Wellington's Highlanders

25 Pages·1992·10.311 MB·English

by  Stuart Reid, Bryan Fosten

mmIi MEN-AT-ARMS SERIES 253
: MILITARY
WELLINGTON'S
HIGHLANDERS
,
,
,.
I STC.\RT REID BRY:\~ FOSTE~
WELLINGTON'S HIGHLANDERS
RAISING A •
Publishedin 1992by Artist'sNote •
OspreyPublishingLtd
59Gros\'cnorStreet,LondonW,X9D1\ Readersmaycaretonotethattheoriginal paintings REGIMENT
©Copyrighl '992OsprcyPublishingLtd from whichthecolourplatesinthisbook were
preparedareavailablefor privatesale. All
Allrighlsreservcd,Apanfromanyfairdealingforthe
reproduction copyrightwhatsoeverisretained bythe
purposeofprivatcstudy,research,criticismorreview,as
permincdundcrtheCopyrightDesignsandPatcntsAn, publisher. Allenquiriesshould beaddressed to: On the outbreak ofwar with France on I February
'988,nopanofthispublicalionmaybercproduccd, Bryan Fasten 1793, six of the British Army's 77 regiments of
slOredinaretrie\'alsystem,ortransminedinanyfonnor
5RossClose infantry (excluding the Footguards) bore the desig
byanymeans,electronic,electrical,chemical,
mechanical,optical,photocopying,recordingor Nyetimber nation 'Highland';and within two years this number
otherwise,withoutthepriorpermissionofthecopyright Nr. BognorRegis
had risen toatemporary high of15,besidesanumber
owner,EnquiriesshouldbeaddressedtothePublisher SussexP021 3JW
ofregiments ofHighland Fencibles. Ironicallysome
ISBN I855322560 Thepublishersregretthattheycan enterintono of the latter, raised originally as home defence
correspondenceupon thismatter.
PrimedthroughBookbuildersLtd,HongKong battalions,saw more action, in Ireland, than some of
theshort-lived regular units.
Dedication
TothememoryofLiclitenanrJohnUrquhart,7Ist As afirst step to raisingaregiment aprospective
Highlanders,diedNegapatam,Southern India,24 colonel had to obtain 'letters ofservice', authorising
April 1794. him to nominate officers and beat up for recruits.
Although there were variations, those for the looth
Acknowledgements (Gordon) Highlanders, granted to the Duke of
Iwould liketothank the51aft"oftheScottishUnited Gordon on 10 February 1794, may be taken as
ServicesMuseum in Edinburgh Castlefor their
typical:
assistancein preparingthisstudy, TheSUS~ll
'MyLord,
collectionsdeservetobe far betterknown. Iwouldalso
'I am commanded to acquaint you that His
liketothankLt.CoL A. A. Fairrie,ofRHQtheQueen's
Majesly approves of your Grace's offer of
Own Highlanders, forhisadviceon thestatusof
raising a Regiment of Foot to be completed
pipers,although theconclusionspresented herearcmy
wilhin Ihree months upon the following
own.
conditions:-
Bibliography 'The Corps to consisl of one company of
Anumberofmanuscriptand primed sourceswere Grenadiers, one of Lighl Infantr)', and eight
consulted in thepreparation ofthisstudy,most BattalionCompanies.
notably: DavidStewarrofGarth'sSketchesa/the 'The Grenadier Company is to consist of one
HiglrlandmojSeallaml(Edinburgh 1822);DianaM. captain, three lieutenants, fOUf sergeants, five
Henderson's The HighlandSoldier 1820-1920 corporals, two drummers, two fifers, and 95
(Edinburgh 1989)providesarathermoremature
privates.
assessmentofthecharacterofhighland regimentsthan
'The Light Infantry of one captain, three Dayeswatercolour,c.J79', possiblecharthesoldier
JohnPrebble'spolemicalMutiny(London 1975);
lieutenants, four sergeants, five corporals, two depictingasoldierofthe hasbeen 'gotup'{ora
J. [VI. Bulloch's TerritorialSoldieringilltheNorth-East .pnd. Thesubject'srankis quarrerguard. Alsoof
Foracatalogueofallpbloeoakssepwurbitleis[h0e:d byOspreyMilitary ojSeolland1759-1815(Aberdeen 1914)isquite 'dArundmmeaecrhs,Banadtta9l5iopnriCvaotmesp.any of one caplain, puuncrlsee",lrp:isthtoel,elbarbooardastweord sintotcekreinsgtas,reiddelnetikfnieicdeaeds
invaluable.
TheMarketingManager, anddirkallsuggesta suchbytheturned-over
two lieutenants, one ensign, four sergeants, five
COnStlll1erCatalogueDepartntent, sergeant, buttheredlinc topsandabsenceofa black
OspreyPublishingLtd, corporals, twodrummers, and 95 privates; inchelaceloopsonthe edgingtothecheck.
coatandcheabsenceof (Scottish UnitedServices
M.ichelinHouse,S, FulhamRoad, 'Together with the usual staffofficers,and with
epauleceesindicatea Museum)
LondonSW36RB a sergeant major, and quartermaster sergeant, privateorcorporal.Itis
3
exclusive ofthe sergeants above specified. The 'The payoftheofficers istocommencefrom the contract the 'horrible drudgery' of recruiting" The
captain lieutenant is [as usual] included in the dates oftheircommissions: and thatofthe non captains and field officers were almost iO\"ariabl)'
numberoflieutenantsabove mentioned. commissioned officersand privatemen from the promoted from other regiments, or appointed from
'The corps is to have three field officers, each dates oftheirattestations. the Half Pay list, though in highland regiments
with a company; their respective ranks to be 'Levy money will be allowed to Your Grace in efforts were always made to attract men with local
determined bytherankoftheofficerwhom your aidofthislevyattherateoffiveguineasperman roots. Otherwise it was a matter ofcalling upon an
Grace will recommend for the command for 1064men. extensive network of neighbours and tenants, who
thereof. Ifthe person so recommended for the 'The recruits are to be engaged without limit could assist in recruitingand mightoccasionallyeven
command is not at present in the army, he will ation as to theperiodor placeoftheirservice. take up commissions themselves. They could also
be allowed temporary rank during the con 'None are to be enlisted under five feet four recommend deserving young members oftheir own
tinuance of the regiment on the establishment inches, norunder 18yearsorabove35. Growing oracquaintances' families fo fill thejunior ,"acancies.
