[ February, 10 ] The [Issue 10–1]

S COURANT YORKER N·Y News & Wisdom from Sir John’s Regt.– The King’s Royal Yorkers

Contents 3 Cleanliness Is Next To Yorkerness 6 Role of the NCO – Williamson 1 Tentative Schedule of 2010 Events 3 Bushfighting 8 The Yorkers in Art 2 NCO Changes in Duncan’s Company 4 Yorkers Were First Settlers of Kingston 10 230th Anniversary of Munro’s Raid 2 Breaking News from the Colonel’s Quill 5 An Instance of Courage in 1776 12 Letter to the Editor, Links

Coming Events

f e b 1 7 Drill, Ft York Armories mar 17 Drill, Ft York Armories m a r   Yorker Party, Ft York Armories april 14 Drill, Ft York Armories may 19 Drill, Ft York Armories tba Drill in Eastern Ontario may 15-16 Lansing Manor, NY jun 5-6 Brigade School, Fanshawe Village, London july 30, 31, aug 1 Fort George (All Up Event)

feb 20/21 1812 jun 5/6 1812  Battle of Ogdensburg, Ogdensburg, NY Battle of Stoney Creek, Stoney Creek tentative apr 10/11 rev war jun 12/13 1812 King’s 8th Fort Niagara Garrison Coteau Du Lac (Fencibles All Up) Schedule of Events may 1/2 1812 jun 19/20 rev war Longwoods (Tactical) Black Creek, Toronto 2010 may 8/9 jul 9-11 f&i -18th Century Cooking Show, Battle of Restigouche, Restigouche, QC Appleby College (Herkimer All Up) ’ve listed below a selection of events may 15/16 rev war jul 10/11 rev war I that were discussed at the Officer’s/ Lansing Manor, N.Y (All Up US) Wyoming Massacre, Scranton, PA NCO’s Meeting in January. This tentative may 22/23 culloden jul 16/18 f&i schedule will help those who have to work Backus Mills (Victoria Day Weekend) 250th Anniversary Battle of Fort La out their vacation schedules early in the may 28/29 1812 Presentation, Ogdensburg, NY year. Included in the list are a number of 1812 Gunboat Weekend, Fairfield-Gutzeit jul 19/20 rev war timeline events that could possibly impact House, Bath Battle of Monmouth, Monmouth, NJ the Rev War events. The final list of Yorker (BAR) events will, of course, be published in our jun 5/6 rev war Annual Calendar. Northern Brigade School, Fanshawe jul 30-aug 1 rev war Village, London Fort George (Canadian All Up) [ February, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 2 aug 13/15 rev war Fort Ontario, Oswego, NY nco Changes (BAR National) in aug 28/29 rev war Duncan’s Company Newtown (Questionable) sep 12/13 1812 Battle of Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh, NY Eric Fernberg Returns sep 18 rev war To The Ranks Thornhill Festival ($$$) erjeant Eric Fernberg of Sep 25/26 1812 S Duncan’s Company has decided to Dunvegan Museum, Dunvegan (Hosted return to the ranks. Eric feels that it is time by the GLI’s) to step aside and let someone else wear the sep 25/26 rev war serjeant’s sash and take-on the role. By so Fort Klock, St.Johnsville, NY doing, Eric will have greater freedom to sep 25/26 rev war spend time with his daughter, Kristen, who Brandywine Creek, MD wishes to come out to more re-enactments. sep/oct rev war Eric has soldiered with the Yorkers since Schoharie/Fort Klock, NY August 13, 1994. He was assigned to the old Major’s Company, which was mainly oct 16/17 rev war from the Ottawa area. He was the 285th Myer’s Hill, NY (Invitational) member of the regiment. His smart turn- nov 6/7 rev war out, work rate, and knowledge of military White March, Fort Washington, PA matters earned him the “Yorker of the Year” uniform smartness that many of us should (2nd Bn) trophy. Eric and his wife introduced mess- follow, and I’m glad that he will still soldier ing to the Yorker camps, which has been on with the Yorkers. very successful. The Yorkers were at one The All-Up Canadian event will be at Fort time known as the King’s Royal “Motelers Promotions George in Niagara-on-the-Lake on July 30, and Diners”. Now we have a number of After consultation with Captain David 31 & Aug 1. Brigadier Cameron is setting good chefs, thanks to Eric. Moore, I am pleased to announce the fol- up an event that promises to be spectacu- Eric is extremely knowledgeable about lowing promotions in Duncan’s Company. lar and shouldn’t be missed. This is a full uniforms, and works as curator of Uniforms Corporal Rob Stewart has been promoted National British Brigade / Continental and Insignia at the Canadian War Museum. to the rank of serjeant, and musketman Line event, voted on at the Annual General He has also developed into an excellent Brock Dittrick has been promoted to the Meeting, and it’s being held right here craftsman in a number of areas. His Stand rank of corporal. Congratulations to Robert in Canada. I urge all Yorkers to make this of Arms belts and frogs are of excellent and Brock. event a priority. quality, and he also crafts lovely folding Colonel James stools on request. Eric set a high standard of Colonel James

