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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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 Posted: Thu 09 Oct, 2003 12:11 pm Post subject: 84th Regiment of Foot,(Royal Highland Emigrants),1775 - 1784 |
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An interesting read on the 84th !
Mac
Equipment
History
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
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Alex McCracken
Location: Columbus, Ohio Joined: 03 Sep 2003
Posts: 107
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| Posted: Thu 09 Oct, 2003 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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Mac,
Thanks for the info on this. James Taylor and I are trying to gather info on
the 76th Highland regiment, and we are hoping to get photos/molds of
existing buttons held by private collectors. Barring that, we'll be using
whatever sister regimental artifacts that we can find and going from
there. I've seen the 84th's site before, and it's one we've been benchmarking
against a lot. Those guys have really done their homework. LOTS of good
period art and articles.
Tip of the bonnet to you Mac!
Alex
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Scott Bubar
Location: New England Joined: 21 Aug 2003
Posts: 120
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| Posted: Thu 09 Oct, 2003 5:37 pm Post subject: |
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Thinking of signing up, Mac?
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Thu 09 Oct, 2003 6:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Scott Bubar wrote: | | Thinking of signing up, Mac? |
I do seem to be in need of a new regiment, as our former prince led our little band into a fate worse than death .... political hypocrisy !
Where's the 76th at these days ? Mac
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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Scott Bubar
Location: New England Joined: 21 Aug 2003
Posts: 120
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| Posted: Thu 09 Oct, 2003 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | In 1781, the replacement issue for that year had yet to arrive and quite possibly had been intercepted by privateers. General Haldimand suggested to Brigadier General Allan MacLean, that he purchase the surplus issue of the 21st Regiment of Foot. The 21st wore the standard British line uniform consisting of a black felt hat, long tailed red coat, white knee breeches, splatterdashes, and knitted stockings. General Haldimand considered this a more practical uniform for the troops in Canada. The uniform is also simpler to maintain and to purchase when replacements were needed. After MacLean received Haldimand's suggestion, he wrote back explaining that he agreed that taking the issue was a good idea, but that Haldimand would have to order him to do so. MacLean to Haldimand, Quebec, October 19th, 1781:
| Quote: | Your excellency having been pleased to direct that the clothing of the 21st Regiment should be given to the 84th regiment, I humbly beg leave to make a few observations, for your excellencies consideration.
The 84th Regiment being in Highland clothing, their uniform is different from any other regiment in Canada, in place of stockings, breeches and hats which the 21st have, the 84th have tartan hose plaids and bonnets. I am perfectly satisfied that, breeches, hats and stockings, are preferable for the mens health in Canada in the winter season, but your excellency knows that soldiers are very ready to grumble, and that, I dare not without an order from headquarters for that purpose, change the tartan hose, bonnets and plaids, into round hats, breeches and stockings, though the latter, is in my opinion a reasonable dress for a soldier in Canada.
I shall therefore be obliged to your excellency (and I believe it will be absolutely necessary) that an order be issued; ordering the 84th Regiment to take stockings, breeches and hats in place of plaids, bonnets, and tartan hose, and then will there remain no difficulty.
I must beg leave further to observe that the tartan hose for this year are already given out, so that we cannot make use of the stockings before next year, but that can make no difference in the end to General MacKay, as we will take them this time... |
MacLean, always the politician, only bought the stockings from MacKay. MacLean asked Haldimand to order the change in uniform because he thought that there was a possibly of a mutiny if he personally ordered the change. MacLean was not only worried about his men but his officers too. Mutiny was not a threat taken lightly when made by a Highland regiment. The officers were mostly Scots and were very attached to the traditional uniform. But why would the majority of the men care? They were not Scots. The answer is simple, the uniform, and the pscottilaid in particular, was immensely practical compared to the uniform of the line troops. |
I knew that site sounded familiar.
This is from an article at the site: The Kilt in the Royal Highland Emigrants (1775 - 1784), A Case Study in Military Efficiency. The author makes the case that kilts/plaids at the time had belt loops which enabled the soldiers to garb themselves and pleat the plaid while standing. I found the article to be of some use when the subject came up on the Scottish Forum at SFI: Philabeg with belt loops. Unfortunately, I found the author's evidence to be less then compelling, even though I've never been happy with the lay-it-on-the-ground-then-lie-down thing.