but will not be entitled to half pay on its lads from 16 to 18, at five feet three inches will All of the original officers commissioned into the
reduction. not be rejected. looth (Gordon)Highlanders were Scots,and mostof
'His Majesty leaves to your Grace the nomin 'The non-commissioned officers and privates them came from the areas north and west of
ation of all the officers, being such as are well are tobe inspected byageneral officer, who will Aberdeen, where the regiment was primarily re
affected to his Majesty, and most likely by their reject all such as are unfit for service, or not cruited. In marked contrast we may consider, for
interest and connections to assist in raising the enlisted in conformity with the terms of this instance, the 106th (Norwich) Regiment, typical of
corps without delay; who, ifthey meet with his Letter. the English units raised in J794, which had remark
Royal approbation, may be assured they shall 'His Majesty consents that on a reduction the ably few! orfolk officers. A surprising number of
have commissions as soon as the regiment is Regimentshall, ifit be desired, be disbanded in them - including an ancestor of the author - were
completed. that partofthe country whereit was raised. Scots, with no local tiesorinfluence whatever.
'The officers, iftaken from the halfpay, are to 'In Ihe execution ofthis service, I take leave to Highland regiments were frequently raised by
servein their presentranks; iffull pay, with one assureYourGraceofeveryassistance which my chieftains, but they were not by any means elall
step of promotion. The gentlemen named for office can afford. regiments. Sir James Grant's 97th Highlanders had
ensigncies are not to be under sixteen years of some 14officers (just under half) named Grant on its
age. Thequartermasterisnottobeproposed for SirGeorgeYonge' original establishment, but this appears to have been LieutenantAeneas dicing,possiblya2ndBn.
Sutherland,2/78ch distinction;abuglehorn
anyothercommission. exceptional, and most of them were in any case Highlanders, whowa.o;' badgeontheepaulccces;
'In case the corps shall be reduced after it has TheOfficers subalterns. More typical were the Gordons: onl), five commissioned27M:Jrch and,oddly,sil,'crlace
1794.Nocechebuffsquare regimentswithbuff
been established, the officers will be entitled to I-laving thus secured his letters ofservice, a colonel officers, including the colonel) bore that surname, attheintersectionofthe facingswerenormally
halfpay. had next to find the officers to whom he would sub- and this seems to have been the usual proportion. redcheckson thebonnet unlaced.(5U5M)
Both battalionsofthe 78th, raised in 1793 and 1794,
had fiveMcKenziesapiece;and only fourofthe79th, unsustainable. Moretypical wasthesortofassistance
raised in 1793, were named Cameron. given to officers beating up for the Gordons. On 28
April 1794 the Aberdeen }olll'll/ll reported that the
Governmentor'Black Enlistment
Duke's tenants in Kirkmichael and Strathdon had
Watch'tartan. Thissett
hasabluebaseolTerlaid In order to qualify for the commissions for which metand agreed to find an additional bounty ofthree
withabroadgreencheck they were recommended the officers had in turn to guineas for any man from the area enlisting in the
borderedbymixed
black/bluechecksand enlist the required number of men. Naturally they regiment. Similarly the Earl of Aberdeen and Mr.
dividedbyablack sought todoso close to home, where they were 'weel SkeneofSkenewerereported in thefollowing month
overstripe. Thisblack
oversrripeW.ISreplaced;n kenn'd' and where they could command some in to be encouraging men from their estates to enlist
somereginlentsbyared, fluence. While an officer might reasonably expect to with the rival 109thHighlanders, and the former also
white, bufforyellowone.
find afew recruits amongst thesons ofhis tenants (if providedlargequantitiesofthewhiskeypunchwhich
The bluebaseis
additionallyoverlaidwith he possessed any), most recruits were to be found at seems to have been so essential for successful
lineblackJinesandi.nthe
local markets, or were encouraged to enlist by the recruiting. (Captain Finlason, the Gordons' agent in
c..lseofthefttfcKenziesett,
usedbythe71S{and78th, officers' friends and relations. Aberdeen, complainedon 24June thathis house was
anadditionalred The 93rd, it is true, were substantially raised on likean alehouseorgin shop.)
overstripeishJidthrough
altern:JCebluesquares. the Sutherlandestates bya'form ofconscription, but In the north ofScotland 'going for a soldier' had
(Author) this was evidently exceptional and in the long term none ofthestigma which attached to it in Englandat
4 5
bettertand when its two battalions were consolidated better than usual. The Light Company of the 93rd
in June 1796 they mustered 970 highlanders, 129 wasreputed nottohave hadasingle man punished in
lowland Scots, with 14. English and Irish. The 78th 20years.Thisisnottosaythatcrimewasunknown in
appear to have had a prejudiceagainst Irish recruits, highland regiments-asoldierwhodoesn'tplunderis
and inJanuary 1820hadonlytwoIrishmenoutof640 acontradiction in terms- but by and large memoirs
rank and file. refer to individuals misbehaving rather than to any
Problems did arise, on the other hand, when endemic problem. There were, of course, lapses.
regiments had to be virtually rebuilt after service Over the winter of1810-18", for example, the 7'St
overseas. In 1799the79th,raisedafreshafterdrafting and 92nd were billeted in the Convent ofAlcantaria,
in Martinique,had only268Scotsintheranks,notall and predictablysoon toredown thescreensand other
ofthem byanymeans highlanders, and no fewer than woodworkfor theirfires. The71stapparentlytook to
273 Englishmen, 54 Irishmen and seven assorted thiswithsomeglee,andanofficeroftheGordonswas
foreigners. Under threat of losing their cherished astonished onenighttofind them tossingimagesinto
High/alld distinction the balance was rapidly re the fire with cheerfulcries of'NoPopery!'
dressed;butitissignificantthatmostoftheregiments
which did losetheirkilts in 1809 werein similarcase,
havingspentupwardsof20years in India.
