Further to P.C. Mankin's interesting article on British infantry organisation I'd like to point out that the second battalion of the 42nd did not serve in the American war.* Their organisation is however rather interesting.

On landing on Staten Island in August 1776 two weak flank battalions were formed comprising the grenadiers of the 42nd and the two battalions of the 71st and likewise the light infantry companies of the three units. The 4th Highland Grenadiers were commanded by Major Charles Stuart.

According to Stewart of Garth the light infantry battalion, commanded first by Lietenant Colonel Musgrave, and afterwards by Lt. Col. Abercromby, was the 1st but this is of course at variance with the document quoted by Mr. Mankin. Stewart however was writing some 40 years after the events described and I am inclined to think that the Highland Light Infantry may actually have been the 4th.

At the same time the battalion companies were temporard divided into two weak battalions commanded by major William Murray and Major William Grant although Lt. Col. Thomas Stirling remained in overall charge of both.

* The second battalion must have upset someone for it was sent to India.

The 74th Highlanders were first sent to Halifax but in the spring of the folowing year the flank companies were ordered south and joined the respective provisional battalions. The 4th Highland Grenadiers remained in New York State, garrisoning Stony Point, but the Highland Light Infantry battalion went south with Lord Cornwallis.

The 76th Highlanders for their part landed in New York in 1778 and its flank companies were immediately assigned to their respective provisional battalions. Stewart this time refers to the 2nd Light Infantry but there seems no reason not to suppose that he actually meant the 4th Highland Light Infantry.