Ian Macpherson McCulloch

This book is a published version of anecdotes and stories told by Sergeant Thompson during his later years. The stories were recorded by his son, sometimes while James was entertaining an audience. James served in the 78th Regiment of Foot, Fraser's Highlanders during the French and Indian War and was present at the siege of Louisburg, the battle of the Plains of Abraham, and the battle of Sillery. After the war he settled down in Quebec.

The editors have divided the book into three parts, the first presents an overview of James Thompson's life and the historic events he saw. The second section contains his firsthand anecdotes and recollections of those events. The third section is a biographical section providing information on the many people James met and interacted with during his military service and retirement.

A very interesting read which provides a unique perspective on The Seven Year's War. Thompson's recollections are full of humour and good will towards the people he met. He was especially fond of General Wolfe, and was involved with the funeral for his fallen hero, and helped commemorate both Wolfe and Montcalm with a statue in Quebec.… (más)

http://www.ccsna.org/

CAN'T REVIEW MY OWN BOOK, SO HERE"S ONE FROM THE LARGEST CLAN ASSOCIATION IN THE WORLD:
A CCS(NA) Book Review
by
Ruby G. Campbell, Ph.D., FSA Scot, CCS(NA) Genealogist & Librarian
of
Sons of the Mountains: A History of the Highland Regiments in North America during the French & Indian War, 1756-1767.
by
Ian Macpherson McCulloch

The Black Watch! Fraser’s Highlanders! Montgomery’s Highlanders! Names familiar to all serious historians, genealogists, history buffs, and re-enactors as well. The story of these three regiments of Highland soldiers (the 42nd, 78th Foot, and 77th Foot, respectively) whose exploits in the North American continent during the mid-eighteenth century helped shape the future of both the USA and Canada and provided the background for many heroic tales found in books and film is presented in Volume One of this two volume work by Ian Macpherson McCulloch, CD, a native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, himself a lieutenant colonel (1963) in command of The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada in Montreal, Quebec.

The text embodies first hand accounts of the everyday lives of the soldiers and the plans and insights of the men who led them into battle. Working from actual documents, diaries, and letters which are liberally quoted throughout the text, McCullouch takes the reader from the establishment of the regiments, to the departure of the transports across the stormy Atlantic “haughty, full of peaks and valleys, thundering, rendering, boisterous, flashingâ€? and the arrival of the ships [the last being the snow, Duke of Argyle, which had run aground off Sandy Hook (New Jersey)] in New York where the citizens sent “a very Handsome Refreshment . . . down to the Officers and private Men consisting of Oxen, Sheep, Fowls, Strawberries, Cherries, Pease, etc. which proved a very acceptable Present,â€? and on through every battle, field experience, and personal accomplishments and tragedies until the units were either disbanded or recalled to Britain after the fighting was over.

Told in a lively, entertaining manner often using the men’s own words, Sons of the Mountains covers all theaters of war from Newfoundland, to Ticonderoga, the Great Lakes, and to the swamps and cane fields of the “Sugar Islandsâ€? in the West Indies. In additions to incidents of battle, here are descriptions of the women who followed the troops, the foibles of the bad leaders [“the most Shilly Shally, Whistly Wally, Jacky Wagtail that ever my Eyes beheld. . . .He gives our Serjt Major half a dozen Contradictory orders of a morning and at last gives out none at all. . . . â€?] and the sensitivity of the good ones ["I lay under so many obligations to Major (Allen) Campbell (of the 42nd) for his indefatigable assistance in the Various Difficulties we have had to Encounter, that I wish Extreemely (sic) to do him some Service..."], the attitudes toward the French and the Indians, plus many other topics seen through the eyes of the Highland soldier.

The text is well illustrated with art work, maps, contemporary prints, and portraits from the collections of various museums in the USA, Canada, and Scotland.

Volume Two is a genealogist’s delight. Here are biographical entries of every officer of the Black Watch, Fraser’s Highlanders, and Montgomery’s Highlanders who served in North America. The officers are listed in order of their regimental seniority during the Seven Year’s War instead of alphabetically, but it is not difficult to maneuver through this section. Over 350 officers from all the major clans are listed, many with parentage and/or other relationships given.

A sample of one of the (shorter) entries is shown below:

John Campbell, [3] yr of Melfort (1730-1790) (whose portrait appears on the cover of Vol. 2)
Lieut: 30 July 1757, 77th Foot; appointed adjutant, 77th Foot, 11 July 1759; resigned adjutancy, 1 February 1763; transferred on promotion;
Captain: 1 February 1763, 42nd Foot; half-pay, 24 October 1763; Major: c. 1779, Argyll (Western) Fencibles.

Son and heir of Archibald Campbell and Annabel Campbell, sister of John Campbell of Barcaldine. Nephew of Major Allan Campbell, 42nd Foot (see above) and first cousin of Major Alex Campbell and Captain Mungo Campbell of the 77th Foot (see 77th Register). Came to North America as a lieutenant in one of the 77th’s Additional Companies. Participated in all major campaigns of Montgomery’s Highlanders, including the capture of Montreal in 1760. Transferred to the 42nd Foot on promotion to captain while recuperating at New York after the grueling Caribbean campaign. Out on half-pay, October 1763. Was second-major in the Argyll (Western) Fencibles along with first major, Hugh Montgomerie, (another former 77th officer - see Register), when that regiment mutinied at Edinburgh in October 1779. Considered a popular officer amongst the men, it was Melfort’s calm actions along with support from Montgomerie that quelled the disturbances. He married his cousin in 1767, Colina, daughter of John Campbell of Achalader and Isabella Campbell, daughter of Patrick Campbell of Barcaldine. He died at Bath in 1790 at the age of 60.

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CBs; SBs; BALs; “List of the Officers of the 42nd or Royal Highland Regiment according to seniority dated December 29th, 1762â€?, BL Add. MSS. 21634: f.178c; Stewart, Sketches, I-II, in passim.

In addition to the biographical entries, Volume Two includes several appendices dealing with Highland dress (hairdressing, sashes, shirts & kilts, footware); weapons (dirk, broadsword, muskets, pistols, powder horns, bayonets, tomahawks); equipment (belts, cartouche boxes, tents, flags, weapons cleaning kit, etc.); the role of the specialist officers (surgeons, adjutants, quartermasters) and soldiers (pipers, grenadiers, women); and assorted regimental muster rolls and returns.

Sons of the Mountains is a very important work covering the story of the Highlanders and their regiments who fought in North American during the Seven Years’ War. Thoroughly documented, it’s a fast-moving narrative, even to those who are not particularly interested in military matters. It is highly recommended for personal, public, and school and university libraries.

Due for publication in May 2006, a “sneak previewâ€? may be found at the Electric Scotland website while ordering information is available at the Purple Mountain Press website or from Purple Mountain Press, Ltd., PO Box 309, Fleischmann’s NY 12430-0309, phone 1-845-254-4062.… (más)