Brigadier-General Simon Fraser, British Mounted Officers, The American War of Independence 1775-1783--single mounted figure waving hat
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Item Number: SBRIT-01
Brigadier-General Simon Fraser, British Mounted Officers, The American War of Independence 1775-1783--single mounted figure waving hat
BRITISH MOUNTED OFFICERS
Even though the British army had campaigned in Europe and North America in previous recent conflicts, its staff organization at the time was still in the rudimentary stages of development. A commanding general would be able to organize his staff to suit himself, and his inner circle was not a planning staff in the modern sense, but a small organization dedicated to keeping the army supplied in the field and to carrying and supervising the general’s orders in combat.
The English leadership during this period was adequate, many times competent, but seldom brilliant.
The first commander in North America, Sir Thomas Gage was relieved after Bunker Hill. His successor, Sir William Howe had a string of battlefield successes to his credit, was respected by his men, but did not have the killer instinct of the true independent commander.
The Senior British commanders often failed to support each other when necessary. Howe falied Burgoyne in 1777, which led to Burgoyne’s defeat and surrender at Saratoga.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL SIMON FRASER
Brigadier General Simon Fraser (1729 – 7th October 1777) was a British Army officer who served in the American War of Independence. He was killed at the Battle of Bemis Heights of the Battles of Saratoga.
In 1776, Fraser’s regiment was transferred to Quebec in response to the American invasion, and Governor Guy Carleton promoted him to Brigadier General.
When John Burgoyne organized his Saratoga campaign in 1777, Fraser was chosen to command the advance unit.
At the start of the campaign, the advance corps had about 1,000 men. Besides Fraser’s own 24th Regiment of foot, he had a Grenadier battalion, a light infantry battalion, and a company of marksmen, along with some Canadian militia and first Nations auxiliaries.
Fraser’s command was in the vanguard during the taking of Fort Ticonderoga, and Fraser helped dislodge the retreating Americans.
On 7th July 1777, Fraser’s corps caught up with the American rear guard at the town of Hubbardton in the newly formed Republic of Vermont. At the Battle of Hubbardton in a sharp skirmish, he drove off the enemy, but with the loss of many men.
At the Freeman’s Farm on 19th September, he commanded the right wing and led four companies in a successful attack on Daniel Morgan’s riflemen.
Early in the Battle of Bemis Heights on 7th October 1777, Fraser fell to rifle fire from Daniel Morgan’s rifle brigade. Legend has it that a rifleman named Timothy Murphy was specifically ordered by Benedict Arnold to target Fraser, as he was vigorously directing and supporting his troops. He was carried to a nearby house and placed in the care of Baroness Riedesel, where he died that evening.
Also killed during the action was Francis Clerke (1748-1777), the aide-de-camp to General Burgoyne. Clerke was also shot and killed by Morgan’s riflemen as he rode upon the field to deliver orders to Fraser from Burgoyne to fall back, orders that never reached him.
Due to be released in MAY 2026.
