The prolific military artist Michael Angelo Hayes recorded the uniforms of the British Army during the 1840s. This fine print shows two men from the rank and file, and because they have no rank stripes, which in Highland regiments, showed on both sleeves, they are privates with the responsibility of bringing up the rear of a squad marching along the road, while two others act as the advance guard.
The men wear red jackets with green collars and cuffs. The fronts of the jackets are well covered with plain white lace button-hole loops in pairs. The men could be mistaken for members of the Grenadier Company, but the all white hackle was worn by every man in the regiment as were the large padded shoulder wings. The artist demonstrates his eye for detail by including the small brush and picker hanging in front of both soldiers. The plaid includes a tartan fly attached to the left shoulder, and the kilt is pleated at the back.
The men are in light marching order, wearing a square knapsack and mess tins on top. The box-shaped knapsack, first introduced as ‘Mr Trotters’ knapsack in 1805 and in 1808 the regimental number was ordered to be painted on. It was modified in 1824 to be closer to the back and lighter. It was made of waterproofed canvas or oilcloth but the frame had to be strengthened 5 years later. This pattern lasted until the Crimean War; in 1856 it was made smaller. The mess tins, in an oilcloth cover, can be seen strapped to the top. The black ammunition pouch was attached to the belt on the left shoulder and the bayonet was on the right shoulder belt.
