The 79th Cameron Highlanders were present at the battles of Quatre Bras and Waterloo in June 1815. This illustration taken from British Infantry Uniforms Since 1660 by Michael Barthorp, is by Pierre Turner. The soldier is a kilted Highlander of the 79th, a regiment permitted to continue wearing the kilt after 1808, the year when four Highland regiments were ordered to wear normal infantry uniform; the 72nd, 73rd, 74th and 75th.
The private is from a Battalion company, indicated by the white tufts on his shoulders and the white over red plume on the side of his feather bonnet. His red jacket finishes at the waist at the front, but has short tails at the back, decorated with sloping false pocket flaps. The rank and file had button-hole loops of white tape or lace, decorated with two red lines and one yellow, while sergeants had plain white lace and silver rank stripes. He is in marching order as can be seen by the rolled greatcoat and straps for the valise. There are straps for a water-bottle and haversack in his right shoulder. Attached to his shoulder belts are items on chains to clean his musket; a picker and brush.
The feather bonnet, in an early stage of its development, has had a peak added for the campaign. The diced hat-band clearly shows the placing of the red white and green squares. On the left side of the cap is a black Hanoverian cockade, forming a base for the white over red hackle. The full belted plaid had been replaced by the small kilt to cut down on the weight carried by the soldier. The hose and shoes were partially protected by black gaiters on active service.
