1st Pennsylvania Regiment

Here's a second regiment in Hunting shirts, in this case either died a dull yellow or made from deerskin or similar.

The flag is one of those carried by the First Pennsylvania regiment of the Continental Line.

These are Brigade Games figures, excellent sculpts by Paul Hicks. 

The first Pennsylvania fought at most of the battles in Pennsylvania and New Jersey during 1776 - 1778.

The flag is by Adolfo Ramos. Kike many Amwerican flags created prior to the Declaration of Indepence, it has the Union in the canton, and a solid colored field bearing patriotic emblems, in this case the Rattlesnake motif, with the motto, "Don't Tread on Me". 

Once again the "magic wash" really does work wonders on these figures!

This unit also has a re-enactor group: https://www.firstpa.org/index.html 

Hessian Feldjagers, American Revolutionary War

This is the first unit of what will be a fairly large German ("Hessian") contingent as part of my forces for the American War of Independence. 

The British really did commit a very large force in their attempt to crush the rebellion of the American colonies.  However, it was recognized that the existing forces available were inadequate to the task, especially considering the other demands on the British military. Therefore, they negotiated a treaty with the Landgrave of Hessen Kassel, which was signed on January 15, 1776. Bu its terms, the Landgrave agreed to provide a force of 12,000 men for service in North America.

Perhaps the most famous of these were the Hessian Jagers, who were experienced men armed with rifles. 

The first Hessian troops departed May 6, 1776, and arrived on Staten Island in New York in early August of that year. 

The Jagers had a very distinguished record during the war, and were well respected by both their British allies and the opposing Patriots. These are Perry figures. 

At times the legwear varied from tan or brown to dark green. The vests and jackets were dark green, with crimson facings. Belts were brown. Officers were distinguished by gold trim to their facings.

There is a US re-enactor group for this unit; here are some of the men at an event. Note the silver and red sash of the officer, as well as the gold trim on the facings. I'd call this shade of red scarlet more than crimson, but it looks sharp regardless. 

Another picture from their site, showing the hornist with his quite large hunting horn. There are various depictions of the colors of the cords used on the horns; I went with green and red. 

AWI 42nd Highlanders (Black Watch)

In 1725, six independent companies of Highland soldiers were raised by the English to act as military police there. These groups earned the name “The Black Watch” from their dark tartan plaids and their work suppressing crime and violence in the night hours. In 1739, King George II formed these units into the 43rd Regiment of Foot, later becoming the 42nd regiment. 

In 1758, the unit was given the title of the "Royal Highland Regiment" in recognition of their bravery at Fort Ticonderoga during the French and Indian War (7 Years War). 

The Royal Highland Regiment was sent to America in 1776 to help combat the American Insurrection. They fought at Long Island and during the recapture of New York City in 1776. In 1777, they were at the battle of Brandywine Creek, and saw action at the  battle of Monmouth Courthouse in 1778. In addition, they were present during several smaller actions from New York to Georgia, extending as far as the Caribbean. The Black Watch remained stationed in New York City until 1782.

Although some sources suggest that the regiment switched out it's kilts for more suitable dress for the North American climate, these Perry figures wear the full highland barb. Whar's a General to do?

Break out the "tartan paint", of course!

I can't believe a find myself painting tartan once again! I used the same mwthod as for my Napoleonic Highlanders. 

I cheated a bit by only doing the dicing on the upper part of the stockings. The sculpting on the figures didn't really permit depiction of the diced band at the base of the bonnets, not that I was complaining!

Reenactors from a Michigan outfit representing the 42nd during the American War of Independence. 

Rhode Island State Infantry

This the first of a number of Patriot units wearing "hunting shirts". I decided this unit would be a Rhode Island Sate Line Infantry regiment, chiefly because I had the flag and it went well with the white uniforms!

There was also the issue that I had no units from Rhode Island as yet; just like the Continental Congress, I have to try to be fair to all the colonies (and the Republic of Vermont). 

As noted previously, at one time George Washington had recommended Hunting Shirts as the national uniform. 

While more common in the Mid-Atlantic and especially  Southern regions, they were became common as military dress in New England as well. These are Brigade Games figures.