StrachspeyFencibles arered. Theother
drum; varnishedwood equipmentin thephoto
Thecharacteroftheregiments sheJ/withalighccream belongedtothe97th
panelbearingacrownand Highlanders; theknapsack
Highland regiments were therefore much more
aredshieldwithgold isyellowochrewitha
homogenous than comparable English ones, such as letteringandfoliace greenringbearingthetitle
decoration.Althoughnone 'INVERNESS-SHIRE
the 106th, and local initiativessuch as those reported
cooclearontheprincthe REGT.'in whiceletters
in the Aberdeell ]ollfllal clearly encouraged the shieldhasalarge'GR' andblack97in thecentre
cypherover (seePlateDr).Notetheflat
enlistmentofmen ofgood character, from particular
'STRATHSPEY sectionoftheearlyp~Jttern
districts. Their behaviour was consequently rather FENCIBLES'. Thehoops carcouchebox.(SU5M)
Main Gace,FortGeorge, oranothermosthighland
Ardersier. Thislargeforc reginlencswereinspected fully illustrated by a surviving recruiting banner for
andbarrackcomplex, orgarrisonedthere.
the 2/78th which bears little more than the words
completedin 1769,could (Auchor)
acconlmodatecwo 'SIXTEENGUINEAS BOUNTY.
baccalions;andaConetime
Notwithstanding the high bounties it was always
necessary to enlist at least some men from further
this time. The highlands were badly over-populated afield to make up the required numbers, though the
andenlistmentin thearmy was widelyregarded asan proportions varied from regiment to regiment ac
entirely respectable alternative to emigration, parti cording to circumstances. Generally speaking this
cularly since the unusually high bounties on ofter involved the recruiting oflowland Scots, rather than
meantthatsomemeasureofprovision could bemade the Irishmen who were the usual standby in English
for those relatives left behind. The bounties were units. Irishmen in fact only accounted for about 6%
highnotbecauseitwashardtopersuadementoenlist of the strength of highland regiments, in marked (
in the first place, but rather because they were contrast to the 30% or more frequently found in
necessary to encourage a man to enlist in, saYt the English ones.
100th ratherthan the 109th. Consequently recruiters Of the 894 men originally recruited into the
were constantly frustrated by the fact that the men Gordons in 1794 whose origins are known, only 390
they sought were inclined at first to hang back, not were highlanders; another 407 were lowland Scots
through any unwillingness to enlist or because, as is reflecting the high proportion of lowland officers
;/
sometimes suggested, they were turning against a while 5I .were Irish, I I were English or Welsh, and (
vestigial clan system; but rather because they not there wasasolitaryGerman musician, Carl Augustus
unnaturally looked around for thebestofferavailable Roehling, from Hesse Cassell. The 78th, almost /
before committing themselves. The point is cheer- entirel)' staffed with highland officers, did rather
6 7
OR'sbreastplate, camp, and instead ofacquiring practical knowledge a Light Infantry regiment, and actually spent some
StrathspeyFencibles. The
himself [Colonel Macara of the 42ndj, even his months at Shorncliffe. Before their training was
ollicers'pattern was
similarbutofratherbetter regimentwaslosingpartofthat which ithad perhaps complete, however, they had to be posted with the
quality. (.4.uthor) previously possessed; thirdly, draughts of undisci 1/42nd to Gibraltar and thereafter served as line
plined recruits were occasionally joining and mixing infantry, the light infantry role eventually being
in the ranks, and being unaccustomed to field taken up by the 7lst.
movements, occasioned asort ofawkwardness in the
performanceofthem. Even afterour return from the
continent, when the regiment was quartered in HIGHLAND
Ireland, many obstacles started up unfavourable to
field practice, namely oldsoldiers and limitedservice UNIFORM
men being discharged, the second battalion joining,
Highlanders have also been represented, quite the principal part of which were recruits, and men
unjustly, as being prone to mutiny in protest against who had been years in French prisons; the detached Thekilt, the most distinctive part ofhighland dress,
cynical exploitation by unscrupulous officers. Inci state ofthe regiment, after all these had been squad comprises a single strip of tartan material with a
dents, occasionally violent, certainly occurred in drilled, left but fewsoldiersatheadquarterstoenable central pleated section. Itcan be tailored by varying
some of the Fencible regiments in the early 1790s, the commanding officer to practise with. In this thenumberofpleats,althoughmodern practicetends
and there had earlier been some trouble during the manner we continued until the battle of Waterloo. towards a standard number, varying from regiment
American War; but it is important that such out ... We had the name of a crack corps, but toregiment. The kilt is worn with the pleatedsection
Regimcntalcolour, LinlithgolVon2Iklarch
breaks should not be considered in isolation. The certainly it was not then in that state of discipline at the rear while the two flat ends are folded oneover SrrachspeyFencibles: 1794 wasmarredbya
commonest cause of mutiny in the 18th century which itcould justlyboastofafew yearsafterwards.' the other, the left hand one uppermost, to form a green wichgoldwreachand mutinywhcnsomeofche
thistle, thetirlein soldierswronglyassumed
British Army was drafting or some similar real or When thefirst highland regiments were raised in doubleapron atthe front. gold/blackleteeringona chat checeremony
imagined breachofaregiment's termsofservice;and the mid-I8thcentury they wereregarded asaspecies Plaidingistraditionally woven ina27 inch width, redscroll. The presagedtheirbeingsent
presentationofchese overseas.(Author)
in such circumstances English and Irish regiments oflight infantry, and frequent comparison was made and since the kiltis soarranged that the bottom edge
colourstotheregimentat
mutinied equally readily and frequently more viol with Pandours and otherirregulars; but by the 1790S hangs an inch off the floor when kneeling, at this
ently. A number ofthe English and Irish regiments they were simply used as line infantry. Nevertheless period the top edge usually came rather high up the time was placed upon pins (indeed, theBlack Watch
involved in the great drafting of August 1795 the tradition ofself-sufficiency died hard. Battalion body,providingexcellentprotectionfor theabdomen continued to fasten their kilts with three pins down
mutinied, but none of the five highland regiments companies were sometimes ordered out with the and kidneysincold weather. either side of the apron until about 1914). This
