The 93rd SHRoFLHU, Inc. was founded in January 1989 as a living memorial to the real 93rd. The Unit is a member of numerous historical organizations, including the Napoleonic Association. The Commanding Officer led the Highland Brigade at the 175th and 180th Anniversary Reenactments of the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium and is Acting Secretary of the North America Brigade - British Army Overseas.

At left, Recreation: 93rd Regiment, 1815, Undress & 'New Orleans Uniform', Battalion Company Other Ranks. Left to Right: Sergeant - armed with regulation pike and basket hilt sword, his sash is run with middle stripe of yellow facing colour of the Regiment. Private in gray wool greatcoat. Pnvate in full battle order for New Orleans. All wear the plain bonnet and government tantan trews. Behind them flies a Regimental camp colour.

The Unit served as a Guard of Honour for The Queen on the Royal Texas Visit in 1991 and has received letters of appreciation from The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, The Clan Sutherland Societies of North America and Scotland and Her Majesty The Queen (Colonel-In-Chief of the A & S H).

At right, Recreation: 93rd Regiment 1815 Other Ranks Marching Order Feather Bonnet with brass Regimental badge and white over red feather hackle (denoting battalion company). Kilt is of government tartan. Black gaiters are worn over buckle shoes and diced hose gartered by red ribbon. Both carry D-section mess tins in oilskin covers strapped to the top of the knapsacks.

Membership is open to any geographic area. Women and families are welcome as an integral part of the Unit. A monthly newsletter, "THE THIN RED LINE" (what else?} is published. The Unit's structure follows proven guidelines of similar organizations. As a volunteer organization members have input though final decisions come from HQ. Fun is the ultimate goal of any hobby.

Accuracy

The Unit strives for as accurate and authentic a portrayal as possible. Great effort was spent to acquire and reproduce the correct buttons, badges and other materials. The Unit's portrayal spans 181 -58. Importance is placed upon the Napoleonic era as, well, it's the era with reenactments. (Anyone up to organizing one in the Crimea? No? Well, then...)

The Unit averages one event per month, either battle reenactment, encampment, living history, or Scottish Festival. A Balaklava Day formal dinner is held every October. Each January the Unit participates at the New Orleans Battle Commemorative Event. Other reenactments of the 1812 War attended in Canada, the north and east US as circumstances allow. Reenactments of the European theatre are forming in North America.

At left, Recreation: 93rd Regiment 1815, Officer Full Dress. Highland officers of this period generally wore the kilt only for Full Dress occasions. 93rd officers wore silver appointments - buttons, lace, badge, belt plate, epaulettes, gorges The lapels are buttoned back showing the yellow facing colour and full laced buttor loops. The badger head sporran is Regimental pattem. Armed with dirk and gasket hilt sword, white leather gloves were de rigueur for officers in all forms of dress.

The original 93rd was raised in 1799 in northern Scotland. In 1805 they served in recapturing the Cape of Good Hope remaining in garrison there until 1814 when sent to America for the New Orleans campaign. At New Orleans the 93rd suffered the heaviest casualties standing "firm and immovable as a Brick Wall" (no running through brambles contrary to a popular song). The 93rd served with distinction around the world in following years, always noted for their great sense of duty and discipline.

In the Crimea on 5th October 1854 the 93rd earned immortal fame standing alone in line as they repulsed massed Russian cavalry at Balaklava, becoming the one and only "THIN RED LINE". The 1857 Indian Mutiny saw them earn seven Victoria Crosses at Lucknow.

At right, Recreation: 93rd Regiment 1815, Full Dress, Other Ranks. The Regimental design sporran was only worn in full dress during the period. Gaiters were not wom, revealing full diced hose and buckled shoes The private guards the 1815 Regimental Colour of the 93rd.

In 1881 the 93rd amalgamated with the 91st, becoming The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. It is interesting to note the only defeat suffered by the old 93rd was at New Orleans where they were ordered to wear trousers. At all of their victories the 93rd wore, of course, the KILT

For information contact: 93rd SHRoFLHU, PO Box 100011, Fort Worth, TX 76185, USA. Email: ninety3rd@aol.com