Fraser Fencibles (1794)[edit]
In consequence of the advanced age of Archibald Fraser the chief of the Clan Fraser, (youngest son of the last Lord Lovat, and brother General Simon Fraser(1726–1782)) James Fraser of Belladrum, who had served under his chief in Canada during the Seven Years' War, was appointed to raise this regiment. It was completed in the spring of 1795, and was inspected and embodied at Inverness on 14 June same year. 300 of the men bore the name of Fraser, chiefly from the Aird and Stratherrick. With the exception of 30 Scottish Lowlanders, and 18 English and Irish, who had formerly served in the army, the rest of the corps were from the countries in the neighbourhood of these districts.[32]
The regiment was ordered to Ireland, where it arrived on 1 August 1795. In November 1797, Simon Fraser, the younger of Lovat, was appointed colonel, in consequence of the resignation of Belladrum. The Fraser Fencibles at the battle of Castlebar, and had the other corps behaved like them on that occasion the result would have been different. They were the last to retreat.[32] A Highland Fraser sentinel was desired by his friends "to retreat with them, but he heroically refused to quit his post, which was elevated, with some little steps leading to it. He loaded and fired five times successively, and killed a Frenchman at every shot; but before he could charge a sixth time, they rushed on him, [and] beat out his brains".[33]
During this trying service the Fraser Fencibles conducted themselves with great propriety.
The general character of the corps was excellent; they had a high degree of the esprit de corps; were obedient, active, and trusty; gaining the entire confidence of the generals commanding, by whom they were always stationed in the most distracted districts, previous to and during the rebellion. Many attempts were made to corrupt them, but in vain; no man proved unfaithful. The men were not in general large, but active, well-made, and remarkable for steady marching, never leaving any stragglers, even on the quickest and longest march.
— Major Fraser of Newton.[32]
This regiment was disbanded at Glasgow in July 1802.[32]
[32] Browne 1854, p. 377: Browne, James (1854), History of the Highlands and of the Highland clans: with an extensive selection from the hitherto inedited Stuart papers, 4, A. Fullarton and Co.:
Browne, James, History of the Highlands and of the Highland clans: with an extensive selection from the hitherto inedited Stuart papers. 4 vols. 1840- :
Vol. 1 : https://archive.org/details/historyofhighlan10brow
Vol. 2 :
Vol. 3 :
Vol. 4 :