alsoordered tobe drafted at thattime misbehaved. Light Company, to thicken the skirmish line. The Surviving 18th century documentation relating method did, however, have its drawbacks. There are
Ultimately, regiments are judged by their beha practice was not unknown in English regiments; but to the provision ofmaterial for kilts indicates that 3t occasional references to higWanders losing their kilts
viour in battle; and highlanders, whether recruited highlanders also maintained the system ofselecting yards was considered sufficient for a soldier and 4 while forcing their way through hedges, abattis or
in Lochaber or the lowlands of Aberdeenshire, individuals from the Battalion companies who were yards for a sergeant. In contrast a modern kilt anythingelse which mightcatch them. Sgt. Anton of
havealways had areputation as 'stormers', exempli good shots, to serve as additional skirmishers or normallyrequireS?or8yardsofmaterial,thoughthis the 42nd recounts an amusing instance ofthis which
fied by the impetuous charge of the Gordons at Flankers. This was last done byEnglish regiments at is largely swallowed up in the deep folds of knife alsoanswers theperennialquestion:
Waterloo, intermingled with the Scots Greys. This Maida and was positively forbidden by Sir John pleating. Two surviving ORs kilts worn by the 'Thecolonel ... strodehastily forward toenforce
reputation probably resulted at least in part from an Mooreshortlyafterwards, sinceheconsidered that it Gordons in the 1790s, however, are box-pleated. obedience; Doury was the first to observe him, fled
unusually close bonding between officers and men, unduly weakened the firing line. The 79th, at least, Sinceboxpleatsarenomorethan squared-offgathers past his companion, dropping the sticks at his feet
and an assumption that highlanders were natural appear to have ignored him, and according to Lt. very much less material is required, and the 3tyards and escaped. Not so Henderson; he fell over the
soldiers, possessed ofan impetuous spirit and tem AlexanderForbesofNo.I Coy. theLightCompanies quoted are entirely adequate. No lining was bundle dropped at his feet with his face pressed
peramentally more inclined to use the bayonet. of Kempt's Brigade were reinforced by 'the 8th provided. againstthesoftmiryfield; thecolonelovertookhimas
Whether justified or not this image was in large Company and marksmen of the 79th Regiment' at Officers,ofcourse, werenotsorestrictedas tothe herecovered,seized him bythekilt, thepinsofwhich
measure self-perpetuating, since exactness in drill Q!1atreBras. quantity of material used, and knife-pleating was yielded to the tug, and left his naked posteriors to
seems sometimes to have been neglected as being Inthelightofthisitisperhapsnotsurprisingthat certainly in use by the 1820S if not rather earlier. some meritedchastisement.
I
unnecessary,asSgt. Anton relates: four out ofthe 13 regiments providing personnel for While the two methods ofpleatingare quite dissim The Gordons kilt in the SUSM, on the other
'First, the ruggedness of the mountains pre the Experimental Rifle Corps in 1800 were 'High ilar, the difference cannot be discerned at any great hand, is fastened with twosmallflat brass buttonsset
ventedprecisionofmovements;secondly,theweather land': 7lst,72nd,79th and92nd. In 1805 the process distance. into the very top at eitherside ofthe apron. There is
had become so unfavourable that every fair day was was carried a stage further when the newly raised In place of the modern arrangement of three some evidence ofdamage to the material caused by
dedicated to some other necessary purposeabout the 2178thwasselected bySirJohnMoore for trainingas straps and buckles fastening the kilt, reliance at this the prolonged use of pins, and the buttons seem to
8 9
have been an expedient intended to avoid further backupacross thebody before beingthrownover the beenmorepopular,andmostofthe I/93rdworetartan
damage. left shoulder. When worn in this manner the plaid rather than grey trousersatNewOrleans in 1815.
The kilt had originally been used as a fatigue almost completelyobscured and sometimes replaced With the leg covered only to the knee bv the kilt,
garment, but for all practical purposes itreplaced the the crimson silk nct sash which was also worn over hose formed an important partofhighland uniform.
old belted plaid by the 1790s, though theappearance the left shoulder, rather than tied around the waistas Traditionally they were white with asimple pink/red
ofthe latter was still preserved on thc parade ground in the restofthe army_ check set diagonally (edged in black for the 42nd,
by the feile or 'Ill" plaid (little plaid). Comprising Breeches were worn surprisingly frequently, 73rd and 78th), although the Dumbarton Fencibles
that part ofthe soldier's allowance oftartan material often in undress, though field officers, ineluding the had agrey/black check, matehing their black facings.
(6 yards every two years) left over after his kilt had adjutant, wore them as amatter ofcourse since their Originally they were fiIshioned out of woven cloth;
beenmade, itwasfastened from behind byonecorner duties required them to be mounted. During the but correspondence from the suppliers, William
to the left shoulder strap button and otherwise left Peninsular War company officers were also en Wilson & Sons ofBannockburn, reveals that knitted
hanging free. eouraged to ride upon themarch,and since the kilt is hose were in use by the early 1800s, and some
Officersappearto havecontinued to wear the full ill-suited to riding this effectively led to its falling illusn-ations show them worn much earlier. Knitted
belted plaid, albeit with pre-sewn pleats, for formal completely intodisuse on active service. Blueorgrey hose can be easily identified in portraits and other
parades at least until the early 1800s. Atother times, overalls became the preferred wear, frequently with contemporary illustrations byall-pink feet, a rurned
particularly when wearing breeches, they too worc a red stripes down the outside leg, but web pantaloons over top, and, in the case ofthe 42nd, an absence of
slightly longer version of the Ill' plaid known as a and half boots are also shown or recorded as being the blackedging tothecheck.
'highlandscarr. This was fastened behind to the left worn in the 71stand 92nd. The introduction of canvas half-gaiters for
shoulder strap button as before, but instead of In the 1790S both officers and men of some marchingin 1800alsoled totheunofficialadoptionof
OR'sbreasrplare, Re.J.Y letteringaremouldedin
hanging free it was passed under the right arm and regiments wore tartan pantaloons, or trews as Sir moggansor footless hose, described bySgt. Anton: Fcnciblcs. Thc rcIiefratherchanincised.