The flag by Adolfo Ramos has 13 starts for the 13 Colonies, plus the Anchor emblem (dating back as far as 1664 as an emblem of the Colony) and motto, "Hope", both seen on the present day seal and flag of Rhode Island. It is believed that these were probably inspired by the biblical phrase "hope we have as an anchor of the soul", contained in Hebrews, Chapter 6, verses 18 and 19

Illustration of Riflemen in Hunting shirts; note the variety of hues. 

Another illustration including some wearing Hunting shirts. 

An interesting video about the history of the Hunting Shirt. 

AWI British 5th Regiment of Foot

The origins of the 5th Regiment of Foot date all the way back to 1674, as the "Irish Regioment" in the service of Holland; it was transferred to British service in 1685, becoming the 5h Regiment of Foot. 

The regiment saw action during the 7 Years War, and in 1774, it was sent to Boston in the face of increasing unrest there and in the other British colonies in North America. [I see I have some stray figures of the  yellow faced 30th Regiment - horrors. The Quartermaster shall be summoned to correct this grievous error!)

The regiment saw extensive action in North America, including the battles of  Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, Long Island, White Plains, the capture of Forts Washing ton (NY) and Fort Lee (NJ), Brandywine Creek, Monmouth Court House, and the raid on Little Egg Harbor (NJ). 

In late 1778, the regiment shipped to St. Lucia in the West Indies. A few days after capturing the island, the British garrison of 1400 men was attacked by 9,000 French soldiers. The British defeated the attack, with the French suffering very heavy losses, leading top their withdrawal from the island. 

In 1782, it received the county designation of Northumberland, in this case being a nod to the Colonel, Hugh Percy, Earl of Northumberland. The figures are by Perry, and wear the rather inelegant but easy to paint short jackets and round hats; the flag is by Adolfo Ramos.

During the Napoleonic Wars, the regiment served in the Peninsula, earning the nicknames "Old and Bold" and "the Fighting Fifth. It fought at Rolica, Vimiero, La Coruna, Busaco, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vitoria, Nivelle, Orthez, and Toulouse. It returned to North America in 1814, fighting at the Battle of Plattsburg, before returning to the Netherlands shortly after the battle of Waterloo. 

Queens Rangers - American Revolutionary War

 This loyalist unit had Rodger's Rangers of the French and Indian Wars as its antecedent. 

Robert Rogers raised a new unit on Staten Island in August 1776, with most of the men coming from New York and Long Island, as well as Western Connecticut. 

It ultimately consisted of a light company, a grenadier company, and highland company, 8 line companies, and 5 troops of cavalry (hussars and light dragoons). 

It was named for Queen Charlotte,. King George III's wife. Some illustrations show the belts to be white and others black; I went with white. Probably both were worn at one time or another!

Rogers didn't remain in command for long, John Simcoe took over command of the unit in October, 1777. Thrse are Perry figures with a flag by Adolfo Ramos. 

The unit saw heavy fighting and distinguished itself at the Battle of Brandywine Creek, September 11, 1777, and again at Monmouth Courthouse. 

The unit was one of the most successful Loyalist units of the war, but did surrender along with other British forces at Yorktown. After the end of the war, most of the men moved to Canada and became part of the military establishment there. 

A Light Infantryman and Hussar of the Queen's Rangers - 

By Simcoe's Military Journal - https://digitalarchive.tpl.ca/objects/274348/a-light-infantry-man-and-huzzar-of-the-queens-rangers-ca-1?ctx=7e5e041793f980ceeb89f80324ba4c8131fb8730&idx=15, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=110146984

There is a re-enactor group for this unit:  https://queensranger.com/

Continental Commanders

 

An army has to have some Generals to command it, right? These are Perry figures

At first there was little regulation of the uniforms for Generals of the Continental army. In July 1775, Brigadier Generals were ordered to wear pink sashes to distinguish them. This was followed by purple sashes for Major Generals

Aides de camp were to wear green sashes, and Army Commanders light blue. 

Field officers wore red sashes, more or less the same as in the British army. 

General Washington customarily wore a dark blue coat with buff facings, and this later became the standard uniform for Continental Generals.