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!

November 11, 1918

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the ending of the First World War.

My grandfather, Edward McNamara from Lexington Massachusetts served with the 101st Regiment (Medical company), 26th Yankee Division in the first world war.  He seldom talked about it, and when he did it was a terrible memory which haunted him.  But  I will always remember his smile when he told me how at 11:00 A.M. on 11th November the guns stopped and he and his friends knew they would live, knew they had survived.  

And as this date is now called Veterans Day I say thank you to my father in law, Aldrich Stevens  who served in the  3rd Ranger Battalion (Darby's Rangers) in the Second World War.  He joined the Rangers in North Africa, and took part in the invasion of both Sicily and Italy.  He could not take part in the Anzio  landing because of his wounds so missed the Battle of Cisterna.  Like my grandfather he too was haunted by the memories of what he saw, experienced and especialy those he lost.   

I remember their sacrifices and hope both have found peace.

Fusilier Regiment von Lossburg 1776

   Arrived at New York city in August 1776 with first wave of Hesse Cassel regiments.  took part as part of Brigade Mirbach at Long Island. Fought at White Plains and Fort Washington.  Took part in the march across New Jersey chasing the Continental army.   As part of the garrison of Trenton on the early morning of  December 26, 1776 the regiment surrendered to American Forces after being surprised and defeated.  Survivors of the three regiments placed in Combined Regiment von Loos  for the 1777 campaign in Pennsylvania.  Fought at Brandywine and occupied Philadelphia.   Returned to New York in 1778 where they reverted to original regimental status of Fusilier Regiment von Lossburg.  The regiment was sent to Quebec to garrison the city but suffered heavy losses at seas in storm and returned to New York 1779.  In 1780 returned to Quebec until returned to Germany in 1783.

Reproduction Fusilier cap.

Regimental uniform was a blue coat with orange collar, cuffs and lappels.  White small clothes.  Fusilier caps with brass front and black bag.  Officers lace was gold.  Figures are from Minden Miniatures and flags from GMB.  Fusilier cap picture is of a reproduction cap.

  In addition I would like to thank Ed from the Fife and Drum miniatures forum.  He was kind enough to share his research  and suggestions with me over the confusing subject of Hesse Kassel uniforms.  Thank you sir!

Towson's battery and U.S. Artillery in the War of 1812

 I have updated and corrected a number of errors in this posting which was previously posted.  Thank you fir bringing these to my attention.

  Nathaniel Towson was appointed a Captain in the U.S. artillery on March 15, 1812. Prior to the war he had served in militia artillery units in Louisiana and Maryland. His first action during the war involved his capture of the brig HMS Caledonia  He quickly gained a reputation for his effective command of artillery.  During the war Towson commanded artillery at the battles of Queenstown Heights, Fort George, Stoney Creek, Chippewa, Lundy's Lane and the Siege of Fort Erie.  His batteries fire during the Siege of Fort Erie was so constant it became known as " Towson's Lighthouse."  His handling of the American artillery at Chippewa heavily contributed the the American victory.

  American  field artillery during the War of 1812 was organized into "divisions"  which is similar to the modern term of "battery” which I will use here.  American batteries consisted of six guns;  either four guns of the same calibre and two howitzers or six guns of not more than two calibres. It should be remembered that the theoretical and actual organization of American field ar­tillery were two very different things. These could and did change from campaign to campaign and battle to battle.

   Gun crews consisted of two types of soldiers: trained gunners and less-qualified men called matrosses. The gunners aimed, loaded and fired the guns while the matrosses assisted by bringing up ammunition or helping to move the gun (i.e. knuckle daggers). Gun detachment commanders were usually N.C.O.'s who supervised the work of the detachment, personally laid the gun, observed the fall of shot and made the necessary corrections. Artillery officers commanded batteries of six to eight pieces or sub-units of two or three weapons. The gun crew for a U.S. 6-pdr. field gun comprised the gun commander, two trained gunners and six matrosses. Howitzers had a similar complement but with four more matrosses.  When additional muscle power was required, it was the practice to take unskilled men from the nearest infantry unit. Visually there was a difference in British and American cannon.  While British and most European guns tended to be cast from brass, American guns tended to be cast from iron.  Iron while heavier then brass lasted much longer and stood up to campaigning better (Birkheimer, William E., Historical Sketch of the Organization, Administration, Materiel and Tactics of the U.S. Artillery.  New York, 1884, pages 260 - 261 for this).  Wooden gun carriages were painted a medium blue.  Iron fittings were painted black to prevent rust.

