The following description of the armies and their dress is regretably not in the depth I'd prefer. I would encourage reference to the works cited in the bibliography for further study. My purpose here is to present enough information for the wargamer to paint his or her armies to a reasonable standard of accuracy.
I'd like to thank my regular wargame opponent (and resident Dutch-ophile) Mitch Allen for his tedious compilation of the Dutch material from many far- flung sources besides my own library.
THE BRITISH
The foot regiment in the British Army was an administrative rather than
tactical unit. It was composed of between eight and twelve companies and a
small staff. The companies were administrative subdivisions and did not fulfill
tactical roles. One of the companies was the "grenadier company", whose
members were easily recognized by their tall mitre caps. The remainder of the
companies were the "battalion companies", whose members were known as
"hatmen". A separately designated light company did not appear until midway
through the Seven Years War.
The following is the paper organization during the 1741-48 campaigns. The foot regiments each contained nine battalion companies and one grenadier company. The First Foot Guards had twenty-four battalion companies and four grenadier companies. The Second and Third Foot Guards each had sixteen battalion and two grenadier companies. Each company had a strength of a captain, a lieutenant, an ensign, three sergeants, three corporals, two drummers and seventy privates. A Guards company had seventy-one privates.
When the regiment took the field of battle it formed itself into a battalion. This was the basic tactical unit. The "hatmen" of the battalion formed into a number of tactical fire units called "platoons" which had absolutely no relationship to the company organization. The platoons of the battalion were distributed among four "grand-divisions". The grand-division was always made up of one-fourth of the battalion's hatmen. The number of platoons per grand- division was determined by the available strength. A platoon would be composed of thirty to forty-eight men.
It was not the platoon but the grand-division which was the tactical manoeuvre subunit. These subunits did not operate independently, but were important for formation changes and represented the intrabattalion manoeuvre command structure. The grand-divisions were each commanded by the most senior of the battalion's captains. The battalion was of course commanded by the lieutenant colonel. Regimental majors did not exercise tactical command responsibilities.
Before the reader leaps to the erroneous conclusion that the battalion organization wasn't that much removed from the modern system, the subject of how the troops actually fought must be discussed.
Forget about the grand-division and return to the thirty-odd hatmen making up the platoon. in order to deliver firepower ("give fire") the platoons of the battalion were grouped into three "firings" which of course had no relationship to either the grand-division or company organization.
The grenadier company was usually formed on the flanks of the battalion. One of its duties was to provide some cover to the battalion while it was forming. It became common, however, for the grenadier companies of several battalions to form up as a provisional grenadier battalion. It appears that at the Battle of Fontenoy the grenadiers remained with their respective parent units.
Cavalry regiments formed themselves into two or three "squadrons" for tactical purposes, depending on the number of "troops" (companies) available. Three squadrons were most common during the 1742-48 campaigning. The various regiments of horse, dragoon guards and dragoons each had a strength of six troops. The Blues and the 2nd Horse each had nine troops.
Each troop had a captain, lieutenant, cornet and quartermaster. The Horse and Dragoon Guards' troops each had two corporals, one trumpeter and thirty-eight troopers. The Blues had forty troopers per troop. Each Dragoon troop had three sergeants, three corporals, two drummers, one hautbois and fifty-nine troopers.
Organization of the army above battalion level on campaign was generally ad hoc (there were rare peacetime groupings of battalions into camps). No formal brigade structure existed either on paper or in fact until wartime. Needless to say, there was also no division or corps (wing) organization to which staffs could be formed and trained.
The camps that were formed during the mid-Eighteenth Century were no comparison to the large Prussian field exercises or French camps.
The British Army that went to the Netherlands in 1742 was ill-prepared to operate as an army.
Prior to going to the continent several battalions were camped together and given the opportunity to practice firing in a line of battle with other battalions. Further training took place after arrival of the troops in thewar zone. This was absolutely necessary because of the paucity of peacetime training.
In 1742 the British Army was distributed as follows - battalions of foot/regiments of cavalry: Britain -29/7; Ireland -9/7; Gibraltar- 5/0; Minorca - 5/0; West Indies - 1/0; North America - 2/0; and the Flanders-16/10. Not included are four battalions destroyed in the West Indies.
UNIFORMS
For the British soldier of 1742 the prime source is a book of hand-colored prints named A Regulation of the Cloathing of His Majesty's Household and all the Forces upon the Establishments of Great Britain and Ireland 1742.
All British foot wore red coats with lapels, cuffs and turnbacks in the facing color. Buttonholes were sometimes laced on the lapels, pockets and above the cuffs. Lace was either all white or white with designs. The 1742 Book shows lace bordering the coat, lapels, cuffs and waistcoat. The hat was a black tricorne taped in white with a black cockade. Campaign gaiters were changed to grey in 1745 from brown. The guards' gaiters were black in 1741-43, grey in 1744 and brown after May of 1745. Gaiters were tied below the knee by a small black belt.
