French & Indian War Highlanders

[garyjd]

I will try to cover most if not all items associated with the Highland regiments that fought in the French & Indian War, with emphasis put on the 77th (Montgomerie's) Highlanders (per Anders H's request).

This picture is from the new Highland Military Discipline of 1757 which covers the manual of arms for Highlanders. This man carries all of those items associated with the Highland regiments. His arsenal comprises the musket, bayonet, basket-hilted sword, pstol, and dirk.

I will start with all of the equipment that was carried and then move on to uniforms and weapons.

 

[garyjd]

Cartridge box ("belly box")

The cartridge box was a simple curved block of black painted populap or beech wood drilled to hold eighteen cartridges. A royal cypher was embossed on the black leather flap, which was nailed to the back of the block. Two leather belt keepers were also attached to the front of the block for the belt to pass through. The cartridge box was worn on a narrow belt of black harness leather secured with a square iron buckle. A sliding bayonet frog made of two pieces of harness leather sewn together and reinforced with tinned iron rivets held the bayonet of the soldiers musket. the measurements for the box are 8 5/16" X 2" X 2 7/8"

This original is in the Don Troiani collection.

 

[garyjd]

Here is the front of the box with the flap secured. Note the stamped cypher in false gold leaf. Below the cypher is the leather "knot" that holds the flap down.

 

[garyjd]

this is the inside of the box. Note the leather belt keepers nailed to the front of the box. Also visible is the leather "knot" that passes through a small slit in the flap to hold it down.

 

[garyjd]

This shows the belt passed through the belt keepers, part of the bayonet frog is also visible.

 

[garyjd]

This is a front and back view of the bayonet frog. this reproduction shows the placement of the rivets and the sewn part.

 

[garyjd]

This is a drawing I made reconstructing the cypher worn on the front of the cartridge box based on surviving examples. The cypher of George II contained the number 2 worn during his reign from 1727-60. The number 3 was worn during George III's reign from 1760-1820.

 

[garyjd]

This shows the arrangement worn by a lifesize figure of an officer of the 42nd Regiment of Foot at the Bushy Run visitors center. Note the bayonet/scabbard worn in the frog. The officer's frog, belt and sometimes cartridge box could be buff leather instead of black.

 

[garyjd]

Sporran

The sporran was, if you will, a purse that could carry personal items and was made from leather. they were suspended by a narrow belt. These were, as far my research shows private pruchase items, they were not issued. In most instances, especially on campaign they would do without it, except for maybe officers. This is an item I have the least amount of info on as there were many different styles.

This is a reproduction based on one depicted in a painting by David Morier.

 

[garyjd]

Haversack

This linen "envelope" held the soldier's rations and measured 13 1/2" X 15". The haversack is closed by three pewter buttons. The color could range from a light tan for unbleach linen to whitw, although it would additional be "colored" from staining left by his rations.

 

[garyjd]

Knapsack

This item was about twice the size of the haversack and in this reproduction is secured by three leather buckles and straps. This is shown in Griffing's painting. Knapsacks during the 18th century were normally single strap fur knapsacks, but the availability of hides for replacements were probably costly making canvas or cotton duck examples cheaper and more practical. The piper on the left at Bushy Run shows how this would look when worn. Note the haversack underneath the knapsack.

 

[garyjd]

Canteen

Below are reconstructions of two tin canteens that were excavated at Fort Ligonier that date from 1758-66. the heights of each left to right are 7.6" and 8.4". These were typically covered with dark wool covers that only left the spout and cork stopper exposed. The canteen was carried by way of a hemp rope cord that passed through the "pipes" positioned on each side of the canteen.

 

[garyjd]

The illustration shows a man from the 77th wearing the canteen and haversack, also visible is part of which looks like a fur knapsack. That's about it for the field gear. Some of the other images I hade do not reproduced large enough to be of use, so if there are any questions. this is by no mean the most detailed study of these items but at least provide a good starting point. If there are any questions ask away. ~Gary

 

[LCoote]

Excellent information indeed Gary, I can see myself doing one of these Highlanders in the future, Thanks

 

[quang]

Thanks, Gary, for some great, inspiring stuff

Maybe, who knows, in the future, quien sabe...


Quang

 

[Joe Hudson]

Gary,

I agree what everyone else has said, Thanks for all the information and the pictures are priceless! You have to stop now because I may have to actually do something historical.

Joe

 

[garyjd]

Guys, Thanks for the kind words. I will do the uniform stuff over the next few days as it will take time to sort out my references. Much more on the way.~Gary

 

[Anders Heintz]

Hey Gary!

Thanks for all the great information! Looking forwars to the uniform ref's!

 

[garyjd]

I'm back at it,. now let us start with the uniform now, working from head to toe.~Gary

Bonnet

The bonnet was blue and is shown by a number of sources as possesing a red band and "toorie" and either a tuft of black feathers or a piece of black bearskin. A black cockade secured with a pewter button was worn on the left side. The important thing to remember is do not depict it as a beret, this is wrong . Over time at least some commercial manufacturers have done it this way. The best way to describe it is it looks like a "pancake" sitting on the head. I will provide photos of reenactors and photos of surviving examples to give you a better idea of what it should look like.


First a little story. I attended a reenactment at Fort Niagara in New York State and met this fellow who belongs to the 42nd. For obvious reasons I asked what "documentation" was there to show "men of color" in the ranks of the 42nd. He said when fighting in the West Indies the 42nd either "aquired" or otherwise reruited blacks as musicians ( a practice seen in other regiments). They then returned back to the colonies in where the regiment served until 1767.It would be interesting if there were any that may have seen action at a place like Bushy Run. Anyway that's the story.


Note the cockade secured by a regimental button. Also visible is the tuft of bearskin and "toorie" and the red band around the base of the bonnet.

 

[garyjd]

This photo shows surviving examples found in a peat bog that date back to 1715, remarkable. Those these are knitted note the shape when worn on the head. That's about it for the bonnet.