This article continues our series about the clothing and organization of the Indians, regulars and colonials which fought in North America. Contributions from the membership are needed and those of you with data are asked to kindly prepare some for future Issues. This should prove to be one of our more exciting projects as we continue with our goal to learn more About the SYW. Now, let us review Information about some of the regular and colonial units of this ere as we look at an article written by John Laing of The RAFM Company Ltd. from research conducted to produce part of "The Flint and Feather" range of 25mm miniatures.

UNIFORMS IN NORTH AMERICA DURING THE SEVEN YEARS WAR

The design research for the third release of our "Flint and Feather" range resulted in a good quantity of information pertaining to the uniforms and their colours of the North American troops during the Seven Years War. The following information was token from a number of secondary sources so I make no claims to brilliant revelations or anything such as that. It is likely, however, that a discussion of some of this information will be rewarding. The sources consulted are noted below:

1. Rene Chartrand The French Soldier in Colonial America Museum Restoration Service, Bloomfield, Ontario, Canada. 1984 ISBN 0-919316-18-2

2. Rene Chartrand and Jack L. Summers Military Uniforms in Canada 1665-1970 Canadian War Museum historical publication No. 16 National Museum of Men, Ottawa, Canada, 1981 ISBN 0-660-10346-Y

3. John R. Elting ed. Military Uniforms in America Vol. I The Era of the American Revolution 1755-1795 Presidia Press, San Raphael, CA, USA, 1974 ISBN 0-89141-000-7

4. Liliane and Fred Funcken L'Uniform Et Les Armes Des Soldats de la Guerre En Dentelle Casterman, Tournai, Belgium, 1974 ISBN 2-203-14315-0

5. Philip Katcher Armies of The American Wars 1753-1815 Hastings House, New York, USA, 1975 ISBN 0-8038-0389-3

6. C.C.P. Lewson A History of the Uniforms of the British Army, Vol. III Kaye and Ward, London, UK, 1961 No ISBN available

The Seven Years War in North America was fought by approximately five armies, split 2 1/2 on each side. We can call the sides French and British. On the French side were the French (regular) Army, the Canadian (French Colonial) forces and some Indians. On the British side are the regular British Army, the American provincial forces and the rest of the Indians, especially the Iroquois confederacy. (For an interesting view of this war see New France: The Last Phase by George E.G. Stanley. McClelland and Stewart, Toronto. Canada. 1968.)

Since we had already presented a comprehensive range of Indians, we had the problem of presenting the white troops in proper kit for the period. The books cited previously plus a good bit of historical rending provided us with what we needed.

First, we look at the British regulars. When confronted by the need to campaign in the North American wilderness the regulation European style uniform was found wanting. It was heavy, hot and cumbersome. The tricorne hat was likewise somewhat unsuitable. The first casualties were regimental facings and the long turnbacks. Coats were shortened into jackets. Often the sleeves of either the undercoat or the coat itself were omitted in the interests of movement and comfort. Specifically. these modifications are represented as follows:

In-27 British Light Infantry Is a common illustration , appearing in various forms in Funcken. Katcher and Elting. The latter shows this sort of figure as rangers, 55th R.O.F., and light Infantry. His coat is cut down and locking sleeves. He has discarded the bayonet for a hatchet and his tricorne has become a Jockey cap. He is particularly suitable for representing light Infantry companies or the regiments that were fully converted for use as light infantry such as the 55th R.O.F. (Howe's) and the 80th R.O.F. (Gage's).

In-28 British Infantry in North American Kit another version of a British Infantrymen pretty well ""gone native." His one concession to the old style in in retaining a bayonet. How" -r, his hat, coat and lace have all conformed to the new reality. In case he gives up on the bayonet, be has his axe In reserve. He, like all troops of the "In" range, has adopted leather leggings. There are quite a few illustrations in the sources for this figure. Elting and Katcher both show figures of this type but my favorite is a qorgeous illustration In Summers and Chartrand of a 60th R.O.F. infantryman. It is a 60th R.O.F. that I personally like to think of as this figure.

