Which British regiment was raised in America during the war?

The Royal American Regiment was the British regiment raised in America during the French and Indian War. Created in 1756, it was formed to fight effectively in the forests and frontier conditions of British North America.

The regiment was initially organized as the 62nd (Royal American) Regiment and later became the 60th (Royal American) Regiment. Its unusual structure reflected the shortage of experienced British troops and the demands of warfare far from Europe. Recruiting included American colonists as well as foreign Protestant soldiers, particularly Germans and Swiss, whose experience in irregular or wooded fighting was considered valuable.

The unit was intended to combine the resources of a colonial force with the discipline of a regular British regiment. One of its notable officers was Henry Bouquet, a Swiss professional soldier who later became associated with improved British light-infantry tactics. The regiment served in several major campaigns in North America.

The name can be confusing because “Royal American Regiment” describes the unit’s early identity, while “60th Regiment” and eventually the King’s Royal Rifle Corps describe later stages of its history. The other options were separate units or belonged to different periods.