"1st Grenadier Battalion 1776" Topic

Nothing says American Revolution like a battalion of British Grenadiers! And these are beautiful figures that capture the look of these elite soldiers.

The Fife and Drum miniatures Grenadiers are uniformed as they might have appeared on campaign with shortened regimental coats and trousers. Swords have been placed in storage and waistbelts worn over the shoulder or converted to shoulder belts. At this time the grenadier cap was still being worn into battle. These were light weight, with a tin front to give it it's shape and they could fold flat. For daily service they wore a fatigue cap, made from an old coat or a cocked hat with a white feather. At the Battle of Brandywine the commander of the 2nd Grenadier battalion Colonel Meadows is reported to address his soldiers by saying, "Grenadiers, put on your caps (bearskins); for fighting and drinking I'll match you against the world!"

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Great brushwork, Mark. Lovely miniatures very well painted. It doesn't get much better!

Great work!

Nice imposing looking battalion!

They would certainly cause panic amongst my militia!

Well Done!

A much more learned individual just wrote to me to remind me of these quotes about Grenadiers at Brandywine. How I wish I had included these in my post. Please excuse my posting them and how I wish the individual could still share his knowledge with us at this site.

"Brandywine was the ultimate expression – in the AWI at least – of the raison d'etre of the Grenadier Corps; as the two battalions stepped off, the 24 constituent companies would each have boasted 2 drummers and 2 fifers, so almost 100 musicians (although what exactly they were playing is lost in the mists, as the term "The Grenadiers' March" was applied at the time, to both "The British Grenadiers" (quick) and "The Grenadiers' Slow March" as we know them today.

"Nothing could be more dreadfully pleasing than the line moving on to the attack; the Grenadiers put on their Caps and struck up their march, believe me I would not exchange those three minutes of rapture to avoid ten thousand times the danger."
Lt William Hale, 45th Foot.

"(The) line moving on exhibited the most grand and noble sight imaginable. The grenadiers beating their march as they advanced contributed greatly to the dignity of the approach."
Lt Martin Hunter, 52nd Foot

Kudos to the Americans for standing against it. "

"…the Grenadiers put on their Caps and struck up their march…"

Which does make one wonder just what they were wearing before putting on their caps.

Felt hats, uncocked? More suitable for campaigning in the Middle States in late summer, come sun, wind or rain

Cf. "My Triumphant Entry into Philadelphia."

By the way, I have been trying to track down the young American boy's account of the grenadiers marching into Philadelphia a fortnight aftr Brandywine. Can anyone help me?

All my Grenadiers wear bearskins. They maybe wrong, but that is how I like them.

Very nice.

Re.my last post.

"I went up to the front rank of grenadiers when they had entered 2nd Street, when several of them addressed me thus, How do you do young one- how are you my boy'– in a brotherly tone… [They] then reached out their hands, and several caught mine and shook it, not with the exalting shake of conquerors as I thought, but with a sympathising one for the vanquished… their tranquil look and dignified appearance have left an impression on my mind, that the British grenadiers were inimitable."

'J.C.' Then aged 10. Philadelphia, September 26th, 1777. (Quoted in 'The Philadelphia Campaign,' Thomas Maguire, Vol II, p.14)