John Sinclair insisted on calling them. Strictly '... theseare hose from which the feet have been constructionisinteresting (Author)
in tharthebadgeand
speaking, beingfootless theywerenothingofthesort, cut, the spats cover this deficiency, and the legs
but the name has stuck. During the Peninsular War appear as ifthe under parts werecomplete. This was
they re-appeared, sometimes at a regimental level, an excellent method for hardening the feet so as to 'This was an improvement in the English uni
but more usually informally. In 18'4 the ever accustom them to bad shoes and bad roads ... very form, as it gave additional warmth to the back and
observant Sgt. Anton noted that the 42nd, 'the only few of the men wore any other kind, although they bowels; but when it was adopted by Highland corps,
corpsin thebrigade[I/42nd, 1179th& 9'St]thatwore had completeones in their possession.' thenatureofthegarbwasoverlooked. Thenumerous
the kilt was beginning to lose it by degrees; men The hose, ofwhatever kind, were tied below the plaits and folds ofthe belted plaid and little kilt form
falling sick and left in the rear frequently got the kilt knee with scarlet worsted garters, generally with an so thick a covering, that when the coat is added, the
madeintotrowsers,andonjoiningtheregimentagain elaborate knot, although some illustrations show warmthissogreat,thatonamarchitdebilitatesthose
no plaid could be furnished to supply the loss; thus a rosettes. Ifknitted hose were worn the turned-over parts of the body, whereas the former cut of the
great wantofuniformity prevailed.. ..' top covered thegarter. jacket, with the skirts thrown back, and the breast
The practice of having kilts made into trousers In the early 1790S all highlanders wore cropped open, left them uncovered....'
whilein rearareasseemstohavebeenalongstanding light infantry style jackets with ten loops of regi The new highland jacket, therefore, while other
one, although grey trousers were officiallyallowed as mentallaceoneachlapel, verticalfalsepocketl1apson wiseconformingtothelinepattern,wasmadeshorter
a comfortable fatigue dress until about 1825, when the skirts, and only the front corners of the skirts and had onlyeightinstead often buttonsatthe front.
officially replaeed by trews. In late October or early turned back. The lapels served to display the regi There should also have been only three buttons on
November 1813'T.S.'ofthe7'Stnotedtharthe92nd mental facing colour and, except by means ofhooks the false pockets, but illustrations and surviving
had grey trousers served out to them since the and eyes immediately below the throat, the jacket examplesreveal fourbuttonsason theold jacket.The
weatherwassocold. The79th mayalsohavereceived could notbeclosedoverthe frontofthebody; instead white waistcoat could still be worn underneath the
greytrousers atthis time, sinceAnton is positivethat it wascutawaysharply toexposethe whitewaistcoat. jaeketfor additional warmth in cold weather, burwas
they were no longer wearing the kilt in 1814. Tartan Although elegant this style was rather impractical, now given sleeves and a plain white stand-up collar,
trousersappear,however, forobviousreasonstohave and after a brief experiment with closing the jacket effectively converting it into an undress 'stable
down to the waist the army adopted a short single jacket'.
Broadswordhilt, bearingrheregimencal breastedjacketin 1797,similartothatalreadyused as .Officers' jackets were originally similar to those
BreadalbaneFencibles. badge, forthe116rh slop clothing for recruits or for troops serving in the worn by the rank and file, though obviously of
Thisunusualscylewasalso Highlanders. (SUSM)
Indies. This new jacket was notan unmixed blessing superior quality and bearing gold or silver bulLion
employed withan1inor
alceracionjcothecartouche for highlanders, as StewartofGarth comments: epaulettes on each shoulder. When the single-
10 II
whitesquares ofI'he 'Sutherland' dicing, The rear of Internalandcxternalviews
oftheso-called'em"e/ope'
this band had adeep 'Y'-shaped slit and the bottom knapsack,asuscdby[he
rim ofthe bonnet, below the band, was doubled over StrathspeyFcnciblcsc.
'793. Esscnti<Jllyit
toencloseatighteningtapeorribbon, tied atthe rear comprisestn'olarge
with a large bow. When the ribbon was untied the pocketswidJasmallerone,
forblackballsandocher
bonnet could, according to Stewart of Garth, be
dirtyicenls,accessedfrom
pulled down like anightcap, and this wassufficiently thecentralslit.Internal
stitchingisindicatedby
comfortable and popular to attract complaints in
chalklines. Theoutside
standing orders. In 1796, for example, officers ofthe faceofcheknapsackisa
close/}·n·ovencanl'as
Gordonswererathersniffilyinstructed toensurethat
waterproofedwichgreen
their men's bonnets had black ribbons at the rear so paine(thefacingcolour)
that they could be worn 'properly, and not down on whileinternallyalightcr
n-calrcofmaterialisused.
their heads like a nightcap'. l'e"ertheless photo morelikeacoarselinen.
graphs taken ofmembersoftheregimentin 1845still Dimensionswhenf..'1scened
are'9inby17in. The6in
show the bonnet pulled down.
diametercentralblack
In the centre ofthe crown, which tended to sag, discbearsthefigures'IF'
for 1StFenciblesand';\"0.5'
there was a tufted woollen ball or 'Tourie': white for
toidentifythccompany.
grenadiers,red for battalioncompaniesand green for Theinch-wide...houlder
light infantry, On the left side wasacircularcockade strapsaresewntopand
Regimcntalcolour, 97th forhighlandregiments bottomandadjustedfor
Highlanders:green with andquiteunlikechatofche aboutthree inches in diameter. The ecockades were rightnessbymeansofche
rcddisc,edgedgold, black SrrathspeyFencibles.also normallyblack butthegrenadiersofthe42nd had red breaststrap.Allbuckles
lerceringandnatural raiscdbySirJamesGrant. are'D'shaped, withouta
embj'oideredwre.Jth. This (Auchor) onesandthelightinfantrygreen,edged red, whilethe looptoholddownthefree
isaratherunusualdesign Gordons' light company had red cockades. Inicially endofthescrap.Norethe
thinnessofr.hesidescraps.
they were secured in the centre by a regimental
Blankers,ifcarried, would
breasted jacket was introduced officers adopted button, but after 1801 other devices such as sphinx befoldedinsidethe
knapsackmrherthan
instead a double-breasted one which could be pro badges, grenadesand buglehornsalsoappeared.
rolledontop.
perly buttoned over, or worn open to display the For most duties Kilmarnock bonnets were sup (Reconstruction b.l"auchor)
lapelsand sometimes thewaistcoatas well. posed to be 'mounted' with black ostrich feathers
Officers and men wore Kilmarnock bonnets, so fastened in the left side by the cockade and falling
named ITom their principal place of manufacture, overthecrOwn. Aregimental orderofthe92nd dated
These were not made up from piecesofcloth like an 7 March 1799 specified one large and six small
English forage cap but were instead heavily knitted, feathers. This was not invariably the case, however.