The Yorker Gun

Breaking News from the Colonel’s Quill Serjeant Colin Post has updated me on the progress of the Yorker gun car- riage. The proper type of oak wood has been difficult to obtain, and it has been Annual Yorker Party Herkimer’s Bateaux especially difficult finding someone who has the proper sawing equipment and skill This year the Yorker Annual Party will The Officers and NCO’s at the annual to cut and finish the wood properly. Colin’s be held in the Officers / Sergeants Mess at meeting voted to accept a motion to include target date for completion of the carriage the Fort York Armories on Saturday, March Herkimer’s Bateaux Company as a fully is mid-season 2010, as long as the neces- 20. Details concerning the menu, cost and fledged member of the King’s Royal Yorkers. sary tradesmen are available to follow the times will be posted as soon as they are Some of the bateaux men are already Yorkers schedule. available. who we all know and love. Please welcome all the bateaux men into our regiment. Colonel James [ February, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 3

Black shoes: Black shoes, believe it or Muskets: Should be clean and lightly Cleanliness not, are an acceptable part of the Yorker oiled in the correct places. Don’t oil your is next to uniform and military uniforms in general. frizzen or pan. Shoes should be blackened when on parade, Colonel James Yorkerness or at the first turnout of a “tactical”. One should not have dirt from an event in May still on ones shoes in October. Black shoe Black brass: I’ve always believed that polish is known to keep shoes black. brass was a “yellow” metal when clean. I’ve noticed that “black brass” exists in some Fringes: Fringes are common on ladies areas of the regiment. In the 18th century clothing, but don’t look particularly good on brass was usually cleaned by using a mix- coats and waistcoats. All of those little bits ture of tallow or fat and brick dust, and and pieces of wool unraveling at the edge of this would remove any tarnish that had the coats give a soldier that “walking doily” accumulated. In the 21st century fine steel look. These fringes can be removed with the wool does the job. Brass should be clean - aid of scissors. not necessarily shining - but clean. I have no doubt that our proficient corporals and Buff leather: As the name says, “buff ”, serjeants will address this phenomenon this and it can be kept clean with some sandpaper. coming season. Don’t attempt to use whitening or pipe clay.

Bushfighting R

n September, 1777 Major General Massey I informed a small field force drawn from the Halifax garrison that “the troops when halted are to be always drawn up in open order and never unnecessarily to expose themselves.” One way the troops could have done this was to go prone, like the men of the 1st Battalion of Light Infantry who threw themselves on their knees and bellies during the heavy fighting at Birmingham Meeting House at the battle of Brandywine. In simi- lar manner George Harris related that, after the affair at Harlem Heights, a man “in the battalion on our left” was shot dead while The above was taken from the book, the troops were lying on the ground, while “With Zeal and With Bayonets Only”, in later years he recorded that, during the and it shows that taking cover and lying low action at the Vigie, “Captain Shawe, with on the ground was practiced just as much as the 4th [Regiments Grenadier] company taking “to tree”. I quote quite often from this was ordered by me to make his men lie book as it is an excellent reference book on down, and cover themselves in the brush- the British Army fighting in the Rev War. wood as much as possible, to prevent them being seen as marks.” Colonel James [ February, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 4

for the arrival of the Loyalists in the Spring end of the navigation season the settlement of 1784. He left Oswego on the 28th of July would be as capacious, for both troops and and arrived at Cataraqui on the morning of store goods, as Carleton Island ever was. Yorkers July 30, 1783. Ross had with him 25 officers During the Fall, several officers, as well were first settlers of and 422 other ranks, of which more than as two merchants who had followed the half belonged to the Royal Yorkers. army to Cataraqui, erected houses on mili- The month before his arrival, Major tary lands adjacent to the barracks. These Kingston Samuel Holland, Surveyor General of houses were all occupied by November 3 of Canada, had written a report concerning that year. As these houses had been built on “arrangements for the re-establishment of crown land, Lt John Howard, KRRNY was 6 this important Post”. He noted that enough required to sign a form stating: of the French fort remained to “lessen the expense of its re-establishment”. So when Cataraqui, 3d. November, 1783. Major Ross stepped ashore at the end of ingstonians have often given July, he immediately put his men to work I agree that the House which I have built is K Colonel John Bradstreet a special constructing a temporary barracks inside in no Respect to be Considered as Private place in the city’s early history, claiming that the ruins of the old fort. On August 17 he Property or Transferable by me without he helped lay the foundations of Kingston. was able to report to Governor Haldimand permission from the Commanding Officer, But if truth be known, following the cap- that work was underway on the barracks but to all Intents and Purposes belonging ture of Fort Frontenac in August, 1758 the and three houses were being dismantled on to the King and if his service shall require it French outpost was totally obliterated and Carleton Island and moved to Cataraqui. to demolition or in Case of bad Conduct on the fort leveled. From 1758 to 1783 there He also began the construction of a sawmill my Part to Forfeiture. was no European settlement at Cataraqui. at the waterfalls five miles above the settle- In July, 1783 Major John Ross, ment on the Cataraqui River. Lt David Brass John Howard, Lieut., K.R.R.N.Y. Commanding Officer of the KRRNY nd2 of Butler’s Rangers was instructed to build a Battalion, was ordered to leave his post at road to the sawmill, which became the first Identical letters were signed by John Howell Oswego and proceed to Cataraqui. He was road in Upper Canada. Orders were also (Sutler); Peter Clark (Merchant); Robert instructed to erect barracks, a grist mill, a given for a house to be constructed for Molly Hamilton (Merchant); and Oliver Church saw mill and other structures in preparation Brant. Major Ross expected that by the (Lieut., KRRNY). These men were the

