:
Heritage Books, Inc., 1996) pp.46&47; Pausch’s company of Hesse-Hanau artillery accompanied the Burgoyne expedition and was
closely integrated with the British artillery, to the extent of having their unique artillery pieces replaced with British ordnance and
their training modified to fit British practice.
11 Hadden, Lieut. James M., A Journal Kept in Canada and Upon Burgoyne’s Campaign in 1776 and 1777, Horatio Rogers, ed.
(Albany: Joel Munsell’s Sons, 1884) 69fn.
12 Letters of Brunswick and Hessian Officers during the American Revolution, William L. Stone, tr. (Albany Joel Munsell’s
Sons, 1891) 67.
13 Stanley, George F.G., Canada Invaded 1775-1776 (Toronto – Samuel Stevens Hakkert & Company, 1977) Appendices III & IV,
158-60.
14 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 6-8.
15 Ibid, 10&11.
16 Stuart, E. Rae, “Jessup’s Rangers as a Factor in Loyalist Settlement,” Three History Theses (Toronto – Ontario Dept of Public
Records and Archives, 1961) Appendix B, 123&24 ex NAC, HP, B167.
17 Subsistence wanted for the Queens Loyal Rangers commanded by LtCol John Peters On the Expedition under the command of
Lieut. Genl. Burgoyn commending the 25th June… Peters’ Papers, New York State Library, Items 3580&3605.
18 Pausch, Georg, Georg Pausch’s Journal and Report of the Campaign in American, Bruce E. Burgoyne tr. (Bowie, MD:
Heritage Books, Inc., 1996) pp.46&47.
19 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 13.
20 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 15.
21 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 19.
22 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 24.
23 Orderly Book of Sir John Johnson during the Oriskany Campaign, 1776-1777, [SJJ OB] William L. Stone, tr. (Albany – Joel
Munsell’s Sons, 1882) 29&30.
24 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 31.
25 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 33.
26 Ibid, 34.
27 Specht, Johann Friederich, The Specht Journal – A Military Journal of the Burgoyne Campaign, Helga Doblin, tr. (Westport,
CT: Greenwood Press, 1995) 41&42
28 Pausch, Georg, Georg Pausch’s Journal and Report of the Campaign in American, Bruce E. Burgoyne tr. (Bowie, MD:
Heritage Books, Inc., 1996) pp.46&47.
29 NAC, HP, AddMss21849. A report of the QMG Stores for 31Dec78 listed 130 pieces of Russian Linnen for making Tents, 20
pieces of Osenberges for making Camp Equipage, 10 pieces of Ticken[Ticking] for making Bells of Arms.
30 SJJ OB, 36.
31 SJJ OB, 39.
32 The Von Germann Watercolors of the American Revolution 1776-1783, Volume 1: British Regiments (Gansevoort, NY:
Corner House Historical Publications, n.d.) These are 19th century reproductions of von Germann’s original paintings which are
now lost. How much misinterpretation and licence the new artist took is of course unknown.
33 Ernest A. Cruikshank & Gavin K. Watt, King’s Royal Regiment of New York (KRR NY) (Toronto: Gavin K. Watt, 1985) 15.
34 SJJ OB, 42.
35 SJJ OB, 43.
36 SJJ OB, 54.
37 Von Hille, Ensign Ludwig Julius Friedrich, “Journal of an Officer in the Prinz Friedrich Regiment, The American Revolution,
Garrison Life in French Canada and New York – Journal of an Officer in the Prinz Friedrich Regiment, 1776-1783, Helga Doblin tr.
(Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1993) 70.
38 Letter ‘O,’ Journal of the Hesse-Hanau Jaeger Corps in America, Lidgerwood Collection of Hessian Transcripts, Morristown
NHP. As of this date, I am attempting to get a copy of this entire letter to see what else was commented upon.
39 Specht, 46.
40 SJJ OB, 65.
41 NAC, HP, AddMss21818.
42 “When it was proposed to raise a regiment from scratch… the enterprise was launched by an allowance of ‘levy money.’ The
usual method of providing levy money was to issue a warrant permitting the unit to be mustered as if complete from the date of
the beating order which authorized the officers to raise recruits by beat of drum… As an alternative to mustering complete, it was
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possible for the regiment to be credited with a lump sum of levy money, and in other circumstances the War Office appealed to
ambitious officers to provide their own bank of levy money in return for promotion into the new unit.” Alan J. Guy, Oeconomy
and Discipline – Officership and administration in the British army 1714-63 (Manchester: Manchester University Press,
1985) 63&64.
43 BGen Ernest A. Cruikshank & Gavin K. Watt, The King’s Royal Regiment of New York with the additions of an Index,
Appendices and a Master Muster Roll (Toronto: Gavin K. Watt, 1984) 10&11.
44 NAC, HP, AddMss21700; Butler’s Rangers became the most effective British unit operating in the north. Their creation must be viewed as
one of Carleton’s most important actions. More than any other regt, BR’s constantly took the war to the very doorsteps of the rebels, as far
east as New Jersey, south to Virginia and west to the Illinois & Ohio countries.
45 The Narration of the Hesse Hanau Jäger Corps in America, John C. Zuleger, tr. Lidgerwood Collection “O,” 40&41.
46 Ibid, 48.
47 NAC, HP, AddMss21849.
48 NAC, HP, AddMss21849.
49 Quebec Gazette/Gazette de Québec, Robarts Library, University of Toronto.
50 Smy Transcripts, BL, AddMss21756.
51 Research of Justin Boggess. Journal of the Hesse-Hanau Jaeger Corps in America, Zuelger tr. Lidgerwood Collection of Hessian
Transcripts, Morristown NHP, 67.