felted and padded, drum-shaped blue woollen caps In 1794 Col. Lewis McKenzie of the 2178th issued
about six incheshigh. Most were produced byJames imitation feathers in worsted. He reasoned that they
MacLean of Kilmarnock and supplied as usual could thus bemadeto lookuniform insizeand shape:
throughWilliam Wilson& SonsofBannockburn, the 'Everyone knows who is acquainted with the 42nd
principal outfitters of highland regiments. In 1813 Regiment that their bonnets are the least uniformly
officers' bonnets cost 36 shillings a dozen and dressed, and the worst part of their clothing and
sergeants' 28s., while ORs' cost only 2IS. (in today's appointments.' It may be no coincidence that an In undress, and in practice for much ofthe time tache,whichinlargemeasureitresembled), becomea
oncampaign,'hummel'- plain,featherless-Kilmar largely decorati"e part of the soldier's uniform and
currency, £1.80, £t.40and £1.05). inspection report on the 42nd, of q May 1790, had
Bonnetsweresometimesplain blue, butnormally complained that the bonnets were 'entirely disfig nock bonnetswerewornbymostregiments. (lVlodern wasrarely, ife"er,wornoncampaign,exceptperhaps
had a three-inch-deep diced band featuring a red ured, theyaresocovered with lofty feathers thatthey references to 'feathered hummel bonnets' are a byofficersor pipers. In itsearlr form the pursewasa
checkon awhiteground. The origin ofthis band has appear like high Grenadier caps of black bearskin, contradiction in terms.) At least three regiments, simpledrawstringleatherbag,butbythe '790Sithad
been the subject ofconsiderable discussion but the and arc by that means expensive to the men'. Dayes' however - the 72nd, 9,st and 92nd - wore flat acquired a large hairy cover at the front. This was
likeliestexplanation isthat it wassimply adecorative watercolour painted in the following year shows bonnetsin undress. generally ofgoatskin for ORs and spotredsealskinor
addition, mirroring the diced hose. It normally had relacively few feathers, perhaps in response to the Strictly speaking the purse, or sporran, was an badger for officers. The drawstrings too became
green squares at the intersection of the red checks, previous year's report, but their arrangement cer accoutrement; but while originally a functional item dccorati,-e, and about six became the norm, though
although variations are recorded, most notably the tainlyappearsless thanelegant. it had, over the rears (like the cavalryman's sabre- some units had more, generallyarranged in two rows
13
12
over their effectives to regiments remaining in India, perl' (as some mongrel Highlanders would h"'e it), may neyer have been in any serious danger oflosing
they had to be rebuilt around a cadre ofofficers and sticking wet and dirty to the skin, is not easily pulled their kilts, otherwise Erracht might not have been
NCOs; but found themselves competing for recruits off~and less so to get on again in case ofalarm orany consulted ina'private'capacity; butin 1809all five of
notonly with thoseregiments raised in the 1790S but other hurry, and all thistimeabsorbingboth wetand the'Indian' regiments, and the91st besides,notonly
also with the second battalions authorised in 1803. dirt, followed by rheumatism and fevers, which lost their kilts but were indeed 'stuffed in breeches'
Not surprisingly, finding sufficient recruits in the alternatively make great havoc in hot and cold and their highland 'distinctiOI' abolished, by the
highlands was difficult; and the kilt was, rightly or climates; while it consists with knowledge, that the Adjutant General'sMemorandum of7 April:
wrongly, identified by Horse Guards (the contem Highlander in his native garb always appeared more 'AsthepopulationoftheHighlandsofScotlandis
porary term for the army's administrative head cleanlyand maintained betterhealth in bothclimates, found insufficient to supply recruits for the whole of
quarters) as an impediment to widening catchment than those who wore even the thick cloth the Highland Corps on the establishment of His
areas. The first solution proposed, therefore, was pantaloons. I feel well founded in saying that if
to replacc the kilt with tartan pantaloons, or trews anything was wanted to aid the rack-renting High
as they were now being called. There were useful land landlord in destroying that source which has
precedents for this: the 97th Foot had worn pan hitherto proved so fruitful in keeping up Highland
taloonsduringitsbriefexistenceinthe 1790s,ashada corps, it will be that ofabolishing their native garb,
number ofFencible regiments, includingatleasttwo which His Royal Highness the Commander in Chief
lowland units. Allan Cameron ofErracht, Colonel of and the Adjutant may rest assured will prove a
the 79th, was accordingly consulted upon the matter complete death warrant to the recruiting service in
by the Adjutant General's secretary on 13 October thatrespect; butI sincerelyhopeHisRoyal Highness
1804: will never acquiesce in so painful and degrading an
Regimentalcolour,78rh reginlenralnunlberare
Highlanders:lightbuff green whilethemorto 'Iamdirectedtorequestthatyou willstatefor the idea (come from whatever quarter it may) as to strip
withaunitedphrnr- nota ;lppearsingoldleererson:1 information of the Adjutant General, your private us of our native garb (admitted hitherto our regi
wrearh- innatural redscroll.(Author)
opinion as to the expediency ofabolishing the kilt in mental uniform), and stuff us in a harlequin tartan
colours. Thecypherand
Highland regiments and substituting in lieu thereof pantaloon, which, composed ofthe usual qualitythat
the tartan trews, which have been reported to the continuesasatpresentworn, usefuland becomingfor
and terminating in large tassels known from their Commander in Chief, from respectable authority, as twelvemonths, will notenduresix weeks' fair wearas
shapeas 'bells'. an article now become acceptable to your country a pantaloon, and when patched makes a horrible
Pattern and size varied from regiment to regi men, easier to be provided, and both calculated to appearance; besidcs that, the necessary quantity to
ment,asdid thechoiceofskin. Mostregimentsopted preserve the health, and promote the comfort ofthe serve decently throughout the year would become
for abrownish white goatskin, which contrasted well men on service.' extremely expensivc, but above all, take away com
with theirdark kilts; butsome regiments, for thesake Erracht replied, famously and at length, on 27 pletely the appearance and conceit of a Highland
ofdistinction, opted for black, in which case badger October: soldier, in which case I would rather see him stuffed
skin rather than sealskin was preferred for the '... thecolonelsthemselves(thoseadvocatingthe in breeches and abolish the distinction altogether.'
officers' purses. i\1ost regimentsthowever, expressed adoptionoftrews)beinggenerallyunacquainted with Unfortunately, Horse Guards appear to have
their individuality in the number, arrangement and the language and habits ofHighlanders, while preju taken him at his word. The 79th, ironically enough,
style of the bells and - particularly in the case of diced in favour oftandaccustomed to wear, breeches,
officers' purses- thedecoration and styleofthe clasp consequently adverse to that free congenial circul
ColonelHugh theofficers,asshownin
at the top. Heavy gilt clasps were in favour in the ation of that pure wholesome air (as an exhilarating
Montgomerie(laternell rhisportraitanda
early 1790s,as were theappropriateanimal masks on native bracer) which has hitherto so peculiarly EarlofEgJinton)byjohn caricaturebyjohnKay,
SingletonCopley. The worefullhighlanddress.
