In 1757 and again in 1758 Prime Minister Pitt requested the northern colonies in British North America to furnish 20,000 men for the coming campaign seasons, and the southern colonies for large, but unspecified numbers. The response to this call was met with varied enthusiasm; Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York were as always willing to do their share and more. The northern colonies furnished about 17,000 men for 1758 and the following years; the southern colonies much fewer. There were no provincial forces participating in the sieges of Louisbourg in 1758 or the Quebec in 1759. The British army that operated against Fort Carillon in 1758 contained, however, a majority of provincial troops, although most of the fighting was done by the regulars. On the other hand, the capture of Fort Frontenac in 1758, was done by a force dominantly provincial. The main task of the provincials during this war was as a non-combat element, largely as pioneers and transportation troops.