Simon Fraser of Lovat (general)
Encyclopedia
General the Hon. Simon Fraser of Lovat, 19th MacShimidh (19 October 1726 – 8 February 1782) was a Scottish
general in the British Army
who raised a number of fighting forces, and served in the war against the French in Quebec
, as well as the American rebellion
. Simon was the 19th Chief
of the Clan Fraser
.
, Lord Lovat
, had recently been pardoned for his role in supporting the Jacobites during The Fifteen. He grew up learning, and became fluent in, Gaelic
, French
, and English
, and probably Latin as well. At the Battle of Culloden
, Simon, along with Charles Fraser of Inverallochy
, commanded several hundred Frasers, who were front and centre in the Jacobite lines. General Hawley
reportedly found Charles lying on the field, and ordered a young James Wolfe
to shoot him. Wolfe refusing, Hawley found another common soldier to do his dirty work. Simon, on the other hand, escaped the field complete with life and limb, and went on to serve in the British Army.
companies" should prove extremely useful to the British Army. Simon, whose estates, money, and hereditary titles had all been attainted
from his father following the Forty-Five
, raised 800 men within a few short weeks, and Gentleman friends of his in the district had soon raised another 700, in 1757. Simon was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel Commander of the 2nd Highland Battalion of Foot on 5 January 1757. The Regiment came to about two Battalions, and while they were in New York
, it was decided they should be renumbered as the 77th Montgomerie Highlanders
and the 78th Fraser Highlanders
.
Among the officers commissioned into the of the 78th, 15 were Frasers, five of whom had the name of Simon (three Johns and three Alexanders as well). There were 13 MacDonalds (or MacDonnells), six Camerons
, and six Campbells
.
Since the Dress Act of 1746, Scots were not allowed to wear the dress of their forefathers, "the Highland Dress," including Kilts, Trews
, and other Tartan
clothing. However, the act did not apply to those involved in His Majesty's armed forces. The act had been in effect for a full 10 years by the time the 78th was raised, and Simon fought quite hard, on several occasions, to ensure that his men would be dressed in full Highland military garb.
, in southern Ireland
. They were to assemble in Inverness
by 20 April and march to Glasgow
, through Fort Augustus
, where they would be billetted for one night, and on to Glasgow for final training. On 10 May they were to leave Glasgow for Port Patrick via Ayre
, the onto transports to Donaghdee via Larne
. From there, they were to proceed down Ireland's east coast to Cork, where they would embark 14 May, though no destination was given in these first orders.
in 1758, at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham
in 1759, at the capture of Montreal
in 1760 and at the capture of St. John's
, Newfoundland
in 1761. In 1763 at the end of the war, they were disbanded in what is now Canada. Many soldiers remained in the area of Quebec.
, Stirling
and Glasgow
as the 71st (Highland) Regiment of Foot (Fraser's Highlanders), two battalions were raised. In 1776 both battalions of the 71st Highlanders sailed to New York
and took part in the American War of Independence. The 2nd Battalion was captured in Boston
in 1776 and reformed in Scotland in 1778 before returning to America. Both battalions fought throughout the war, though the 2nd Battalion was captured a second time at Yorktown
in 1781. The 2nd Battalion was disbanded in 1783 and the 1st Battalion disbanded in 1786.
, bought back much of his father's estate, earned a small fortune, and earned a reputation as a soldier. Upon his death in 1782, Archibald Campbell Fraser of Lovat
, his half-brother, succeeded him as the 20th MacShimidh, or Chief of Clan Fraser.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
general in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
who raised a number of fighting forces, and served in the war against the French in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, as well as the American rebellion
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. Simon was the 19th Chief
Chiefs of Clan Fraser
The following is a list of the chiefs of the Clan Fraser, in chronological order. The Chiefs of Clan Fraser often use the Gaelic patronym MacShimidh, meaning Son of Simon. Simon is the favoured family name for the Chiefs of Clan Fraser. They are often numbered 1st MacShimidh, 2nd MacShimidh, 3rd...
of the Clan Fraser
Clan Fraser
Clan Fraser is a Scottish clan of French origin. The Clan has been strongly associated with Inverness and the surrounding area since the Clan's founder gained lands there in the 13th century. Since its founding, the Clan has dominated local politics and been active in every major military conflict...
