Post by rob on Jul 11, 2017 12:29:43 GMT
Henry Beaufoy included a critique of, and recommendations for the improvement of, rifle corps uniforms in his book 'Scloppetaria, or Considerations on the Nature and Use of Rifled Barrel Guns', pp. 242:
"It is usual to give the soldier a stiff leather collar or stock, to wear round the neck, but as this is found to many men a very great annoyance while aiming, and in fact as some can never fire so well with, as without them, in consequence of the constrained position in which they keep the neck, it would be better to give the men any other more pliant or elastic substance, even though it were a little more expensive; as it would be amply repaid in the increased skill of the rifleman.
The jacket, which comes next under consideration, need not be varied from those now in use, excepting that the collar should be made to come well up into the neck, and the skirts, instead of being cut off even with the waist, (which in the attitude of stooping, exposes the loins to the 'cold air,) should be continued as low down as the top of the hams, and thus not only would additional covering be afforded to that part of the body in sitting or laying down in damp situations, but it would afford the means of conveying certain necessaries, as a pair of socks, or some Spare tow, all tending to the total preclusion of a knapsack on service but of this more will be said hereafter.
The sleeves should be made wide and roomy, so as to give the arms full play, and as the firing} when laying down very, soon causes the bones of the elbow to become exceedingly sore, it is adviseable to add a small patch of pliant black leather to guard against this inconvenience! In addition to the jacket, we think to make the difference of a summer and a winter dress, and also with a view of precluding the use of a great coat, we should recommend the addition of a thick green waistcoat with long sleeves, which will thus either serve as a drill dress in summer with out the jacket, or as a winter dress with the addition of the jacket.
The pantaloons usually served out to riflemen are of two kinds, either of green cloth made to fit very tight and close, or of loose white Russia duck. Now the former of these labour under two objections: one, that they restrain the free use of the limbs and muscles, and therefore the sooner fatigue the wearer; and secondly, that they are more apt to get torn in running and leaping, from their being made so tight. The white duck trowsers are we think equally inadmissible, for al though they certainly are much pleasanter owing to their looseness, yet surely their colour is so glaring an absurdity, that the whole use of a green jacket is done away. Besides as the man can wear but one suit of clothes at a time, it seems an absurdity to give him two kinds of pantaloons, and a drill and parade jacket and cap, when by blends ing the whole together, the baggage may be considerably diminished. We should, think, then that the adoption of a pair of loose green cloth pantaloons would answer the above end ; we have tried the difference, and the comfort and utility of the two bear no comparison. By loose we do not mean to say trowsers equal in capacity to those of a sailor, for they would rather tend to prevent speed, than assist it; but merely so loose as to allow of the foot being slipped with facility in, and thus hang easily down the leg and thigh, as low as mid leg; if continued further, it would only accumulate dirt from the ordinary motion of the feet in walking.
For this latter purpose, a small strip of leather should be added round the bottom of the pantaloon, which with the addition of a leather seat ing just in the fork, would all tend to preserve the cloth from the injuries which such active service as that of light troops would be likely to occasion, and therefore a smaller supply of clothing would be required for the use of the light corps, in proportion as their different accoutrements and parts of their dress could be rendered more durable.
The position of firing with one knee on the ground and the frequent necessity there is in climbing over banks and steep places, makes it necessary to afford some protection to the bone, as we have seen much inconvenience arise from a thorn, caught while getting through a fence of quickset ; it would be an improvement then, if instead of the accoutrement called a knee-cap, (and which is used with the tight pantaloon) the leather were transferred and sew ed into the cloth of the pantaloon ; the effect is by no means bad, and besides, allowing that it were rather out of the common way, it would be counterbalanced amply, by the additional protection it affords to so critical a part of the knee. But as it is proper that some provision be made for adapting the dress to the increased cold of the winter, we should propose, that each man be furnished with a pair of long flannel drawers, just reaching below the calf of the leg where there should be a small buckle and strap (like a knee-buckle) to tighten them as much as may be necessary in proportion to the make of the different men; and thus whether the stockings worn were half or whole, they might always be kept up with neatness and comfort to the wearer.
