British 47th Foot, and... The American Revolution Podcast

The 47h Regiment of foot traces its origins back to 1741, whe nit was raised in Scotland as Sir John Mordaunt’s Regiment of Foot, and was ranked 58th in order of seniority. In 1743, Mordaunt was replaced as Colonel by Lieutenant-Colonel (later Lieutenant General) Peregrine Lascelles. The regiment would fight its first two campaign’s as Lascelles’ Regiment. 

These are Perry metals in "Saratoga uniforms", with a regimental color by Adolfo Ramos. 

The original 47th Regiment of Foot, also known as the 4th Regiment of Marines, was raised in 1739 and fought in the War of Jenkin’s Ear. The Regiments of Marines were disbanded in 1748, which meant that Lascelle’s Regiment became 47th in seniority. In 1751, regiments were officially known by their seniority number (47) rather than the name of their Colonel. In 1782, the 47th were given the county designation ‘Lancashire’.

The relatively inexperienced regiment first saw action at the Battle of Prestonpans in 1745, trying to quash the Jacobite uprising lead by Bonnie Price Charlie; instead, along with the rest of the army, it was swept aside after an engagement of only about 20 minutes, with many of the men taken prisoner. Not as auspicious start! Quite a number of years ago, my freind from the UK, Tim Couper, ran a series of fantastic Jacobite battles at Historicon, bringing all of his 28mm Front Rank  figures with him in his luggage! As I recall, the wargame emulated history quite closely, to the chagrin of the Government players!

In 1750, the unit was sent to Nova Scotia in North America, which had been transferred to British control in 1748, and fought in a number of clashes between the French and British settlers. During the French and Indian War (Seven Years War), the regiment fought at the siege of Louisbourg (1758), on the Plains of Abraham and the capture of Quebec (1759), and the capture of Montreal (1760); the regiment returned to Great Britain at the end of the war in 1763. 

With the increasing unrest in Britain's 13 North American colonies, the regiment was dispatched there in 1773, initially being stationed in New Jersey. It participated in the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and the Battle of Bunker (Breed's) Hill in 1775. It took parting the Battles of Saratoga in 1777, surrendering with the bulk of General Burgoyne's army, and spent the next 6 years as prisoners of war. 

This is yet another AWI unit with a re-enactor organization (several, actually). This photo is from this outfit in the UK.  During the Napoleonic Wars, a 2nd battalion was raised in 1803. The first battalion was widely traveled, including the Cape of Good Hope (1806), Montevideo and Buenos Aires (1807), and India (1808). The 2nd battalion was sent to Gibraltar (1809) and then Portugal (1811), notable engagements including Barrosa (1811), Siege of Tarifa (1811), Vittoria (1813), Siege of San Sebastian (1813), Battle of the Nive (1813), and Bayonne (1814). 

I've mentioned in passing that listening to The American Revolution Podcast by Michael Troy has really made my painting time go by quickly. Michael has been posting (nearly) every week, starting in 2017, covering the Revolution chronologically, starting with its origins back to the French and Indian War (7 Years War). Most episodes are about 20 minutes  in length (I'm up past episode 200 already), and quite engaging. They are backed up buy additional images, maps, links, and reading recommendations on his companion blog site. I strongly recommend checking out The American Revolution Podcast blog, and of course the podcast itself (easily found [free] on almost any podcast hosting site, such as Apple Play. 

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/