The Light Corps: Re-enacting the British Light Infantry of the American War of Independence.
By Alan Kael Ball
Introduction
The British Light Infantry were among the most active and adaptable troops to fight in the American War of Independence. Operating ahead of the army, protecting its flanks, scouting enemy positions and fighting in broken woodland, they were expected to think independently, move quickly and fight in ways very different from the close-order battalion.
That makes them one of the most rewarding impressions in eighteenth-century reenactment. Light Infantry events involve movement, skirmishing, fieldcraft and initiative rather than simply standing shoulder-to-shoulder in line.
Our Light Corps recreates these specialist soldiers using the latest historical research into British and German light troops in America. Catch up with all the latest news from our recreated light infantry in the UK over on our Light Infantry Corps Facebook Page and Instagram Profile. Experienced reenactors can portray British Light Infantry, Marines, Provincial Rangers or German Jägers, while new members are encouraged to join our portrayal of the 40th Regiment's Light Company, which served with the 2nd Battalion of Light Infantry during the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777.
It's one of the easiest British impressions to begin. The simplified 1777 campaign dress is practical, comfortable, inexpensive to reproduce and ideal for active field events. We provide loan kit, advice, patterns and have experienced members to help you get started.
Be sure to check out the details of this impression below.
The Light Infantry Discipline
The Birth of Britain's Light Infantry
Experience during the Seven Years' War demonstrated that European armies needed specialist troops capable of operating beyond the rigid formations of the line. In North America, forests, broken ground and an elusive enemy demanded soldiers who could move quickly, think independently and fight in dispersed formations.
Recognising this, King George III ordered every regiment of infantry on 25th December 1770 to raise a dedicated Light Infantry Company alongside its existing battalion companies. WO 25/3997. National Archive. These men were selected for their fitness, intelligence and reliability, becoming the army's specialist troops for reconnaissance, skirmishing and rapid manoeuvre.
Unlike the grenadiers, who were distinguished by their height and shock role, Light Infantry carried lighter equipment designed for campaigning. They were issued with shorter muskets, powder horns, ball bags and even hatchets, although these arrangements evolved considerably as experience in America shaped the equipment actually carried on campaign.
Learning to Fight in America
Raising Light Companies was only the beginning. Officers soon realised these new formations required an entirely different way of fighting.
In Ireland, General George Townshend developed the first formal Light Infantry Discipline, Smythies, R (1894) Townshend's Rules and Orders for the Discipline of the Light Infantry Companies in His Majesty's Army in Ireland, in Historical Records of the 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment' teaching companies how to advance over difficult ground, form rapidly by files rather than ranks and fight as independent pairs rather than as a rigid line.
General William Howe expanded these ideas further. 6807-157-6. National Army Museum His exercises, first practised on Salisbury Plain in 1774 and later refined in Halifax during 1776, transformed separate regimental companies into the composite Light Infantry Battalions that would spearhead British operations throughout the war.
The British Army did not simply abandon established European drill when it reached America, however, and the famous light infantry operation from Boston to Concord in April 1775 showed these deficiencies.
Colonel Edward Winslow of the provincial forces, who had accompanied Brigadier General Lord Percy’s relief column to Lexington and had witnessed the battle of Bunker Hill, wrote in 1781 Quoted in Spring (2008), p.251 that at the beginning of operations British Light Infantry were "compact in their movements, regular in their marching and from habit and general instructions they appeared averse to every attempt to screen or cover themselves from danger."
General Sir Henry Clinton likewise wrote “Perhaps in all America there is not a worse spot than this we are in for a regular army without light troops [...] I cannot call our light companies such, nor would you if I were to converse with you for five minutes.” Sir Henry Clinton, quoted in Odintz, M. (1988) The British Officer Corps, 1754-83.
Despite these first fumbles, officers adapted to local conditions, combining disciplined formations with flexible light infantry manoeuver suited to woodland campaigning.
Bush Fighting
One contemporary observer, Dr Robert Honyman, watched the Light Infantry training on Boston common in 1775 and described something quite unlike the parade-ground drill most people associate with eighteenth-century warfare.
“Every regiment here has a company of light infantry, young active fellows; and they are trained in the regular manner, and likewise in a peculiar discipline of irregular and bush fighting. They run out in parties on the wings of the regiment where they keep up a constant and irregular fire. They secure their retreat and defend their front while they are forming. In one part of the exercise they lie on their backs and charge their pieces and fire lying on their bellies.”
This “bush fighting” became the hallmark of British Light Infantry.
Soldiers operated in file pairs, each man responsible for supporting his partner. While one fired, the other loaded. They advanced from tree to tree, made use of rocks, fences and buildings for cover, and continually protected one another's movements. The object was not simply to fire more quickly, but to maintain a constant stream of controlled fire while remaining difficult targets themselves.