It is not unusual with corps of government as well as volunteers, to reject the gaiter as being less neat, and adopt in its stead the small laced boot which was conceived to suit the uniform better! but surely it is a pity that neatness should be taken into consideration in preference to utility and convenience. In the first place the laced half boot is more expensive; it requires more time to put it on; is more fatiguing on a march, from the binding of the lace across the instep, as the foot swells by walking; and lastly, should the lace break there is no means of remedying the deficiency, even so as to be capable of walking (and much more of running) unless another be immediately at hand. The first consideration is doubtless important, but as we would suppose it of no consequence, were there any great increase of advantage to be derived from their adoption, we will not make that an objection. As to the second, surely that is not so easily got rid of, for as light troops are supposed to be always on the alert, their accoutrements and clothing cannot be too simple. The fewer buttons, strings, or loops there are the better. But how is a laced boot to be put on expeditiously in the day, and much more in the dark, when it would not be possible to pass the end of the lace through the holes but by the touch? that they are very fatiguing will not we believe he denied by any who have tried them ; for if the boot be put on well, and close at first. after any exertion, and in short from fatigue alone, the foot begins to swell, and constant pain and excessive weariness ensues.The latter objection can need no comment whatever, as many of our readers may have known by experience at some period or other the inconvenience to which we allude.
The old plan of the short quartered shoe and the half gaiter has none of those disadvantages, it is cheaper, easier put on, less fatiguing, and by having its hold dependent, instead of on one stay, as in the lace of the boot, on several, as on the buttons of the gaiter; it is to be preferred on that ground also. But where as the gaiters commonly issued are of cloth, so they very soon become ragged and shabby, and in short do not answer the purpose for which they were originally intended, viz. Of adding warmth and protection to the leg and ancle.
At a price, then, not exceeding four shillings, or four shillings and three pence, may be bought gaiters made of excellent black calf skin leather with white metal buttons at once the strongest and cheapest; these will be found much better adapted for the service of the light soldier than any other; they turn more wet, are considerably stronger than cloth, and in short one pair 'made of good leather will, under similar circumstances, last out three of such as are commonly issued by government warrants.
The chief objection to the gaiter is, that the strap which passes beneath the foot is soon worn through by the constant pinching of the weight of the body in walking. To avoid this inconvenience, the leather strap instead of passing completely under the foot as in the common way, is cut in half and sewn one piece on each side of the shoe above the sole, a button is attached to each side of the gaiter, to which the two bits of straps are but toned to keep the tongue close down; or, as may be done by those who prefer it, the buttons are transferred to the shoe, and the two bits of strap sewn to the gaiter, and of the two perhaps the latter plan is preferable, because in the former way, the shoe, when worn without a gaiter looks slovenly by reason of the two bits of strap buttoned on each side, so on the other hand the whole of a manβs necessaries may be reduced to a pair of shoes, a shirt, and a pair of stockings or socks. all of which may be packed in the haversack ; and even with these few things it will be found quite sufficient to cramp but too effectually the operations of a light corps. All other baggage and clothing should be left at head quarters, or with the heavy' baggage of the army, where it will not only be in much safer custody, than if it were in more exposed situations with the corps to which it belongs, but the corps itself will also be much benefited, in as much as they will be able to act much less incumbered, much more at liberty, and without any thing to retard the rapid movements of a flying brigade; according to the second plan, the shoe is disfigured by nothing but the two buttons.
In proposing the above plan of clothing the light troops, we have had nothing but utility in view, bearing constantly in mind the impossibility of a manβs doing light duty when loaded with the present quantity of belts, accoutrements, arms, can teen, haversack, knapsack, great coat, blanket, &c. &c. and therefore we have presumed to shew in the frontispiece what we conceive to be a dress and appointments better calculated for service than that which we are told is to be worn incase of acting in face of an enemy. We conceive that with avery little trouble, besides arms, and accoutrements, a canteen, haversack 'and a blanket, (so contrived as that it m a y occasionally be used asa cloak at night when on sentry) may be made to comprise all the requisite incumbrances of a light corps."
