british light infantry before 1800

The Material Culture of British Light Infantry Before 1800

by Sherri Rapp

BRITISH LIGHT INFANTRY BEFORE

1800

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It is agreed, 1st – That the cap prepared under the direction of Maj‑Gen Keppel be fixed upon, the letters L and

I to be left out, & the letters G and R put a little further apart – 2 ‑ That the cloathing of coat & waistcoat be of the pattern of Maj‑Gen Rufane, but the waistcoat to

be red and laced. The breeches white or buff, suitable to the waistcoat of the respective regiments –

3 – That the gaiter be up to the calf of the leg & no higher ‑ 4 ‑ That the accouterments be conformable to Col Howe's pattern, with a small cartridge box to

contain 9 rounds in one row, to be worn before with a belt of tanned leather round the waist – The Belt to be furnished with 2 frogs, one for the bayonet, the other for the hatchet occasionally, which at other times will be tyed upon the knapsack –The 42nd or Royal Highland Regiments to have their Company cloathed according to their present regulation; but all the other appointments to be conformable to the rest of the Light Infantry –

5. The cost of the clothing is computed to be as follows:The upper jacket 12/11The under do. 11/‑Breeches 5/3Cap ___8/6_1.17.8

6. The Committee is of the opinion that a Maude is a proper covering for the Light Infantry in time of war, in place of a blanket, but it does not appear to them necessary that the same should be permitted in time of peace.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE IN LONDON: WO 71/10 FOLIO 297/9.“REPORT OF A COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF GENERAL OFFICERS DATED 4TH MARCH 1771, CONVENED TO CONSIDER THE CLOATHING & ACCOUTREMENTS BEST ADAPTED FOR THE USE OF THE LIGHT COMPANY BELONGING TO EACH OF THE MARCHING REGIMENTS OF FOOT ON THE BRITISH ESTABLISHMENT.”THESE AGREEMENTS WERE SOMETIMES FOLLOWED AND SOMETIMES NOT, AS WE SHALL SEE.

Contemporary Images of Light Infantrymen

THE PICTORIAL RECORD

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LT. JOHN ANDRE’7TH REGT LIGHT INFANTRY IN CANADA

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I. P.LIGHT INFANTRY, 1779SCOTTISH UNITED SERVICES MUSEUM

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C. WHITE, AFTER HENRY BURNBURYA CAMP SCENE, 1794SCOTTISH UNITED SERVICES MUSEUM

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JOHN KAYQUARTER MASTER NATHENIAL TAYLOR, 7TH REG’T, 1778NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

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ATTRIBUTED TO MARTIN FERDINAND QUADALLLIGHT INFANTRYMAN, SOUTHERN FENCIBLES, 1778BUCCLEUCH COLLECTIONREDCOAT IMAGES #1541

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UNKNOWN ARTISTLIGHT INFANTRYMAN OF UNKNOWN REGIMENTTHANKS TO JASON MELIUS

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UNKNOWN ARTISTQUEENS RANGERS LIGHT INFANTRY AND HUSSAR, C. 1785BRITISH LIBRARY

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EDWARD DAYESLIGHT INFANTRY COMPANY PRIVATE ADVANCING, 1793REDCOAT IMAGES #2021 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)NATIONAL TRUST

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RICHARD WILLIAMSPROPOSED LI DRESS FOR THE 23RD REGT, ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS

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L. ROUSSELOTLIGHT INFANTRY PRIVATE & DRUMMER, 7TH FOOTANNE S. K. BROWN MILITARY COLLECTION

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L. ROUSSELOTLIGHT INFANTRY SERJEANT & OFFICER, 7TH FOOTANNE S. K. BROWN MILITARY COLLECTION

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ARTHUR WILLIAM DEVISEDWARD WILLIAM LEYBOURNE-POPHAM, 24TH LIGHT FOOTUPTON HOUSEREDCOAT IMAGES #1723 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

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UNKNOWN ARTISTLT JAMES STEWART, 42ND FOOT LI COY, C. 1780NATIONAL MUSEUMS SCOTLANDREDCOAT IMAGES #118R2AD (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

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UNKNOWN ARTIST73RD LIGHT INFANTRY OFFICERPRIVATE COLLECTION

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ENGLISH SCHOOL (POSSIBLY ALEXANDER BOWER)LIGHT INFANTRY OFFICER (POSSIBLY ALEXANDER BOWER), 84TH FOOT, C. 1794PRIVATE COLLECTION (SOLD BY WOOLLEY AND WALLIS: HTTP://WWW.WOOLLEYANDWALLIS.CO.UK/LOT/?SALE=PW280911&LOT=11)REDCOAT IMAGES #1728 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