.
Master of Lovat
Simon was born in 1726, and his Clan was a prosperous one. His father, Simon "the Fox" FraserSimon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat
Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat , was a Scottish Jacobite and Chief of Clan Fraser, who was famous for his violent feuding and his changes of allegiance. In 1715, he had been a supporter of the House of Hanover, but in 1745 he changed sides and supported the Stuart claim on the crown of Scotland...
, Lord Lovat
Lord Lovat
Lord Lovat is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1458 for Hugh Fraser. The title descended in a direct line for nine sequential generations until the death of the ninth Lord in 1696. He was succeeded by his great-uncle, the tenth Lord...
, had recently been pardoned for his role in supporting the Jacobites during The Fifteen. He grew up learning, and became fluent in, Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic language
Scottish Gaelic is a Celtic language native to Scotland. A member of the Goidelic branch of the Celtic languages, Scottish Gaelic, like Modern Irish and Manx, developed out of Middle Irish, and thus descends ultimately from Primitive Irish....
, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, and probably Latin as well. At the Battle of Culloden
Battle of Culloden
The Battle of Culloden was the final confrontation of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. Taking place on 16 April 1746, the battle pitted the Jacobite forces of Charles Edward Stuart against an army commanded by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, loyal to the British government...
, Simon, along with Charles Fraser of Inverallochy
Inverallochy
The villages of Inverallochy and Cairnbulg lie some four miles east of Fraserburgh, in North East Scotland....
, commanded several hundred Frasers, who were front and centre in the Jacobite lines. General Hawley
Henry Hawley
Lieutenant General Henry Hawley was a British Army officer who entered the army in 1694.-Early life:He saw service in the War of Spanish Succession as a captain of Erie's Foot. After Almanza he returned to England, and a few years later had become lieutenant-colonel of the 19th...
reportedly found Charles lying on the field, and ordered a young James Wolfe
James Wolfe
Major General James P. Wolfe was a British Army officer, known for his training reforms but remembered chiefly for his victory over the French in Canada...
to shoot him. Wolfe refusing, Hawley found another common soldier to do his dirty work. Simon, on the other hand, escaped the field complete with life and limb, and went on to serve in the British Army.
Raising
Wolfe, mentioned above, was the first to suggest that "two or three independent HighlandScottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
companies" should prove extremely useful to the British Army. Simon, whose estates, money, and hereditary titles had all been attainted
Attainder
In English criminal law, attainder or attinctura is the metaphorical 'stain' or 'corruption of blood' which arises from being condemned for a serious capital crime . It entails losing not only one's property and hereditary titles, but typically also the right to pass them on to one's heirs...
from his father following the Forty-Five
The Forty-Five
The Forty-Five may refer to:* The forty-five guards, a bodyguard of Henri III and Henri IV of France* The Forty-Five, the 1745 Jacobite rebellion in Scotland and England...
, raised 800 men within a few short weeks, and Gentleman friends of his in the district had soon raised another 700, in 1757. Simon was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel Commander of the 2nd Highland Battalion of Foot on 5 January 1757. The Regiment came to about two Battalions, and while they were in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, it was decided they should be renumbered as the 77th Montgomerie Highlanders
77th Regiment of Foot (Montgomerie's Highlanders)
The 77th Regiment of Foot was a Highland Scots Regiment raised under Major Archibald Montgomerie, son of the Earl of Eglinton. It was originally raised as the "First Highland Battalion" in 1757, around Stirling, Scotland, with thirteen companies...
and the 78th Fraser Highlanders
78th Fraser Highlanders
The 78th Regiment, Regiment of Foot otherwise known as the 78th Fraser Highlanders was a British infantry regiment of the line unit raised in Scotland in 1757, to fight in the French and Indian War.-History:...
.
Among the officers commissioned into the of the 78th, 15 were Frasers, five of whom had the name of Simon (three Johns and three Alexanders as well). There were 13 MacDonalds (or MacDonnells), six Camerons
Clan Cameron
Clan Cameron is a West Highland Scottish clan, with one main branch Lochiel, and numerous cadet branches. The Clan Cameron lands are in Lochaber and within their lands is the mountain Ben Nevis which is the highest mountain in the British Isles. The chief of the clan is customarily referred to as...
