Historical Record of the Sixty-first, or the South Gloucestershire Regiment of Foot / Containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1758, and of its subsequent services to 1844.

by Richard Cannon

HISTORICAL RECORD

OF THE

SIXTY-FIRST,

OR

THE SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT

OF

FOOT.

---

1755
1756

In the early part of the eighteenth century, the British Colonies in North America were extended along the coast;—at the same time, the Indian trade drew many persons into the interior of the country, where they found a delightful climate, and a fruitful soil; and a company of merchants obtained a charter for a tract of land beyond the Allegany Mountains, where they commenced establishing a settlement. The French laid claim to this part of the country, drove away the settlers, and erected a fort to command the entrance into the lands on the Ohio and the Mississippi rivers. These aggressions giving indication of an approaching war, the British army was augmented in the winter of 1755-6, and that distinguished veteran corps, the Third Regiment of Foot, or the Buffs, was increased in numbers to twenty-two companies, and was divided into two battalions in 1756.