52 NAC, HP, AddMss21874, 52.
53 Research of Justin Boggess. Journal of the Hesse-Hanau Jaeger Corps in America, Zuelger tr. Lidgerwood Collection of Hessian
Transcripts, Morristown NHP, 56.
54 Ibid.
55 NAC, HP, AddMss21849, 18.
56 KRR NY, 23.
57 Research of Justin Boggess. Journal of the Hesse-Hanau Jaeger Corps in America, Zuelger tr. Lidgerwood Collection of Hessian
Transcripts, Morristown NHP, 74.
58 NAC, HP, AddMss21849, 20.
59 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 41.
60 CO42/39, p.65.
61 NAC, HP, AddMss21821.
62 NAC, HP, AddMss21849, 26-29.
63 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 59.
64 NAC, HP, AddMss21849, 56-59.
65 CO42/39, p.19.
66 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 69.
67 NAC, HP, AddMss21819, 9.
68 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 71.
69 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 73.
70 NAC, HP, AddMss21819, 19.
71 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 87.
72 NAC, HP, AddMss21819, 29.
73 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 99.
74 Smy Transcripts. BL, AddMss21760.
75 Also in Smy Transcripts, Clinton Papers, III, 539-44.
76 NAC, HP, AddMss21819, 43.
77 CO42/39, p.261.
78 Narration Hesse Hanau Jäger Corps in America, John C. Zuleger, tr. Lidgerwood Collection “O,” 85.
79 NAC, HP, AddMss21849, 67-71.
80 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 121.
81 Guy, 147. “The administration of the off-reckonings – The balance of the pay of the rank and file after subsistence had been
issued was known as the ‘gross off-reckonings’; the residue after deduction of ‘poundage’, the one day’s pay for the up-keep of the
Royal Hospital, Chelsea, the widows’ pensions and the twopences for agency was known as the ‘nett off-reckonings’. The soldier
was understood to have made over this portion of his pay to the colonel in return for his regimentals, accoutrements and some of
his weapons; he rarely had the opportunity of fingering any part of it.”
82 Narration Hesse Hanau Jäger Corps in America, John C. Zuleger, tr. Lidgerwood Collection “O,” 89.
83 CO42/40, p.35.
84 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 136.
85 NAC, HP, AddMss21819, 79.
86 NAC, HP, AddMss21849, 81-87.
87 CO42/40, p.47.
88 NAC, HP, AddMss21821, 87.
89 Clinton, George. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777-1795. 1801-1804 (6 Vols., New York &
Albany: State of New York, 1902) V, 885.
90 NAC, HP, AddMss21849, 89.
91 NAC, HP, AddMss21741, pt.1.
92 KRR NY, 46.
93 NAC, HP, AddMss21819, 137.
94 NAC, HP, AddMss21821, 113.
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95 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 185.
96 NAC, HP, AddMss21819, 145.
97 NAC, HP, AddMss21821, 268-69.
98 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 189.
99 Johnson, Sir John, Sixth Baronet of New York, The North American Johnson, A Short Story of Triumph and Tragedy
(London – PRM Publishers Limited, 1963) 64&65; BL, AddMss24323, 32-35.
100 NAC, HP, AddMss21849, 93.
101 NAC, HP, AddMss21819, 147.
102 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 199.
103 NAC, HP, AddMss21848.
104 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 201.
105 Uhlendorf was captured in May80. Smy Transcripts. Clinton Papers, V, 700-01.
106 BL, AddMss24323.
107 NAC, HP, AddMss21821, 164.
108 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 219.
109 Ibid, 57&58.
110 NAC, HP, AddMss21821, 171.
111 NAC, HP, AddMss21849, 108-15.
112 NAC, HP, AddMss21818, 252.
113 NAC, HP, AddMss21849, 124.
114 NAC, HP, AddMss21849, 127.
115 NAC, HP, AddMss21849, 141.
116 NAC, HP, AddMss21821, 355.
117 NAC, HP, AddMss21849.
118 NAC, Claus Papers, MG19, F1, 3, 115-17.
119 NAC, HP, AddMss21849.
120 Justin Clement’s advice of Todd Braisted transcripts. NAC, MG23, K1. Malcolm Fraser Papers, V.XXVIII (Orderly Book, 29th
Regment of Foot, 9 December 1781 – 16November 1783.)
121 NAC, HP, AddMss21849, 171-72.
122 Narration Hesse Hanau Jäger Corps in America, John C. Zuleger, tr. Lidgerwood Collection “O,” 124.
123 Ibid, 128.
124 NAC, HP, AddMss21849, 178-82.
125 Narration Hesse Hanau Jäger Corps in America, John C. Zuleger, tr. Lidgerwood Collection “O,” 134.
126 NAC, HP, AddMss21849, 194-98.
127 NAC, HP, AddMss21849, 206-12.
128 NAC, HP, AddMss21849, 218-24.
129 NAC, HP, AddMss21849, 234-43.
130 Cruikshank, BGen E.A., The Settlement of the United Empire Loyalists on the Upper St. Lawrence and Bay of Quenite in
1784 (Toronto: Ontario Historical Society, 1934) 41.
131 Cruikshank, Settlement, 174 ex B221, 28-30.