Highlander History and the Gaelic Language

[BrierCreek]

I am taveling to Scotland to do some historical research on a 18th Century Highlander Regt. This is the 71st Fraser Regt. (which formely were known as the 78th Regt.) I am studing a battle that the Fraser 1st and 2nd Bat. were in on March 3 1779 in Georgia USA commonly known as Brier/Bryar/Briar/and even Boston Creek in some 71st web pages. I am an Archaeologist about to work on this Battlefield. I am travelling to at least 3-4 research sites around Scotland to look for what historical documentation might be in your country or ANYTHING giving information on the 71st Regt. What I am trying to understand is: Will I be missing out on letters or personal accounts of the battle BECAUSE many may have been written in Scotish Gaelic? I am considering hiring an individual to possibly aid me on my visit to some acrchives. Anyone interested or that can help PLEASE contact me. It appears, however, that this might me an extremely difficult task due to the few people that actually still speak or read the language? This saddens me since it is such an interesting language!! I am trying to find some personal soldier writings or records on this battle and understand the 71st Highlander's experience of it. Any help would be much appreciated!!! And if you know how to translate: Bryar and Briar Creek it would be extremely helpful so I might be able to search that translation on the internet. And NO it is not for a flippin tattoo. LOL Thanks in advance!!

[hiorta]

May I suggest that you contact the University of Highlands and Islands, where Gaidhlig is spoken, taught, researched and promoted.

SMO

[tig]

Originally Posted by BrierCreek

however, that this might me an extremely difficult task due to the few people that actually still speak or read the language? This saddens me since it is such an interesting language!!!

contrary to claims elsewhere there are loads of people who can speak and read gaelic.....we're practically tripping over them so i dont think finding someone will be too difficult

[ANDY-J3]

Any primary sources from that period even if they had been written in Gaelic would subsequently have been translated into English. Wikipedia itself isn't always a reliable source but if you go to the article on the 71st regiment and look at the bibliography it might give you a few clues as to sources of information. In fact one of the sources cited refers specifically to the campaign fought by the 71st regiment in Georgia - "Campbell, Archibald, Journal of an expedition against the rebels of Georgia in North America under the orders of Archibald Campbell, Esquire, Lieut. Colol. of His Majesty's 71st Regimt., 1778, The Ashantilly Press, Darien, GA, 1981" - so it might contain a first hand account of the battles you are studying.

[maxkirk]

From what I can glean on the net , the 71st (Fraser) Regt. and the 78th (Fraser) Regt. are not one and the same with a re-numbering .

Raised in Stirling and Glasgow in 1775 in two battalions. A third battalion was raised in 1777. The 71st arrived in New York in 1776 and fought at Long Island and Fort Washington. A detachment fought at Forts Clinton and Montgomery. The Frasers then served in the Jersey and Philadelphia campaigns with battle at Brandywine. The Second Battalion was sent to Wilmington in 1777 and returned to NY later that year and fought at Little Egg Harbour, New Jersey in 1778. The grenadier company captured Stone Point, New York in 1779. All three battalions served in the South with the Grand Army. Much of the Regiment was taken at Yorktown in 1782. The 71st was disbanded in Scotland 1783.


American Rebellion

The 78th assembled at Inverness, and soon recruited to full strength. In fact, when the regiment embarked at Glasgow in April 1757, it was accompanied by so many volunteers that three additional companies were authorized. When another company was added in 1758, the unit had a formidable strength of 1,542 all ranks.

The 78th Fraser Highlanders - Regimental History

[BrierCreek]

I have and know about most written 71st Highlander thats out there EXCEPT the materials that are possibly tucked away in an archives in Scotland or other place. IF anyone knows of anything associated with the 1st and 2nd Battalion during this period, please let me know.