the top flap, but by the 1800s a rectangular leather benefitedtheHighlanderfor activityandall theother
uniformcanbeidentified Inthe followingyear
flap bearing regimental devices was popular. ORs' necessary qualities ofasoldier, whether for hardship asthato(LheWest !Wontgomeriealsoraised
Lowla.ndFeneiblesbvthe theRoyalGlasgow
purses tended, not surprisingly, to be plainer and upon scanty farc, readiness in accoutring, or making
greenFacings,horizo"ntal Reginlenr(draftedintothe
generally lacked decoration on the top. forced marches, - besides the exclusive advantage, pocketflapandaredhearr 44thFootinAugustE795),
when halted,ofdrenchinghiskiltin thenextbrookas deviceon theturnback. thoughalitsinspection
The lossofthekilt A.lt.houghNlonrgomerie breeches.mdhatswere
well as washinghislimbsand dryingboth, as it were, nJisedthercgimenrin menrionedratherthan
Between 1798 and 1806 the five highland regiments byconstant fanning, without injury to either, but, on Ayrshirein '793theran),; quasi-highlanddress.
andfileworeGovernment (ScottishNationalPortT4Jit
which had been serving in India at the outbreak of the contrary, feeling clean and comfortable; whilst
tarranpantaloonsand Gallery)
war straggled home. In every casc, having turned the buffoon tartan pantaloon, with its fringed frip- featheredbonners, while
14 15
Majesty's Army, and as some ofthese Corps, laying wear in future the dress by which his Majesty's Moreover, far from the trews being onlyatemporary
weapon with an iron Glasgow-style hilt issued to
aside their distinguishing dress, which is objection RegimentsofHighlandersaredistinguished;and that expedient, an 1809 inspection report found the 2nd ~COs and to the rank and file. Officers of course
able to the natives ofSouth Britain, would in agreat theabo,·eCorpsshould nolongerbeconsideredason Battalion wearing them too. It is hard to escape the
purchased their own, generally according to their
measure tend to facilitating the completing of the thatestablishment.' conclusion thatCol. Pack was trying toanticipate the
fancy, although the Breadalbane Fencibles and
establishment, as it would be an inducement to the The order was variously received. The915t, with threatened 'de-kilting' by establishing the trews,
I16thHighlanders,atleast, had aregimental pattern.
men ofthe English Militia to extend their service in a very high proportion of highlanders in its ranks, which were apparently acceptable to Horse Guards,
In 1798 a brass Glasgow-style hilt became the
greater number to these regiments: it is in conse tried as far as possible to ignore it; the 1st Battalion as the regiment's uniform, rather than abandoning
regulation pattern, until replaced bythe presentsteel
quence most humbly submitted for the approbation went to Walcheren in trews, and the 2nd Battalion highland dressentirelvas thunderinglyadvocated by
hilt in 1828. Examples ofthe 1828 pattern are found
ofHis Majesty, that His Majesty's 72nd, 73rd, 74th, was reported later in the year still to have mcn Erracht. In the event he failed, since the 71St, o~
with the innerpartofthebasketcutawaytorenderit
75th,9Istand 9+th Regiments should discontinue to wearingkilts.The75thaccepted itwith theequanim being converted to light infantry early in ,809, ""as
morecomfortable when riding, but in this period the
ity to be expected from a regiment which, according ordered to adopt breeches. l\"e'·ertheless the NCOs
normal practice was toreplace the broadsword witha
to StewartofGarth, mustered fewer than a hundred and ORs retained their Kilmarnock bonnets, stif
straight-bladedspadroon,orasabreofsomedescrip
l men from north oftheTay.1tcannot, however, have fened to resembleshakos; and the pipers, though not
tion. Grenadierofficerscarried the usual broadsword
been received with other than sheer astonishment by without a struggle, were perntitted to retain full
the 94th: originally raised in 1793 as the Scotch highland dress.
Brigadeand largely recruited in the Edinburgh area, No sooner were the Napoleonic Wars over than
they had never worn highland dress. It is possible theprocessbeganofrestoringatleastsomevestigesof
that the confusion arose from the fact that they too highlanddresstotheseregiments. The72nd werethe
had served in India; but it seems likelier that their first, acquiring feather bonnets and rather striking
inclusion in the memorandum is a mistake for the Royal Stuart tartan trews in 1825; while the 7ISt
youngest of the highland regiments - the 93rd regained their trews in 1834, the 73rd appear to have
(Sutherland) Highlanders, raised as recently as 1799 adopted Murray ofAtholl trews at least in undress,
and apparently ha,·ing difficulty in recruiting in its and the 74th received trews in 1846. The 91st had to
home area. The mistake appears not to have been wait until 1864, but none ofthem got their kilts back
pointed out. The 93rd certainly had no incentive to until 188I.
do so, quite the reverse; and the 94th probably
dismissed itas justanotherexampleofincompetence Weapons
atHorse Guards. Ylembers ofthe early highland regiments and inde
Tothesix regimentsnamed in thememorandum, pendent companies were, famously, armed with a
ofcourse, should beadded the 71st, the oldest ofthe fearsome varietyofweapons: pistols, dirk and broad
'Indian' regiments. Following their return from the sword as well as the more conventional firelock and
Argentinian fiasco in 18071 wcaring a mixture of bayonet. Such a collection ofironmongery was SOon
civilian clothing and worn-out uniforms, Col. Pack found tobeimpractical,andascarll'asMal' 1775Col.
applied to the Adjutant General's office for per Stirling ofthe 42nd reported that his men's broad
mission to adopt tartan pantaloons temporarily, as swordswereinstorebecausetheyhad been found too
theycould besupplied morequickly. Agreement was much of an encumbrance. This sensible attitude
forthcoming, and the 1stBattalion fought in them at prevailed and by 1793 swords, as in the rest of the
Vimciro. infantry, were carried only by officers, sergeantsand
There is, however, more to this than meets the musicians. Dirks and pistols were still displayed by
eye. In thefirstplace, incontrasttoitsmodern, knife officers, butonly in full dress.
pleated counterpart, a box-pleated kilt can be made Asurprisingvarietyofswords werecarried. Prior
up remarkably quickly and easily, and Pack's argu to 1798theonlyregulation pattern wasarathercrude
ment on these grounds therefore seems a little odd.
