The Sweet Bond of Human Things’: Soldiers Seeking Peace, 1760

Abstract

Sir Jeffrey Amherst was angry- Late the previous night on 23 February 1760 Lyitelion’s appeal for help had arrived In his headquarters,¹ presenting him with an Irritating distraction from the Imminent drive on Montreal. For that operation he would need every unit at his disposal. But the treachery, as he saw it, of the Chcrokccs could not be Ignored, and now he was framing the orders which would send Montgomery back to South Carolina with the best part of two regiments. The ‘Royal’ and Montgomery’s own 77th, both Highland formations, were to produce a four-company battalion each, to be commanded by Majors Hamilton and James Grant respectively. To provide a coherent force of skirmishers, so necessary In Indian warfare, each regiment was to provide a company of light Infantry, the pair to be brigaded under the elder of the two captains. A similar half-battalion of grenadiers provided a powerful reserve.²