Modern spectators are often surprised to discover that British Light Infantry practised loading while lying on their backs, firing from the prone position and running between positions using cover—techniques that seem remarkably modern.
British and German Light Troops
The British Army was not alone in developing specialist troops. Its German allies fielded highly-trained Jäger corps whose expertise in reconnaissance, marksmanship and woodland fighting, and they complemented the British Light Infantry perfectly.
Although British Light Infantry and German Jägers remained distinct organisations with different traditions and equipment, they frequently operated alongside one another during the campaign. Together they formed the eyes and ears of the army, screening marches, gathering intelligence and engaging enemy skirmishers long before the main battalions came into action.
For today's reenactors this opens the door to portraying a fascinating variety of elite troops while remaining part of the same Light Corps.
By 1777 Britain's Light Infantry had become one of the most effective formations in North America. Far removed from the stereotype of rigid red-coated lines advancing across open fields. They were adaptable, aggressive soldiers whose success depended upon initiative, teamwork and speed, qualities that make them enjoyable to recreate today. Contact us about joining!
40th Light Infantry Company, 1777
Why We Portray the 40th Regiment
The Light Company of the 40th Regiment offers one of the most exciting impressions available in British Revolutionary War reenactment.
Detached into the 2nd Battalion of Light Infantry, its men took part in some of the most famous campaigns of the war, fighting at Long Island, White Plains, Brandywine, Paoli, Germantown and Monmouth.
Their story places them at the very centre of the British Army's most active operations, giving us the opportunity to recreate foraging patrols, woodland skirmishes, piquet duties, bayonet assaults and field exercises rather than simply standing in the battalion line.
Just as importantly, the 40th provides one of the most approachable impressions for new members. Their 1777 campaign clothing is practical, distinctive and comparatively inexpensive to assemble. We maintain a stock of loan kit, provide information on suppliers or patterns for members who enjoy making their own clothing, and we've have spent years researching every aspect of the impression to ensure both authenticity and practicality.
If you've ever wanted to experience eighteenth-century soldiering as it was really fought in North America — moving through woodland, working in pairs, thinking for yourself and becoming part of a close-knit team — the 40th Light Company is an outstanding place to begin.
A Brief History of the 40th Regiment in America
The 40th Regiment arrived in Boston from garrison duty in Ireland a week after the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775. As the situation there became untenable in the spring on 1776, the army was evacuated to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The 40th Regiment of Foot participated in the invasion of Long Island in the summer of 1776 and, as part of General Howe's army, fought in the Philadelphia campaign of 1777-1778. Both Battalion and Light Infantry companies fought in Pennsylvania at the Battles of Brandywine, Paoli, Germantown, and Monmouth, New Jersey. The 40th was reassigned to the West Indies in late 1778 but returned, much depleted by disease, to North America to participate in the British raid of New London, Connecticut in 1781, including the bloody assault on Fort Griswold.
While in Halifax in May 1776, the light company was detached into the 2nd Battalion of Light Infantry commanded by Majors Maitland (Marines) and Straubenzee (17th Regiment History of the 17th Regiment in America ) to undergo additional training along with companies from about a dozen other regiments. The light battalions duties were ahead of the army as scouts, or to cover the flanks on the march. They were responsible for outpost watch and reconnaissance, duties that had to be performed even after the rest of the army had gone into winter quarters. As Sergeant Thomas Sullivan of the 2nd Battalion of Light Infantry put it, the light infantry's post was “in the front going out, and the rear coming home.”
The 2nd Battalion was perhaps most famous — or infamous — for the Battle of Paoli. At 10pm on the 20th September 1777, Major General Charles ‘no flint’ Grey's Light Infantry Battalion (drawn from 13 regiments, including the 40th) launched a surprise attack on Wayne's Division near the Paoli Tavern, Pennsylvania.
The Americans were caught completely unaware, and a furious melee broke out. The battalion was ordered to approach without flints, with bayonets-only to prevent accidentally alerting the enemy. Approaching through woods, the British surprise was so complete that they routed the entire division, and running headlong into Smallwood's force to the northwest, drove them off too.
It would become known in the colonies as the Paoli Massacre, though it was no less horrifying to the men involved on the British side.
Lt. Martin Hunter of the 52nd Regiment of Foot's Light Infantry company wrote:
"[General Grey] came to the head of the battalion and cried out "Dash on, light infantry!" and, without saying a word, the whole battalion dashed into the wood, and guided by the straggling fire of the picket, that was followed close up, we entered the camp and gave such a cheer as made the wood echo. The enemy were completely surprised; some with arms, others without, running in all directions in the greatest confusion. The light infantry bayoneted every man they came up with. The camp was immediately set on fire, and this, with the cries of the wounded formed altogether one of the most dreadful scene I ever beheld. Every man that fired was instantly put to death."
