UNIFORMS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION -- Johnson's Royal Greens of New York, 1776

UNIFORMS OF
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

This Loyalist Regiment was also called the Queen's Loyal Americans, or the Royal Regiment of New York, but was best known as the "Royal Greens" by the Americans, who particularly hated the men on account of their inhumanity when in the field. It was raised in 1776 by Sir John Johnson of New York, from among the Tories of Tryon County, N. Y., and among Canadians. The number of enlisted men varied from time to time, for in 1777, at Fort Schuyler, the entire regiment consisted of but one hundred and thirty-eight men.

Their uniform of green and white, as shown in the drawing, was the dress adopted by the British Government for all Loyalist or Provincial commands in 1776. The facings at first were to be of white, green or blue cloth, but later orange, red or black was added as the commanding officers chose. The buttons of pewter were stamped with the Crown and the letters "R. P." for "Royal Provincial." Their leggings were of brown cloth to the knee. The belts of buff leather were the same as in the regular British service. The hats of coarse felt were laced or bound with white tape.

As in the British Line, the drummers reversed the colors of the dress, wearing white coats with green waistcoats and breeches. The light infantry company wore small wings of green cloth on their shoulders, laced with white, as shown on the grenadier of the 5th Foot, Plate XXX.

J. F. Pringle, in his Lunenburgh or the old Eastern District (1890, p. 183), says: "On the first formation of the corps the uniform may have been green, but it was certainly scarlet at a subsequent period. The uniform worn by Lieut. Jeremiah French, of the second battalion, is still in existence, carefully preserved by his granddaughter, Mrs. Knight, now living at Cornwall. The coat is of scarlet cloth, with blue facings and gold lace, a small epaulette of gold fringe on each shoulder. The buttons are gilt, with the letters and words 'K. R. R., New York' stamped on them. The dress waistcoat is scarlet, with gilt buttons. The undress waistcoat and breeches are of white cloth. The suit requires only the cocked hat, stockings, boots and buckled shoes, and crimson sash, to be complete."

The Royal Greens
Johnson's Royal Regiment of New York, 1776

The Royal Greens

[SOURCE: Uniforms of the Armies in the War of the American Revolution, 1775-1783. Lt. Charles M. Lefferts. Limited Edition of 500. New York York Historical Society. New York, NY. 1926.]

Uniforms of the American Revolution | Next Page | Uniforms Index | Return to Main Menu

eMail the Webmaster