, and six Campbells
Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically one of the largest, most powerful and most successful of the Highland clans, their lands were in Argyll and the chief of the clan became the Earl and later Duke of Argyll.-Origins:...
.
Since the Dress Act of 1746, Scots were not allowed to wear the dress of their forefathers, "the Highland Dress," including Kilts, Trews
Trews
Trews are men's clothing for the legs and lower abdomen, a traditional form of tartan trousers from Scottish apparel...
, and other Tartan
Tartan
Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns...
clothing. However, the act did not apply to those involved in His Majesty's armed forces. The act had been in effect for a full 10 years by the time the 78th was raised, and Simon fought quite hard, on several occasions, to ensure that his men would be dressed in full Highland military garb.
Ireland
On 1 April Simon was ordered to move his Regiment to CorkCork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, in southern Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. They were to assemble in Inverness
Inverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
by 20 April and march to Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, through Fort Augustus
Fort Augustus
Fort Augustus is a settlement in the Scottish Highlands, at the south west end of Loch Ness. The village has a population of around 646 ; its economy is heavily reliant on tourism....
, where they would be billetted for one night, and on to Glasgow for final training. On 10 May they were to leave Glasgow for Port Patrick via Ayre
Ayre
Ayre is one of six sheadings in the Isle of Man and consists of the parishes of Andreas, Bride and Lezayre.Ayre is also a House of Keys constituency, electing a single MHK....
, the onto transports to Donaghdee via Larne
Larne
Larne is a substantial seaport and industrial market town on the east coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland with a population of 18,228 people in the 2001 Census. As of 2011, there are about 31,000 residents in the greater Larne area. It has been used as a seaport for over 1,000 years, and is...
. From there, they were to proceed down Ireland's east coast to Cork, where they would embark 14 May, though no destination was given in these first orders.
Canada
The regiment fought at the capture of LouisbourgSiege of Louisbourg
Siege of Louisbourg may refer to:* Siege of Louisbourg , the capture of the settlement by British forces during the War of the Austrian Succession...
in 1758, at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham
Battle of the Plains of Abraham
The Battle of the Plains of Abraham, also known as the Battle of Quebec, was a pivotal battle in the Seven Years' War...
in 1759, at the capture of Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
in 1760 and at the capture of St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
in 1761. In 1763 at the end of the war, they were disbanded in what is now Canada. Many soldiers remained in the area of Quebec.
71st Fraser Highlanders
In 1775 Fraser's Highlanders were raised again in InvernessInverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
, Stirling
Stirling
Stirling is a city and former ancient burgh in Scotland, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area. The city is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town beside the River Forth...
and Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
as the 71st (Highland) Regiment of Foot (Fraser's Highlanders), two battalions were raised. In 1776 both battalions of the 71st Highlanders sailed to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and took part in the American War of Independence. The 2nd Battalion was captured in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
in 1776 and reformed in Scotland in 1778 before returning to America. Both battalions fought throughout the war, though the 2nd Battalion was captured a second time at Yorktown
Siege of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Yorktown, or Surrender of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington and French forces led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis...
in 1781. The 2nd Battalion was disbanded in 1783 and the 1st Battalion disbanded in 1786.
Later life
By the time Simon was through with the military, he had risen to the rank of generalGeneral (United Kingdom)
General is currently the highest peace-time rank in the British Army and Royal Marines. It is subordinate to the Army rank of Field Marshal, has a NATO-code of OF-9, and is a four-star rank....
, bought back much of his father's estate, earned a small fortune, and earned a reputation as a soldier. Upon his death in 1782, Archibald Campbell Fraser of Lovat
Archibald Campbell Fraser of Lovat
Colonel the Hon. Archibald Campbell Fraser of Lovat, 20th MacShimidh was the second son of Simon "the Fox" Fraser. Upon the death of his brother, Simon Fraser, in 1782, Archibald assumed the Chiefship of Clan Fraser, using the Gaelic patronym MacShimidh. Archibald died 8 December 1815, at the age...
, his half-brother, succeeded him as the 20th MacShimidh, or Chief of Clan Fraser.