Notes on the
British Napoleonic
Infantry Uniform
by Laurence Spring, UK
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Amongst the thousands of books and manuscripts preserved in the reading Room of the National Army Museum are dossiers on uniforms of British regiments, reference 6807/495, volume 33 relates to the 2nd (Queen's). Unless otherwise stated the following quotes are taken from this dossier.
Though this article relates to the 2nd (Queen's) many of the regluations refer to other infantry regiments of the time. Uniforms were, in theory, issued annually on 25 December. If a new regulation came in to force during the year then all the new recruits would have been issued with the new regulation dress, which resulted in a mixture of old and new style equipment, until the annual issue.
Though the design of the coat appears to have remained the same from year to year, the coat's pattern had to be sealed each year. There also seems to have been patterns sealed for the 2nd battalion of each regiment, it is unknown whether the pattern for the first battalion was different from the second. [1]
1. Perfect uniformity in dress is a point that requires the constant attention of the officer in command of the regiment, and dress once appointed might as seldom as possible be changed. Should it be found necessary, the Adjutant is to be dressed, to have it in his power to give directions to the Corps.
2. That there might be no excuse for the want of that uniformity, the Quarter Master is always to have in store a certain quantity of every necessary articles of dress, such as lace, buttons, epaulettes, swords, sashes, plates from the tradesmen employed by the regiment, with whom accompts will be closed annually on the 24 December.
3. The regimental coat according to His Majesty's order. Blue facings, cuffs and collar with white edging. A very narrow silver lace. 9 buttons on the front of the lapels, 4 on the cuffs, 4 on the pockets and 1 on the collar. The skirts also to be laced round on a blue edging, ending at the small of the back with two cross button holes parallel to one another. Silver spring [sie] epaulettes with a star and cross strap both on a blue ground and edging. Greatcoats blue with white edging, regimental buttons and a silver cord on the right shoulder.
4. Coats always hooked at the throat. This article to be particularly attended to in officers and men.
5. When not on public duty officers are to wear blue pantaloons and half boots or gaiters.
6. A black leather stock, a rosette on the hair and white leather sword knot with gold tassel to be considered as the uniform of the regiment. At the same time officers are always to be provided with every article of dress according to His Majesty's order.
7. Officers' and sergeants' sashes to be worn over the belt, tied as to hang down on the left thigh, the flankers as distinction over the right thigh.
8. Sashes to be worn only on Guard and regimental duty, Field days, musters, reading articles of war, and inspection of necessaries. This relates to sergeants as well as officers. The gorget always accompanies the sash.
9. Dress of the men to be pointedly according with the King's orders, the hair of the flank companies and of the drummers to be plaited up. Where knapsacks are worn, the locks to be packed up, the hair tied clear and close to the head.
10. Foraging caps worn in a polished leather case over the pouch, that the drums fastened on above the drummer's case.
11. Gaiters to come up to the cap of the knee, fastened to a button on the breeches in the bend of the knee, by a small leather loop inside, not to be seen.
12. Pouches, or bayonet belts are on no account to be fastened or hooked to the jacket either before [2] or behind.
13. Drummers to have a white leather skin from the haunch to the lower part of the leg. At their own expense, the regiment having given the first set.
14. Sergeants, bands and drums, to be always provided with white leather sword knots and gloves; the men with black leather cap for the hammer of the firelock
15. Officers and men absent on leave or on the recruiting service where duties in regimentals are never to desist in any of the smallest particular from the ordered dress. The credit of the Corps is very much in the interest in the assurance of those members that are absent. Should this order be neglected by any, and it come to the knowledge of the regiment, they will be ordered forthwith to join, and the Adjutants will note that they do not at any future period meet the same indulgence.
[Photocopy in Queen's Museum GP 25]
'Wearing of epaulettes and shoulder knots shall be discontinued by NCOs of Foot Guards and regiments of infantry, replaced by lace of the regiment, 4 bars for the sergeant major, 4 bars for the quartermaster sergeants, all other sergeants 3 bars, corporals 2 bars to be placed on the right arm.' [PRO WO 7/33]
Chevrons to be worn on the right sleeve at right angles and extend to within half an inch of the seams, half an inch of cloth appearing between the bars of the chevrons.' [PRO WO 7/33]
'The several articles of clothing recommended for the army by the General Offices ...viz. A waistcoat with sleeves for sergeants...[and] privates. A pair of breeches for privates of infantry. CWO 7/33]
Inspection return for the 2nd Foot, states officers' swords not uniform. Light infantry officers not supplied with regimental felt caps [shakos]. The light infantry appears in leather caps Cshakos] contrary to regulations, but felt caps are in store.
Officers, NCOs or soldiers when on guard are on no account to pull off any part of their clothing or accoutrements. From first evening till morning gun firing, they are to wear their foraging caps and great coats are to be worn over everything. When it rains in the day, the greatcoats are to be worn over everything; they are to be taken off and dried as soon as the rain is over.
