- Joined
- Feb 2, 2011
- Messages
- 2,389
JJDESIGNS NEWS UPDATE 29th DECEMBER 2025
THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY COLLECTION
THE AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE
BRITISH MOUNTED OFFICERS
Even though the British army had campaigned in Europe and North America in previous recent conflicts, its staff organization at the time was still in the rudimentary stages of development. A commanding general would be able to organize his staff to suit himself, and his inner circle was not a planning staff in the modern sense, but a small organization dedicated to keeping the army supplied in the field and to carrying and supervising the general’s orders in combat.
The English leadership during this period was adequate, many times competent, but seldom brilliant.
The first commander in North America, Sir Thomas Gage was relieved after Bunker Hill. His successor, Sir William Howe had a string of battlefield successes to his credit, was respected by his men, but did not have the killer instinct of the true independent commander.
The Senior British commanders often failed to support each other when necessary. Howe failed Burgoyne in 1777, which led to Burgoyne’s defeat and surrender at Saratoga.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL SIMON FRASER
Brigadier General Simon Fraser (1729 – 7th October 1777) was a British Army officer who served in the American War of Independence. He was killed at the Battle of Bemis Heights of the Battles of Saratoga.
In 1776 Fraser’s regiment was transferred to Quebec in response to the American invasion and Governor Guy Carleton promoted him to Brigadier General.
When John Burgoyne organized his Saratoga campaign in 1777, Fraser was chosen to command the advance unit.
At the start of the campaign, the advance corps had about 1,000 men. Besides Fraser’s own 24th Regiment of foot, he had a Grenadier battalion, a light infantry battalion and a company of marksmen, along with some Canadian militia and first Nations auxiliaries.
Fraser’s command was in the vanguard during the taking od Fort Ticonderoga, and Fraser heled dislodge the retreating Americans.
On 7th July 1777, Fraser’s corps caught up with the American rear guard at the town of Hubbardton in the newly formed Republic of Vermont. At the Battle of Hubbardton in a sharp skirmish he drove off the enemy but with the loss of many men.
At the Freeman’s Farm on 19th September he commanded the right wing and led four companies in a successful attack on Daniel Morgan’s riflemen.
Early in the Battle of Bemis Heights on 7th October 1777, Fraser fell to rifle fire from Daniel Morgan’s rifle brigade. Legend has it that a rifleman named Timothy Murphy was specifically ordered by Benedict Arnold to target Fraser, as he was vigorously directing and supporting his troops.
He was carried to a nearby house and placed in the care of Baroness Riedesel, where he died that evening.
Also killed during the action was Francis Clerke (1748-1777) the aide-de-camp to General Burgoyne. Clerke was also shot and killed by Morgan’s riflemen as he rode upon the field to deliver orders to Fraser from Burgoyne to fall back, orders that never reached him.
An Aide-de-camp (ADC) is a term derived from a French expression meaning “helper in the military camp”.
The Aides de camps, were often younger family members of the generals that they served, social status counted for more than skill in this position. These junior staff officers’ duties included taking their commander’s orders to the units concerned.
Originally these officers were detailed from regiments under the general’s command, and therefore wore their regimental uniforms.
In 1767 regulations were issued for the uniforms of the Aides de camp to be formalised, and later amended by 1782 for all ADC’s to wear red coats, with blue facings and to wear two gold epaulettes and gold lace.
They would also wear riding boots and spurs as they were frequently, if not exclusively mounted when on duty in the field.
Many regiments and corps of the British Army wore dark blue facings, and this mounted officer could easily have been mistaken as belonging to any number of them.
PLEASE NOTE THE FIRST OF THE BRITISH MOUNTED OFFICERS WILL BE AVAILABLE THIS SPRING.
Many thanks to Mike and Julie for their help and encouragement to continue the Advent Calendar.
Goodbye to 2025 and best wishes for 2026.
2026 will be a special year for JJD, as from May 2026 it will be the start of 20 Years of JJDesigns.
