"British overcoats and shako covers" Topic

Hello everyone ,

It appears that one of Wellington's general orders during the 1815 campaign was to have overcoats sent to the rear and stored. Supposedly to lighten the load on the infantrymen?

This applied to British and possibly KGL and Hanoverian infantry units?

This is very interesting, but particularly annoying because all wargame miniatures for these infantry generally have it on their backpack.

And for the shako covers?

Did all the British infantry carry them at Waterloo?

And the KGL and Hanoverian units had them?

And did the same?

That is a grey blanket on the backpack. Considering the weather conditions, I would be very surprised at any unit turning out without covers for expensive headgear on June 18th and that includes cavalry and gunners.

I believe that by the time they got to Paris many of the 1812 'bang up' caps were fairly wrecked.

Cavalie Mercer was not impressed : "their cap is
perhaps the meanest, ugliest thing ever invented."
\

@deadhead
Would British horsemen have worn shako covers and helmet covers during the 1815 campaign?

@42flanker
So if by the time they arrived in Paris, most of their 1812 bang up caps were pretty destroyed, is that because they weren't wearing shako covers?

Little doubt that the Scots Greys did, even if one could still get one's plume famously shot off. Helmeted Dragoons are often shown with black oilskin covers and surely Light dragoons similar.

I have an original aquatint by Charles Hamilton Smith, from his book of prints of the 1812 regulations, showing the 1st Foot Guards marching, wearing overcoats and shako covers with a separate cover for the plume. On their backs they carry a black, folding pack – not the rigid 'Trotter' – with a mess tin or plate strapped to the middle. There is no blanket roll atop the pack.

Some of the Jones sketches of Waterloo show men without a greatcoat or a blanket strapped on top of the pack while others have the blanket on top.

"Costume of the Army of the British Empire, according to the last regulations – 1814" by Charles Hamilton Smith has the following illustration for cavalry:

However trying to use your sword arm wearing a cloak would likely be difficult as your movement would be impeded.

Paskal

A letter/report by Capt. Jacobi, Luneburg Field Bn. (The Waterloo Archive Vol. II) confirms the lack of greatcoats for the Hanoverians. "The men had to give up their overcoats several weeks ago, and every man had received a woollen blanket that was strapped to the top of the knapsack."

What color woolen blanket?

And for the shako covers?

If the British infantry carry them at Waterloo.

The KGL and Hanoverian units had them?

And carry them at Waterloo?

Greatcoats were worn by the Royal Marines, too.

ADM 1/3248
Miscellaneous correspondence from the Commandant In Town
No 102

No 6 Duke Street, Portland Place
10th Aug 1812

Sir

It having been represented to me that the Great Coats of the Soldiers of the Line, were made in a way much better calculated to secure the Wearer from wet than the Great Coats Issued for the use of the Marines; I procured a pattern and requested the Contractor to make the Alteration in the Marine Great Coat, (which is a stand up collar, and a deep falling cape, with a strap to keep the coat close to the Body) and as the contractor has any liberally converted, to make the alteration without any additional expense to the Marines; I have to request you will be pleased to move their Lordships, to approve of the Pattern, and order it to be Sealed and sent to the Navy Board, with directions to consider it as the Pattern Greatcoat, so soon as the present Stocks of Great Coats in Store may be Issued.

I am
Sir
Your very obedient
humble servant
John Barclay Lt Genl

PS I have sent the Pattern of the Greatcoat at present in use and the Pattern proposed to Mr Wright in the Marine Office.

Letters from Commandants in Town 1813-1814
ADM 1/3249

No 6 Duke Street Portland Place
3 April 1813

Sir

In reply to your letter of the 2nd inst inclosing a letter from the Navy Board

'referring to an application secured from the Quarter Master of the Portsmouth Division requesting to know how He is to dispose of the Black Great Coats for Serjeants remaining on his possession in consequence of their being ordered to wear Drab Coloured Great Coats in future'

and signifying their Lordships directions to me to enquire into the matter. You will be pleased to acquaint their Lordships that I am not aware any orders have been given for the Serjeants wearing Drab Coloured Great Coats as I purposely deferred bringing the matter before their Lordships until the Blue Greatcoats previously made up were all Issued and on reference to my Circular Letter of the 28th May 1812 directing their Lordships order respecting Dress to be carried into execution, I find the following passage

'I have to desire you will cause the said alterations to take place in the Division under your Command ( as far as relates to the Officers) on or before the 1st of August 1812, and the Drab Coloured Great Coats for the Serjeants to be adopted, as soon as the numbers at present made up are Issued'
and you will be pleased to acquaint their Lordships, that as *nice* the above Circulal Letter was written, I have had no communication with the Divisions on the subject, nor did I apply their Lordships to approve a Pattern as from frequent enquiry I found the Black Great Coats were not all issued.

I return the enclosed and
I am
Sir
Your most obedient
humble servant
John Barclay Lt Genl

[FAO] J W Croker esq

Aug 31
Inquire why the Great Coat is drab such a mixed color like that of the army

Navy Slop Office Somerset House
21 August 1813

Dear Sir

I am ordered by General Barclay to send you from hence a Pattern of a Great Coat for the Sergeants and also a Pattern Knapsack which the Board are informed will remain with you for their Lordships verification and approval

I am
dear Sir
Your obedient Servant

[FAO] D Wright esq

No 178
No 6 Duke Street, Portland Place
20 August 1813

Sir

The Blue Great Coats which the Serjeants were accustomed to wear, being, being nearly all issued, I thought it necessary to direct the Contractor to make a Pattern Coat of Drab Cloth, conformable with the Regulations, and agreeable to their Lordships Order of the 24th of March 1812. I also directed the Contractor to make a Pattern Knapsack, previously the same as those furnished to the Two Battalions, which if their Lordships are pleased to approve, it will prevent the necessity either of an allocation or of open supply, whereon it may be found necessary to employ the Marines on shore and the Knapsack possesses very useful property, containing as much as the Knapsack now in use and being much more stable, and will be carried with half the fatigue.

The Price at which the Navy Board should be directed to cause the Great Coats to be supplied at, will be the same as the Blue Coats now in use, namely Forty Five Shillings, and the price of the Knapsacks Eight Shillings and Six pence.

I am
Sir
Your most obedient
humble Servant
John Barclay Genl

[FAO] J W Croker Esq

Depiction of a Royal Marine other ranks (Private or Corporal), wearing a buff greatcoat and a forage cap.

Don Troiani website
link

I do believe there is a further Charles Stadden portrayal of an officer in a greatcoat

"Globe & Laurel" Magazine
Commemorative cover
commissioned in 1980 by the Royal Marine Association
depicting three RM officers in 1805
Copyright RM Museum

I did not write down which issue has the cover.