Recce1
12-24-2009, 01:14 PM
Hi I compressed, added and rewrote this article awhile ago. On this link you'll see the Old Story, if you scroll down you'll see Email received. http://www.electricscotland.com/history/scotreg/bwatch/bw17.htm (http://www.electricscotland.com/history/scotreg/bwatch/bw17.htm)
You can also find it on http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7625
Disclaimer; The article was Taken from Canada's Red Hackle Magazine, Written by Mr. Earl Chapman and rewritten by Spaņiard.
ORIGINS OF THE RED HACKLE
Over the years the origin of the Red Hackle has caused some confusion. For Some time it was believed the famous Red Feathers were awarded
as a campaign Distinction, for the regiment’s service during the British retreat through the Flemish village of Glendermaisen in January 1795.
It’s historically fact that the first “Official” use of the Red Hackle occurred when the 42nd Regiment at Royston Herttfordshire was issued Red Vulture
feathers on June 4th 1795. The 42nd Regiment paraded to celebrate the birth, of King George III.
In fact, we know based on two letters discovered in 1967, stating that the Regiment had worn Red feathers twenty years earlier during the
American War of Independence, (1775-1781). These letters are held in the Regimental archives at Balhousie Castle.The first letter was written by
Lieutenant-Coronal Sir Robert **** Commander of the 42nd on September 8th 1822, to General James Stirling who commanded the 42nd in 1804 and
served with the Regiment during the American War of Independence.
In his letter to Stirling, LCOL **** asks for advice as how the Regiment first acquired the right to wear the Red Hackle, stating that “ I always understood
that the Red Feather was given for taking or defeating a regiment of Grenadiers. But I can not remember when it took place. Stearling replied; The origins
of their wearing this feather commenced early in the American War of 1776 when the Regiment was Brigaded with the Grenadiers and a light infantry of
the army under the command of the late Marquis Cornwallis. At this period there were no regulation feathers. The Grenadiers wore White Feathers, the
first battalion light infantry wore Green. The second battalion wore Red, and to make the whole uniform, General Sir William Howe, orderd the 42nd to
get Red feathers. Stirling went on to state “When the Regiment arrived in England from Egypt in (1802) they were received by His late Majesty and
Colonel ****son who then commended them and asked his Majesty’s permission for the regiment to wear the Red Feather, in which his Majesty
graciously granted.
This tells us the 71st Highland Regiment of Foot, the re-raised Fraser Highlanders, Were the first to wear a red feather while servicing in North America
around 1776.In hindsight the original Fraser Highlanders 78th of Foot, were raised in 1757 for Service during the French and Indian Wars and were
disbanded in 1763.
LCOL John Maitland, then commanding the Fraser’s and General George Washington. As old acquaintances, although apposed enemies they exchanged
some intimidating letters. As one sent by LCOL Maitland to General George Washington warning him that in future his men would be distinguished by
a Red feather in their bonnets, so that the General would not mistake them, nor avoid doing justice to their exploits.
After the War the only regiment not to be disbanded was the 42nd. However the trend of wearing a Red Feather appeared to have stopped sometime
after the war. Then it was reintroduced at the parade in Royston on the occasion of the King’s birth. It wasn’t until August 20th 1822 that the exclusive
right to wear the Red Feather was finally safeguarded by the Horse Guards.
"For Officers commanding Highland Regiments.
General Order, The Red Vulture feather prescribed by the recent regulations, for the Highland Regiments, is intended to be used exclusively by the
Forty-Second Regiment.Other Highland corps will be allowed to continue to wear the same description of feather that may have been hitherto in use.
"H. Torrens, Adjutant-General".
As further reinforcement of the origins of the Red Hackle, a pamphlet publish in 1862 Entitled “ An Account of the Scottish Regiments ” with the statistics
of each from 1808 to 1861, notes under the 42nd Regiment that,” We cannot recollect our authority. But have always understood that the Red feather
worn in their bonnets was given as a mark of distinction for their gallantry in America” this pamphlet was compiled by MacKerlie, who is know to have
access to the old record books.
The Canadian unit, then known as the Royal Scots of Canada, was officially permitted To wear the Red Hackle by General Order dated May 25th 1895.
