Hamilton's 82nd Regiment of Foot
BRITISH ARMY IN THE REVOLUTION
by Edward E. Curtis
pp. 165-167
From the Secretary at War –
Letter, dated the 3d of January, 1778, to Colonel Francis McLean.
War Office, 19th December 1777
Sir
I am commanded by the King to acquaint you, that His Majesty approves of your Proposal for raising a Regiment of Foot in the Highlands of Scotland; to consist of Eight Battalion Companies, One Company of Grenadiers, and One of Light Infantry. The Battalion Companies to consist each of 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 1Ensign, 5 Serjeants, 5 Corporals, 2 Drummers, and l00 private Men; the Grenadier Company of 1 Captain. 3 Lieutenants, 5 Serjeants, 5 Corporals, 2 Drummers, Pipers, and 100 private Men; the Light Infantry Company of 1 Captain, 3 Lieutenants, 5 Serjeants, 5 Corporals, 2 Drummers, and 100 Private, with the usual Staff Officers. The Regiment to have the Field Officers under mentioned; viz. One Lieutenant Colonel and One Major. each having also a Company; and One Major without a Company, receiving an Allowance of 10s per Diem in lieu: thereof, and 5s per Diem as Major; but in case of the Death or Promotion of the additional Major, the Pay of such Major is to cease upon the Establishment.
The Regiment to be under your Command as Colonel Commandant, with the Command of a Company.
I am to inform you, that Levy Money will be allowed you at the Rate of £3 per Man, for 1,082 Men; and that His Majesty has been pleased to direct, that the Pay of the Regiment shall take place from the Date of your Beating Order; and shall be allowed you in Aid of Recruiting, on Condition that you do render an exact Account of the said Levy Money, and Pay, that shall be issued to you, charging against it Five Guineas for each Man reviewed and approved, together with the Subsistence of the Non-commissioned Officers and private Men, from the Day of their respective Attestations; and if there should be any Balance remaining it is to be considered as a Saving to the Public, to be hereafter disposed of as shall be thought proper
No more than three Guineas will be allowed to be given to each Recruit.
None are to be enlisted under Five Feet Four Inches nor under Eighteen Years, or above Thirty.
It is required, that the Regiment shall be actually raised and approved (after being reviewed by a General Officer) within Four Months from Date hereof.
I have represented to His Majesty, that you humbly hope you shall be indulged in recommending the Officers, being such as are well affected to His Majesty, and most likely, by their Interests and Connections, to assist in raising the Corps without Delay; but that you do not desire any Commissions for them until the Regiment shall have been raised and approved.
You will therefore be pleased to send me, for His Majesty's Consideration, a List of such Persons as you propose for Officers; who, if they meet with His Royal Approbation, may be assured that they shall have Commissions as soon as ever the Regiment is completed. And I am to acquaint you, it is His Majesty's intention that the Companies which shall be first raised shall entitle their Captains and Subalterns to Seniority in the Regiment, according to their respective Ranks, and the different Periods at which the said Companies shall be completed.
I am to inform you that in case the Persons approved by the King for the Rank of Major should be of less than Five Years standing in the Army as Captains, they are to pay £300 each for their Commissions; which sums are to be carried in Aid of the Charges brought on the Public for Levy Money, and credited to the General Account.
I am likewise authorized by His Majesty to acquaint you, the Officers will be entitled to Half Pay in case the Regiment shall be reduced after it has been established.
I have the King's Commands to add, that as Orders are given for several other Highland Corps, it is His Majesty's Intention, that their Seniority in the Army shall be determined by the Periods at which they shall be respectively completed.
I have the Honour to be,
Sir, etc.
Barrington
Honourable Colonel William Gordon
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[Commons Journal, pp. 613-614]
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