In-29 British Infantry, Braddock Campaign displays a figure much less affected by the new conditions. This seems appropriate as Braddock and his men were defeated by their lack of preparedness for just this situation, The figure has adopted leather gaiters and Indian wallet. He is based an an illustration in Katcher.

In-30 British North American Command Group is intended to provide command figures far modified British infantry and for the American provincials. The officers are largely in regulation gear, although the drummers have discarded the mitrecap and drummer's coat for s standard type. The officer is taken largely from an Illustration of Col. Nathan Whiting appearing in Katcher and Lawson but also on several illustrations in Elting. The officers have an assortment of weapons and flags for use as desired.

Next, we felt a couple of representations of American colonial troops were appropriate. The American colonials fell to the work of defeating the French with a will. Large numbers of troops were recruited, often more than could be clothed and equipped.

In-31 American Infantry in Hunting Shirts is as nearly typical a soldier as may be possible. The supply of uniform clothing has not been sufficient to provide for his needs. He therefore wears that typical and practical frontier garment, the hunting shirt. He is based around illustrations and notes in Elting , Katcher and Lawson. To provide variety, this figure has four different heads.

In-32 American Infantry in Regimentals is an illustration of the appearance of those troops who did get proper uniforms. In general these uniforms had a short coat (either provided that way or quickly "bobbed" in this fashion.) They were lapelied and most states selected a uniform coat colour and a complimentary facing colour. The figure is based on Katcher, Elting and Lawson.

The French adapted most quickly and best to the special characteristics of frontier warfare. This is especially true of Lite Colonial regulars (Compangnies Franche de la Marine) and militia. Their greatest day was at the Monongehela where Braddock and his novice followers were defeated.

In-33 French Infantry in Waistcoat shows a typical French regular In North American outfit. He has discarded his bayonet in favour of a hatchet and has adopted leather leggings. It was practice in the French Army to leave the heavy woolen overcoat at home when on summer campaign. This figure is suitable either for French Army regulars or a well dressed example of Compagnie Franche de la Marine. He is based on Pengel and Hart, Chartrand (both books) and Katcher.

In-34 Compagnie Franche de la Marine is much the same as In-33 except that he wears the "pokalem" or forage cap. Since this makes him a little less dressy we have called him Compagnie Francais although he is quite suitable as a dressed down army regular. He is based on a beautiful illustration in Summers and Chartrand which also shows army troops dressed this way.

In-35 French North American Command Group is an effort to depict the command figures gone a little off' with exposure to the frontier. The drummer wears the pokalem and all figures wear leather leggings. The officers have hatchets and may be assembled with various weapons and flags as desired.

This pretty well finishes the list of new North American figures. I have tried to explain some of our thoughts in the design of this range and some of the uses to which they may be put.

In addition to the above, we have released a line of troops In standard Seven Years War uniforms for those who wish to have armies or figures in the proper uniform. These include a British Command Group (G153), British Infantry with a pack (G151) and a British Grenadier (G152). There are also French Infantry (6154), Grenadier (6155) and Command Croup (615G). Lastly, we did a British Marine (6157) based on Field's "Britains See Soldiers." Except for the marine. all figures are pretty well regulation and available In Lite staple references of Funcken plus Pengel and Hurt.

The sources give considerable information for uniform colours for the American units. The following table is abstracted from Lawson, Katcher and Elting. I confess It is somewhat simplified. For a fuller explanation, I recommend attention to the sources.

REGIMENT	COAT	FACINGS	BREECHES	WAISTCOAT
Massachusetts	Blue	Red	Red or Blue	Blue
Connecticut	Red	Yellow	Red	Yellow
New Jersey	M/Blue	Red	Blue	Red
New York	Drab	Light	Buckskin	Buckskin
Pennsylvania	Drab/Green	Red	Buckskin	Red
Virginia	Blue	Red	Blue	Red
South Carolina	Blue	Buff	Red	Buff

As this is a period not well known and where sources are not widely available, we provide basic uniform and organizational notes in every pack of these figures. We hope this will help gamers, particularly the more junior to get involved in this period.

In conclusion, let me say I do not claim to have discovered all sources or to know all about this subject. I em most interested in input from gamers as to what was done wrong and what can be done to Improve things. Please let us know your feelings.

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