Best wishes,
john jenkins
THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY COLLECTION
THE AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE
BRITISH MOUNTED OFFICERS
Even though the British army had campaigned in Europe and North America in previous recent conflicts, its staff organization at the time was still in the rudimentary stages of development. A commanding general would be able to organize his staff to suit himself, and his inner circle was not a planning staff in the modern sense, but a small organization dedicated to keeping the army supplied in the field and to carrying and supervising the general’s orders in combat.
The English leadership during this period was adequate, many times competent, but seldom brilliant.
The first commander in North America, Sir Thomas Gage was relieved after Bunker Hill. His successor, Sir William Howe had a string of battlefield successes to his credit, was respected by his men, but did not have the killer instinct of the true independent commander.
The Senior British commanders often failed to support each other when necessary. Howe failed Burgoyne in 1777, which led to Burgoyne’s defeat and surrender at Saratoga.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL SIMON FRASER
Brigadier General Simon Fraser (1729 – 7th October 1777) was a British Army officer who served in the American War of Independence. He was killed at the Battle of Bemis Heights of the Battles of Saratoga.
In 1776 Fraser’s regiment was transferred to Quebec in response to the American invasion and Governor Guy Carleton promoted him to Brigadier General.
When John Burgoyne organized his Saratoga campaign in 1777, Fraser was chosen to command the advance unit.
At the start of the campaign, the advance corps had about 1,000 men. Besides Fraser’s own 24th Regiment of foot, he had a Grenadier battalion, a light infantry battalion and a company of marksmen, along with some Canadian militia and first Nations auxiliaries.
Fraser’s command was in the vanguard during the taking od Fort Ticonderoga, and Fraser heled dislodge the retreating Americans.
On 7th July 1777, Fraser’s corps caught up with the American rear guard at the town of Hubbardton in the newly formed Republic of Vermont. At the Battle of Hubbardton in a sharp skirmish he drove off the enemy but with the loss of many men.
At the Freeman’s Farm on 19th September he commanded the right wing and led four companies in a successful attack on Daniel Morgan’s riflemen.
Early in the Battle of Bemis Heights on 7th October 1777, Fraser fell to rifle fire from Daniel Morgan’s rifle brigade. Legend has it that a rifleman named Timothy Murphy was specifically ordered by Benedict Arnold to target Fraser, as he was vigorously directing and supporting his troops.
He was carried to a nearby house and placed in the care of Baroness Riedesel, where he died that evening.
Also killed during the action was Francis Clerke (1748-1777) the aide-de-camp to General Burgoyne. Clerke was also shot and killed by Morgan’s riflemen as he rode upon the field to deliver orders to Fraser from Burgoyne to fall back, orders that never reached him.
An Aide-de-camp (ADC) is a term derived from a French expression meaning “helper in the military camp”.
The Aides de camps, were often younger family members of the generals that they served, social status counted for more than skill in this position. These junior staff officers’ duties included taking their commander’s orders to the units concerned.
Originally these officers were detailed from regiments under the general’s command, and therefore wore their regimental uniforms.
In 1767 regulations were issued for the uniforms of the Aides de camp to be formalised, and later amended by 1782 for all ADC’s to wear red coats, with blue facings and to wear two gold epaulettes and gold lace.
They would also wear riding boots and spurs as they were frequently, if not exclusively mounted when on duty in the field.
Many regiments and corps of the British Army wore dark blue facings, and this mounted officer could easily have been mistaken as belonging to any number of them.
PLEASE NOTE THE FIRST OF THE BRITISH MOUNTED OFFICERS WILL BE AVAILABLE THIS SPRING.
Many thanks to Mike and Julie for their help and encouragement to continue the Advent Calendar.
Goodbye to 2025 and best wishes for 2026.
2026 will be a special year for JJD, as from May 2026 it will be the start of 20 Years of JJDesigns.
Best wishes,
john jenkins
