"AWI Brit Foot Guards battalions" Topic

Was there any distinct uniform differences in the two Foot Guard battalions versus regular line battalions?

Also were the two battalions basically wearing the same identical uniform?

Yes,there were. The 2 combined Guards Bn.s' modified their uniforms for N. America but uncocking their hats and removing the lace,shortening their coats and removing the lace,and wearing gaitered trousers,or overalls instead of breeches and gaiters. They also left their colors in England,so none were carried here in America during the War. You can check out my blog,as I'm doing the Southern Campaigns,and have done the Guards in 28mm. Figures are a mix of Perry and Foundry.

link

Bob

Nice work!

Are those uniform changes applicable to the Guards when serving in the north at Monmouth or Germantown?

re those uniform changes applicable to the Guards when serving in the north at Monmouth or Germantown?
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They had those uniforms in time for the Long Island and the NY Campaign in 1776.

And TYVM!

Bob

See Burke and Bass's scholarly article:
link

Guards website summary:
brigadeofguards.org/equipment

I believe the lace on their coats would have been distinctive to the regiment of Guards they came from.

Very interesting article on the Guards. I didn't realize units were wearing the roundhat, short coats and trousers in 1776.

Were the Guards one of the first units to wear the roundhat, short coats and trousers?

I was also surprised to see the Guard grenadiers wore a light infantry style cap without crest.

Good article.

There seemed to be a big shift of the army going into round hats and shortened coats following their time in Halifax. The one marine battalion there was also reported going into round hats and "trouzers" as well.

Of course, based on McGuire's books, at least some of the converged grenadies still retained their bearskins at last at the 1777 campaign around Philly.

There is always a big deal made out about Burgoyne converting all of his troops to short coats, trousers and light infantry caps in his 1777 Saratoga campaign. So I was always under the impression that he was cutting a new path in British uniforms. Thus I assumed round hats and short coats didn't become common until 1778 or later.

The British army withdrew to Halifax in 1776 after Boston if I remember correctly. So were round hats and short coats the standard uniform as of 1776 or were the Guards in 1776 setting a new standard which was gradually adopted by the line regiments?

Jagger--Yes they were although you would always get the occasional Colonel who would insist on correct dress..My army is about 80% Roundhats and 20% correct uniform..

Cheers

Arch

The standard under Howe was relaxed, to a more practical field dress. I am not sure what most Colonels felt on the matter since few fielded, and if it didn't actually cost them more, they may not have cared that much.

Burgoyne's uniforms were modified for a number of reasons. I think that has been covered well in past threads.

There is also some evidence pointing to uniform modifications in Boston as well, including a water color showing British soldiers guarding the captured rebel works, wearind round or unlaced hats. That was done by an officer there. There are some other fleeting references from the Boston garrison as well. So, perhaps you could say what was started there was carried to the next level by 1776.

I think it fair to say that throughout history, most armies quickly adapt their uniforms to field use in time of war. The British had an established history of this from the F&I War as well, where Howe served as a Light officer (as did his late older brother, killed at Fort Ti – who heavily modified his army's uniforms).

Unfortunately,I still see gamers who have all their brits in those white powdered wigs too!!

Bob