4th Independent Maryland State troops, American Revolutionary War

Surely a most unusual unit, this one is illustrated in Mollo's Uniforms of the American Revolution and also by Lefferts.

"Seven companies, each of 100 men, were raised in January 1776 to join Washington in New Yor. The 4th company was commanded by Captain Hindeman, who clothed his men in Osnaburg (a rough flax cloth originating from Osnabruck in lower Saxony)  dyed purple with red cape and cuffs"

The unit joined Washington in July 1776 and fought at the Battle of Long Island alongside Smallwood's Maryland regiment. 

I left off the red cuffs and capes (the upper fringed part of the shirt around the neck in this case), but might go back to add them to make the kit even more outrageous! Its recruiting area included Baltimore. 

The flag bears the arms of the first Lord Baltimore, George Calvert (the present day flag of the state of Maryland has the arms of the 2nd Lord Baltimore, with this pattern in 2 of the quarters (blazoned paly of six Or and Sable, a bend countercharged). Supposedly the arms were originally granted as a reward for storming a fortification in battle, with the vertical bars symbolizing the palisade.

During the Colonial and Revolutionary eras, only this part of the Arms were used on Maryland seals and flags (this one being by Adolfo Ramos). The figures are Paul Hicks sculpts by Brigade Games. 

British 24th Foot, American Revolutionary War

Here's the last of the British infantry units in "Saratoga" uniforms.

The regiment's origins date back to the 9 years war (1689 -1697) in Ireland. During the War of the Austrian Succession, it fought at Blenheim ()1704) and Ramillies (1706); indeed, the Regiment's Colonel was none other than the Duke of Marlborough himself from 1702 - 1704! It was numbered as the 24th Regiment in 1751. 

The Regiment was sent to North America  in 1776, and participated in the repulse of the American attempt to take Quebec, lead by Benedict Arnold, among others. The following year, it was part of the army of "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne's army that invaded upstate New York from Canada in 177. It surrendered at Saratoga, along with the rest of Burgoyne's army, not being released until the end of the War in 1783. In 1782 it received the county designation of 2nd Warwickshire. 

During the Napoleonic Wars, the Regiment fought in Egypt, at the Cape of Good Hope, and at Talavera (1809). The bulk of the 1st Battalion was captured at Sea when a French Frigate encountered and took 2 Indiamen that were transporting the troops. After the Napoleonic Wars, the regiment spent much of its time fighting in India. 

The Regiment famously  fought in the Zulu War, where the 1st battalion formed the majority of the regular forces at the disastrous battle of Isandlwana. The garrison of Rourke's drift was composed mainly of men from the 2nd battalion, and received 7 Victoria Cross medals for its desperate and successful defense of that place. Cue: Men of Harlech!

During the Revolution, the Regiment was unique in its dark green horsehair ornamentation on the cut down "Saratoga" headgear, presumably chosen to complement its green facings. This flag is by Adolfo Ramos. 

Yes, Virginia (and Maryland,. and North Carolina, etc), there is a re-enactor group for this regiment too!

Pennsylvania Rifles

The latest addition to the Patriot forces is this unit of riflemen wearing green hunting shirts.

Although by far the majority of Patriots units were musket armed, there were several units composed entirely of riflemen. 

Their rifles were far more accurate than the musket, but took much longer to load, and could not accommodate a bayonet until well after the Napoleonic era. 

Thus they were chiefly used as skirmishers, and were particularly a threat to British officers. 

The flag is an historical one, belonging to a Pennsylvania rifle regiment. 

Morgan's (Virginia) rifles were perhaps the most famous of all the rifle armed units; they wore white hunting shirts for the most part.

This flag is actually one of the few Revolutionary era flags that actually survives, although badly damaged; above is a modern reproduction. The Latin moto means "I will not be subjugated". And yes, there is a re-enactment group for this unit as well (in the photos, they wear white, brown, and grey hunting shirts for all but the officers), which was also numbered as the 1st Continental regiment.