51st Foot
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Origin and History
The first regiment known as "51st Regiment of Foot" was raised in North America in 1755 by Colonel Pepperrel. It counted about 1,000 men.
This regiment was disbanded on December 22, 1756.
In March 1756, a new regiment originally ranking as "53rd" was raised in Leeds.
In 1757, when the original "50th" and "51st" regiments of foot were disbanded. The "53rd" officially became the "51st Regiment of Foot".
During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was under the command of:
- from 1755 to December 22, 1756: Colonel Pepperell (this was the initial North American regiment)
- from March 1756: Colonel Napier (this was the new English regiment)
- from 1758: Colonel Brudenell
Service during the War
North American Regiment
In 1755, the initial regiment joined Shirley's expedition against Fort Niagara. The expedition departed from Albany and slowly advanced towards Fort Niagara along the Mohawk River. By mid September, Shirley realised that Fort Niagara was too strongly defended and abandoned his project. He retreated to New England, leaving the regiment behind to garrison Fort Ontario on the opposite bank from Fort Oswego.
In 1756, while wintering at Fort Ontario, the regiment suffered heavy losses. Early in the Summer, Shirley replenished the ranks of the regiment. This same regiment ended its career as garrison at Fort Oswego. In August, it was besieged at Fort Ontario by a French expeditionary force led by the marquis de Montcalm. On August 13, colonel Mercer, commanding at Fort Oswego, ordered the regiment to abandon Fort Ontario and to unite with his own force at Fort Oswego, which they did immediately. On August 14, when Oswego surrendered, the entire regiment became prisoner of war and was brought back to Montréal. Thus ended the career of the North American regiment known as 51st.
English Regiment
In September 1757, a new regiment raised in Leeds was stationed on the Isle of Wight and embarked on the fleet for the aborted raid on Rochefort.
In the Spring of 1758, the regiment embarked aboard a British squadron who captured Emden in March. The regiment assumed garrison duty in Emden until the arrival of the British contingent on August 3. On August 5, the regiment, having been replaced at Emden by 400 Invalids, joined the British contingent at Loro (probably Leer in Ostfriesland). This contingent arrived at Coesfeld on August 17 after marching through a very heavy rain. During this campaign, the grenadiers of the regiment were converged with those of the 12th, 20th, 23rd and 25th to form Maxwell's Grenadiers Battalion.
In June 1759, the regiment was part of the main Allied army under the command of the duke Ferdinand of Brunswick. The grenadiers of the regiment were attached to Maxwell Grenadier Battalion. On August 1, the regiment took part in the battle of Minden where it was deployed in the centre of the the second line of the 3rd column from the right under major-general Waldegrave. Misinterpreting orders, Waldegrave advanced with extraordinary bravery straight upon the cavalry deployed on the left of the French centre. The first line of French cavalry (11 sqns) charged Waldegrave first line but was thrown back. The second line of French cavalry was equally repulsed though with more difficulty. Now the French reserve, consisting of the Gendarmerie de France and the Carabiniers, attempted a third attack upon the 9 brave battalions. It charged and broke through the first line of Allied infantry. However, the second line received them with a deadly fire and forced them to retire. The astonishing attack of the British infantry had virtually gained the day.
On July 10, 1760, the regiment was with the Hereditary Prince of Brunswick at the combat of Corbach. Along with other British regiments, it covered the retreat of the defeated Allied army. On October 16 of the same year, at the battle of Clostercamp, the regiment was in the fourth division under Howard which was kept in reserve.
In July 1761, the regiment was in Howard's Corps and, on July 16, took part in the Battle of Vellinghausen.
Uniform
North American Regiment (1755-1756)
Privates
| Headgear |
| ||||||||||||
| Neckstock | white | ||||||||||||
| Coat | brick red lined brick red and laced white (simple white braid) with 3 pewter buttons and 3 white buttonholes (same lace as above) under the lapel
| ||||||||||||
| Waistcoat | brick red laced white (same lace as above) | ||||||||||||
| Breeches | brick red | ||||||||||||
| Gaiters | white with black buttons brown, grey or black during campaigns (black after 1759) | ||||||||||||
| Leather Equipment |
|
Troopers were armed with a “Brown Bess” muskets, a bayonet and a sword.
Officers
Officers of the regiment wore the same uniforms as the private soldiers but with the following differences:
- a silver gorget around the neck
- a silver aiguillette on the right shoulder
- silver lace instead of the normal white lace
- a crimson sash
Officers wore the same headgear as the private soldiers under their command. However, officers of grenadiers wore a more decorated mitre than the privates.
Officers were usually armed with a spontoon. However, in action, some carried a musket rather than the usual spontoon.
Musicians
The body of the drums was painted red, with the King's cypher and crown, and the number of the regiment underneath.
English Regiment
The uniform depicted hereafter belongs to the regiment raised in England in 1756.
Privates
| Headgear |
| ||||||||||||
| Neckstock | white | ||||||||||||
| Coat | brick red lined gosling green and laced white (unknown pattern) with 3 pewter buttons and 3 white buttonholes (same lace as above) under the lapel
| ||||||||||||
| Waistcoat | brick red laced white (same lace as above) | ||||||||||||
| Breeches | brick red | ||||||||||||
| Gaiters | white with black buttons brown, grey or black during campaigns (black after 1759) | ||||||||||||
| Leather Equipment |
|
Troopers were armed with a “Brown Bess” muskets, a bayonet and a sword.
Officers
Officers of the regiment wore the same uniforms as the private soldiers but with the following differences:
- a silver gorget around the neck
- a silver aiguillette on the right shoulder
- silver lace instead of the normal white lace
- a crimson sash
Officers wore the same headgear as the private soldiers under their command. However, officers of grenadiers wore a more decorated mitre than the privates.
Officers were usually armed with a spontoon. However, in action, some carried a musket rather than the usual spontoon.
Musicians
The body of the drums was painted gosling green, with the King's cypher and crown, and the number of the regiment underneath.
Colours
North American Regiment
King's Colour: Union with its centre decorated with a rose wreath around the regiment number "LI" in gold Roman numerals.
Regimental Colour: White field with red cross, Union in the upper left canton, centre decorated with a rose wreath around the regiment number "LI" in gold Roman numerals.
English Regiment
King's Colour: Union with its centre decorated with a rose wreath around the regiment number "LI" in gold Roman numerals.
Regimental Colour: Gosling green field, Union in the upper left canton, centre decorated with a rose wreath around the regiment number "LI" in gold Roman numerals.
References
Aylor, Ron, British Regimental Drums and Colours
Fortescue, J. W., A History of the British Army Vol. II, MacMillan, London, 1899
George II, The Royal Clothing Warrant, 1751
Mills, T. F., Land Forces of Britain the Empire and Commonwealth through the Way Back Machine