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JOHN ALEFOUNDERGEORGE FORBES, LT CO, FUSILIER REGT, 1786AUCTIONED BY CHRISTIE'S, 20 NOV 2013REDCOAT IMAGES #2158 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

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NATHANIEL HONELT. RICHARD WILFORD, LIGHT INFANTRY 2ND FOOT & SIR LEVETT HANSON, 1777AUCTIONED BY CHRISTIE'S, 2002REDCOAT IMAGES #1714 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

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ATTRIBUTED TO HENRY WM BUNBURYSOLDIER, MAIDEN & FISHMONGERJOSEPH LEBOVIC GALLERYREDCOAT IMAGES #2124 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

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JOHN RAPHAEL SMITH (AFTER WALTON)THE TOBACCO BOX, 1802BRITISH MUSEUMTHANKS TO JASON MELIUS

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THOMAS DAVIESA VIEW OF THE LINES AT LAKE GEORGE, 1759INSET: 80TH REGIMENT OF FOOT OR COLONEL THOMAS GAGE’S LIGHT INFANTRY, WHICH WAS RAISED IN DECEMBER 1757REDCOAT IMAGES #2202 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

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ACKERMAN AND ROWLANDSONSOLDIERS COOKING, 1798ANNE S. K. BROWN MILITARY COLLECTION

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THOMAS MILTON AFTER JOHN JAMES BARRALETLEINSTER HOUSE IN DUBLIN, 1783BRITISH MUSEUMREDCOAT IMAGES #1756

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ARCHIBALD ROBERTSONVIEW OF STATEN ISLAND, 1777NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARYDETAIL COURTESY NEILS HOBBS

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ATTRIBUTED TO RICHARD ST GEORGE MANSERGH ST GEORGE (52ND LIGHT INFANTRY LEIUTENANT) PRIVATE COLLECTIONMYSELF ON PICQUET IN A TEMPEST DISDAINING A CLOAK, REDCOAT IMAGES #1542 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)CONVERSING W REBEL POWS, REDCOAT IMAGES #1543 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

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M. DARLYA VIEW IN AMERICA IN 1778 (CARICATURE BASED ON LT. ST. GEORGE’S WATERCOLOR IN PREVIOUS SLIDE)LEWIS WALPOLE LIBRARYREDCOAT IMAGES #1543 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

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XAVIER DELLA GATTA (LIKELY COMMISSIONED BY EITHER LT. RICHARD ST. GEORGE MANSERGH ST. GEORGE OR LT. MARTIN HUNTER, BOTH OF THE 52ND REG'T OF FOOT'S LIGHT INFANTRY COMPANY AND PRESENT AT THE BATTLE. - HTTP://WWW.HM40THFOOT.COM/RESOURCES.HTML )BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN, 1782AMERICAN REVOLUTION CENTERLEFT INSET, REDCOAT IMAGES #1542 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

Pvt. Peacockcarrying Lt. St. George

Light Infantry Soldiers & Hornsman

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XAVIER DELLA GATTAMASSACRE AT PAOLI, 1782

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PHILLIPPE J. DE LOUTHERBOURGTWO SOLDIER STUDIES, 6TH FOOT & GLAMORGAN MILITIA, C. 1778ANNE S. K. BROWN MILITARY COLLECTION

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PHILLIPPE J. DE LOUTHERBOURGLIGHT INFANTRYMEN STUDY, C. 1778ANNE S. K. BROWN MILITARY COLLECTION

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PHILLIPPE J. DE LOUTHERBOURGWARLEY CAMP: THE MOCK ATTACK, 1779THE ROYAL COLLECTIONHTTP://WWW.ROYALCOLLECTION.ORG.UK/EGALLERY/OBJECT.ASP?CATEGORY=276&OBJECT=406348&ROW=1305&DETAIL=ABOUT

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PHILLIPPE J. DE LOUTHERBOURGWARLEY CAMP: THE MOCK ATTACK, 1779THE ROYAL COLLECTIONHTTP://WWW.ROYALCOLLECTION.ORG.UK/EGALLERY/OBJECT.ASP?CATEGORY=276&OBJECT=406348&ROW=1305&DETAIL=ABOUT

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PHILLIPPE J. DE LOUTHERBOURGWARLEY CAMP: THE MOCK ATTACK, 1779THE ROYAL COLLECTIONHTTP://WWW.ROYALCOLLECTION.ORG.UK/EGALLERY/OBJECT.ASP?CATEGORY=276&OBJECT=406348&ROW=1305&DETAIL=ABOUT

