Historical record of the seventeenth regiment of light dragoons, l. Kings 8th regiment detroit garrison viii regiment of foot fort michilimackinac garrison 10th regiment of foot. Colonel john burgoyne, founder of the regiment, by joshua reynolds, c. We are a living history group dedicated to preserving the memory of the 17th light dragoons of his majesties armed forces in the american. Account books of lodge held in the seventeenth regiment light dragoons, no. Dragoon regiments were established in most european armies during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. British cavalry regiments and the men who led them 17931815. The 17th light dragoons can trace their formation back to general wolfes victory at quebec in 1759. A chapter ended on 18th may, 1927, when extroopsergt.
So, by the end of the year, he formed the 18th light dragoons regiment, that after entering into service in germany in 1761, was renamed as the 17th light dragoons. However, it was not until the 1750s that the british converted some dragoon regiments into light cavalry, these regiments being officially designated light dragoons. One was the 17th, named after colonel hale who raised them. He has spent the last several years compiling a history of the. G7w3m8l5 reel 1 command er payroll start payroll end company captain former captain place date notes colonel george preston 1 octobe r 1771 31 decembe r 1771 richard crewe clogheen 5 january 1772 colonel george preston 1 octobe r 1771 31 decembe. Records of united states regular army mobile units, 18211942.
The second, originally called the 18th, was renumbered the 17th light dragoons in 1769. The 15 th light dragoons were the first ever 1759, and others quickly followed including the eighteenth and nineteenth. Light dragoons a regimental history, 17152009 general. Point of the revolutionary war in paintings, artifacts, and historical narrative. End of the project gutenberg ebook of historical record of the seventeenth regiment of light dragoons lancers, by richard cannon end of this project gutenberg ebook historical record 17th reg dragoons this file should be named 56409h. Raised in 1759, the regiment was sent to america in 1776 becoming the second british cavalry regiment to see service during the war of independence, the other being the 17th regiment of light dragoons which arrived in america in may, 1775. In 1763, hales regiment was redesignated as the 17th for good.
Minor battle on carolina border had huge ramifications. The th light dragoons were at the forefront of the famous charge of the light brigade during the crimean war, and subsequently immortalised by the words of the poet tennyson. Tarletons legion wore a uniform of green and the cavalry wore light dragoon helmets. The thirteenth, raised as heavy dragoons mounted infantrymen as early as 1715, were also converted. Trw181 british 17th light dragoon private philadelphia. In memory of wolfes demise, the regiments cap badge was a skull and crossbones, and its motto death or glory. The making of a regiment reprint by allan mallinson isbn. As the war progressed, the light dragoons abandoned their red coats for green. A history of the 17th lancers duke of cambridges own. Label text the pattern 1759 elliot light dragoon pistol was developed for use by the newly raised regiments of british light dragoons during the seven years war. The 17th lancers duke of cambridges own was a cavalry regiment of the british army. Formed as the 16th light dragoons 1759 designated the 2nd queens light draggons 1766 redsignated the 16th light dragoons 1769 arrived in new york sept 1776 philadephia campaign 1777 returned to new york 1778 understrength, men transferred to 17th, colors returned to england dec 1778 bh17 17th regiment of light dragoons. As a reward, he was commissioned to raise the 18th light dragoons. This was the cavalry on strength in 1837, and included.
Helmets of brass, with red horsehair crest, front plates painted black with the badge and motto of regiment in white metal, a red silk turban was wound around the base of the cap. In 1922 the regiment was merged with the 21st lancers and became the 1721st lancers then amalgamated with the 16th5th the queens royal lancers to. These edited extracts are from pagets own account, the light cavalry brigade in the crimea extracts from the letters and journal of general lord george paget john murray, 1881 alvin wee of the university scholars programme, created the electronic text using omnipage pro ocr software, and created the html version. By researching, and then attempting to live as they did, we hope to gain insight into their war experience and share that knowledge with others. The portrait of an unidentified officer of the 17th light dragoons, which is reproduced here. In 1759 five regiments of light dragoons were raised. Although only formed in december 1992, the light dragoons look back to a history that began in the days of the first jacobite rebellion. A british light dragoon of the regiment in the green jacket they wore during the. Officer and sergeant of the 17th light dragoons in charge of indian irregular cavalry. With a foreward written by colonelinchief king abdullah of the hashemite of jordan and chapters that begin with regimental life through many wars, deployments, and its future. But with the outbreak of the first world war, the role of the light dragoons regiment began to evolve.