During the spring, autumn and summer months, viz. from 25 February to 24 October, the grenadiers for the convent guard, as well as Drummers and fifers who attend the grand parade Duty for the day are to appear in their bearskins dress caps with the regimental plaite [sic] and leather flash; but during the winter months viz. 25 October to 24 February (on account of the rains) they are to wear their felt caps [shakos] and queues
No officers, NCOs or soldiers whether on duty or off is to appear at anytime in the garrison with an umbrella.
No NCOs or soldiers is at anytime to appear in his greatcoat, except when on guard or some other duty with arms, or...detachments for work may be greatcoated when there is rain.'
' A regiment of line in Europe, North America or New South Wales.
Sergeant Annually,
A coat, the sleeves unlined,
a pair of breeches made of materials of the same quality as the coat, a cloth waistcoat lined with sleeves of milled serge
a pair of military shoes.
Once in every two years;
A cap [shako] with cockade, tuft or feathers3.
Each corporal, drummer and private man shall have for clothing annually;
A coat, the sleeves unlined
A pair of breeches, made of materials of the same quality as the coat A kersey waistcoat, with serge sleeves
a pair of military shoes.
Once in every two years;
A cap [shako] as above. Above paid for by the colonel.
Greatcoat paid for by Colonel and public. Turnscrew, brush and worm paid for by the public.
Items paid for by the men
A pair of shoes, a pair of black cloth (long) gaiters, 3 shirts, 3 pairs of worsted or yam socks worsted or yam mitts during the winter one black stock, one foraging cap, one knapsack, one clothes brush, 3 shoe brushes, black ball, hair ribbon and leather, two combs, straps for carrying greatcoat, All to be issued on 25 December 1803
The officers are to be dressed according to his Majesty's regulation, especially on public parade, either for duty or when the regiment is under arms to be seen by a general officer.
The officers and men are to have their hair cut in a uniform manner, the officers' queues to be the length of the pattern at the town major's office and to be fixed to the hair of the head. When an officer's hair is not long enough for this purpose he may be allowed to fix the queue otherwise, but this is not to continue longer than two months.
Officer's greatcoats are to be of dark blue, double breasted with two rows of buttons, and a falling collar of scarlet cloth, blue cuffs with slits and open with 4 small buttons. The pockets to open at the plait, buttons similar to the respective [regiment's] uniforms.
Officers are allowed to wear out the greatcoats they now have provided they are of blue cloth, but such as have occasion for new ones will have them made as above described.
When the men are ordered to wear their greatcoats, the officers will also have their greatcoats on. As from the great uncertainty and sudden change of [the] weather in winter the officers and men for guard are frequently obliged to cloak suddenly and may sometimes be ordered to take off their greatcoats. The officers will wear their greatcoats over their sashes and belts.
The commanding officers of corps will make the best arrangements they can with respect to fatigue dresses for their men; the lieutenant governor does not expect a general uniformity in this kind of dress nor does he point out any particular dress for this purpose, as the object will probably be attained at less expense by the commanding officer then would be occasioned by a general order.
Ordered that a 'new pattern of pouch was to be introduced.' [WO 7/33]
the 2nd's'grenadier's and drummer's caps [bearskins] good.'
Lt Gen. Fox's letter from Gibraltar to Clothing Board'from the nature of the climate, the troops in this garrison for many months in the year, wear thin regimental waistcoats without their coats when off duty. I beg leave to submit to His Royal Majesty...to direct the regiment waistcoats to be sent out to the troops in this garrison with cuffs and collars of the regimental facings. The same as is done with the Corps in the West Indies.' CWO 7/33, no letter found in response to this suggestion.]
'For infantry entitled to caps [shakos], felt caps[shakos] are authorised in place of the lacquered caps in use.
'Badges of rank on greatcoats, first authorised for NCOs. For sergeants chevrons on right arm and facings of regimental colour on collar and cuffs. For corporals chevrons on right arm.'
'Permission has been obtained that the cloth for the breeches of the 2nd Regiment of Foot, for the ensuing year be supplied in the piece for the purpose of being made up at the headquarters of the battalion.' [WO 7/34]
'Pouches in future to be made to contain 60 rounds of ammunition, by which the necessity of carrying magazines will be removed.
'Blue serge trousers suggested for the regiments in the West Indies because of the shortage of Russian linen.
Queues abolished. small sponges issued for keeping heads clean.
In consequence of the order for the hair to be worn short, collars of regimentaljackets are to be higher in the neck so as to cover the clasp of the stock.
'upon entering Spain in compliment to the Spanish nation the army will wear the red cockade in addition to their own. [NAM 6807/33 History of 2nd Queen's]
'Captains of companies of Foot Guards and brevet officers of the army to wear two epaulettes
Company officers of fusilier regiments and light infantry Corps and officers belonging to flank companies of regiments [are] to wear wings in addition to epaulettes.
