American Revolution
1778 British 52nd Regiment of Foot Clothing Returns Unit Saw Action at Lexington & Concord and Suffered Heavy Casualties at Bunker Hill, and in the Siege of Boston, Battle of White Plains, at Rhode Island & at Fort Montgomery, NY
April 16, 1778-Dated Revolutionary War Period, British Army Manuscript Document headed, "Return of Articles Received from the 2nd Master Generals Store by the 52nd Regiment", Signed, Captain Collier, Paymaster of the 52nd Regiment of Foot, New York (City), Choice Extremely Fine.
This original 1778 British Manuscript Document is the record of various clothing items returned to the 2nd Master, General Store, in New York by the 52nd Regiment of Foot. This document measures about 13" x 7.75" and consists of columns and totals handwritten on clean high quality laid period paper with a "W. Quelch" maker's watermark. Signed at the bottom by Captain Collier, Paymaster of the 52nd Regiment of Foot. Included are hundreds of items, such as Jersey Hose, Shirts, Shoes, Thread, Buttons, Thimbles, etc. The total value of all the items was 304 Pounds, 4 Shillings, and 6 Pence. The British 52nd Regiment of Foot saw action at Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, the Siege of Boston, the Battle of White Plains, and the Occupation of Rhode Island. This historic document was created shortly after the 52nd's participation in the Battle of Fort Montgomery, and submitted just before the unit disbanded in August 1778 returning to England.
52nd (Oxfordshire) British Regiment of Foot: American War of Independence
Twenty years after its founding, the regiment saw active service in the American War of Independence, from 1774 to 1778. The 52nd was shipped to America from Canada, arriving in Boston, and fought in the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill in 1775.
Major-General William Howe led the main assault at Bunker Hill with Brigadier Robert Pigot leading the 52nd and 43rd Foot in support. This was the first occasion that the 52nd fought alongside the 43rd. They suffered heavy casualties at Bunker Hill, and in their grenadier company, only 8 men were left unwounded.
In August, 1778, the men were drafted into other regiments and the officers returned to England. The regiment obtained new recruits and in 1782 the introduction of county titles for regiments resulted in the 52nd adding "Oxfordshire" to their name.