ANNALS OF THE KING’S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS: VOL1 “ The Royal Americans” 1755-1802

A colourful and exciting unit history of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps which originated in Britain’s wars in the Americas during the 18th and 19th centuries under the first of its great battalion commanders, Henri Bouquet. In this first of five volumes, the unit is continually in action in America, Canada and the Caribbean. In the Seven Years’ War with France (1756-1763) its battle honours included Fort William Henry; the siege of Louisbourg; Ticonderoga; and the capture of Forts Frontenac and Duquesne. The unit fought under General James Wolfe on the Heights of Abraham to take Quebec, and its commander, Jeffrey, Lord Amherst, wrested Montreal from the French. Its final action in the war was the capture of the Caribbean island of Martinique. The Corps helped put down the revolt of the famous Ottawa Algonquin Indian chief Pontiac in 1763-64; defeating him at the battle of Bushy Run and lifting the siege of Fort Pitt. In the American War of Indpendence (1775-1783) the unit took part in the brilliant action at Briar Creek and successfully defended Savannah, but failed to hold St Vincent and west Florida. Run down after Britain’s loss of the United States, it was resurrected and expanded during the French Revoutionary wars, capturing Tobago and Martinique (again!) as well as St Lucia, and brieflty held Guadeloupe. In the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812 with the US, the unit again saw action, capturing Martinique for a third time and fighting in and against Spain. With nine appendices, 12 illustrations and 7 maps.