Detail of the 1784 plan of Fort Frontenac and the town plot of Barracks built over the ruins of Fort Frontenac by Cataraqui, drawn by Lt John Holland, krrny. Major John Ross, krrny [ February, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 5

first persons to erect houses in Kingston: 1st – The Walls of the Old Fort remain Lime Kiln John Howard and Oliver Church were in the same state we found them – except Commanding Officer &E ngineers House officers in the 2nd Battalion of the Yorkers; the North Curtain, and the Old French Built. John Howell was a Serjeant Major in the Ravelin, both which are now repaired. N.B. Powder Magazine Yorkers; Robert Hamilton became a promi- 2nd – Pile of Soldiers Barracks Consisting nent merchant in Upper Canada; and Peter of Eight large Rooms Sufficient to contain By late Fall, 1783 the city of Kingston was Clark was the son of a Serjeant Major in the from forty to fifty Men each – Complete. well on its way, thanks in very large part to 8th Regiment. 3d – One Pile of Officers Quarters con- the officers and men of the King’s Royal On October 22, barely three months after sisting of Six Rooms, Now Habitable; and Yorkers. his arrival, Major Ross reported: Another of Twenty four, Nearly Complete. DWP 4th – A provision Store two Storys & a Shed State of the works and Buildings at this Hosptial Place as they Now stand. Bake House

 an instance of courage in 1776

was going through the letters of IBurgoyne’s Aide-de-Camp, Sir Francis Carr-Clerke, looking for the cool stuff that makes for good reenacting, and found the following, which, if I’ve ever seen it before, I’m astounded. “Before I close my letter I must not omit telling your lordship of one instance of cour- age that was shown at Trois Rivieres by a fair Countrywoman of ours that deserves to be recorded. The wife of Middleton, a sol- dier in the 47th Reg’t quite alone took and disarmed six provincial [in this case he means rebel] soldiers, and was the means of two more being taken also. The Circumstances were thus, which related to Gen’l Burgoyne villains to be fighting against your King and you’d imagine, a very modest, decent, well in my presence. She said she went to a house Countrymen?” and that on this they looked looking, well dressed woman.” about 1/4 mile from the river near the wood, sheepish. Therefore she said “You are all my for some milk to carry to her husband [note prisoners give me your arms,” that she then Off the record, I’d add that as we have innu- that this means she was foraging alone or with took their six firelocks, and placed them all merable stories from Germany (1756-9) other women, apart from the army, in defi- behind her; that two more remained out- and the Peninsula (1809-1814) of British ance of about 30 general orders] the 8th of side of the back door which she was more women armed in parties, it is all too possible June during the General engagement [she afraid of than all of the rest, that however that Mrs. Middleton, well dressed, pretty, did all this during the battle of Three Rivers]. standing between them and their [captured] and well mannered, had a pistol or a musket That on opening the door she saw six rebel arms, she called to some sailors at the River to help her manners and good looks. This is soldiers armed. This daunted her a little, side, to whom she delivered her prisoners, one heck of a good story. however she took courage, and rated them, and who also took the other two. …This saying “Ayn’t ye ashamed of yourselves ye is exactly true, and she is, contrary to what Brigadier Christian Cameron [ February, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 6

