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.
A very colourful unit and one you're not likely to lose on the table. Nicely done Peter.
ReplyDeleteBetween the purple hunting shirts and the bold flag, most assuredly not! :-)
DeleteA great regiment - and surely almost everyone has it in their AWI collection - I know I do!
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith; it's hard to resist a unique unit like this one for sure!
DeleteGreat sculpts again even in such garish attire
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gary. They really are excellent sculpts!
DeleteLovely colourful unit, Ive been wsiting for them to turn up!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Yep, they are hard to resist, although this uniform was only worn by Company of 100 men, after all!
Deleteinteresting color for the 4th Independent Marylanders, are you sure? purple? unless the color should be dark gray or even light gray hence Lavender weathered/battle worn coats?... anyway the unit does look great! :o)
ReplyDeleteThe exact shade of purple/lavender is of course unknown, but it is pretty well documented. The base linen would have been off white to very ight grey in color. Considering the small numbers and attrition for battle, disease, and expired enlistments, how long this uniform was in evidence is probably "not very long"!
Deleteafter a quick research, you are right Peter! :o) Fourth Independent Company of Maryland State Troops, 1776 did wear purple! I'm sure you have this link https://www.srcalifornia.com/uniforms/p11.htm amazing info to read about uniforms during American Revolutionary War
DeleteYes, that's from Lt. Charles M. Lefferts, " Uniforms of the American, British, French and German armies of the War of the American Revolution, 1775 - 1783", published in 1926. The original edition had only 500 copies with hand colored illustration, and was a collectors item that fetched enormous prices. Lefferts literally devoted 30 years to researching the topic. That on line edition is a godsend (and yes, I had the link)! I have the Bicentennial edition, published in 1776 (and in my home town of Greenwich, CT, no less), but it is in black and white. Mollo depicts the same uniform (based on Lefferts), with some of the details different (all are of course reconstructions based mostly upon descriptions rather than period illustrations).
DeleteAnother very distinguishable unit. The AWI certainly could be fodder for imaginary nation uniforms.
ReplyDeleteEven units that lasted for a while often had frequent changes in their uniforms depending upon what was available, and even if there was some degree of uniformity, it wasn't unusual, as in this case, for the uniforms to very at the Company level or below. In keeping with my more toy soldier approach, all these guys are much more "uniform than they would ever have been in real life.
DeleteSuperb unit. They really stand out and that flag is eye catching. Easy to fight in a battle and rally around.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Richard. Between the purple hunting shirts and the Baltimore flag,, it's definitely a unit that stands out!
Deletemy apartment in Brooklyn is like a block from a Greenwood Cemetary and one of the main sites from Battle of Long Island. Every summer they have reanactors camp in the cemetery and have a small battle recreation. There’s a huge stone near the corner of 5th ave and 26th street with a plaque on it. also a fire station near 4th ave that has a plaque commemorating this particular unit. cool stuff!
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of Revolutionary War sites around NY City, as well as the rest of the Mid Atlantic, New England, and the Southern Colonies. Many times even local residents only have a vague idea as to their existence!
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