Appointed 22nd May, 1756.
Jeffery Amherst attached himself in early life to the profession of arms, and in 1745 he was appointed captain and lieut.-colonel in the first foot guards. In 1756 he was promoted to the colonelcy of the Fifteenth foot; and in 1758 he was nominated commander-in-chief in North America (with the local rank of lieut.-general), and colonel-in-chief of the sixtieth regiment: in the following year he was promoted to the rank of major-general.
The achievements of the British forces in North America, during the period he was commander-in-chief in that country, are inscribed on an obelisk in the grounds of his seat at Montreal, viz:—
Louisbourg surrendered, and six battalions made prisoners of war, July the 26th, 1758.
Fort du Quesne taken possession of, 24th November, 1758.
Niagara surrendered, 25th July, 1759.
Ticonderago taken possession of, 26th July, 1759.
Crown Point taken possession of, 4th August, 1759.
Quebec capitulated, 18th September, 1759.