The other non-commission officers, and particularly the serjeants, depend in a great measure the discipline of a corps. It is more immediately their business to instruct and form the soldiers; and from their continual intercourse with them they have it in their Role of the NCO power to attend to matters, which cannot so well come under the notice of the offi- cers. But this very intercourse should not be carried too far. It has been observed before, z Williamson å but it cannot be repeated too often, that no military duty can be properly carried on without a due degree of subordination. This subordination of rank becomes more indispensably necessary among the inferior order, that is to say, among the serjeants, corporals, and private soldiers. Therefore in In the December issue of the Yorker Courant The serjeant-major must be perfectly every well regulated regiment the serjeants a quote was taken from John Williamson’s acquainted with the exercise and manoeu- are no more allowed to drink, play, or show “The Elements of Military Arrangement…”, vres, in which it will frequently be his any familiarity with the corporals, than the dealing with the responsibilities of the private business to inform the young officers. He corporals are with the private men. When soldier. Williamson goes on to discuss the role of must be well versed in the detail of regimen- too great familiarity has taken place between the non-commission officers (NCO’s). If you are tal duty in general, and of his own regiment a superior and his inferior, the authority of a serjeant or corporal in the Yorkers, or if you in particular; and must have a thorough the former over the latter becomes at best aspire to this rank, here is what was expected of knowledge of every branch of the service. but very precarious. you in the British Army of the 18th century: …The drum major has the command The serjeants being the nerves and sin- of all the drummers of the regiment, and ews of the corps, a commanding officer he non-commission officers are warns them in their turns for the different must in promoting private soldiers to the T appointed by the officer actually duties. At roll-calling and all other parades knot have principally in view the training commanding the regiment when vacan- he is to be answerable for the good appear- up and forming of proper characters for the cies happen; but afterwards can be reduced ance of the drummers, and is to report such halberd. Any active young soldier, who has into the ranks only by order of the colonel, as are absent without leave to the adjutant already perfected himself in the exercise, or the sentence of a court-martial. Those on or serjeant-major. He is likewise to see that and has some general knowledge of his duty the staff are the serjeant-major, the quarter- the drums are kept in repair. as a private sentinel, with an emulous ambi- master-serjeant and the drum-major. It is the business of the drum-major to tion of improvement, may be a fit subject The serjeant-major bears the same sub- instruct the young drummers in their duty, to to be made a corporal; but to make a good ordinate relation to the adjutant, as the teach them the different beatings, and to keep serjeant requires various qualifications, and adjutant does to the commanding officer; the disciplined drummers to practice as much great natural and acquired abilities. A ser- and as the adjutant keeps the roster of the as may be requisite. He must select two or jeant should not only be perfectly expert officers so does the serjeant-major keep that more to practice the field-duty, and must keep in the exercise of the firelock and halberd, of the serjeants and corporals, whom he one orderly to beat the serjeant and drummers and in all the parade and field duties; but warns for duty in their returns, and orders call, and all other orderly beatings in camp should likewise be able to instruct others: the quota of private men each company is to and garrison. At all beatings the drum-major and he will be not only required to inform furnish, according to the number of men in marches at the head of the drummers, and his inferiors alone, but sometimes his supe- each fit for duty. carries a cane, by different signals from which riors likewise. He must understand writing The serjeant-major must attend all he regulates their movements. and accounts, and must be well informed parades of the regiment, to see that the In action the drum-major puts himself in the whole routine of the service and the exact number of men, that were ordered for in the rear of the battalion, with all the customs of the army. Besides this experi- duty, are brought from each company, and drummers, except the orderly, to assist the ence in military matters, he should have that they are clean and well-dressed. He is wounded. Whenever the colours are taken acquired some knowledge of mankind, and to make the orderly serjeants and corporals out or returned, it is his business to uncase should have learnt the art of commanding, responsible for the least neglect in any of and put them up again in a proper manner. and, what is more difficult, that of obeying. these particulars. When the rolls are called, All corporal punishments being inflicted He should have acquired that respectful he assembles the orderly serjeant of each by the drummers of the regiment the and submissive deference to his superior company in front or rear of the regiment, drum-major is always to provide the proper officers, let their characters be what they in order to receive their reports and deliver instruments, and is to attend and oblige the will, which it requires length of time for them to the adjutant. drummers to do their duty. an Englishman to attain in perfection. He [ February, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 7 must have learnt to form no opinions of his corporal be not the same, yet they have a clean and well aired, and that the regulations own on the orders he may receive, (at least very intimate connexion with each other; established for mutual convenience by con- not to communicate them to others) to have and it is necessary that there be in every formed to. The serjeant of each company no will but that of his commanders, to be company one or more corporals, who can should be in the way when the officer of the impelled by no wish but that of distinguish- supply the place of the serjeants, when there day comes to visit the barracks, that they may ing himself in the execution of his duty, and is a deficiency of the latter, either from sick- be rendered answerable for the state of their to be animated by no other zeal than for the ness or other causes. own company, and ready to report whatever service he is engaged in. These various good To enumerate all the duties of the non- is deficient or out of order. qualities are, to be sure, seldom to be found commission officers would make a tedious A serjeant of each company must always united in any individual; yet it requires them and complicated detail. We must therefore attend to receive the orders of the day from in some degree, with many others, to con- confine ourselves to the principal heads. the serjeant-major, and to communicate stitute the character of a good serjeant. And first of the serjeants. them to his captain and the officers of his Since it requires such length of time and In camp the serjeants of each company company. It is his business likewise to experience to qualify a soldier to do the duty have a tent to themselves, but when the inspect all the men ordered for duty; to see of serjeant, it follows that none but young regiment is in barracks they are distributed that they are sober, clean and well dressed, men should be made corporals. Should the among the rooms in such a manner as to and that their arms and accoutrements are oldest soldiers in each company be promoted be best enabled to inspect the conduct of in good order. At roll-calling and all other to the knot, they might be superannuated, the soldiers, to regulate their messes, and to parades he is to report the absent without or at least unfit for service, by the time they superintend the whole oeconomy of the bar- leave to the officer commanding the com- became candidates for the halberd. rack. It is the part of the serjeants to see that pany, and to the adjutant or serjeant-major. Though the duties of the serjeant and their respective stair-cases and rooms be kept Every morning he must deliver to the com- manding officer of the company, and to the other officers, if they require it, a return of the state of the company, according to the regimental form. The serjeant who does this duty is called the orderly serjeant; and it is taken weekly by the serjeants in turn. It is the custom for the orderly serjeant of the colonel’s company to show the orders to all the staff-officers in the regiment. When any extraordinary occurrence hap- pens in the company the orderly serjeant is to inform his officers as, for instance, when a non-commission officer or soldier is con- fined; in which case he is to deliver a copy of his crime in writing. If the orderly serjeant of a company is ordered on guard, picquet or other duty, the serjeant that is next for the orderly duty acts for him till he is relieved; which is not afterward allowed for. The serjeants must be exact in their attendance for orders and careful in receiving them, that no mistakes be made to the delay or prejudice of the service. When on guard the serjeants must not quit it without leave: the orders they receive from their officers they are to issue to the corporals, if necessary, and observe that they communicate them without mistake to the sentries, whom they are to visit frequently to see that they are alert and attentive upon their posts. They are to be present at the turning out of every relief, not leaving it entirely to the care of the corporal to see that every man is sober and capable of doing the duty of sentinel. [ February, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 8

