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Click to enlarge
| This painting of a grenadier of the 44th regiment (shown above) was done by the Swiss painter David Morier (1). It is a prime source as to what the 44th regiment looked like just prior to, and during the French & Indian war. From the painting you can clearly see the details of the soldier's uniform and equipment: His madder red wool coat has yellow facings, the lapels are buttoned open to expose his madder red, lace trimmed waistcoat. The lapels have pointed lace bastions, the buttons are of white metal. The regimental lace for the 44th regt. is white with a yellow stripe between one black and one blue zig-zag. The lace is 1/2 inches wide. The white cord on his right shoulder designates that he is a corporal. His Grenadier cap is yellow, with white scrollwork and black GR. His wide cartridge pouch strap is of yellow/buff leather with large brass double 'DD' buckle, his musket sling is also of the same yellow/buff leather as the pouch strap. His drop front breeches are made of madder red wool. His white gaitors (2) are worn tight, with black horn buttons, and black leather garters just below the knee. |
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Though not the same regiment, this painting of a corporal of the 13th regt. of foot is a prime example of the dress of the British army in the early 1750's. The soldiers hat is cocked in the 1750's style, and is properly cocked over his left eye as to not interfere with firing his musket, it also bears a black Hannovarian cockade. His lapels are buttoned open exposing his laced weskit. The lapels could be closed for marching or during cold weather. His wide cartridge pouch strap, musket sling, and waistbelt are made of yellow/buff leather with brass fixtures. He wears a pair of drop front knee breeches made of wool and worn tight. The buttons of his drop front breeches can be seen just under his waistcoat, it appears as though the center button may be unbuttoned. His coat tail is tucked behind his bayonet and hanger, which was a common practice by soldiers (see also the Sandby drawings). His white gaitors are worn very tight, with black leather garters worn just below the knee. |
Succession of Colonels of the 44th regt. (3)
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Name
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Date Commissioned
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Col. James Long
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Jan. 7, 1741
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Col. John Lee (4)
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March 11, 1748
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Col. Sir Peter Halkett, Bart. (5)
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Feb. 26, 1751
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Col. Robert Ellison
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Nov. 13, 1755
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Maj. Gen. James Abercomby (6)
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March 13, 1756
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Gen. Charles Rainsford
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May 4, 1781
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Partial Officer list of the 44th regt. June 1755 (7)
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Col. Sir Peter Halkett, Bart.
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Lieut. Col. the Hon. Thomas Gage Esqr.
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Major Russel Chapman |
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Camplain Phill Hughs
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Qr. Master Hen. Verrant
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Surgeon Rbt. Mckinley
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Surgen Mate Wm. Congleton
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Captains
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Lieutenants
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Ensigns
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John Beckworth
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Daniel Disney (Adjt)
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Geo. Clarke
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Sam. Hobson
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Wm. Sittler
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Wm. Nortlow
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Richd. Gethius
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James Halkett
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Geo. Pennington
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Charles Tatton
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Richard Bailey
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Wm. Preston
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Francis Halket
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Jas. Pottinger
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Harrison
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Capt. Lieut. Terence Molloy
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Andrew Simpson
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Gowart
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Robert Lock
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Growe
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H. Bromley, Died. May 17
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Quintan Kennedy
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Thos. Eyre
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Robt. Townshend
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Thos. Gamble
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John Treby
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Ely Dagworthy
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Wm. Dunbar
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Jas. Allen
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Thos. Falconer
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William Williams
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Robert Drummond
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Charles Lee
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44th Regiment Facings and Lace 1768 |
This sample of the 44th regiment lace and facing wool comes from the The Lace Book in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. Regimental lace changed significantally after the French & Indian War, in 1768 the 44th Regiment's lace changed from zig-zags to straight lines and changed from a pointed bastion to square, the color remained the same. The lace pictured shows the black line on the outside of the bastion and the blue line on the inside with space between the bastion for a button hole. The courners of the bastion are folded over so that the lines match. The facing wool is a bright lemon yellow. |
Click here for
Court Martials and Deserter Descriptions
A few notes on victuals during Braddock's campaign 1755.
Documentation on Braddock's Campaign.
Files
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Bland's
7th Edition (1753 drill)
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1. In the mid 1750's the Duke of Cumberland comissioned Swiss painter David Morrier to paint a grenadier from each British regiment, the paintings are part of the Royal Collection at Windsor castle.
2. The 44th regt. was issued brown gaitors, white and black gaitors were also issued to British soldiers.
3. Historical record of the Forty-Fourth : or the East Essex Regiment. Chatham : Gale & Polden, 1887.
4. Col. John Lee's son, Charles Lee, received a lieutenant's commission in the 44th on May 2, 1755, and a Captains commission on June 11, 1756 which he bought for £900. He was later second-in-command of the Continental army during the American Revolution. 'Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography'
5. Col. Sir Peter Halkett, Bart. (1695 - 1755) made Brigade Major for Braddock's campaign, was killed near Fort Duquesne on the Monongahela. His son, Lt. James Halket was also killed when he ran to his father's aid. Photo
6. Maj. Gen. James Abercomby (1706 - 1781) was commander in chief of the British army in N. America from 1758 to 1759. Photo
7. Taken from Maj. Gen. Braddock's orderly books, the George Washington papers, and the Journal of a British Officer in 'Braddock's Defeat". Ranks may differ slightly, as there were several promotions during the months leading up to Braddock's defeat.
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Created by 
Ryan Gale Designs: rrgale@msn.com
