"Would Pulaski's Legion have red or white turnbacks?" Topic

AWI of course.
I've seen both, even in a color photo of reenactors posing together.
In cases of agonizing conflict like this, I'm inclined to follow the Cool Factor.
I have painted incorrect figures before, but once the unit hits the tabletop, they're etched in stone. Figuratively speaking.

So, in case there are primary sources brought to my attention within a week to contradict this, I'm going with red.

I went with red for mine also.

Will look. IIRC it was an expensive unit to kit out and did not live up to expectations.

Pretty, but not all that effective.
Yup. That's what I'm looking for.

No primary sources that list the turnbacks (that I could find) – though I did find something I havent before – that he lancer pendants were white and red

As to turnbacks – I used this – seemingly from Katcher and others stating white in the north and red in the south. My conclusion was that after his legion was surprised in Little Egg Harbor he would have needed new uniforms – perhaps the change took place then – if at all

link

Mark O Zlatich shows them with:

Blue coat and cuffs, no facings. Trimmed in white on coat and cuff buttons, yellow (???) on the cuff, coat and turnback edge, and on the edges of the waistcoat.

Helmet with star device (six sided), white plume with which comb. Turnbacks on coat are white edged in gold. Small clothes are all white. This for 1778.

I believe this is the unit referred to in Todd Braisted's books – The Grand Forage – that was so expensive to kit out and performed so poorly.

The secondary sources I have seen have shown the foot element of Pulaski's Legion with red facings and white turnbacks. Mounted elements are more confusing. One source indicated each troop had its own facings. A second suggested the mounted troops wore the same uniform as the foot. A third had the legion horse wearing short jackets with sleeves, perhaps as an alternative uniform. I have not seen a source indicating the Legion had red turnbacks, but would not be surprised. BTW I have also seen some sources indicating all mounted troops were armed with lances, but other sources indicate 1 troop was lancers and 2 were dragoons.

If you want to justify red turnbacks there were certain South Carolina Continental regiments that had them at times. You could always argue they were coats obtained from SC sources after the regiment moved south.

When in doubt I follow Giles (Tarelton's Quarter) and he has his with white turnbacks