When an officer goes the rounds a ser- among themselves in like manner with the a squad they must pay the strictest attention jeant of the guard goes along with him to serjeants. In some regiments the orderly to the dress, discipline and behavior of their answer the challenge of the sentries, and to corporals make up the morning reports of men, and hold themselves in some measure give them the countersign. On an alarm, their companies instead of the serjeants; accountable for their good conduct. They or upon the approach of the rounds, or any and in others they make up the reports for must teach the recruits how to clean their other occasion when a guard is ordered to the subaltern officers of their companies, accoutrements and to mount and dismount turn out, the serjeants must be active in whilst the serjeants make them up for the their firelocks; and must not suffer one man getting the men under arms as quickly as captain or commanding officer. to do it for another. possible, and in completing the files. The orderly corporal keeps the size and When on guard it is the duty of the cor- On a field-day, or whenever the regiment duty roll of the company, and warns each poral to plant and relieve the sentries. When is under arms, the serjeants must keep a individual when it is his turn for duty. a corporal plants a young soldier he cannot watchful eye on the men of their company, Whenever the drum beats for orders he be too particular in giving him his instruc- and report to the officers such as are awk- attends with his firelock, and receives the tions, and informing him of every part of ward or inattentive, that they may be sent to orders from the orderly serjeant. He is to his duty as sentinel. the drill or punished. march the men of his company that are for When under arms, or drawn up in the In case an officer of a platoon or division duty from their quarters to the parade, and ranks, the corporals are not to assume any is killed in action the oldest serjeant of that must be responsible to the orderly serjeant, command, or presume to give any direc- platoon or division is to take command of it, who is in like manner to be responsible to tions; but must attend to the work of till another officer comes up. the serjeant-major, for their good appear- command in like manner with the private A serjeant’s command is from 12 to 18 ance. It is the orderly corporal’s business to men. It is expected that a corporal be more with a corporal, and that of a corporal from report the sick of the company to his own particularly expert and graceful in handling 3 to 9 privates. No non-commission officer officers, and to the surgeon of the regiment. his arms, as he is to serve as a model to the can change his duty without leave of the The corporals must be exact in keeping young soldiers: but he should not confine serjeant-major or the adjutant, as well as the their roster, that no soldier may have cause his views to perfecting himself in his own commanding officer of his company. of complaint by being sent on duty out of his duty, but should qualify himself as soon as The corporals take the orderly duty turn. When entrusted with the inspection of possible to do the duty of serjeant.