Shirts and neck stocks were white. Waistcoats were red. The 1742 Book shows green for the 5th and 39th Foot, yellow for the 20th and 30th Foot, and orange for the 35th Foot. Cuffs were slashed, except for the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 10th, 16th, 27th, 28th, 33rd, 37th, 39th and 5oth Foot which were squared.
Belts were buff. The waistbelt (sword belt) was worn outside the coat, although during campaign it became increasingly common to wear the coat unbuttoned on the outside. Pouch belts were worn over the left shoulder fastened with a red shoulder strap. The ammo pouches' flaps were blackened. No designs were on them except for the First Foot.
| BRITISH FOOT REGIMENTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Reg't | Facings | Lace | Buttonholes |
| 1st Guard | Blue | White | Squared |
| 2nd Guard | Blue | White | Pointed |
| 3rd Guard | Blue | White | Pointed |
| 1st Foot | Blue | White | Pointed |
| 3rd Foot | Buff | Red chain and buff stripe | Squared |
| 8th Foot | Blue | Two blue stripes | Pointed |
| 11th Foot | Medium warm green | Yellow/white with green zigzag | None |
| 12th Foot | Light yellow | Yellow stripe | Pointed |
| 13th Foot | Bright yellow | Yellow zigzag | None |
| 19th Foot | Green | Green chain and yellow stripe | Squared |
| 20th Foot | Pale yellow | White | Pointed |
| 21st Foot | Blue | Blue zigzag and yellow stripe | Squared |
| 23rd Foot | Blue | Yellow edge, red comb design, white edge | Rounded |
| 25th Foot | Deep yellow | Red zigzag and blue zigzag | Pointed |
| 28th Foot | Bright yellow | White | Pointed |
| 31st Foot | Buff | Yellow wavy stripe (possibly buff) | None |
| 32nd Foot | White | Two green stripes and red chain | Pointed |
| 33rd Foot | Red | White | Pointed |
| 34th Foot | Bright yellow | Blue leaf yellow ball design | None |
| 42nd Scot | Buff | None | None |
Guards who had the Royal Cypher. Musket slings were buff. Musket barrels were fastened to the stock by rivets, not rings over the barrel.
Grenadiers were distinguished by a tall mitre cap and a small black pouch (for matches) centered on the front of the waistbelt. In addition to grenadiers, the mitre cap was worn by all men in the three foot regiments (7th, 21st and 23rd) designated as "Fusiliers". Caps were red laced white. The red front flap had the white horse of Hanover on it. The back flap and front were in the facing color. The top tuft was either white or a mixture of white and the facing color. The only grenadier caps that are shown in the 1742 Book are the Fusilier regiments, so one must rely on a few surviving specimens and the comprehensive 1751 Moirier oil paintings. The front would have the Royal Cypher or regiment's badge surmounted by a crown. In 1742, as on the Regimental Colours, the badge might have been the colonel's own.
Officers of infantry and cavalry wore a better quality coat (not turnedback) that was probably more scarlet in color than that of the common ranker. There were no particular dress regulations for officers. The distinctions listed for the Dragoons in this article apply to the foot, except the crimson sash is worn over the left shoulder. Non-commissioned officer and drummer distinctions were also similar to the dragoons. Officers were armed with a spontoon, except grenadier officers who carried fusils with bayonets fixed. Sergeants of hatmen and grenadiers carried a halberd. officers also began wearing gold or silver metal gorgets, matching their hat lace and button color.
In 1768 the Royal Warrant gives the officers' lace as being gold for the 1, 11, 12, 19, 21, 23, 25, 32 and 42 Foot, and silver for the 3, 8, 13, 20, 28, 31, 33 and 34 Foot. This gives some indication of lace and button color in 1742.
The Highland Regiment (42nd "Black Watch") wore a short red jacket with no lapels or collar. Buff cuffs were slashed. Waistcoats were red. The men wore the belted plaid in the Government tartan of dark green. Belts, scabbards and shoes were black leather. Stockings coming up to the knee were red and white diagonal checked. Blue bonnets with red tuft and black cockade and buff pouches were worn. In addition to musket broadsword and pistol were carried on the belt over the right shoulder.
The British cavalry were divided into the Regiments of Horse Guards and Horse Grenadier Guards, eight regiments of Horse and fifteen regiment of Dragoons. All (except Horse Grenadiers and 2nd Dragoons) wore black tricornes with black cockade. The red (except for RHG) coat had no lapels. Boots were black with white cloth underneath. Belts and pouches were buff. Sword scabbards were black. Belts were held on shoulder by a red flap. Horse saddlery was black. Housings and holster caps were rounded at corners.
The Horse Guards were distinguished by having gold laced buttonholes pockets, coat front, cuffs and waistcoat. Buttonholes were in pairs Carbine belt over left shoulder was laced with three gold and two yellow stripes for the Third Troop, and three gold and two blue stripes for the Fourth Troop. The buttonhole lace on the Horse Grenadier coats and waistcoats were laced white. Guards usually powdered their hair. The coats of the Horse were not laced. The carbine (pouch) belt was ovej left shoulder. The sword belts hung over the right shoulder (a mark of distinction that was not easily given up when four regiments of Hors( converted to Dragoon Guards).
