The XLIId, or ROYAL HIGHLANDERS had;
In the center of their colours, the King's cypher within the garter,
and crown over it. Under it, St. Andrew, with the motto,
Nemo me impune lacessit. In the three corners of the second colour,
the King's cypher and crown.
The 42nd Foot traces its long history back to 1624 when, in the Highlands of Scotland,
independent companies started being raised to keep fellow clansmen in check. After the
first Jacobite uprising in 1715, the independent companies were disbanded by King George I.
In 1724 six independent companies of highlanders were raised under General George Wade.
These independent companies came to be known as 'The Black Watch.'
In 1739 George II ordered the Independent Highland Companies to form a Regiment of Foot
under the Earl of Crawford; this regiment was known as Crawford's Regiment. In 1743, the
'Black Watch' arrived in Flanders, and joining forces under King George II, saw action during
the War of the Austrian Succession. In 1747, the 'Black Watch' was numbered the 43rd Foot.
This ranking was held until being renumbered the 42nd Foot in 1749. The regiment was
designated the 42nd Regiment of Foot, or Highland Regiment, in 1751.
The 42nd arrived in North America in 1756 and was garrisoned in Albany, New York.
On July 8, 1758 during the Battle of Ticonderoga, the 42nd participated in the famed charge
on the French lines and attempted to storm the breastworks on Ticonderoga Heights, losing over
half its number. On July 22, 1758 the 42nd Regiment of Foot was given 'Royal' designation,
becoming the 'Royal Highland Regiment'. King George also authorized the raising of an
additional battalion. This 'second battalion' was sent to the West Indies, seeing action at
Martinique, and the capture of Guadeloupe in 1759. Later that year, the 'second regiment'
joined forces with the 'Old 42nd' at Fort Oswego. Albeit speculation, perhaps this
'regiment' was simply reinforcements, clad in the new 'blue-faced' uniform, and
carrying the new Colours. In 1759 the 42nd 'Royal Highland Regiment' took
part in the siege of Ticonderoga and the capture of Crown Point, and was
present for the French surrender of Montreal in 1760.
After Montreal, the 42nd returned to the West Indies, taking part in the capture
of Martinique and the Spanish citadel of Havana. The regiment returned
to New York in October of 1762, departing for Ireland in 1767.
The Royal Highland Regiment returned once again to New York in July of 1776, seeing
immediate action at the Battles on Long Island and Brooklyn, the Battle of Harlem, and the
capture of Fort Washington. In 1777, the 42nd participated in the Battles of Brandywine
and Germantown, seeing action again the following year at the Battle of Monmouth.
In July of 1779, the 42nd helped re-capture Stony Point, where they remained until
participating in the siege of Charleston, South Carolina in 1780. The regiment returned
to New York in 1781, where it remained until leaving for Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1783.
The 42nd Regiment of Foot finally returned home to Glasgow in May of 1790.
"During the American War of Independence, the 42nd Regiment of Foot,
The Black Watch, fought in the British Army's 1776-1778 campaigns in
New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, including the victories at
Long Island, Fort Washington, Brandywine, and Germantown. In 1780,
the 42nd helped besiege and capture Charleston, South Carolina.
At the end of the War, the Regiment was sent back to Ireland. Those
not returning settled in Newfoundland and some areas of New York."
Courtesy of Susan Gable of the re-created 42nd Reg t of Foot.
On the drums, and bells of arms, the same device,
with the rank of the regiment underneath.
Evidence suggests that the drum would also have had depictions of the
King's cypher and crown to the upper right, lower right, and lower left of the
King's cypher within the garter, and "Regt XLII" in gold leaf to the upper left.
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