LXIId Regiment of Foot
In the center of each colour is to be painted, or embroidered, in gold
Roman characters, the number of the rank of the regiment, within the
wreath of roses and thistles on the same stalk. The second Colour to be
the colour of the facing of the regiment, with the Union in the upper
canton; except those regiments which are faced with red, white, or black.
The 62nd Foot was originally raised as the 2nd Battalion of
the 4th Regiment of Foot on September 20, 1756. In January
of 1758, four companies of the 2nd Battalion 4th Foot were
assigned duties as marines on board the fleet, and sailed with
Admiral Edward Boscawen for Halifax and Louisburg.
Orders were issued on April 21, 1758, re-designating the
2nd Battalion 4th Foot as the 62nd Regiment of Foot.
Acting as marines, the four companies of the 62nd took part
in various actions during the siege of Louisburg in June of 1758.
After Louisburg, the 62nd companies were landed on the
Isle de Orleans in the St. Lawrence River. The 62nd participated
in the 'diversion' on the Beauport shore on the evening of
September 12, 1759. The next morning, the 62nd participated in
various land operations during the fight on the Plains of Abraham,
above the city of Quebec. The 62nd companies being greatly
reduced, sailed home with the fleet, before the winter of 1759.
Albeit speculation, it is logical to assume that the 62nd did not
change its Colours, drums, nor change to 'buff-coloured'
facings until returning to Europe.
The 62nd Regiment of Foot returned to Quebec in May of 1776.
During the Canadian Campaign of 1776, the 62nd saw action at
Trois Rivieres and during the Battle of Saratoga. The regiment
was captured with General Burgoyne at Saratoga and remained
imprisoned for three years before returning to England.
The regiment returned to New York in 1782 where
it remained until leaving America in 1783.
The 62nd Regiment of Foot was granted the county
title of the Wiltshire Regiment in 1782.
The front [of the drums] to be painted with the colour of the facing
of the regiment, with the King's cypher and crown, and the
number of the regiment under it.
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