Grenadier Regiment Rall 1776

 The Grenadier Regiment Rall had it origins in 1703 when the best men from the various landmiliz (militia) regiments were drawn together into a single battalion.  It was referred to as a Landgrenadier Regiment.  It was  thus not a elite grenadier battalion but a garrison or militia type battalion.  Nor were it's men the tall giants popular mythos thinks of as grenadier.  Callow farm lad made up the battalion rather then veterans. One observer remarked it's rank and file were the smallest of the regiments he had seen. Possibly the average soldier could have been private  Johannes Reiner who  was 17 years old and stood 5 feet 1 inches tall!

  But once in America the regiment saw much active service and distinguished itself.  At both White Plains and Fort Washington the regiment was in the forefront of the fighting.  After its surrender at Trenton the survivors were placed in a composite battalion with members of the Knyphausen and Lossberg regiments and took part in the Philadelphia campaign.  It was later reorganized as a full battalion and took part in the fighting in the South at Savanna and Stono Ferry.  The regiment returned to Germany in 1783.

  Researching the Rall regiment has been quite interesting.  There are no illustration of the Uniform before the American Revolution.  Both watercolors of the regiment date from the 1784 and 1786, after the war.  The 1786 watercolor is most frequently reproduced so that is the Uniform many show.  The earlier 1784 watercolor has many differences but because it was earlier I have gone with that one.

  The uniform was a blue Regimental coat with red cuff and collar and no lapel.  small clothes were buff.  The Grenadier cap had a brass front, red base and blue bag with white lace.  Belts were white but musket slings reddish brown.  Cartridge box black with brass badge and small grenade in each corner.  Officers lace and gorget were gold.

  Figures are from Fife and Drum miniatures.  Regimental colors are from GMB.

  I could not have finished this project without the help of others who happily answered my questions and gave me excellent advice as  well as sharing their research.  On The Miniatures Pages I thank you Fridericus for  sharing your research and setting me straight on the Thalmann and Darmstadt drawings.  And thank you Winston for the good advice.  and two4slashing diverge picture of the reproduction uniform.   On the Fife and Drum miniatures forum Winterfelt have me excellent information and books to hunt down. William19 shared a wonderful print.  I especially wish to thank Ed who stayed with me in this answering my questions and inspire me to look for the right answer. I owe you a beer sir!   Thank you all!