the Indian allies. It contains an unprecedented wealth of over 600 illustrations, including specially commissioned full-colour images Yorkers of uniforms, weapons, naval ships, insignia, in flags and battle plans. To the author’s credit, he made a point of stating that “the study of military uniforms is an inexact science. What soldiers wore at any particular time ART in military history is a subject of constant debate and is subject to at least three influ- ences: what the pertinent regulation stated g that they were supposed to wear; what period eyewitnesses have told us that they wore; and what the soldiers actually wore on the parade ground and in the field”. nder the Christmas tree this In the chapter on Loyalist Infantry, I U year was a new book entitled, “An found the latest artist’s conception of what Illustrated Encyclopedia of Uniforms the Yorkers looked like in 1776. The cap- from 1775-1783 – The American tion read, “Private, King’s Royal Regiment Revolutionary War”. The book is writ- of New York, 1776 – This was one of the ten by Digby Smith and Kevin Kiley and best and most effective of the Loyalist units published by Lorenz Books. It is an exten- fighting for the British, and they served at sive guide to uniforms of the American times with Butler’s Rangers on the northern militias and Continental Army, the armies frontier. They were originally uniformed and navies of Great Britain and France, in green with facings of various available German and Spanish units, and American colours, but were re-uniformed in red coats [ February, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 9 with dark blue facings, as they designated see the Yorker drummer in a white coat, regiment wore green coats, faced with dark a Royal regiment, after 1778. The regiment faced green, with a bear skin hat. The offi- blue. The regimental metal was silver, as was disbanded in 1784 after the war.” In cer and musketman are in long coats with indicated by the sword-belt plate in the the text of the Loyalist chapter it went on bicornes. collection of the United Empire Loyalist to say, “Initially uniformed in green with Museum in Williamstown, ON. Men of white facings and small clothes, the unit the battalion company wore tri-corn hats, was re-uniformed in red in 1778. The gai- while the light company likely wore flop ters shown with the green uniform came hats as illustrated in the Peachey painting of to the knee, and headgear was a roundhat the camp at New Johnstown”. bound in white tape, which was similar to the original uniform of the King’s American Regiment”. Amazing isn’t it? There is no shortage of artist’s renderings of what the Yorkers looked like during their years of service. Here are some more examples.

The book, “American Loyalist Troops 1775-84”, put out by Osprey Publishing as part of their Men-at-Arms series, shows a Light Company Yorker (ca. 1776-79) in a green coat, faced red. The plate commen- tary indicates that the coats were green, “and probably with red facings”. It acknowledges that the clothing delivery from Quebec in August, 1776 included green, scarlet So there you have it! Five different pieces and buff material. The picture depicts the of art showing the Yorkers in every con- Yorker in a cap, but suggests that this may ceivable style of dress – roundhats, caps, This post card picture was printed in have been limited to the Light Coy, as there bicornes, long coats, short coats, white fac- 1976 by I/R Miniatures, Inc., Ballston Spa, is a reference to the regiment wearing hats ings, red facings, blue facings, white small NY. The caption with this picture reads, “well cocked”. And of course there is the clothes, bluff small clothes, etc, etc. And so “Johnson’s Royal Regiment, ‘The Royal Don Troiani painting, “The Oneidas at the we return to Digby Smith’s statement in Greens’ and Butler’s Rangers, ca. 1777. Battle of Oriskany”. His depiction of the his Illustrated Encyclopedia. “The study Men of the New York Colony and Canada Yorker looks very much like the Embleton of military uniforms is an inexact science”. loyal to King George III joined these loyal- picture in the Osprey book. Perhaps we should just take pleasure in the ist battalions to attack and pillage the New And we shouldn’t forget the artwork done fact that the Royal Yorkers are so frequently York and Pennsylvania frontiers during the by Garth Dittrick (father of Cpl Brock depicted in the art illustrating the history of American Revolution”. You’ll notice that Dittrick) for an Ontario Bi-Centennial the American Revolution, and enjoy it for the writer softened the rhetoric by replacing poster in 1984. This Gavin Watt-looking what it is. the word “rape” with “attack”. Interesting to officer has the caption, “Before 1779 the DWP [ February, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 10