Adjutants to wear one epaulette on the right shoulder and a laced strap on the left.'
Ordered,'that the 71st Regiment shall discontinue to wear Highland dress...it shall be hereafter clothed and appointed in the same manner as the English regiments of light infantry.' CWO 7/34]
1. field officers (except Rifle Corps) whether by brevet or otherwise to wear two epaulettes.
2. Epaulettes of colonels to have a crown and star on the strap, lieutenant colonel, a crown, major a star.
3. Field officers of fusiliers and light companies and captains of flank companies who are brevet field officers to wear wings in addition to epaulettes, Epaulettes of grenadiers to have a grenade on strap and those of light infantry, a bugle horn, below the device authorised in 2
4. Company officers, Captains and subaltems to wear an epaulette, except those of the flank companies and captains of the Foot Guards.
5. Captains and subalterns of fusiliers and light infantry corps and of flank companies of infantry and militia and lieutenants of Foot Guards, to wear a wing on each shoulder with a grenade or bugle horn on the strap according to who they belong to grenadiers or light infantry.
Epaulettes or wings of field officers and captains to be of bullion, of subalterns, of fringe.
'To save officers' finances epaulettes and wings are to be as economical as possible.
'The C in C reproves commanding officers for deviating from the regulations on dress.
Coats are sometimes so cut away as to afford no protection to the belly and hip joint. They are so tight that they are with difficulty buttoned over the waistcoat and diminish the soldier's activity and health. Shortness of coat occasions a corresponding shortness in the waistcoat; so lessening its warmth and making it useless for one of its purpose; viz, as a fatigue dress in barracks during the summer. To remedy these evils, breeches are made of a preposterous length and the waistband is brought so high on the body as to be extremely inconvenient and detracting from the men's military appearance
Caps [shakos] of infantry are not to be worn on one side, but evenly on the head and brought well down on the forehead. Cap [shake] makers are responsible that caps are of a size which admits of their being worn.
Stocks are not to be of such a breadth as to be uncomfortable and injurious to health by pressing on the glands of the neck, so exciting scrofulous swelling in constitutions where there is a tendency to that decease.
Corps serving in the West Indies shall in future be supplied with blue serge trousers instead of Russian duck or cloth trousers hitherto in use.
Troops serving in North America to be supplied with greatcoats, one in 2 years, instead of once in 3 years as formerly. Linings of greatcoats, for warmth and comfort in that severe climate to be of greater depth so as to cover the loins.
Infantry on home service are permitted of their option to wear overalls of unbleached linen of British or Russian manufacture on marches and night duties.
Officers of infantry to wear cap of pattern similar to that established for the line A regimental coat similar to the privates but with lapels to button over the breast and body and grey cloth greatcoat
In consequence of losses every article of accoutrements and regimental appointments to be conspicuously marked with the number of appellation of battalion and regiment, as well as number or letter of troop or company. Marks to be placed inside of belts, pouches and slings.
The iron plates designed as protection against sabre cuts to be left out of infantry caps [shakos] and oil skin cases to be supplied.
Badges of regiments to be worn on the cap above the plate and the number of the regiment on the plate under the GR.
Officers and men at depots of regiments on service abroad to be supplied with pantaloons and gaiters instead of breeches and leggings.
Approval is given for caps of infantry and militia of a superior quality to which a added a cap case of prepared linen to be worn in wet weather. Caps and cases are expected to last two years.
'Inspection of men's cloths on their back is to take place on the very first convenient day after issue.'
'I was put into the light company, so have to put aside the cocked hat and taken to myself a cap and a light company jacket, with a pair of trimming large bullion epaulettes. [letters of Ensign Robert Garrett, 2nd Queen's]
'Patterns of grey cloth which are substituted for pantaloons for infantry on actual service were lodged at the Clothing Board.
'The 2nd Queens being so weak in numbers was amalgamated with the 2/53rd and its colours sent to England.'
'One sergeant in each company of battalion of infantry whose service are not subject to limitations, shall be called the colour sergeant and bear above his chevrons the badge of a regimental colour, supported by cross swords.
'Badge of colour sergeant approved.'
'Just as day broke the 2nd or Queen's regiment with part of the 53rd doffed their knapsacks and dashed at the redoubt.
'Our regiment ordered to St Jean de Luz for our clothing, very glad of it. [Diary of Capt. J A Wilson 2nd Queens, in Queen's Museum GP 42
'There will be no objection agreeable to the practice that has hitherto allowed to the wings of the coats of the flank companies being ornamented with fringe and of the shoulder straps of the battalion companies having a small tuft. If the same meets the approval of the colonel of the regiment.'
Shakos 'of Rifle and light infantry corps and the rifle and light companies of the regiments shall have a bugle horn with the number of the regiment below it, instead of the brass plate worn by the rest of the infantry.'
[1] The 2nd (Queen's) Regiment during the Napoleonic Wars mustered only one battalion.
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