The Word Goes Out...On to Fort Frederick!

Posted by Sgt. Malcolm A. MacWilliam on April 09, 2001 at 14:16:06:

9th April 1759
Fort Bedford at Reastown

Journal Entry:

Finally...finally, our Highland Grenadiers seem to be getting back to a routine. Everyone seems well, there are no intrigues brewing, no enemies in sight.

Last evening, brother Davey Gunn and I took leave to walk a bit. With us came JohnsTon, MacGregor, Drummer Armstrong, Seamus, Flags and Tales. While brother Davey and I were sitting by the fire, talking quietly, laughing about the recent fever which I suffered, and other reminisces, the others walked up. With enough other men on duty, I decided that a wee trek was in order, to find a quiet spot and enjoy each others' company. Capt. Croy gave us leave, winking at me and silently mouthing, "Don't forget to break the news!"

Without muskets, but with our other weapons in order, Davey and my other comrades walked toward the forest, as the sun was just beginning to set. We walked about 50 yards into the woods and found a small clearing. Finding ourselves seats, we sat in a circle and began to discuss the past month's events. The warmth of friendship welled up and I must admit, I was a bit misty eyed as I looked around the circle at these friends and cousins of mine.

We have been through so much, good times and bad. Comical times and dangerous, lean times and fat. Although I miss my dear Scotland and my dear wife Maggie more than can be told here, I will find it almost impossible to leave these men who have been part of my life for two years, since we landed here in the colonies (of course, I've known brother Davey much longer than two years!!).

We relived the past 2 years, the Red Leaf and Redbud stories, our acquaintance with Col Bouquet and others, the times with Sign Talker (where is he and Bristlebrush?), our brushes with death and battle, and so on and so on. So many adventures, and within that hour we sat and talked, we laughed and cried. We solved no problems but the bond which we have with each other grew even stronger in just that one hour.

And as we sat, reminiscing, quietly we were surrounded by a flock of sheep and Uncle Angus and Uncle Quasi slipped in and sat among us. Not a word was spoken to them (although Uncle Quasi gave us a great grin, then reached over and kissed his son Seamus square on the lips!), and not a word came from them, for their strong presence was enough to bolster us to an even greater height of comradeship.

Then, I broke the news. The news which I had just had from Capt. Croy. There was a trek in the future!! A trek of return, a trek to Fort Frederick, where many of our adventures were planted, nurtured, and grew last year. In three weeks time, Capt. Croy would lead the 77th Regiment, Grenadier Company, to Frederick, along with some Pennsylvania Provincials to MaryLand to take barracks in the Fort and make sure that no French are lurking nearby. A huzzah went up from my comrades when they heard this...for to them, it would be more of a holiday.

And so, we prepare. Prepare for another trek south to Fort Frederick. With comrades we will once again trek, and maybe with a few songs and drink, enjoy warm evenings by fires alight inside the stone walls of the King's fortress.

God Save the King and God bless all my comrades!!

Sgt. Malcolm A. MacWilliam, 77th Reg't of Foot, GrenCoy

Follow Ups:

• Re: The Word Goes Out...On to Fort Frederick! English Trader 13:59:12 4/10/2001 (8)
  • Re: The Word Goes Out...On to Fort Frederick! Sgt. Malcolm MacWm. 15:32:48 4/10/2001 (7)
    • Re: The Word Goes Out...On to Fort Frederick! English Trader 09:13:18 4/11/2001 (6)
      • Re: The Word Goes Out...On to Fort Frederick! Sgt. MacWm. 10:21:56 4/11/2001 (5)
        • Re: The Word Goes Out...On to Fort Frederick! Theresa 16:56:14 4/11/2001 (0)
        • Re: The Word Goes Out...On to Fort Frederick! English Trader 10:38:07 4/11/2001 (3)
          • Re: The Word Goes Out...On to Fort Frederick! Sgt. MacWm. 10:51:23 4/11/2001 (2)
            • Re: The Word Goes Out...a toast at Fort Frederick! English Trader 19:38:09 4/11/2001 (1)
              • Re: The Word Goes Out...a toast at Fort Frederick! Sgt. MacWilliam 20:24:42 4/11/2001 (0)

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: 9th April 1759
: Fort Bedford at Reastown

: Journal Entry:

: Finally...finally, our Highland Grenadiers seem to be getting back to a routine.  Everyone seems well, there are no intrigues brewing, no enemies in sight.

: Last evening, brother Davey Gunn and I took leave to walk a bit.  With us came JohnsTon, MacGregor, Drummer Armstrong, Seamus, Flags and Tales.  While brother Davey and I were sitting by the fire, talking quietly, laughing about the recent fever which I suffered, and other reminisces, the others walked up.  With enough other men on duty, I decided that a wee trek was in order, to find a quiet spot and enjoy each others' company. Capt. Croy gave us leave, winking at me and silently mouthing, "Don't forget to break the news!"

: Without muskets, but with our other weapons in order, Davey and my other comrades walked toward the forest, as the sun was just beginning to set.  We walked about 50 yards into the woods and found a small clearing.  Finding ourselves seats, we sat in a circle and began to discuss the past month's events.  The warmth of friendship welled up and I must admit, I was a bit misty eyed as I looked around the circle at these friends and cousins of mine.

: We have been through so much, good times and bad.  Comical times and dangerous, lean times and fat.  Although I miss my dear Scotland and my dear wife Maggie more than can be told here, I will find it almost impossible to leave these men who have been part of my life for two years, since we landed here in the colonies (of course, I've known brother Davey much longer than two years!!).

: We relived the past  2 years, the Red Leaf and Redbud stories, our acquaintance with Col Bouquet and others, the times with Sign Talker (where is he and Bristlebrush?), our brushes with death and battle, and so on and so on.  So many adventures, and within that hour we sat and talked, we laughed and cried. We solved no problems but the bond which we have with each other grew even stronger in just that one hour.  

: And as we sat, reminiscing, quietly we were surrounded by a flock of sheep and Uncle Angus and Uncle Quasi slipped in and sat among us.  Not a word was spoken to them (although Uncle Quasi gave us a great grin, then reached over and kissed his son Seamus square on the lips!), and not a word came from them, for their strong presence was enough to bolster us to an even greater height of comradeship.

: Then, I broke the news. The news which I had just had from Capt. Croy.  There was a trek in the future!!  A trek of return, a trek to Fort Frederick, where many of our adventures were planted, nurtured, and grew last year.  In three weeks time, Capt. Croy would lead the 77th Regiment, Grenadier Company, to Frederick, along with some Pennsylvania Provincials to MaryLand to take barracks in the Fort and make sure that no French are lurking nearby.  A huzzah went up from my comrades when they heard this...for to them, it would be more of a holiday.

: And so, we prepare.  Prepare for another trek south to Fort Frederick.  With comrades we will once again trek, and maybe with a few songs and drink, enjoy warm evenings by fires alight inside the stone walls of the King's fortress.

: God Save the King and God bless all my comrades!!

: Sgt. Malcolm A. MacWilliam, 77th Reg't of Foot, GrenCoy 


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