

The regiment had melted away during this war from three thousand to four hundred men, due partly to the sword and partly to the climate."

Captain Johann Ewald of the Hessian Jaegers recorded in his diary (February 2, 1780) that "The remainder of the 71st Scottish Regiment, which had arrived from Savannah, joined us here. The 71st suffered significant losses in 1779-1780 due to illness. The following year (1780), the 71st participated in the siege of Charleston and was garrisoned at Cheraws, South Carolina, when the British established a system of outposts in that state. In that same campaign it served with distinction at Briar Creek, Stono Ferry, and the siege of Savannah (1779). The 71st participated in the capture of Savannah (1778), and Augusta (1779) in Georgia. While in New York, the 71st participated in the raid on Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey (1778), and the grenadiers of the regiment were captured at Stony Point (1779). The regiment returned to New York in December, 1777. Afterwards, the regiment was used to guard the British baggage and to help secure the Delaware River. The following spring (1777), the regiment was active in New Jersey and fought at Short Hills that summer, the 71st accompanied William Howe to Pennsylvania, where it fought at Brandywine. The regiment was sent to New York in 1776 and participated in the battle of Long Island, and served in a minor capacity at White Plains and Fort Washington. The 71st Regiment of Foot was raised in 1775 among the Highlanders of Scotland it was the first British regiment to be raised after the start of the war.