It’s my Right and privilege to wear a Red Hackle but also my responsibility, Under the Canadian Black Watch general standing orders to keep my
Red Hackle Bloomed. In order to distinguish me from my Scottish Cousins.
6 beats to the drum HOY!
You can also find it on http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7625
Disclaimer; The article was Taken from Canada's Red Hackle Magazine, Written by Mr. Earl Chapman and rewritten by Spaņiard.
ORIGINS OF THE RED HACKLE
Over the years the origin of the Red Hackle has caused some confusion. For Some time it was believed the famous Red Feathers were awarded
as a campaign Distinction, for the regiment’s service during the British retreat through the Flemish village of Glendermaisen in January 1795.
It’s historically fact that the first “Official” use of the Red Hackle occurred when the 42nd Regiment at Royston Herttfordshire was issued Red Vulture
feathers on June 4th 1795. The 42nd Regiment paraded to celebrate the birth, of King George III.
In fact, we know based on two letters discovered in 1967, stating that the Regiment had worn Red feathers twenty years earlier during the
American War of Independence, (1775-1781). These letters are held in the Regimental archives at Balhousie Castle.The first letter was written by
Lieutenant-Coronal Sir Robert **** Commander of the 42nd on September 8th 1822, to General James Stirling who commanded the 42nd in 1804 and
served with the Regiment during the American War of Independence.
In his letter to Stirling, LCOL **** asks for advice as how the Regiment first acquired the right to wear the Red Hackle, stating that “ I always understood
that the Red Feather was given for taking or defeating a regiment of Grenadiers. But I can not remember when it took place. Stearling replied; The origins
of their wearing this feather commenced early in the American War of 1776 when the Regiment was Brigaded with the Grenadiers and a light infantry of
the army under the command of the late Marquis Cornwallis. At this period there were no regulation feathers. The Grenadiers wore White Feathers, the
first battalion light infantry wore Green. The second battalion wore Red, and to make the whole uniform, General Sir William Howe, orderd the 42nd to
get Red feathers. Stirling went on to state “When the Regiment arrived in England from Egypt in (1802) they were received by His late Majesty and
Colonel ****son who then commended them and asked his Majesty’s permission for the regiment to wear the Red Feather, in which his Majesty
graciously granted.
This tells us the 71st Highland Regiment of Foot, the re-raised Fraser Highlanders, Were the first to wear a red feather while servicing in North America
around 1776.In hindsight the original Fraser Highlanders 78th of Foot, were raised in 1757 for Service during the French and Indian Wars and were
disbanded in 1763.
LCOL John Maitland, then commanding the Fraser’s and General George Washington. As old acquaintances, although apposed enemies they exchanged
some intimidating letters. As one sent by LCOL Maitland to General George Washington warning him that in future his men would be distinguished by
a Red feather in their bonnets, so that the General would not mistake them, nor avoid doing justice to their exploits.
After the War the only regiment not to be disbanded was the 42nd. However the trend of wearing a Red Feather appeared to have stopped sometime
after the war. Then it was reintroduced at the parade in Royston on the occasion of the King’s birth. It wasn’t until August 20th 1822 that the exclusive
right to wear the Red Feather was finally safeguarded by the Horse Guards.
"For Officers commanding Highland Regiments.
General Order, The Red Vulture feather prescribed by the recent regulations, for the Highland Regiments, is intended to be used exclusively by the
Forty-Second Regiment.Other Highland corps will be allowed to continue to wear the same description of feather that may have been hitherto in use.
"H. Torrens, Adjutant-General".
As further reinforcement of the origins of the Red Hackle, a pamphlet publish in 1862 Entitled “ An Account of the Scottish Regiments ” with the statistics
of each from 1808 to 1861, notes under the 42nd Regiment that,” We cannot recollect our authority. But have always understood that the Red feather
worn in their bonnets was given as a mark of distinction for their gallantry in America” this pamphlet was compiled by MacKerlie, who is know to have
access to the old record books.
The Canadian unit, then known as the Royal Scots of Canada, was officially permitted To wear the Red Hackle by General Order dated May 25th 1895.
It’s my Right and privilege to wear a Red Hackle but also my responsibility, Under the Canadian Black Watch general standing orders to keep my
Red Hackle Bloomed. In order to distinguish me from my Scottish Cousins.
6 beats to the drum HOY!