had been sent out to find out more about the foray were overdue and had still not been heard from. Captain John Munro had th hoped to divide the rebels’ manpower three 230 Anniversary ways but now, six days after they should have pulled back, his men suspected that of they were the only raiders still deep inside enemy territory. Even worse, one of Roger’s rangers had deserted from Major Carleton’s Munro’s Raid force and told the rebels of their numbers and their plans. Militia from Schenectady in the Mohawk Valley had marched up to Ball’s Town to man the small stockaded fort. The rebels of Ball’s Town were armed to the teeth and waiting for them. The raid- ers knew the penalty of being caught. hose who attended the event at After sinking their boats in Bullwagga Captain John Munro decided to pro- T Schoharie last Fall are quite famil- Bay, just behind Crown Point, Captain ceed only as far as Colonel Gordon’s iar with Sir John Johnson’s October, 1780 John Munro’s force marched only seven neighbourhood. Accordingly, the raiders raid into the Schoharie and Mohawk miles the first day, as their knapsacks were continued southwards, slipping through the Valleys. However, many of us may not far too heavy. Finally they buried part of dark woods on an Indian track which was know that ten days before the burning of their provisions and lead shot where it could only twelve or eighteen inches wide. The Schoharie (October 17), another promi- be picked up on their return. Four days later, traffic on these forest trails was silent, but nent Yorker officer setout from Crown padding along a well-beaten Indian trail, sometimes heavy: a well-worn Indian trail Point with 100 King’s Royal Yorkers, 34 they came to the Sacandaga River, whose might be beaten to a depth of a foot below Rangers and a party of Mohawk Indians, Mohawk name meant “place of the roar- the level of the surrounding earth. with orders to join Johnson’s larger force ing water.” Here they heard that Carleton’s On the evening of October 16 the rang- in the Valley. In the book, “Skulking for force, which comprised the main part of the ers and Indians, the eyes and ears of the the King – A Loyalist Plot” a description diversion, had demolished both Fort Anne party, were scouting through the woods of this action is provided. and Fort George and had then retired to when they discovered a rifleman who had Ticonderoga, behind British lines. been sent out to search for their tracks. They …At the beginning of October 1780 The next day Lieutenant William Fraser killed him instantly and took his scalp. In Captain John Munro was told that he was and his companions returned from Ball’s the dark and moonless night the main body to lead a party which included some of his Town with a disconcerting lack of news. of the raiders felt their way cautiously along own Royal Yorkers, and Fraser’s and the There they had received no word of Sir what their Captain called “the worst road I Mohawk scouts. Munro’s group set off with John Johnson’s raid on the Mohawk Valley. ever traveled.” Ten miles from the centre of a larger force under Major Carleton. The Had it been called off? The five men who Ball’s Town they began passing the cabins of Major’s objective was to destroy the north- ern forts of the New York frontier in order to prevent them from being used as a base for another invasion of Canada. Sailing south along Lake Champlain, the combined fleet comprised eight large vessels and twenty six bateaux. Major Carleton, with most of the troops, proceeded all the way down Lake Champlain for a surprise attack on Fort Anne. Captain John Munro’s party, how- ever, turned aside near Crown Point. They sank their boats to avoid detection and then disappeared into the woods. Captain Munro immediately sent off three rangers and two Indians to the Mohawk Valley for news of Johnson’s raid. He also dispatched Lieutenant William Fraser and a Mohawk to scout out their own target of Ball’s Town… [ February, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 11 farmers. Many of them served as guides to Captain Munro’s party, but when he offered them money they refused it. Despite this help the raiders groped about and became entirely lost several times, even the Indians. At about eleven o’clock the moon rose and they got their party together again. They passed several houses pointed out by Lieutenant William Fraser as belonging to friends and an hour later arrived at Colonel Gordon’s house. Captain Munro lined up his Royal Yorkers two paces apart to make them look, he hoped, like a force of consid- erably more than a hundred. He was helped out here by the moonlight which glinted off their shouldered guns and fixed bayonets. It fell to the ranges and Mohawks to storm Colonel Gordon’s hours. According to a story passed down in his family, the Colonel was awakened by bayonets shat- tering the glass of his bedroom window. He sprang from his bed and made for the hall, which was filling with raiders. “As he opened the door a gigantic savage raise his tomahawk, but before the blow could descend upon his head, the arm of the Indian was caught by one of the officers in command. At this moment the brass clock in the hall struck the hour of twelve, where- to the Sacandaga River, they began to climb men who earlier that night had guided the upon an Indian standing near shattered it in the mountain. The long file struggled up raiders to their target. A post rider was sent pieces with his tomahawk, exclaiming as he the path, heavily loaded with joints of meat. galloping off with the news that Ball’s Town did so, ‘You never speak again!’” “Each prisoner, with his hands tied, bare- had been overrun by an enormous force. Colonel Gordon, his two manservants footed and but partly dressed, was guarded Captain Munro had orders to strike at and three slaves were captured and carried by two men with loaded muskets, one in Saratoga but he was unwilling to go near the off. Stopping only long enough to seize front and the other in the rear.” By this time place when he found out how many of his Captain Tyrannis Collins and several other some of the captives were having trouble men had families there. The loyalist women officers of the rebel militia and to take all keeping up: several old men and a lad with and children, lodged in the troops’ barracks the bread and flour that could be found, an infected foot. According to Mohawk while they waited to be exchanged, would the raiders set fire to the rebels’ houses and custom these people belonged to their cap- have been desperate to follow them. Speed barns. “The men were not at all pleased that tors and it was with difficulty that Captain was essential and food caches, uncertain. Of they had not more satisfaction of the rebels,” Munro persuaded the Indians to let these the supplies they had buried, some had been reported Captain Munro, “but I thought prisoners return home. Even after he had taken by other parties of fleeing loyalists, my remaining any longer would endanger secured the Mohawk’s consent he wisely and the rest destroyed by animals. Even as the whole party.” With backward glances took extra precautions. “Finding that (the it was, his men had arrived back from their towards the flames which would illuminate Indians) were determined to follow and mission half-starved and with their shoes any pursuers, they drove off enough cattle kill them, I ordered the guard in the rear and moccasins in tatters. They had fulfilled and pigs to last them for their return jour- to leave (the prisoners) five or six miles far- most of its objectives, nevertheless. ney and escaped into the darkness. ther behind than the place proposed, which The rest of that night they spent coaxing saved their lives.” their larder “thro’ morasses, swamps and The Schenectady militia set off after the mountains.” Finally, when they stopped raiders and soon met some local people who, for breakfast at the foot of Kayaderosseras exaggerating gleefully, told of having seen Q Mountain, Captain Munro ordered them 500 tories and Indians. Gravely they cau- to kill the livestock and every man to take tioned the rebels to turn back. The militia as much as he could carry. The afternoon, willingly took their advice, little suspecting having rejoined the Indian path which led that they were being instructed by the same [ February, 10 ] the yorker courant Page 12