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PHILLIPPE J. DE LOUTHERBOURGWARLEY CAMP: THE REVIEW, 1780THE ROYAL COLLECTIONHTTP://WWW.ROYALCOLLECTION.ORG.UK/EGALLERY/OBJECT.ASP?OBJECT=406349&ROW=3979&DETAIL=ABOUT

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PHILLIPPE J. DE LOUTHERBOURGWARLEY CAMP: THE REVIEW, 1780THE ROYAL COLLECTIONHTTP://WWW.ROYALCOLLECTION.ORG.UK/EGALLERY/OBJECT.ASP?OBJECT=406349&ROW=3979&DETAIL=ABOUT

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PHILLIPPE J. DE LOUTHERBOURGWARLEY CAMP: THE REVIEW, 1780THE ROYAL COLLECTIONHTTP://WWW.ROYALCOLLECTION.ORG.UK/EGALLERY/OBJECT.ASP?OBJECT=406349&ROW=3979&DETAIL=ABOUT

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SAMUEL HIERONYMUS GRIMM2ND W YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY MILITIA,INSPECTION AT OLD MONTAGUE HOUSE, 1780ROYAL COLLECTIONREDCOAT IMAGES #734 (THANKS TO DR. GREGORY URWIN)

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LIVESAYTHE GRAND REVIEW AT SANDHAM BAY IN THE ISLE OF WIGHT ON THE 4TH OF JUNE 1798ANNE S. K. BROWN MILITARY COLLECTION

Equipment Used by British Light Infantrymen

ANTIQUES & ARTIFACTS

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3RD REGT (THE BUFFS) LIGHT INFANTRY COMPANY CARTRIDGE BOX BADGEDON TROIANI COLLECTIONWWW.HISTORICALIMAGEBANK.COM

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43RD LIGHT INFANTRY CARTRIDGE BOX BADGEDON TROIANI COLLECTIONWWW.HISTORICALIMAGEBANK.COM

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7TH REGT ROYAL FUSILIERS CARTRIDGE BOX BADGEDON TROIANI COLLECTIONWWW.HISTORICALIMAGEBANK.COM

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BRITISH 62ND LIGHT INFANTRY CARTRIDGE BOXDON TROIANI COLLECTIONWWW.HISTORICALIMAGEBANK.COM

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LIGHT INFANTRY MUSKETTHUMB PLATE DETAILPRIVATE COLLECTIONTHANKS TO JASON MELIUS

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7TH REG’T LIGHT INFANTRY MUSKETTHUMB PLATE DETAILPRIVATE COLLECTIONTHANKS TO JASON MELIUS

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THIS IS FROM THE 97TH FOOT AND IS BELIEVED TO BE FROM THE REV WAR PERIOD – CREDIT A. W. KIRK

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LIGHT INFANTRY CAPDON TROIANI COLLECTIONWWW.HISTORICALIMAGEBANK.COM

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68TH REGT, LAMBTON CAP, 1770-75, DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY MUSEUM (HTTP://DLIMUSEUM.DURHAM.GOV.UK/PGOBJECTS.ASPX?&ID=5627&CODE=10&CATDESC=HATS&WEB=MAIN&SEARCH=)

7TH REGT CAP, C. 1770 (THERE ARE DOUBTS ABOUT THE AUTHENTICITY OF THIS OBJECT)HTTP://WWW.HERMANN-HISTORICA-ARCHIV.DE/AUKTION47/VOR_PREMIUM_GB.HTM

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LIGHT INFANTRY CAP FOR A SCOTTISH REGIMENTDON TROIANI COLLECTIONWWW.HISTORICALIMAGEBANK.COM

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BRITISH MILITIA COAT, 1788, GERMAN HISTORICAL MUSEUM

COAT OF LOYALIST LIGHT INFANTRY OFFICER JEREMIAH FRENCH, CANADIAN WAR MUSEUM

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ENGRAVING BRITISH LIGHT DRAGOON BUGLE HORN FROM PERIOD CAVALRY MANUAL & 18TH CENTURY BRASS POST HORN TYPE USED BY LIGHT CAVALRY LIGHT INFANTRY AND HESSIAN JAGERS

BOTH IN THE DON TROIANI COLLECTIONWWW.HISTORICALIMAGEBANK.COM

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HUNTING HORN (TROMPE DE CHASSE) - CARLIN, PARIS, MID XVIIITH CENTURY - PARIS, MUSÉE DE LA MUSIQUE

84TH ROYAL HIGHLAND EMIGRANT POWDERHORN, CREDIT JASON MELIUS