History of the 42nd in North America

Seven Years War

25 October, 1739

Black Watch ordered formed into 43rd regiment, from the Independant Companies raised in 1729.
View the text of the warrant that raised the 43rd Regiment from the Independant Companies.

May, 1740

Regiment assembled for the first time, in Perthshire.

Winter, 1741 - March, 1743

Regiment returned to Highlands and reusmed duties performed by the Black Watch.

March, 1743

Regiment assembles in Perth, marches to London.

May, 1743

Upon speculation that the regiment was being sent to the West Indies, over 100 men of the regiment deserted. The deserters were captured, and the three ringleaders were shot, and the remainder were sent off to Colonies abroad.

1744-1746

Regiment served in the War of the Austrian Succession, distinguishing itself at Flanders.

1749

Renumbered 42nd.

1755

Seven years' War (French and Indian War) begins.
See here for more general information about the war.

1756

42nd comes to America, spends remainder of 1756 inactive in Albany.

Winter/Spring 1757

Regiment drilled for bush fighting and sharpshooting.

July-August 1757

Regiment sent to Halifax to participate in planned attack on Louisbourg, but returned to Albany after the attack was aborted due to a superior French naval presence.

8 July, 1758

British forces engage Montcalm's French at Ticonderoga. 42nd participates in famed charge on French lines and attempt to storm the breastwork, losing 315 killed, and 333 wounded.

"The battle was not regarded as a disaster, but as a triumphant display of Highland gallantry. Though it achieved nothing, it showed a heroic temper, and without a heroic temper, an army is worth very little."

Eric and Andro Linklater, "The Black Watch" (London: 1977)

22 July, 1758

42nd given 'Royal' designation. While the warrant was issued on July 22, it was planned and issued before London had recieved word of the battle at Ticonderoga.
View the text of the warrant that gave the Regiment its Royal desitinction.
2nd battalion raised.

Winter 1758

Spend winter rebuilding ranks on Long Island.

1759

2nd Bn. sent to West Indies, where it fought at Martinique and Guadaloupe. Later sent to Oswego while the 1st Bn. was at Ticonderoga and Crown Point.

May 1759

1st Bn. Participated in actions at Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and the lakes under Amherst.

Winter, 1759

2nd Bn. brought in with the 1st Bn. for the winter.

1760

Both battalions served in the army under Amherst, which moved down the St. Lawrence. Recieved the surrender of Montreal, together with that of the French Governor-General and the French army.

Winter 1760-61

Both battalions remained in Montreal for the winter.

4 April - 5 August, 1761

Moved from Montreal to Staten Island, to set out for West Indies.

1761

Regiment leaves America for Barbados to join armament against Martinique and Havana.

1762

War declared on Spain.

5 January, 1762

Regiment leaves Barbados for Martinique.

June, 1762

42nd takes part in capture of Havana. Following capture of Havana, 2nd Bn. was reduced and combined with 1st Bn.

October, 1762

Regiment returns to New York.

1763

Regiment selected to force protecting North American colonies.

Summer 1763

42nd sent to the relief of Fort Pitt. On the way, Light and grenadier companies, along with Henri Bouquet's Royal Americans, ambushed by Indians at Bushy Run. After suffering 29 killed and 36 wounded, the Indians were routed.

Winter 1763

Spent winter at Fort Pitt.

Summer 1764

8 companies sent with a force under Col. Boquet against Ohio Indians. Returned to Fort Pitt in January, 1765.

August, 1765

Captain Thomas Stirling leads a detachment of 100 men down the Ohio, where they took possession of Fort Chartres in October. The detachment remained at Chartres for the winter.

1766

Regiment leaves Fort Pitt for Philadelphia, joined by the Illinois detachment in June. After 10 months and 3000 miles, every man of the Illinois detachment returned in perfect health.

July, 1767

Left Philidelphia for Cork, Ireland.

1769

Regiment stationed in Dublin.

1770

Regiment stationed in Donaghadee and Belfast. Three companies also stationed in the Isle of Man.

1771

An additional company raised.

1772

Regiment used to keep peace between Catholics and Protestants in Antrim, and other places in Ireland. The 42nd was particularly good at this particular service, to due their knowledge of the Irish tongue, conciliating conduct towards the Irish, with whom they shared a common background.

1775

42nd returned to Scotland, gaining two companies.

American Revolution

1 May, 1776

Sailed for America.

3 August, 1776

Regiment landed on Staten Island.

27 August, 1776

Battle on Long Island and Brooklyn.

16 September, 1776

Battle of Harlem ("York Island").

November 16, 1776

Fort Washington taken by British forces, including the 42nd.

December 22, 1776

Action at BlackHorse on the Delaware

Winter 1776-1777

42nd takes up winter quarters in Brunswick.

February 13, 1777

Action at Amboy, New Jersey

March, 1777

Regiment moved to Pisquata, New Jersey. Repelled a superior force of Americans attacking provision wagons, for which they recieved an extra ration of rum.

May 10, 1777

Battle of Pisquata, New Jersey. The regiment fought bravely in this battle, receiving special commendation from Cornwallis.

5 September, 1777

Participated in a raid of privateer ships.

11 September, 1777

Battle of Brandywine (Pennsylvania).

5 October, 1777

Light Company participated in Battle of Germantown.

Winter 1777-1778

Encamped at Philadelphia for the winter.

April 1778

Expedition to destroy military stores in Portsmouth, Virginia.

28 June, 1778

Battle of Monmouth, Jerseys.

26 February, 1779

Battle at Elizabethtown, Jerseys.

July 1779

Americans re-captured Stony Point, in New York, prompting a force of the 42nd, 63rd, and 64th to re-take the fort.

1779

Remainder of 1779 spent in garrison at Stony Point, and Vereplanck, where the hard work performed by the regiment was noticed by General Sir Henry Clinton.

Spring, 1780

42nd participated in siege of Charleston, joining the battle late, as it was found more difficult than previously expected. The conduct of the regiment in Charlestown was commended in orders.

Winter 1781

Regiment takes up winter quarters in New York.

September-October 1781

Light Company participated in battle of Yorktown.

Summer 1782

While stationed at Paulus Hook, one private named Anderson was court martialed and shot for desertion, the first desertion since 1743.

22 October, 1783

Left New York for Halifax, Nova Scotia.

1786

Left Halifax for Cape Breton.

August, 1789

Regiment returned home, arriving in Glasgow in May 1790.