"It is usual to give the soldier a stiff leather collar or stock, to wear round the neck, but as this is found to many men a very great annoyance while aiming, and in fact as some can never fire so well with, as without them, in consequence of the constrained position in which they keep the neck, it would be better to give the men any other more pliant or elastic substance, even though it were a little more expensive; as it would be amply repaid in the increased skill of the rifleman.
The jacket, which comes next under consideration, need not be varied from those now in use, excepting that the collar should be made to come well up into the neck, and the skirts, instead of being cut off even with the waist, (which in the attitude of stooping, exposes the loins to the 'cold air,) should be continued as low down as the top of the hams, and thus not only would additional covering be afforded to that part of the body in sitting or laying down in damp situations, but it would afford the means of conveying certain necessaries, as a pair of socks, or some Spare tow, all tending to the total preclusion of a knapsack on service but of this more will be said hereafter.
The sleeves should be made wide and roomy, so as to give the arms full play, and as the firing} when laying down very, soon causes the bones of the elbow to become exceedingly sore, it is adviseable to add a small patch of pliant black leather to guard against this inconvenience! In addition to the jacket, we think to make the difference of a summer and a winter dress, and also with a view of precluding the use of a great coat, we should recommend the addition of a thick green waistcoat with long sleeves, which will thus either serve as a drill dress in summer with out the jacket, or as a winter dress with the addition of the jacket.
The pantaloons usually served out to riflemen are of two kinds, either of green cloth made to fit very tight and close, or of loose white Russia duck. Now the former of these labour under two objections: one, that they restrain the free use of the limbs and muscles, and therefore the sooner fatigue the wearer; and secondly, that they are more apt to get torn in running and leaping, from their being made so tight. The white duck trowsers are we think equally inadmissible, for al though they certainly are much pleasanter owing to their looseness, yet surely their colour is so glaring an absurdity, that the whole use of a green jacket is done away. Besides as the man can wear but one suit of clothes at a time, it seems an absurdity to give him two kinds of pantaloons, and a drill and parade jacket and cap, when by blends ing the whole together, the baggage may be considerably diminished. We should, think, then that the adoption of a pair of loose green cloth pantaloons would answer the above end ; we have tried the difference, and the comfort and utility of the two bear no comparison. By loose we do not mean to say trowsers equal in capacity to those of a sailor, for they would rather tend to prevent speed, than assist it; but merely so loose as to allow of the foot being slipped with facility in, and thus hang easily down the leg and thigh, as low as mid leg; if continued further, it would only accumulate dirt from the ordinary motion of the feet in walking.
For this latter purpose, a small strip of leather should be added round the bottom of the pantaloon, which with the addition of a leather seat ing just in the fork, would all tend to preserve the cloth from the injuries which such active service as that of light troops would be likely to occasion, and therefore a smaller supply of clothing would be required for the use of the light corps, in proportion as their different accoutrements and parts of their dress could be rendered more durable.
The position of firing with one knee on the ground and the frequent necessity there is in climbing over banks and steep places, makes it necessary to afford some protection to the bone, as we have seen much inconvenience arise from a thorn, caught while getting through a fence of quickset ; it would be an improvement then, if instead of the accoutrement called a knee-cap, (and which is used with the tight pantaloon) the leather were transferred and sew ed into the cloth of the pantaloon ; the effect is by no means bad, and besides, allowing that it were rather out of the common way, it would be counterbalanced amply, by the additional protection it affords to so critical a part of the knee. But as it is proper that some provision be made for adapting the dress to the increased cold of the winter, we should propose, that each man be furnished with a pair of long flannel drawers, just reaching below the calf of the leg where there should be a small buckle and strap (like a knee-buckle) to tighten them as much as may be necessary in proportion to the make of the different men; and thus whether the stockings worn were half or whole, they might always be kept up with neatness and comfort to the wearer.