What is very interesting, however, is that these men, American and largely of non-Scottish extraction had become so attached to the kilt that their officers felt they would mutiny--unless of course, this Scottish officer was playing it up a bit. But I'm inclined to think not.
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Alex McCracken
Location: Columbus, Ohio Joined: 03 Sep 2003
Posts: 107
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| Posted: Fri 10 Oct, 2003 1:45 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Sgt-Major,
| Thomas McDonald wrote: |
I do seem to be in need of a new regiment, as our former prince led
our little band into a fate worse than death .... political hypocrisy !
Where's the 76th at these days? |
Well, it's looking like Regimental HQ will be located somewhere in Eastern/
Southeastern Virginia, with James Taylor possibly being the commanding
officer. I'm pretty sure that the position of Regimental Sgt Major is still open,
and if you'd be available for occasional events, I'm sure you'd be in. Best yet
is that you'd get to carry a swagger stick! As of right now, JT, his buddy
Josiah, and myself are trying to get things up and going. JT wants to get
the recruiting party up and going first, and maybe field a unit sometime
next summer if I remember correctly. I might try to start a small unit in
Ohio to join up, but I've my hands full with 1745 stuff at the moment.
Honestly, you interested? 2, maybe three events a year isn't too bad if you're
willing to travel. You'd have to invest in a new kit, but what the heh. This IS
the 76th MacDonald Highlanders. 
I'll go ahead and forward the unit history that JT sent me to you. Some
interesting reading.
Alex
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Sat 11 Oct, 2003 9:35 am Post subject: |
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Hi Scott
Interesting ..... the belt loops made my cyber ears perk up, too ! ( I remember that SFI thread )
I have no trouble believing that the non-Scots would be upset, too .......
Sometimes when a person is emersed in another's culture, living it, fighting proudly with all it's history, the feelings can be quite strong ( were we all not New Yorkers after 9/11 ;-)
Besides , once you've ran about in a kilt you just can't go back *g* Mac
| Quote: | I knew that site sounded familiar.
This is from an article at the site: The Kilt in the Royal Highland Emigrants (1775 - 1784), A Case Study in Military Efficiency. The author makes the case that kilts/plaids at the time had belt loops which enabled the soldiers to garb themselves and pleat the plaid while standing. I found the article to be of some use when the subject came up on the Scottish Forum at SFI: Philabeg with belt loops. Unfortunately, I found the author's evidence to be less then compelling, even though I've never been happy with the lay-it-on-the-ground-then-lie-down thing.
What is very interesting, however, is that these men, American and largely of non-Scottish extraction had become so attached to the kilt that their officers felt they would mutiny--unless of course, this Scottish officer was playing it up a bit. But I'm inclined to think not. |
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Sat 11 Oct, 2003 9:42 am Post subject: |
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Hi Capt. Alex
I would be very interested , at least to hear what JT is putting together !
My biggest problem is being able to attend the events, as my schedule is so crazy !
I wish I was rich & retired *sigh* Mac
| Alex McCracken wrote: | Hi Sgt-Major,
| Thomas McDonald wrote: |
I do seem to be in need of a new regiment, as our former prince led
our little band into a fate worse than death .... political hypocrisy !
Where's the 76th at these days? |
Well, it's looking like Regimental HQ will be located somewhere in Eastern/
Southeastern Virginia, with James Taylor possibly being the commanding
officer. I'm pretty sure that the position of Regimental Sgt Major is still open,
and if you'd be available for occasional events, I'm sure you'd be in. Best yet
is that you'd get to carry a swagger stick! As of right now, JT, his buddy
Josiah, and myself are trying to get things up and going. JT wants to get
the recruiting party up and going first, and maybe field a unit sometime
next summer if I remember correctly. I might try to start a small unit in
Ohio to join up, but I've my hands full with 1745 stuff at the moment.
Honestly, you interested? 2, maybe three events a year isn't too bad if you're
willing to travel. You'd have to invest in a new kit, but what the heh. This IS
the 76th MacDonald Highlanders.
I'll go ahead and forward the unit history that JT sent me to you. Some
interesting reading.
Alex |
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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