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the 84th * or Royal Emigrants,
with recruits from Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, &c., sprung up,
under Lt.Colonel Allan McLean, of the late 104th Highland Regiment,
Captains Malcolm and Hugh Fraser, late of the 78th. This corps was
installed in our "grim and stern keep, which watches over the city." Such
is the confidence placed in the skill and bravery of Colonel McLean that
the staunch little garrison, 1,800 strong, is placed under his orders by
Sir Guy Carleton. During the agony of that dreadful winter of siege,
famine, small pox, with traitors in and out of the city; with Crown Point,
Fort St. John, Chambly, Montreal, Sorel, Three Rivers, in fact every foot
of ground round Quebec (except that enclosed by the walls) in the
possession of the New
England and New York soldiery, the
Scotch commander was found to be "the right man in the right place." Aided
by the Regulars—by the Canadian Militia, under brave Colonels Dupré and La
Maitre,—by the English Militia under Col. Henry Caldwell,—by British
seamen, Masters and Mates, led by Capt. McKenzie and Capt. Hamilton, Col.
McLean, under the eye of Guy Carleton, proudly upheld the banner of Merry
England on the bastions of Quebec, but there only in all New France. Once
the flag of Britain was firmly implanted in Canada, the Scot turned his
mind to new fields of enterprise—to commerce and the tilling of the soil.
‘Tis a pleasing spectacle to
witness, later on, the substantial acknowledgment of services rendered,
made by
* Two
BATTALIONS—EMBODIED IN 1775—REGIMENTED IN
1778.
"1st battalion was to be raised from
the Highland Emigrants in Canada, and the discharged men of the 42nd, of
Fraser’s and Montgomery’s Highlanders who had settled in North America
after the peace of 1763. Lieut-Colonel Allan McLean (son of Forlish) of
the late 104th Highland Regiment was ap pointed Lieut-Colonel Commandant
of the 1st battalion. The men of the 1st battalion settled in Canada;
those of the 2nd in Nova Scotia, forming a settlement which they named
Douglas. Many of the officers, however, returned home."—(Brown’s HISTORY
OF THE HIGHLANDS, vol. IV., p. 309. |