Living history days are free with museum admission. Trooper, 17th light dragoons, 1759 17th21st lancers hugh. Learn about reenacting and living history groups related to the american revolution people that engage in and bring life to the revolutionary war. The portrait of an unidentified officer of the 17th light dragoons, which is reproduced here, came into my possession rather more than a year ago. American revolution 17th light dragoons revwartalk. Other examples are known with markings for both the 17th light dragoons and the 16th or queens light dragoons, which served here during the war. The british army experimented with light cavalry in the 1740s, prompted by the french creation of hussar regiments. In 1759, after the battle of quebec, colonel john hale from the 47th foot was granted permission to raise a light dragoon regiment.
Now they too have been amalgamated, with a name that reverts to the titles of the four original regiments in the. Theres not much more dashing than a cavalry officer astride his mount. Major edwin hughes of the th light dragoons passed away at blackpool at the ripe old age of 96. It saw service for two centuries, before being amalgamated with the 5th royal irish lancers to form the 16th5th lancers in 1922. A somewhat short history of the third continental light dragoons. Uniforms of the american revolution history, flag galleries. Originally, each regiment of cavalry formed a light troop, but so successful was the idea that whole regiments were formed. Records of united states regular army mobile units, 1821. The 3rd dragoons were previously named the kings own regiment of dragoons between 17141751 and became light dragoons in 1818, this style is believed to be the second pattern to the unit description. In addition, notes related to officers include promoted, absent, and resigned.
It was the duke of york, the commanderinchief, who first proposed the idea in 1816. The 17th light dragoons is a nonprofit educational group devoted to the accurate portrayal of the british horse soldier throughout the american war of independence. During the philadelphia campaign they exchanged their red coats for green ones for unknown reasons. Trooper, 17th light dragoons, 1759 17th21st lancers. The 16th the queens lancers was a cavalry regiment of the british army, first raised in 1759. It fell to john hale to bring back to the king the mixed news of victory over the french paid for in part with the death of wolfe. Index page for the 17th light dragoons in north america.
The 17th light dragoons can trace their formation back to general wolfes. That means that they were very versatile units, highly suited for combat against irregular enemy units and rough terrain. On the 28 august the entire light brigade consisting of the 4th light dragoons and th light dragoons, 17th lancers, the 8th hussars and 11th hussars, under the command of major general the earl of cardigan were inspected by lord lucan. Historical record of the seventeenth regiment of light. The second book concludes with official letters of thanks, tables of miles marched. Dragoons regiments typically consisted of mounted infantry. The term light dragoons has a much earlier history. The colonels written on these musters are lieutenant general george preston, late of the scots greys, 177082. The regiment was a player in the battle of white plains in 1776. The 16th and 17th light dragoons were the only british regular cavalry. One of many in colonial williamsburgs collection, this example was formerly part of an arms display at stirling castle, scotland. Also known as 17th light dragoons and 17th lancers duke of cambridges.
The 17th regiment of light dragoons nwta home facebook. Rather than use the big and burly heavy cart cobs the light dragoons preferred the use of smaller, leaner hunter horses under 15. Those who have read any of my books written either as emery lee or as. It is a crowded canvas which reflects much of the last two hundred and seventy years of british history. Jun 14, 2018 volume ii a history of the 17th lancers duke of cambridges own, 18951924 by major gilbert micholls 1931 is available at the british library together with volume iii by lt. Jan 14, 2021 the two regiments of british light dragoons serving in america, the 16th and 17th, arrived in america wearing red coats and crested leather helmets. More importantly to the men of cloughs command, they. Nov 12, 20 the art of don troiani formerly distributed by historical art prints. The light dragoons a regimental history, 17152009 is a detailed and wellwritten account of one of britains most famous regiments. After the wars many regiments were disbanded, the most junior retained being the 17th light dragoons. Containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1759, and of its subsequent. It regained the 17th numeral in 1769 as the 17th regiment of light dragoons. Charlton, highlighting the 17th lancers during the charge of the light brigade, balaclava, 25 oct 1854.