Rifle men

  Pretty much a must have for your American Rev War army.  The dreaded frontier rifle men in their hunting shirt.

  Although the rifle's accuracy is legendary, it's slow rate of fire and no bayonet for defense posed a number of serious issues.  These are not soldiers who can stand in line.  You have to put them in a protected area (up in trees, in woods) or in a skirmish line.  They are best for causing mischief and snipping away at the enemy.  If you are fighting battles down south they are a important staple and you must have them in your collection.  Also have some regulars with muskets and bayonets close by.  Concerning their role at Saratoga, General Daniel Morgan later write that "My riflemen would have been of little service if they had not always had a line of Musquet and Bayonette men to support us"

Miniatures are from Perry, and very nice fugures, full of action they are.

13th Continental Regiment, part 2

After rushing and posting my pictures of the 13th on line I received a email from an friend.  He pointed out that there was a reference to the 13th wearing brown faced buff coats.  In addition I found a reference in Richardson's Standards and Colors of the American Revolution that the 13th had a regimental color.

   So, what to do!  Naturally this is the type of thing which would only bother myself.  So I have very carefully repainted the coats with buff facings.  A pain in the neck job but one I am very satisfied with.

   Now, as to the regimental colors.  Washington's advice for how colors should be for 1776 regiments suggested a regimental color in the facing color of the regiment paired with a Grand Union flag.   I have two different companies who make flags  kind enough to assist me with this So I will follow Washington's suggestion.  Once I get the correct flag I will post it.

So, here is my reconstruction of the 13th incorporating the better reference materials supplied.  In this hobby of ours we need only please ourselves. But I do like to try and get things right.

Fusilier Regiment von Knyphausen 1776

   Fusilier Regiment Knyphausen arrived in New York city in August 1776.  They took part in the fighting at  Long Island, White Plains and Fort Washington.  As part of the garrison at Trenton they surrendered after that battle.  For  1777  the survivors of the Trenton debacle were amalgamated into the  Combined battalion Loos.   This battalion took part in Howe's  Philadelphia campaign, fought at Brandywine and took part in the occupation of Philadelphia.  In 1778 the battalion was restored to their original name.  September 1779 they were sent to garrison Quebec but suffered very heavy loses in a storm at sea which forced them to return to New York.  Again sent to Quebec in May 1780 they stayed there until October when they were returned to New York city.  From there they returned to Germany in 1783.   This ended the service of this hard luck regiment in the American war.

  Uniforms of the Hessian and Brunswick regiments during the American Revolution are a confusing topic.  There is much misinformation and contradictory materials out there.  The contemporary watercolors of the regiments often published are from a slightly later time after the war and may include changes done after the war.  So those of us who paint these fine fellows must do our research and make our best guess.   During the course of painting these fine fellows i have had to repaint numerous details over when new information became available.    If I have made a error in the uniforms I beg your pardon.

  The regiment had blue coats with black lapels, collar and cuffs.  Officers lace was gold.   The Fusilier caps  are based on original caps worn by the regiment.  Drummers are based on information from the end of the Seven Years War.  Drums at that time for this regiment were brass with white cords and Drum rims were black and white diagonal strips.  Regimental colors are from GMB and beautiful little works of art they are. Miniatures are from Minden Miniatures who also do the Fife and Drum range.

  I would like to thank Ed from the Fife and Drum miniatures forum.  He was kind enough to share his research  and suggestions with me over the confusing subject of Hesse Kassel uniforms.  Thank you sir!