Oflicerofunidcntincd overtopsofchestockings
1798patternbroadslInrd suitedtheirown fancyor I volunteerorFcncibleunit showchemtobeknitted.
hilt. Thisdesign, inbruss, conformedtoaregimental withyellowfacingsand ThedarkbluesqU.1resin
wasthefirstreglilationhi1r pattern. Itwassuperseded undifferencedGovernment thebonnerdicingare
forhighlandregimencs. bvasteelhiltin1828. settkilt. Thereisa black unusual,a~;arethepartly
Previouslyofficershad (SU5M) lineinthesilverlace, while openedlapels.(5U5M)
purchasedhileswhich thepinkfeetandrurned-
16
17
Tinmagazinecoveredin
leatherandholdingcwent» Buff facings, square end loops with red line on
roundsofanununition.
outside, officers unlaced with silver appointments.
Thispanicularexampleis
saidtobeassociatedwith Kilt: Government sett with buffand red overstripes
theIndianA1utinyperiod,
untIl c. 1798, then white and red. Tartan pantaloons
butmayinfactbe11
survivingexampleofthe insteadofkilts 1808;brownish purse.De-kilted 1809,
magazinesclippedonto butsergeantsandORsretained stiffened Kilmarnock
bayonetbeIrsonactive
bonnets.
servicebeforethe
introductionofrhclarge
cartridgeboxin theearly 1/72nd
1800s.Somehighlandun;ts
worethernasbe.llyboxes, R.I778as 78th but re-numbered 1786. In Madras at
u$in1!thesporrnn belt.
outbreak ofwar. s.Madras until 1797; Ireland 1800
(Queen'sOwnI-/(!!hlandcrs)
1805, CapeofGood Hope 1806-1821.
2!72nd
R.1803,s.Ireland, disb.I816,
Yellow facings, 'JewsHarp' bastion loops with green
hneon outside,silverlace for officers. Kilt: undiffer
enced Government sett; white purse. Flat blue
bonnets in undress. De-kilted 1809.
I/nrd
Recruitingbanner,zl78th, andlettering.Bothcrown
1804:cream worsted andscrollsareheavily R.1780 as 2/42 but re-numbered 1786. In Madras at
n13cerial,sflsinbySft. shaded. Theessential
witha fairlycrudely attractionsofenl.istmcnt outbreak of war; s.Madras until 1805, ew South
paintedcrownandgreen areboldlyspelledoutto Wales 1809-1816.
but Light Company officers normally had sabres, ih combat, since the French musket was about the scrollswithyellowedge would-berecruits. (Author) 2!73rd
either ofthe regulation pattern or with a regimental sameweigh~buthada44-inch barrel.ByWaterlooall
R.1809, s,Germany and HolJand 18IJ-1814, Water
half-basket hilt. There are, however, references to thehighlandregiments,withtheexceptionofthe71st 2/42nd loo 1815. disb.1816.
highland Light Company officers carrying dirks who had the New L,wdPa,lIern, were equipped with R.1803, s.Peninsula 1810-1812, effectives drafted
iru;tead ofswords during the American Revolution, India Patternfirelocks.
into 1StBn. Disbanded (disb.) 1814. Dark green facings, 'Jews Harp' bastion loops with
and this may very well have again been the case
red line on inside, gold lace for officers, Kilt:
during the apoleonicWars.
Dark bluefacings, 'JewsHarp' bastion loopswithred Government sett with red overstripe; brown purse.
The regulation lirelock in 1793 was the Shorl line on outside for ORs, white silk lace for sergeants De-kilted 1809.
Land Pallem .75 calibre, with a 42-inch barrel. The
and gold lace for officers. Kilt: Governmentsettwith
42nd were certainly equipped with them, and suffi 74th(Argyle)
REGULAR red overstripe, at least until c. 1812; brownish white
cient stocks were probably on hand to equip the purse,Plain blueKilmarnock bonnetin undress. Red R.1787 for service in India. s.Madras until 1805,
newly raised 1/78th and 79th; but the live highland REGIMENTS hackle in mounted bonnet after 179-' Hamilton most notably at Assaye; Walcheren 1809, Peninsula
regiments serving in India were already equipped Sml.th shows usual all white forgrenadie"rs, butother 1811-1814.
with what would soon become known as the India
sources give red over white, and red over green for
Pallem; alsoof.75 calibre, its barrel was threeinches 1/42nd (Royal Highland) Light Coy. White facings, square end loops with red line on
shorter and the whole weapon was nearly a pound Raised (R.) 1739 from Independent Companies. In outside, gold lace for officers. Kilt: Government sett
lighter. OriginallydesignedbyStringerLawrencefor Scotland at outbreak ofwar. Served (s.) Low Coun 1!71St may have been undifferenced though ordered by
theEastIndiaCompany's troops, itwaspurchased in tries 1793-1795; brought up to strength by drafts Adjutant General to be distinguished by white
R.1777as 73rd but re-numbered 1786. In Madras at
large numbers by the Government from 1793 on from 97th, II6th, 132nd and 133rd Highlanders and overstripe when permitted to resume highland uni
Outbreak ofwar. s.Madras and Ceylon (Flank CO)'s)
wards, and in 1797 production of the Short Land sent to West Indies 1796-1797; absorbed 79th'S form in 1846; whitepurse. De-kilted 1809,
untIl 1797· Ireland 1800-1805, Cape ofGood Hope
Pattern was discontinued in favour ofit. The India effectives before returning, and posted immediately
and Argentina 1806, Peninsula 1808-1809, Wal 75th
Pattern has beencompared unfavourably byfirearms to Gibraltar; Minorca 1798, Egypt 180I, Peninsula
historians with its predecessor; butthe shorter barrel 1808-1809,Walcheren, Peninsula 1812-1814,Water 2c1h7e1r8e1n, Peninsula 1810-18'4,Waterloo 1815. R.1787forservicein India. s.Madrasuntil 1805,slow
went along way to giving the British soldieran edge loo 1815. R.1803, no foreign service, disb.18'4, to recruit and did not go abroad again until 18I1
when senttoSicily,and to Corfu in 1814.
18
19