It is not unusual with corps of government as well as volunteers, to reject the gaiter as being less neat, and adopt in its stead the small laced boot which was conceived to suit the uniform better! but surely it is a pity that neatness should be taken into consideration in preference to utility and convenience. In the first place the laced half boot is more expensive; it requires more time to put it on; is more fatiguing on a march, from the binding of the lace across the instep, as the foot swells by walking; and lastly, should the lace break there is no means of remedying the deficiency, even so as to be capable of walking (and much more of running) unless another be immediately at hand. The first consideration is doubtless important, but as we would suppose it of no consequence, were there any great increase of advantage to be derived from their adoption, we will not make that an objection. As to the second, surely that is not so easily got rid of, for as light troops are supposed to be always on the alert, their accoutrements and clothing cannot be too simple. The fewer buttons, strings, or loops there are the better. But how is a laced boot to be put on expeditiously in the day, and much more in the dark, when it would not be possible to pass the end of the lace through the holes but by the touch? that they are very fatiguing will not we believe he denied by any who have tried them ; for if the boot be put on well, and close at first. after any exertion, and in short from fatigue alone, the foot begins to swell, and constant pain and excessive weariness ensues.The latter objection can need no comment whatever, as many of our readers may have known by experience at some period or other the inconvenience to which we allude.
The old plan of the short quartered shoe and the half gaiter has none of those disadvantages, it is cheaper, easier put on, less fatiguing, and by having its hold dependent, instead of on one stay, as in the lace of the boot, on several, as on the buttons of the gaiter; it is to be preferred on that ground also. But where as the gaiters commonly issued are of cloth, so they very soon become ragged and shabby, and in short do not answer the purpose for which they were originally intended, viz. Of adding warmth and protection to the leg and ancle.
At a price, then, not exceeding four shillings, or four shillings and three pence, may be bought gaiters made of excellent black calf skin leather with white metal buttons at once the strongest and cheapest; these will be found much better adapted for the service of the light soldier than any other; they turn more wet, are considerably stronger than cloth, and in short one pair 'made of good leather will, under similar circumstances, last out three of such as are commonly issued by government warrants.
The chief objection to the gaiter is, that the strap which passes beneath the foot is soon worn through by the constant pinching of the weight of the body in walking. To avoid this inconvenience, the leather strap instead of passing completely under the foot as in the common way, is cut in half and sewn one piece on each side of the shoe above the sole, a button is attached to each side of the gaiter, to which the two bits of straps are but toned to keep the tongue close down; or, as may be done by those who prefer it, the buttons are transferred to the shoe, and the two bits of strap sewn to the gaiter, and of the two perhaps the latter plan is preferable, because in the former way, the shoe, when worn without a gaiter looks slovenly by reason of the two bits of strap buttoned on each side, so on the other hand the whole of a manβs necessaries may be reduced to a pair of shoes, a shirt, and a pair of stockings or socks. all of which may be packed in the haversack ; and even with these few things it will be found quite sufficient to cramp but too effectually the operations of a light corps. All other baggage and clothing should be left at head quarters, or with the heavy' baggage of the army, where it will not only be in much safer custody, than if it were in more exposed situations with the corps to which it belongs, but the corps itself will also be much benefited, in as much as they will be able to act much less incumbered, much more at liberty, and without any thing to retard the rapid movements of a flying brigade; according to the second plan, the shoe is disfigured by nothing but the two buttons.
In proposing the above plan of clothing the light troops, we have had nothing but utility in view, bearing constantly in mind the impossibility of a manβs doing light duty when loaded with the present quantity of belts, accoutrements, arms, can teen, haversack, knapsack, great coat, blanket, &c. &c. and therefore we have presumed to shew in the frontispiece what we conceive to be a dress and appointments better calculated for service than that which we are told is to be worn incase of acting in face of an enemy. We conceive that with avery little trouble, besides arms, and accoutrements, a canteen, haversack 'and a blanket, (so contrived as that it m a y occasionally be used asa cloak at night when on sentry) may be made to comprise all the requisite incumbrances of a light corps."
