Posted by Corporal M. A. MacWm., 77th Highlanders, Grenadiers on September 06, 2000 at 08:09:46:
6th Sept 1758
The Camp at Loyalhanna
Journal Entry:
Evening has arrived, all is now quiet after a Sighting which left us in awe and delight. We arrived here at the Loyalhanna Creek a few days ago and while entrenchments had been started by an advance guard, they were abandoned upon the orders of Major Grant. Upon reonnoitering, the Major along with our own Captain Croy, decided that the heights overlooking this creek would be a better situation for the stockade to protect this area as we move forward to the French at Duquesne. The provincials have been digging new entrenchments for the past two days to fortify the heights and the engineers and pioneer troops are working on bringing in lumber to begin the stockades. As Grenadiers our task is to patrol and protect all. I would rather carry a musket than a shovel and pick!!
Col. Bouquet remains at Reastown, but we believe he to be advancing this way. General Forbes lies sick at ShippensTown along with the remainder of our 77th Highlanders.
We understand that Sir John (St. Clair) has been ordered east to confer with the governor of the province, by the name of the Honorable Denny. Col. Bouquet is angered by the lack of provincial support for this expedition, especially in the manner of wagons and horses. Sir John is to confer with Gov. Denny and request, nay...order!, him to commission every wagon owner from this colony to give of their wagon and animals to bring supplies up to this army as we gather to attack the French. With over 6000 troops involved in this expedition, the Quarter Master General, Sir John, must work day and night to keep the troops in supplies and food.
We have heard rumours that if this Gov. Denny does not comply, we are to march back east and take, by force, all wagons and animals which we find, and even quarter ourselves in Philadelphia, taking military control of that city. These rumours, along with the provincials work on the entrenchments, and previous problems, have put everyone on their guard and that brings me to the events of this evening.
Two of our lads, young Ian Stewart and MacFarland, stumbled into an argument with several provincials who seemed to be laying in wait for trouble outside our camp this evening. It seems that the provincials made derogatory comments about our lads' kilts and Stewart and MacFarland made some comments about the smell and laziness of provincials. A knife was drawn by a provincial, but before our lads could get into it, an event occurred which both awed and delighted brother Gunn and myself. We first knew there was trouble when we heard several shouts from the edge of camp, then screams and groans. We tumbled out of our tents, Davey and myself in the lead when we came to the edge of camp, what a sight beheld us!
Stewart and MacFarland were standing in the middle of ten provincials lads, all of whom were on the ground holding their stomachs and heads, groaning, many of them bloody and torn. We heard a shout of "Pax Aye, my dearies, Ye have done well this evening!" and a few white tails dissapearing into the forest with a two kilted Highlanders at the lead of, yes....the army of sheep!
It seems that, from Stewart's and MacFarland's report, as the knife was drawn by the provincial lad and a slice was made at our lads, out of the forest came white shapes, the army of sheep, led by a Highlander with walking stick and another young lad in a kilt. It was indeed Uncle Angus and possibly wee John MacKay whom we know to be with our Uncle. As Angus and wee John knocked the astonished provincial lads over the heads and about the shoulders, the army of sheep butted them in the stomachs and bowled all the lads over, then trampled them as they left.
Uncle Angus is surely among us! Now, the candle flickers and a night of splendor and wonder must come to an end. Aye, evil abounds in the world, not only from the French and the savages, but from our own allies, these colonists. But, Uncle Angus continues to protect us and watch over our doings. I must sleep. Another day of patrol as this fort is built will be upon us in just a few hours.
God Save the King! May St. Andrew bless Uncle Angus, our protector!
Corporal Malcolm A. MacWm., 77th Grenadiers.