Jenny joins me in compliments to Mrs. Fonda.
I am, Sir,
Your humble servant,
Callachie, 15th March, 1777. Helen McDonell."[125]
Immediately on the arrival of Sir John Johnson in Montreal, with his party who fled from Johnstown, he was commissioned a Colonel in the British service. At once he set about to organize a regiment composed of those who had accompanied him, and other refugees who had followed their example. This regiment was called the "King's Royal Regiment of New York," but by Americans was known as "The Royal Greens," probably because the facings of their uniforms were of that color. In the formation of the regiment he was instructed that the officers of the corps were to be divided in such a manner as to assist those who were distressed by the war; but there were to be no pluralities of officers,—a practice then common in the British army.
In this regiment, Butler's Rangers, and the Eighty-Fourth, or Royal Highland Emigrant Regiment also then raised, the Highland gentlemen who had, in 1773, emigrated to Tryon county, received commissions, as well as those who had previously had joined the ranks. After the war proper returns of the officers were made, and from these the following tables have been extracted. The number of private soldiers of the same name are in proportion.
"First Battalion King's Royal Regiment of New York.
| Rank | Name | Place of Nativity | Service | Remarks |
| Captain | Alexander Macdonell... (Aberchalder) | Scotland | 8 yrs. | 200 acres of land in fee simple, under Sir John Johnson, at yearly annual rent of £6 per 100. |
| Captain | Angus Macdonell | Scotland | 25 yrs. | Ensign in 60th Regt., 8th July, 1760; Lieut. in do. Dec 27, 1770; sold out on account of bad health, May 22, 1775. Had no lands. |
| Captain | John Macdonell... (Scotas) | Scotland | 8 yrs. | Had landed property, 500 acres, purchased and began to improve in April, 1774. |
| Captain | Archibald Macdonell... (Leek) | Scotland | 8 yrs. | Merchant; had no lands. |
| Captain... Lieut | Allen Macdonell... (Leek) | Scotland | 8 yrs. | Had 200 acres in fee simple, under Sir John, at £6 per 100 acres. |
| Lieut | Hugh Macdonell... (Aberchalder) | Scotland | 7 yrs. | Son of Captain Macdonell |
| Ensign | Miles Macdonell... (Scotas) | Scotland | 3 yrs. | Son of Captain John Macdonell. |
Second Battalion King's Royal Regiment of New York
| Rank | Name | Place of Nativity | Service | Remarks |
| Captain | James Macdonell | Scotland | 8 yrs. | Held —— acres in fee simple, under Sir John, at £6 per 100 acres. |
| Lieut | Ronald Macdonell... (Leek) | Scotland | 3 yrs. | Farmer. |
Corps of Butler's Rangers, Commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel John Butler
| Rank | Name | Place of Nativity | Service | Remarks |
| Captain | John Macdonell... (Aberchalder) | Invernessshire Scotland | 9 yrs. | Came to America with his father and other Highlanders in 1773, settled in Tryon County, near Johnstown, in the Province of New York; entered His Majesty's Service as a Subaltern Officer, June 14, 1775, in the 84th or Royal Highland Emigrants. |
| First Lieut. | Alexander Macdonell... (Collachie) | Invernessshire Scotland | 7 yrs. | Came to America with his father and other Highland Emigrants in 1773, settled in Tryon County, near Johnstown, in the Province of New York; entered His Majesty's Service as a Volunteer in the 84th or Royal Highland Emigrants. |
| Second Lieut. | Chichester Macdonell... (Aberchalder) | Invernessshire Scotland | 6 yrs. | Came to America with his father and other Highland Emigrants in 1773, and settled near Johnstown; entered His Majesty's Service as a Volunteer in the King's Royal Regiment of New York in the year 1778. |