British Regulars
Encyclopedia
Commonly used to describe the Napoleonic era
British foot soldiers, the British Regular was known for his flamboyant red uniform (It took three hours for a typical British soldier to prepare his attire for "parade") and well-disciplined combat performance. Known famously in American folklore as the Red Coats
, these crack soldiers were the backbone of Great Britain's military might in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
There are several possible reasons why the British military outfitted its Regulars in red. The most commonly stated reason is that it would hide the appearance of blood on the battlefield, possibly demoralising the troops. This is unlikely because blood would show black on the red cotton tunics, and the white, or "buff" trousers that were commonly issued would hide no blood at all. Another possible explanation would be that red dye was extremely cheap, allowing the Army to give its troops better equipment without wasting money on more expensive dyes. Another good reason could be that British officers needed to be able to identify their men in heavy smoke. Red would show better through gunsmoke than most other colours. A final possibility is that red is the primary colour in the Royal Standard
, the Royal Coat of Arms, and is the colour of St George's cross
(St George is the patron saint of England).
During the Napoleonic Wars
, the British Regulars were already a well disciplined, and experienced group of foot soldiers. Around half of the British Regular "Redcoats", most were between the ages of 18 to 29; and an over sixth-tenths of the regulars were five feet, four inches, to five feet seven inches. The British Government at the time, did not allow enlisted men to be older than 45 years old.
Although typically under English command, many of the enlisted Regulars were either Scottish or Irish. A small number of Regulars were from Prussia, or other smaller German states. From these multiple origins, also came into two different "Schools of Thought"; The 'American' thought, and the 'German' thought.
The American thoughts consisted of large focus on open formations light infantry tactics that were well suited for areas of rigid terrain, and dense forested areas; best suited for enemies that have no cavalry, or artillery to use. The 'American' favoured infantry ranks of two deep, and use of light infantry with rifles.
The German thoughts consisted of a large focus on disciplined, close-drill order, well suited for the vast Central Plains of Europe. The thought was more favourable in large battlefields, were the enemy had large to mild amounts of cavalry, and artillery on the battlefield. The 'German' School of thought favoured infantry ranks of three deep, and the use of smoothbore muskets.
After 1855, starting in India and gradually extending to other colonial outposts, the scarlet uniforms were often replaced with khaki on campaign - for tactical reasons (i.e. camouflage). However, not until 1902, and the introduction of a universal khaki service dress, would scarlet be officially abandoned as campaign dress for European operations. The classical British Regular was most famous for his action in the Battle of Culloden
, the Seven Years' War
(1756-1753), the American Revolutionary war
(1775-1783), the Peninsular War
(1808-1815), the War of 1812
(1812-1814), and the Waterloo campaign (1815).
Napoleonic Era
The Napoleonic Era is a period in the history of France and Europe. It is generally classified as including the fourth and final stage of the French Revolution, the first being the National Assembly, the second being the Legislative Assembly, and the third being the Directory...
British foot soldiers, the British Regular was known for his flamboyant red uniform (It took three hours for a typical British soldier to prepare his attire for "parade") and well-disciplined combat performance. Known famously in American folklore as the Red Coats
Red coat (British army)
Red coat or Redcoat is a historical term used to refer to soldiers of the British Army because of the red uniforms formerly worn by the majority of regiments. From the late 17th century to the early 20th century, the uniform of most British soldiers, , included a madder red coat or coatee...
, these crack soldiers were the backbone of Great Britain's military might in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
There are several possible reasons why the British military outfitted its Regulars in red. The most commonly stated reason is that it would hide the appearance of blood on the battlefield, possibly demoralising the troops. This is unlikely because blood would show black on the red cotton tunics, and the white, or "buff" trousers that were commonly issued would hide no blood at all. Another possible explanation would be that red dye was extremely cheap, allowing the Army to give its troops better equipment without wasting money on more expensive dyes. Another good reason could be that British officers needed to be able to identify their men in heavy smoke. Red would show better through gunsmoke than most other colours. A final possibility is that red is the primary colour in the Royal Standard
Royal Standard
The Royal Standard of the United Kingdom is the flag used by Elizabeth II in her capacity as Sovereign of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories...
, the Royal Coat of Arms, and is the colour of St George's cross
St George's Cross
St George's Cross is a red cross on a white background used as a symbolic reference to Saint George. The red cross on white was associated with St George from medieval times....
(St George is the patron saint of England).
During the Napoleonic Wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
, the British Regulars were already a well disciplined, and experienced group of foot soldiers. Around half of the British Regular "Redcoats", most were between the ages of 18 to 29; and an over sixth-tenths of the regulars were five feet, four inches, to five feet seven inches. The British Government at the time, did not allow enlisted men to be older than 45 years old.
Although typically under English command, many of the enlisted Regulars were either Scottish or Irish. A small number of Regulars were from Prussia, or other smaller German states. From these multiple origins, also came into two different "Schools of Thought"; The 'American' thought, and the 'German' thought.
The American thoughts consisted of large focus on open formations light infantry tactics that were well suited for areas of rigid terrain, and dense forested areas; best suited for enemies that have no cavalry, or artillery to use. The 'American' favoured infantry ranks of two deep, and use of light infantry with rifles.
The German thoughts consisted of a large focus on disciplined, close-drill order, well suited for the vast Central Plains of Europe. The thought was more favourable in large battlefields, were the enemy had large to mild amounts of cavalry, and artillery on the battlefield. The 'German' School of thought favoured infantry ranks of three deep, and the use of smoothbore muskets.
After 1855, starting in India and gradually extending to other colonial outposts, the scarlet uniforms were often replaced with khaki on campaign - for tactical reasons (i.e. camouflage). However, not until 1902, and the introduction of a universal khaki service dress, would scarlet be officially abandoned as campaign dress for European operations. The classical British Regular was most famous for his action in the Battle of Culloden
Battle of Culloden
The Battle of Culloden was the final confrontation of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. Taking place on 16 April 1746, the battle pitted the Jacobite forces of Charles Edward Stuart against an army commanded by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, loyal to the British government...
, the Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
(1756-1753), the American Revolutionary war
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
(1775-1783), the Peninsular War
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
(1808-1815), the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
(1812-1814), and the Waterloo campaign (1815).