Cadogan's Horse

[Churchill]

Ray.

[yar68]

Funnily enough I've just painted these, but mine are for the earlier 1690's period. The info I've collected about the regt uniform is 1686 buff linings, 1688 white linings, then back to buff in 1692, then in 1711 they changed to green. So for 1704 they should have a red coat, a buff waistcoat, facings and saddlecloth.
They were known as The Earl of Shrewsbury's Horse, Langsdale's Horse in 1687, Hamilton's Horse from 1687-88, then John Coy's Horse from 1688-91. In 1691 they were then numbered and known as the 6th Horse. In 1697 they were known as Arran's Horse until 1703 when they became Cadogan's Horse.

[Redmist1122]

Ray,
Holy cow! talk about making your head spin with all the name changes. I had no idea of all the name changes, thanks for the insight.

[Churchill]

Ray.

[danschorr]

It is with a great deal of apprehension that I enter the minefield of this thread. Let me assure you that I have no dog in this fight. I am not privy to Farmer, so I do not know what, if any, sources he cites for his statement that the regiment had buff facings through 1717. I do, however, have Cecil Lawson’s “A History of the Uniforms of the British Army”, Vol.1. On pages 124-25 he provides the following for this regiment:

1686. Red lined buff
1689. Red lined white (London Gazette)
1692. Red lined white (deserter report)
1700. Red lined white
1711. Cadogan’s Horse. Red lined green (deserter report)

It would seem that from 1689 through 1700 the regiment wore red lined white, not buff; and sometime between 1700 and 1711 the regiment adopted green facings. The 1711 report is a deserter report, not the date the regiment adopted green facings (It’s obvious that Farmer’s 1717 date is also wrong). Cadogan took over the regiment in 1703, so in my opinion, sometime after 1703 the regiment had green facings.

Ray’s concern is, what was the regiment’s facing colour at Blenheim in 1704. Well it certainly was not buff (I would take Lawson over Farmer any day). I think a case could be made, absent any additional information or research, for either white or green. Hall opted for green. I am sure he would not fall on his sword over this, but to categorically claim that he is wrong on this is unwarranted.

[Churchill]

Ray.

[Ben Waterhouse]

I would go with CCP Lawson myself, but as always your mileage may vary...

[EvilGinger]

I would look to a third source as the two you have cited so far disagree, is there a third secondary source. Alternatively is there any chance of looking at the primary stuff say on line & trying to work it out for yourself.

That is what I would try but in the end its for a wargame and not a PhD thesis so I would pick my favourite.

Ginger

[jezamonos]

If its any help Ray, I have gone for Green. Its a different shade of green to that which i intend to use for Woods horse so that I can tell them apart on the table. Why Green, well it looks nicer !

[Churchill]

Ray.

[Rebel]

Clifford Walton

[Churchill]

Ray.

[Rebel]

Unfortunately Walton doesn't go into detail for the 5th DG as he had done a painting that due to his death was never reproduced in his book (in fact he did 300 illustrations/paintings). They are all now at the United Services Club in London (or whatever it is called nowadays)

The Official Regimental History states that the regiment was raised with Buff distinctions, but after Ireland the then colonel,Coy, sold the colonelcy to the Earl of Arran whose traditional colours are white and this would no doubt explain a temporary aberration in the colour scheme. As for green, creeping into the equation c.1702 at one stage only 3 troops were on the continent and were brigaded with Wood's horse (later the 3DG) whose distinctions were green.


- Mike.

[Churchill]

Ray.

[Rob Herrick]

Have you looked at Simkin's plates in Uniforms of the British Army: The Cavalry Regiments? They have color plates for every regiment of cavalry, so it might give you another place to look.

Also, does Cavalry uniforms of the British Army. Illustrated and described by P. H. Smitherman have anything on the subject?

I have access to both, but it would take a few days.