Famous 18th Century Regiments

[geala]

In Prussia about the time of the 1st Silesian War and later each regiment had a number but was commonly named after the Oberst (colonel and chief) which of course lead to some problems with identification. I thought that was the same in England in the 18th c. and the numbers were used later, but I seem to be wrong. The regiments wore distinct uniforms, blue coats but trousers of different colours and of course different appliques on the uniform. Recruitment was based on a special district for each regiment.

Prussian infantry regiments normaly had 2 battalions of about 800 each in 6 companies. The tactical unit for infantry was never the regiment or company but always the battalion. I hope in E:TW a single unit will resemble a battalion of infantry and a regiment of cavalry (about 780 men) and not a company or squadron. Otherwise the armies will be a bit ridiculously small. Maybe in the colonies smaller units sometimes were used but at least in the bigger fights also there the battalion was the tactical unit, f.e. at the Monongahela or at Fort Carillon.

I hope for the Prussian infantry, IR 15 (Infanterieregiment 15) will be in the game for it was the guard regiment in the time of Frederic II. (who was chief of the regiment), it was raised 1688 and consisted later of three battalions.

For the cavalry I would like perhaps Dragonerregiment 5 (dragoons) which made a famous attack at Hohenfriedberg 1745, destroying 20 battalions of infantry with its charges. A military marching song was composed for it.

I admit to be too lazy to give more about the regimental history (such history is a bit boring imho), perhaps another one can tell about it.

[Nelson]

Smallwood’s Maryland regiment would be an excellent special addition for American forces. It was exceptionally well disciplined and commanded. These men knew how to use the bayonet, charging repeatedly in a rear guard action at Long Island that saved the rest of the escaping army.

In fact, the Maryland Line as a whole was splendid throughout the war. Maryland is still known as the Old Line State for the gallantry of her soldiers in the War for Independence. An 18th century bayonet graces the patch of Maryland National Guard troops to this day.

[Fisherking]

Indeed Maryland had some fine regiments.

I would like to include a fine if unusual Continental Regiment:


The 1st Rhode Island Regiment
By the winter of 1777-78 (Valley Forge), the Continental Army had dwindled from 18,000 to about 8,000 from disease and desertion. The situation was grim. Philadelphia was occupied. The Continental Congress was meeting in cramped quarters in York, Pennsylvania. The Congress approved a Rhode Island proposal to raise an entire regiment of free blacks and Slaves! The Rhode Island legislature, full of men connected to Rhode Island's extensive slave trade, provided for compensation to slave owners of up to 120 English Pounds or $400.00 in Continental currency. The slaves, then, would be purchased by the state and once they passed muster by Colonel Greene would be freed. The regiment, however, was never entirely composed of former slaves or even African-Americans. White men, free blacks, and a few Narragansett Indians were present from the beginning. Over time, the unit resembled most of the Continental forces with a mix of whatever recruits could be found. That the majority of the men in this regiment were African American through most of the war was due to the terms of enlistment for former slaves. Colonel Greene commanded the unit from its formation in 1778 until his death at Points Bridge in 1781. In all, the unit saw five years of service and was a part of the Continental line at the battles of Rhode Island, Point's Bridge and Yorktown. The regiment was an active part of the American effort, and at Points Bridge; they were particularly noticed for their effectiveness in the field. For many of the men of the First Rhode Island Regiment freedom had not only political meaning, but personal meaning as well.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

fisherking - Tarleton's brutality was likely exaggerated, and he was in the middle of a truly brutal civil war in the South. Don't read too much into the Patriot's implied depiction of him.

[lars573]

In Prussia about the time of the 1st Silesian War and later each regiment had a number but was commonly named after the Oberst (colonel and chief) which of course lead to some problems with identification. I thought that was the same in England in the 18th c. and the numbers were used later, but I seem to be wrong. The regiments wore distinct uniforms, blue coats but trousers of different colours and of course different appliques on the uniform. Recruitment was based on a special district for each regiment.

In the early 18th century the British did use a number and colonels name scheme, for some regiments. Others didn't, they had a unique name and a number. Look up an order of battle for the Battle of Culloden and you'll see these two methods used side by side.

Prussian infantry regiments normaly had 2 battalions of about 800 each in 6 companies. The tactical unit for infantry was never the regiment or company but always the battalion. I hope in E:TW a single unit will resemble a battalion of infantry and a regiment of cavalry (about 780 men) and not a company or squadron. Otherwise the armies will be a bit ridiculously small. Maybe in the colonies smaller units sometimes were used but at least in the bigger fights also there the battalion was the tactical unit, f.e. at the Monongahela or at Fort Carillon.

Your hopes are in vain. Go to the screenshot thread and gaze upon a Spainish army that has 120 man infantry units, 18 man artillery units, and 60 man cavalry/skirmisher units.