— Letters to the Editor — house square, St. Paul Street, and was the confiscated by the Rebel’s or the Indians. He originator of the Montreal Gazette, issued and his family were left with nothing, as were every Wednesday on and after June 3rd, all the families that walked to Canada. A Bundle of Joy Our bundle of joy finally arrived on 1778. The first volume was in French and When Philip Buck, along with Jacob Sunday, Jan 10 at 8 pm. It’s a girl - Alexis English, a harmless production according Bowman and Adam Bowman, were released Sofia Anderson, weighing 7 lbs 3 ozs , to the prospectus. M. Mesplet and his edi- from prison in New York, they headed back 21 inches long, with blond hair and blue tor, M. Jotard, did not succeed in adhering to the Forty Fort in the Wyoming Valley to eyes. Mom and Dad are very excited and to their promise of a “harmless production”. find their families. On the way, Jacob and exhausted after spending the last few days In fact, it was considered a scurrilous sheet Adam Bowman were captured again, which at the hospital. We are home now and are in called Tant pis tant mieux, the first French left Philip on his own in a raw wildness recovery mode. Cheers! journal published in America, “defaming all that he did not know. Discovering that the Michael and Elena Anderson the King’s officers and trying to throw the women and children had left for Canada, colony into confusion.” They were arrested Philip did the same. But again, with no pro- and ultimately banished. visions for the arduous trip to Fort Niagara. H E Y! YOU! YOU, TH E R E ! Gavin Watt, provided this picture of In all the recordings of these women and YES, YOU!!! Someone out there in Yorker land has Fleury Mesplet. children, none of their given names have ‘borrowed’ a 7-Yrs War pattern green leg- DWP been mentioned. I have taken a daring step ging from me and not returned it. You!! Are here and will offer my suspicions concern- you guilty??? Come on, cough up! I want it ing these hardy and daring families. back. Now, not later… now! — Links — Somewhere along the trip the Commander Uncle Gavin of the British forces in Niagara heard of the Loyalist Women: The plight that these women and children were in while walking to Canada. Nothing has been Picture of Fleury T r e k of 5 W om e n and 3 1 recorded, that I can find, telling us just where Mesplet Children In the December issue of the Yorker Although the American Revolution is filled the Scouts and Indians met up with them on Courant the article, “ Yorker Christmas with many personal accounts of difficult expe- the trail. The Commander had given orders Eve – 1783”, made mention of Fleury riences and hardships, the following account is to “bring them in,” and that is just what they rd Mesplet. He was the proprietor of the indeed an incredible story. This account comes did. It may have been Nov. 3 , and most first printing press in Montreal, and the from a family history webpage on the internet. likely it was 1778. publisher of its first books, a couple of If you want more details, including the names The 5 women were: Anna Marguerite religious works in French. In 1776 he left of the 31 children and various anecdotes con- Buck (wife of Philip Buck), Magdalen Philadelphia to accompany the commis- cerning their war experiences, go to: Secord (wife of James Secord), Pricilla Nelles sioners who were sent to Montreal to confer http://www.beth-website.net/Trek.html (wife of Henry Nelles), Elizabeth Bowman with General Arnold after the failure of (wife of Jacob Bowman), and Mrs. Young his attack on Quebec. One of their plans In 1773 Philip Buck settled with his family (wife of Johan Adam Young). was to start a French newspaper under the in Wyoming. Philip was taken from his home After the women and children arrived at direction of Mesplet. When the rebel army on 3 Jan 1778 and was held in Philadelphia, Niagara, they were taken by boat to Sorel, withdrew from Montreal, only the printer Pennsylvania for a time, then sent to New (near Montreal) and were protected there. In remained. He started business in the custom York to be put on trial. The wives and chil- time their husbands arrived and were granted dren of several imprisoned men were being land by King George III, for their patriotism threatened and very poorly treated. Deciding to the crown, and were given the designation they could no longer take the chance of stay- as United Empire Loyalists. ing in their homes in the area of Forty Fort in the Wyoming Valley, the five women took the chance that walking to Fort Niagara, The COURANT Ontario would be safer than staying where YORKER N·Y News & Wisdom from Sir John’s Regt.– The King’s Royal Yorkers they were. In the fall, the 5 women and 32 children walked to Fort Niagara in the cold editor October and arriving at Fort Niagara on the 3rd of Nov. No timeline has been offered to Dave Putnam [email protected] the length of time it took, but the tired, hun- gry, and scared party of women and children did make their Trek. layout Leaving everything they owned behind was Chritopher Armtrong a difficult task, but it had to be done. In Philip carmstrong @ interbrand.ca Buck’s claim for losses in 1783 it states that all his land, household, utilities, animals etc. were