The regiment saw service in germany in 1761 and was renumbered the 17th regiment of light dragoons in april 1763 in 1764 the regiment went to ireland. For the lads awi range contains 3 flags for each of the 16th and 17th light dragoons. The 17th light dragoons were renamed and rearmed into lancers in 1822 and 1823. Historical record of the seventeenth regiment of light dragoons, lancers. After thrusting their lances into an enemy, they drew their sabres to skirmish with the russian artillery. The first light dragoon troops were originally raised in the mid18th century for.
Living history days are produced in conjunction with the exhibition revolution. As the attached regular cavalry, the 17th light dragoons clung on to an. The issue of colours provides a bit of a conundrum for figure manufacturers should they provide standard bearer figures for british light dragoon regiments, given that the flags were not used in theatre operations in north america. They became 17th lancers in 1815 and took part in the charge of the light brigade on 25th october 1854 at balaclava.
During the southern campaign when they were later attached to. The light dragoons main distinction from their heavier cousins was in the type of horse employed. In may 1766 it was renumbered again, this time as the 3rd regiment of light dragoons. The first light dragoon troops were originally raised in the mid18th century for reconnaissance and patrolling. Those who have read any of my books written either as emery le. Oct 24, 2012 this book is far more specific, focusing almost exclusively on the regiments which have been amalgamated over the centuries to form the light dragoons, mallinsons former regiment. Historical record of the seventeenth regiment of light dragoons lancers.
The 15th was raised by george augustus eliott, lieutcolonel of the 2nd troop of horse grenadier guards, under a warrant dated 17th march 1759. Description in 1759 five regiments of light dragoons were raised. Coats and cloaks of red faced and lined with white. In the book he goes into detail about uniforms, weapons, drill, saddlery, and horses. Raised for service in the mexican war, february 1847. All of the men were saved, but their baggage and regimental books were all lost. Praise for george washington at war 1776 john koopmans george washington at war 1776 is one of these rare products that mixes sound, thoroughly researched history into historical fiction to provide the human facets of the american war of independence that all too often get lost in traditional accounts of that conflict. The detachment in the south wore white sheepskin around their.
Ocrd to be fulltext searchable and uploaded by user rwmaps. The project gutenberg ebook of historical record of the. The latter included the kings american dragoons, tarletons famous british legion, along with the hussars and light dragoons of the queens rangers. In the following melee, the 3d dragoons routed the british 17th and took four of them prisoner. Four other light dragoon regiments were raised soon afterwards which became the 16th, 17th, 18th and 21st light dragoons. Newyork historical society 16th queens light dragoons. Containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1759, and of its subsequent services to 1841 historical records of the british army, richard cannon. Introduced in the 1760s, the light dragoon pistol graced of holsters of the brave troopers of the 16th and 17th light dragoons along with american mounted units loyal to the crown. The regiment was raised in 1759 by colonel john burgoyne as the 16th regiment of light dragoons, being the second of the new regiments of light dragoons. The name is derived from a type of firearm, called a dragon, which was a handgun version of a blunderbuss, carried by dragoons of the french army. In this fastpaced, actionpacked, historical novel on the early campaigns of the american revolution, history buff and revolutionary war reenactor john koopman tells the stories of the siege of boston and the battle of harlem heights from the soldiers point of view.
Regulation cast brass mounts and reproduction brass tipped wood ramrod. Reviewed in the united kingdom on 17 december 2014. The reasoning behind the move was in imitation of the polish lancers who had fought so well alongside napoleon. Interestingly to me, the colonel in chief of the light dragoons is the king of jordon, abdullah ii, who attended sandhurst and is one of two foreign monarchs to so serve. He was the last survivor of the light brigade charge.
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