Black Watch Grenadiers in America

[Bigkahuna]

I have been searching for a number of years for a satisfactory answer to this question. The Black Watch gave up their kilts towards the end of the American Revolution. My question is, did they also give up their Grenadier caps and just wear the Bonnet like the Line troops of the Regiment, or did they continue to wear their Grenadier caps along with breeches and short coatees?

[HarborSpringsPiper]

RevWar is not my strongest suit, so I should probably leave this question to somebody else, however, it would be my understanding that they continued to wear the bearskin mitre-style hats. This was the tradition and uniform of all British Grenadiear Co'ys to my understanding, so I'm doubtful this would have changed when they switched to breeches. I don't know if I have any resource at home that might help, but I'll bet somebody will pipe in on this shortly. If not, I'll see if I have anything "worthwhile" to contribute when I get home tonight.

Though not pertinent to your question, I have a couple of pics of the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment of Foot from the F&IW period on my laptop I thought I would share.

Grenadier



Highlander


John Campbell, 17th of Strachur (I believe he was a Captain at this point?)

[HarborSpringsPiper]

I'll correct myself, if I may. I found a reference online from Google book search that appears good and states that as of 1780, the 42nd grenadiers were indeed wearing bonnets. The picture from "Don Troiani's Soldiers of the American Revolution" By Don Troiani, James Kochan shows a grenadier wearing what appears to be a Hummel or Kilmarnock bonnet. http://books.google.com/books?id=ftm...age&q=&f=false

[Bigkahuna]

I'll correct myself, if I may. I found a reference online from Google book search that appears good and states that as of 1780, the 42nd grenadiers were indeed wearing bonnets. The picture from "Don Troiani's Soldiers of the American Revolution" By Don Troiani, James Kochan shows a grenadier wearing what appears to be a Hummel or Kilmarnock bonnet. http://books.google.com/books?id=ftm...age&q=&f=false

I know Don from way back and although he is a noted expert on military garb most of his expertise is on the American Civil War. He has done many pictures of Rev War troops but his information is pretty much the same as mine. Col. Darling of the 78th Frasers thinks the Grenadiers wore the standard bonnet, but as of now I can find no documentation to confirm or deny this.

[Bigkahuna]

The crux of the problem is that all the Grenadiers were brigaded together. We know that the other Grenadiers retained their Bearskins, so it would seem to be reasonable to assume that the Jocks would retain theirs. The 71st Grenadiers had theirs at Stony Point when they were captured in 1779, but they were still in kilts then.

[Jock Scot]

I am told that this kilted fellow was representing a Black Watch Grenadier of 1815. The other fellow is just a wee tad more modern!

[dfmacliam]

I am told that this kilted fellow was representing a Black Watch Grenadier of 1815. The other fellow is just a wee tad more modern!

They were sure wee little fellas, back then....lol

[Cynthia]

I just wanted to say again how happy I am that this section has been added. Excellent!

[Sawney Bean]

Jeez, did that auld fella on the left actually serve at Waterloo? Nice Cromach by the way Jock Scot, care to pass on it's origins?

[Jock Scot]

Jeez, did that auld fella on the left actually serve at Waterloo? Nice Cromach by the way Jock Scot, care to pass on it's origins?

The cromach was presented to me by estate stalkers and was made by one of them, for my 21st birthaday too many moons ago! It is a wee tad shorter than it used to be. A real friend, if only it could talk! On second thoughts , perhaps not!