Sergeant, Light Company 1821

The painting of the sergeant is a distinct improvement on the pencil sketches. The shakos were worn by battalion and light companies. For other ranks, there was no lace around the top edge, although the drawing suggests it. There is a black turned-up peak at the back of the cap. The chin scales are hooked up over the plume holder which has a brass badge in the form of a stringed bugle. Below this is a brass garter star badge. The plume is green for light companies, white over red for battalion companies. The wings on his shoulders are for flank companies and are blue and gold. His coatee is gold laced except for the button loops on his cuff flap which are white. Unlike the Grenadier Company colour-sergeant, he has two white belts, one for the sword and bayonet, and one for the ammunition pouch. He carries a short musket instead of the pike carried by sergeants in the other companies.
The pencil sketches give a very interesting and unusual view of the rear of the uniform. The coatee has shorter tails than coats worn in the other companies. The cloth badge placed where the turn-backs meet is probably a garter star. The crimson sash has falling fringed ends almost in the middle of his back. The sword is quite short and the bayonet scabbard can just be made out above it. The ammunition belt has a buckle but we cannot see one on the sword belt. The ammunition pouch is high on the hip and of polished black leather with a brass garter star badge. The sergeant in the sketches has black gaiters while the painting shows full dress white gaiters.

Uniforms | Regimental Details