Seven Years War

25 October, 1739
Black Watch ordered formed into 43rd regiment,
from the Independent Companies raised in 1729.
View the text of the warrant that raised the 43rd Regiment
from the Independent Companies.

May, 1740
Regiment assembled for the first time, in Perth.

Winter, 1741 - March, 1743
Regiment returned to Highlands and resumed
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.

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 received
word of the battle at Ticonderoga.
View the text of the warrant that gave the Regiment its Royal distinction.
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. Received 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 Black Horse 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.

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