The buttonholes on the Dragoons' coats and waistcoats were laced in white or yellow, depending on button color. A yellow or white shoulder cord hung on the right shoulder. Musket sling was buff. Cuffs were slashed.
Officers were distinguished by gold or silver lace on coats, waistcoats and hat. They wore a crimson sash over left shoulder. Waistcoats were often buff. Breeches were often red. Coats were worn open and not turned-back.
The dress of non-commissioned officers did not differ from that of the men to any degree. Dragoon sergeants wore a crimson waist sash with a stripe in the facing color, and gold or silver shoulder knots. Dragoon corporals had yellow or white shoulder knots. The Horse didn't have shoulder knots, but sergeants had waist sash and corporals had a bit of gold or silver strap lace. All NCO's had gold or silver lace on buttonhole! of cuffs, while sergeants laced pockets and lapels, as well. These distinctions were not fully regulated until 1751.
Musicians wore either Royal livery or wore reversed colors. Horse had kettledrums and trumpets. Dragoons had drummers wearing the small mitre cap.
The Royal Artillery had officers, cadets, sergeants, corporals, bombardier (howitzer and mortar specialists), gunners and matrosses (artillery worker).
Officers wore a blue coat with red slashed cuffs, turnbacks, waistcoats and breeches. The lapels were medium blue edged gold. Sleeve and coat-tail buttonholes were laced gold. They wore a black tricorne taped gold. Crimson sashes were worn over left shoulder.
Other ranks wore a simple blue coat with red slashed cuffs, half-lapels and turnbacks. Waistcoats and breeches were blue. Buttons were brass. There appears to be yellow buttonhole lace on sleeves and coat-tails. Sergeants had wider hat lace. All NCO's and bombardiers carried a halberd. Gunners carried their linstock. Belts were buff.
Gun trails and limbers were painted lead-grey. Metal fittings and gun barrels were painted black. A painting of the Royal Artillery in the Flanders in 1748 shows officers' lapels red, sashes over the right shoulder and gold lace on the men's waistcoats and lapels. Red horse furniture for officers is also shown.
Drivers were usually civilians at this time whose rout immobilized much of the artillery during the Battle of Fontenoy.
General officers wore a scarlet coat with blue lapels and round cuffs without a slash. Wide gold lace is edged along the lapels, coat, lapel buttonholes, cuffs, pockets, hat and waistcoat. Breeches and waistcoats were commonly buff. Generals would also wear the uniform of their regiment. The sash is usually around the waist.
| BRITISH CAVALRY REGIMENTS | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit | Facings[1] | Waistcoat & Breeches | Cloak & Lining | Flask Cord | Ha4 [4] Lace | Housings & Holsters |
Housing[3] Embroidery |
| 3 Tp HGd | blue | buff | red/blue | - | gold | yellow | double gold |
| 4 Tp HGd | blue | buff | red/blue | - | gold | blue | double gold |
| 2 Tp HGGd | blue | buff | red/blue | red | cap | red | yellow & blue |
| RHG | red | red/blue | blue/red | red | yellow | red | white & yellow |
| King's H | blue | blue | red/blue | blue | yellow | red | yellow & white |
| 8 Horse | black | buff | red/buff | buff | yellow | yellow | red, white & blue |
| 1 Dragoon | blue | blue/red | red/blue | blue | yellow | blue | white & yellow |
| 2 Dragoon | blue | blue | red/blue | red | cap | red | yellow & green |
| 3 Dragoon | lt. blue | lt. blue | red/lt. blue | blue | yellow | red | yellow |
| 5 Dragoon | blue | blue | red/blue | buff | yellow | blue | red & white |
| 6 Dragoon | yellow | yellow/red | red/yellow | - | white | yellow | red & black |
| 7 Dragoon | white | white | red/white | white | white | white | red, blue & yellow |
NOTES TO CHART:
[1] RHG wore blue coats; other regiments wore red, Facing color applies to small colla r patch, cuffs and turnbacks. 8 Horse had buff turnbacks.
[2] 2 Tp HGGd had blue grenadier cap, laced yellow, blue flaps and red front with crown, cypher and garter. 2 Dragoons had red grenadier cap laced yellow, blue back flap and red frontwith white horse. Blue front had crown, badge and white thistles.
[3] All horse guards were embroidered with GR in gold on red within garter surmounted by crown RHG and King's Horse had Royal Arms in full color and a scroll border. 8th Horse had trophy of arms with similar border. 6 Dragoons had a red-yellow-black diamond pattern. Remainder of dragoons had scroll border. 6 Dragoons' device was a knight's helmet above trophy of arms. Other dragoons had Royal Cypher within garter surmounted by the crown. The 1751 lists show most of the dragoons with devices giving regimental rank, ex. IIID. Further note that all buttons were brass except for 2, 6 and 7 Dragoons which were white metal. The Horse Grenadiers' buttons were also white metal.
More Fontenoy 1745
-
The Campaign
The Battle
Uniforms and Organization: British
Uniforms and Organization: Hanoverians
Uniforms and Organization: Dutch and Austrians
Uniforms and Organization: French
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