Kilted Soldier Print

**Highland Logan** · 21st February 08, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

I don't know about the 71st, but the 84th did have a documented bonnet badge just like that, only with an 84 on it (of course). I've heard alot of arguments about that one, some also tried to claim the 84th one was also a box badge, but I've seen the documentation that it was worn on the bonnet.
I've always wondered if in the case of the 84th if it was supplied as a box badge but the regiment decided to wear it on the bonnet instead.

Both badges are the same other than number, so I would have to go with what I know... what documentation did the 84th have for this. As for the 84th, we have a crew of re-enactors up here doing the 84th Highland Emigrants, and they do a great job and represent re-enactors well (rolls eyes so hard now has headache). The problem is that a lot of units were disbanded after the war, and no one cared to keep records of the war they lost. The records for the starting years of the 71st are missing or lost for example.

Here is a nice link on the original uniform of the 84th and picture below.

Here is a good one of them kilted (accuracy unknown, all up to the artist)

Frank

**BoldHighlander** · 21st February 08, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by Highland Logan

Both badges are the same other than number, so I would have to go with what I know... what documentation did the 84th have for this. As for the 84th, we have a crew of re-enactors up here doing the 84th Highland Emigrants, and they do a great job and represent re-enactors well (rolls eyes so hard now has headache). The problem is that a lot of units were disbanded after the war, and no one cared to keep records of the war they lost. The records for the starting years of the 71st are missing or lost for example.

Frank

Yes, I'm part of that organization (where abouts are you?).
Our Colonel (a real rank as he is also a Colonel -- soon to be retired -- in the US Army) been documenting through various archives in Canada & the UK the 84th RoF. He has a complete book coming out in the near future (finally). I believe its at the publishers now.

But he has been able to fully document the 84th's uniform through out the war from start to finish. There are references from letters & journals of the bonnet badge, as well as of least two paintings of 84th officers wearing said badge upon their bonnets.

I would have to go back and look at some files I have that he gave me on the uniforms, but like the rest of the officers in the 84th I can't reveal exact details until the book is published, we had to swear upon it (kind of like the old swearing upon the dirk ). Trust me, the book will be well worth the wait.

**BoldHighlander** · 21st February 08, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by Highland Logan

Here is a good one of them kilted (accuracy unknown, all up to the artist)

I would say that is a fair representation of the uniform except the bonnets.
The documentation is there that the men wore the old flat blue bonnet, with a small blue pom on top (plus black cockade, black bear tuft & bonnet badge).
There is a possibility that some officers late in the war did wear the Kilmarnock as shown.

**Highland Logan** · 21st February 08, 10:45 AM

When the book comes out, you'll have to let me know. I have a nice one I picked up called "Scottish Highlanders and the American Revolution". It's a great read, and has a lot on the 84th. It has the copies of the muster roll's including Newfoundland's Det of 2nd Bn

Frank

**macwilkin** · 21st February 08, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

I would say that is a fair representation of the uniform except the bonnets.
The documentation is there that the men wore the old flat blue bonnet, with a small blue pom on top (plus black cockade, black bear tuft & bonnet badge).
There is a possibility that some officers late in the war did wear the Kilmarnock as shown.

That's a Company of Military Historian's plate; the artist is H. Charles McBarron, the "grand old man" of military artists. McBarron did a number of works for the US Army (The American Soldier, Our Army in Action, etc.) -- you'll still find them in National Guard Armories and antique shops.

CMH is still around: http://www.military-historians.org/

T.

**BoldHighlander** · 21st February 08, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by Highland Logan

When the book comes out, you'll have to let me know. I have a nice one I picked up called "Scottish Highlanders and the American Revolution". It's a great read, and has a lot on the 84th.

Frank

You bet I will

The title of the book you mention sounds familiar...who's the author?

Here's a few pictures of some of my mates (I have many, many more....), and one of the v.Germain eyewitness painting done of an 84th Highlander. Somewhere I've got a good one of the bonnet w/ badge...hmmm

v.Germain 1778

the Nova Scotia coy -- note the different uniforms of grenadiers / line (bonnets) / & lights (in white trousers)

the unit I'm seeking to recreate will actually be different from any in the 84th regt as we'll be recreating a raiding party of the 5th Coy 1st Bn (line). They were documented as wearing either the full regimental or sleeved waistcoat, with brown donation wool Indian-style leggings, kilts, and either moccasins or buckled shoes. Much like the guys in the next picture, only as described...

members of the 10th Coy 1st Bn (NY)

giving the rebels what for!

Capt Robert Redden (Nova Scotia)

this one is my favorite!

**Highland Logan** · 21st February 08, 11:10 AM

Office of the 71st during first deployment to Americas

"The picture of the Coat ... is possibly that of a member of the 2nd Battalion of the 71st. The Kilt and sporran are being used for decoration in this display, these items were on display in a German Museum until 1945 when they were lost. Some of the uniform details may not be correct, but the colour of the facing suggests the 71st."

Taken from a re-enactors website for the 71st Highlanders.

Frank

**BoldHighlander** · 21st February 08, 11:12 AM

The GeoCities web site you were trying to view has temporarily exceeded its data transfer limit. Please try again later.

I'll have to try it again later. Thanks for the link.

**Highland Logan** · 21st February 08, 11:16 AM

Yeah... lol, that one does that a lot. The have a Yahoo board, which I found very useful. I am planing to do a plate of a Pte. of the 71st in action siteing his musket, it well be my ancestor James. The males of our family have a "face" which seems to go back well through photos, so doing an interpratation of James shouldn't be too hard (artists, what do they know...lol).

Frank

**BoldHighlander** · 21st February 08, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by Highland Logan

Yeah... lol, that one does that a lot. The have a Yahoo board, which I found very useful. I am planing to do a plate of a Pte. of the 71st in action siteing his musket, it well be my ancestor James. The males of our family have a "face" which seems to go back well through photos, so doing an interpratation of James shouldn't be too hard (artists, what do they know...lol).

Frank

Fantastic Frank! I hope to see it when it's done

Ha!ha! I'm an artist too (yeah, we're an eccentric lot)