The painting below, by Italian artist Xavier Della Gatta in 1782 was likely commissioned by Lt. Richard St. George, also of the 52nd Light Company and present at the battle.
Front and centre in the painting is Captain William Wolfe, the Irish commander of the 40th Regiment's light company who died leading his troops at Paoli. One of the few British men killed during the battle, he was remembered as “a most brave and attentive officer.”
Uniform and Accoutrements
Click on the hotspots to see the different items worn and carried by a light infantryman.
Land Service Musket
"Pattern 1768" or Short Land Musket, 42" Barrel, with 'Dublin Castle' stamped on the lock.
Bayonet, Scabbard and Sling
Bayonet with black leather scabbard and brass fittings. 2" wide sling with frog to hold the bayonet and scabbard.
Musket Sling
Veg-Tan Leather, in black.
Cocked Hat
Black wool-felt, 4" rim with a single leaf cocked and dressed with a Horsehair Cockade, 40th Hat Button and Ostrich Feather.
Stock
A horsehair or black velvet stock with brass clasp. Sometimes soldiers used a false collar for smartness and uniformity.
Shirt
A plain linen shirt.
Belt Clasp
A Brass Belt clasp with '40' engraved on it.
Latchet Shoes
Black leather, late 18th Century Latchet shoes, with brass latchet-buckle, flesh (rough) side out.
Woolen socks
Sleeved Waistcoat
Red broadcloth with Buff facings, lined with wool-bay, with Regimental buttons.
Gaitered Trousers
Heavyweight linen cloth trousers with integral gaiters.
Rear View.
Blanket and Wallet
Woolen Blanket suspended with a tumpline. It is rolled up with a Linen Wallet inside to store provisions for the march.
Tin Canteen
Crescent or Kidney shaped canteen.
Haversack
Made of linen, brass buttons, marked with the ordnance 'GR.' Used to carry rations, and sometimes spare ammunition.
Cartridge Pouch and Sling
British 36-hole cartridge pouch suspended from the shoulder on a 2-inch wide black strap.
Using re-production firearms
Redcoats & Revolutionaries uses muzzle-loading reproduction weapons loaded with blank black-powder cartridges. Use of these weapons requires the user to have the appropriate licenses, and appropriate storage.
For a Smooth-bore musket firing blanks, you will need a Shotgun Certificate and an Acquire-only Explosives Certificate (to draw black-powder from our stores). You apply through your local Police Constabulary: the Shotgun certificate costs £200 plus a possible additional cost for a letter from your GP. The Explosives Certificate is free to apply for. In terms of storage, your local police will know best — some areas allow a trigger-lock mechanism for storage in an attic, whereas some require a steel gun-locker. Talk with your local Police firearms department for the best guidance for your area.
It is likely that you will need a letter of recommendation, or proof of membership from our society to support your application. We will only grant one if you are an active member and up to date with any fees.
We also support members who would prefer not to fire (or can't for whatever reason) with the use of legally deactivated muskets.
Obtaining Kit & Equipment
In terms of off the peg items, to maintain uniformity we have a list of authorised suppliers. For other items, we can supply the patterns for reputable craftspeople to use, and the same goes for items you'd like to make yourself. Many things, such as haversacks, shirts, and so an can be bought as kits.
The above uniform is the minimum necessary for a good impression of a Light Infantryman of the 40th Regiment. But there are other items you may like to get, such as:
- Fatigue Cap (pattern provided by the group, material from waistcoat leftovers)
- Hatchet/Tomahawk
- Camp Kettle
- Soldier's Tent
- 3-way Musket Tool
- Pick and Whisk
- Folding Knife, Beakers, Bowls and other eating implements
- Wash kit and Sewing Kit
- Felling Axe, Bill hooks etc
- Blackball, pipe clay etc
Recommended Reading
- Burns, A. (2024) Infantry in Battle, 1733-1783
- Frey, S. R. (2012) The British Soldier in America: A Social History of Military Life in the Revolutionary Period
- Hagist, D. (2020) Noble Volunteers: The British Soldiers Who Fought the American Revolution
- Hagist, D. (2021) These Distinguished Corps: British Grenadier and Light Infantry Battalions in the American Revolution
- Hagist, D. (ed.) (2023) Waging War in America 1775-1783 : Operational Challenges of Five Armies during the American Revolution
- MacNiven, R. (2021) British Light Infantry in the American Revolution
- Spring, Matthew H. (2008) With Zeal and With Bayonets Only: The British Army on Campaign in North America, 1775-1783.