Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

May 1803. — H. Caldwell statement on John Graves Simcoe
CWF Rockefeller Library Special Collections. SCMO1930.6.19

L^t . Gen^l . Simcoe "Being addicted from his early youth to military
affairs, he entered the Army as an Ensign April 27, 1770,
in the 35^th Reg^t . then quartered in Exeter. Instead of losing his
time in trifling or despicable acovations M^r . S. in consequence
of great attention to his duty, was rewarded with the appointement
of Adjutant to the Reg^t . in less than two years, his commission
bearing date March 27^th , 1772, & he succeeded to a Lieutenancy
March 12 1774. This is a useful lesson to the younger part
of the British army, who are too apt to fancy that the only
requisites to form an officer are to dress well drink hard &
take their tour of duty from the roster.

Among the Troops ordered to America, in 1775, was the 35^th Reg^t .
& as L^t . Simcoe, from his professional knowledge was justly
deserving of notice, he was accordingly promoted to a Company
in the 40^th one of the Corps which distinguished itself in that
unfortunate context.

In the course of the war many provincial battalions were raised
in America, one of which was given to Cap^t . Simcoe, & in compliment
to Her Majesty, called the Queen's Rangers; of this he was appointed
Major Commandant. As the head of this Corps which was
actively employed under the most enterprising officers, such as
L'Cornwallis L'Rawdon Co^l . Tarleton &c. he exhibited many proofs
of his professional talents. In consequence of this, on the 23^d , of June,
1779, Gen^l . Sir H. Clinton, the Commander in Chief, gave him
the local rank of L^t Co^l ., which was afterwards established in the army.

I was much pleased with the letter of your much respected
Father to Lord Barrington, it was wrote with that Energy, of
character sound policy, foresight which marked his
character. I have more than once listened to him with
pleasure, in the winter 1758, [uprobating] at Admiral
Durells Table, the apprehensions of the other Captains
at the dangers they would have to Encounter the
ensuing Spring in the navigation of the St. Laurence.
by that letter; I see that expedition, was founded in
Conformity to his ideas, that he had formed just ideas
of the Geography of the Country, & of the future greatness
that it might arrive at — as well as of its immediate
consequence to the Mother Country; & it is to be regretted
that he did not live to have at least the satisfaction
of witnessing the success of Wolfe, of whose character
& ability no man had formed more just or higher ideas.