71st Regiment of Foot

The 71st Regiment of Foot was a regiment of infantry raised in 1775, and unofficially known as Fraser’s Highlanders. It was disbanded in 1786. The regiment was raised at Inverness, Stirling and Glasgow by Lieutenant- General Simon Fraser of Lovat as the 71st Regiment of Foot in 1775. It was specifically intended for service in the American Revolutionary War.

After service in the northern colonies, the regiment was sent south in December 1778. From that time forward all parts of the regiment were involved in most actions of the southern campaign. The 71st was to incorporate numerous colonial recruits, though the morale of the unit as a regular regiment was high.

The 1st Battalion under Major Archibald McArthur was assigned to Tarleton’s command to pursue Daniel Morgan’s Flying army until the clash at Cowpens. The only men to escape the Cowpens debacle were those few left guarding the baggage train in the rear. As a result of the defeat the regiment thereafter wore no uniform facings. The officers of the 71st petitioned Cornwallis that the regiment never again serve under Tarleton’s command, and Cornwallis honoured the request.

The remnants of the 71st would fight on, and surrendered at Yorktown.