76th Regiment of Foot (MacDonald's Highlanders) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 76th Regiment of Foot (MacDonald's Highlanders) |
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|---|---|
| Active | 1777–1784 |
| Country |  Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | One battalion |
| Engagements | American Revolutionary War |
The 76th Regiment of Foot (MacDonald's Highlanders) was a special Scottish army group. They were also called 'MacDonnell's Highlanders' because their leader was Colonel John MacDonnell. This group was formed in 1777 in the west of Scotland and its islands. They were a type of light infantry, which means they moved quickly.
Contents
History of the Highlanders
This army group was created on December 25, 1777. It was formed by the Clan MacDonald in the west of Scotland and the western islands. The group had seven companies of soldiers from the Highlands. It also included two companies from the Lowlands and one company from Ireland.
Early Days and a Dispute
In March 1778, the regiment received its special flags in Inverness. They then moved to Fort George to live in barracks. A year later, in March 1779, they moved to Perth.
While in Perth, some soldiers had a disagreement about their pay. This led to a small rebellion called the Burntisland mutiny in March 1779. Major John Sinclair, 11th Earl of Caithness was in charge at the time.
Journey to America
After the mutiny, the regiment was sent to Jersey in the Channel Islands. In August 1779, they sailed to New York to fight in the American Revolutionary War. Major Sinclair, who was also known as Lord Berridale, was badly hurt during the Siege of Charleston. This big battle happened from March to May 1780, and American and French forces lost.
Battles and Capture
The regiment started fighting more actively in March 1781. They were led by Major Francis Needham, 1st Earl of Kilmorey. They fought in the Battle of Black Swamp in June 1781. They also fought in the Battle of Green Spring in July 1781, where they defeated the French leader Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette.
Just three months later, in October, the regiment was captured. This happened during the Siege of Yorktown. The soldiers were then separated and held in different places across Virginia.
End of the Regiment
After the war ended in 1783, the regiment returned to Scotland. Sir Robert Stuart took command of the group. The 76th Regiment of Foot was officially ended in March 1784 at Stirling Castle.
Leaders of the Regiment
The main leaders of the regiment were:
- 1777–1784: Colonel John MacDonnell of Lochgarry
* The regiment was ended in 1784
