"British line infantry in greatcoats" Topic

I'm half-way through painting a battalion of British line infantry in greatcoats (and I already know they are going to be my least-loved regiment because they look so bloody boring). So far I haven't decided upon which unit they should represent but I am about to start on the command stand and have to order their standards so the decision needs to be taken soon. My question is this: are any British regiments known to have gone into battle wearing their greatcoats? As an added complication it can't be a regiment that wore buff facings since I have already painted all the belts white and it needs to be after 1812 because they are wearing Belgic shakos. So there is the challenge: can anyone help me out

Stephen

Since most battles were fought from March through October about the only scenarios would be Corunna which they wore the stove pipe wich is only left to the Pyrenees in winter of 1813/1814.

In theory they CAN'T be any British regt. during the Waterloo campaign as Wellington ordered that all greatcoats be sent to the rear.

War of 1812 in winter 1813 or spring 1814 campaigns are plausible, give the parameters you have.

Didn't one unit of British Regulars wear their greatcoats in order to make the Americans think they were militia?

I thought the British left their greatcoats behind in a number of Peninsula campaigns as well. Certainly, it was the norm for troops involved in amphibious operations to leave them (and their packs) aboard ship and take only a rolled blanket containing a change of clothing.

I have to say that I can't recall many references to British troops FIGHTING whilst in their greatcoats, as opposed to simply wearing them on the march, in camp, etc. I'm fairly sure they fought the battle of Corunna in normal uniforms (had their kit been sent aboard the day before???).

Never mind what the British were wearing. The real question is, what were the Germans wearing?

what ever the British gave them?

Thanks for the answers guys. I don't mind if it is a regiment that took part in the War of 1812 or indeed a battalion of the King's German Legion, it would just be nice to find some evidence that greatcoats were worn on at least one occasion so I can order the appropriate standards.

The incident that Supercilius Maximus mentions about British regulars 'disguising' themselves as militia sounds interesting. Does anyone know more about this?

During the War of 1812 the 89th Regt wore their greatcoats at the Battle of Crysler's Farm, 11 Nov 1813 unlike the 49th and the Canadian Fencibles. US Regts of BGens Swartout's and Cole's brigades swarmed out of the woods at the 89th's flank believing they were militia. The 89th wheeled to face the Americans and delivered a disciplined and devastating volley, which repulsed them. The shock of the controlled volleys coupled with the 'disguised' British regulars in greatcoats caused a retreat of both American brigades.

Thanks Iron Duke. The 89th it is.

I think it was the 49th in greatcoats, rather than Morrison's 89th. Seem to recall that from Donald Graves's book…

and here in the Wiki on Crysler's farm:

"Meanwhile, Covington's brigade struggled across the ravine and deployed into line, under musket and shrapnel fire. Legend has it that at this point, Covington mistook the battle-hardened 49th Regiment in their grey greatcoats for Canadian militia and called out to his men, "Come on, my lads! Let us see how you will deal with these militiamen!"[19] A moment later, he was mortally wounded. His second-in-command took over, only to be killed almost immediately. The brigade quickly lost order and began to retreat."

Oops! Upper Canada is correct. I double checked Field Of Glory by Donald Graves (the best source on the Battle of Crysler's Farm), pg 188. It was indeed the 49th wearing greatcoats. My apologies to all.

No problem. I hadn't got round to looking for the standards so I shall now look for the 49th instead of the 89th.

British infantry in grey greatcoats and trousers, with black boots, backpacks and hats, would look like a bunch of armed flashers. They would look like they had broken off from signing the SOR to fight a battle.

What a silly image.

I think 4th Curassier has a few, um, issues, to resolve. Good Luck!

Speaking of the Americans in 1812, does anyone know any good manufacturers of 28mm Americans?

Good, is fairly subjective these days.
I know Wargames Foundry do some war of 1812, they are very old now I suppose, and maybe more like 25mm than 28mm. Nice little figures, lot of character, but also quite distinctive. Not really compatable with most of the more recent releases.

Knuckle Duster and Old Glory I think have the most comprehensive ranges.

Matchlock do 28mm Americans: link
I haven't seen them in the flesh so I don't know how compatible they are with other ranges.