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The Freeman's Journal, Or, New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
British preparations for American campaign include victualling 50 transports in Cork by March 10, raising a new light infantry regiment, readying Boston transports for supplies, complaints of undermanned ships, and plans for an army of 43 foot regiments, 2 dragoons, 2000 marines, Highlanders, rangers, and guards under Col. Matthews.
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Orders are sent to Cork to get ready immediately provisions for victualling fifty sail of transports which will arrive there, if the wind permits, by the 10th of March: the rest of the transports which are ordered for America will take in their provisions in England, to prevent the Irish from being distressed by so great a consumption of the necessaries of life in that country.
A new regiment of light infantry is now raising to be sent to America; a serjeant in the said regiment in a new uniform, was presented to his Majesty on Friday last, & went through the whole manual exercise on an entire new plan before his Majesty and several general officers, in the King's riding-house, which gave universal satisfaction.
All the transports that have arrived here from Boston are to be docked and got ready as soon as possible, in order to take on board a quantity of porter and other fresh supplies, which are to be sent to the men of war stationed at America.
Several of the Captains have complained by letter to the Admiralty that their respective ships were too weakly manned to proceed to sea, which has been taken no notice of: in consequence of which they have had private surveys, and attestations signed by several officers of the exact state of their complements, in order to exculpate themselves, in case of accidents that may arise from the scandalous manner in which they have been sent to sea.
Upon an average, the ships of war now equipping for America, have not more than 6 seamen to go others in their complements.
By extracts from the London Public Ledger, dated Feb. 14, as inserted in the Halifax Paper of the 23d ult. it appears, that the Tyrant of Britain intends, the ensuing campaign, to have in America an army composed as follows, viz.
43 Regiments of foot.
2 of dragoons.
2000 Marines.
3 Battalions of Highlanders, raising in Scotland, to consist of 1000 men each.
Gorham's and McLean's corps, raising in America, to consist of 4 or 500.
1000 of the guards to be drafted from the three regiments, and commanded by Col. Matthews.
9 Companies of artillery.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
America
Event Date
Feb. 20
Key Persons
Outcome
planned army for ensuing campaign: 43 regiments of foot, 2 of dragoons, 2000 marines, 3 battalions of highlanders (3000 men), gorham's and mclean's corps (400-500 men), 1000 guards under col. matthews, 9 companies of artillery. ships undermanned with average 6 seamen per complement.
Event Details
Orders sent to Cork for provisions for 50 transports arriving by March 10; others provisioned in England to spare Ireland. New light infantry regiment raising for America, sergeant demonstrated new exercise to the King. Transports from Boston to load supplies for warships in America. Captains complain of undermanned ships to Admiralty without response; private surveys conducted. Ships equipping for America have only 6 seamen on average per complement. Extracts detail intended army composition for campaign.