THE 84TH REGIMENT

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A cairn to the 84th Regiment, Second Battalion, is located at  MacPhees Corner , Hants County, Nova Scotia erected in 1996 by two descendants of members who served.  The Second Battalion was based in Halifax, then at Fort Edward in Windsor and had companies stationed throughout the Atlantic region including at Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal. Quebec City was the initial headquarters of the First Battalion and it later moved to Sorel. It was the first Highland regiment formed outside of Scotland and drew some of its' recruits from Scottish settlers in North America. 

Fort Anne, Nova Scotia

The 84th Regiment began as a Provincial Corps,  the Royal Highland Emigrants, in 1775 organized by former Scottish officers in the British army. It was started in response to rebellious actions in the American colonies and became the 84th of Foot Regiment in 1778 when placed on the British regular establishment.  During the American Revolution the First Battalion saw action in the defence of Quebec and in New York colony while the Second Battalion defended Nova Scotia and also sent soldiers to serve in the Carolinas including at the Battle of Eutaw Springs.

There has been for many years a re-enactment of a Loyalist Encampment organized by re-enactors of the 84th Regiment held at Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal during the first weekend of August which I have participated. In 2015 I became a member of the 84th of Foot Second Battalion Regimental Association.

Certificate presented at Fort Anne

Flora MacDonald, the savior of Bonnie Prince Charlie, whose Jacobite forces were defeated at the Battle of Culloden on 16 April 1746 in Scotland, married Alan MacDonald, who became an Officer with the 84th Regiment and commander of the soldiers stationed at Fort Edward in Nova Scotia. They emigrated to North Carolina in 1774 and Alan MacDonald was commissioned a Captain in 1775 at the  start of the American Revolution.  At the Fort is a blockhouse with a plaque commemorating the winter of 1778 - 1779 that she spent living there before she returned to Scotland.


Further Reading:

The Monument to the Second Battalion, 84th Regiment by Brian McConnell, UE

The 84th Regiment of Foot, Royal Highland Emigrants - Loyalist Re-enactment by Brian McConnell, UE

A Highlander & Loyalist - Alan MadDonald by Brian McConnell, UE




Historian & Author, Member of United Empire Loyalists ' Association of Canada

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