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His Majesty's 4th "King's Own" Regiment of Foot
Light Infantry Company
Philadelphia Campaign, 1777-78
By the Philadelphia Campaign, the Army continued to make drastic changes to its appearance in order to better suit the climate, terrain, and economics of campaign in North America.
Leather Light Infantry caps were exchanged for cocked hats, modified to provide more shade than the traditional "tricorn hat."
Much of the Army adopted hemp gaitored-trowzers. These close-fitting pants were hard wearing, and could be easily laundered. The garment essentially combined
beeches and gaiters into a single article of clothing. In some instances, such as General John Burgoyne's northern campaign, Regiments were ordered to cut up tents into trowzers because their breeches had worn through.
Some Light Infantry companies may have built sleeved jackets out of the previous year's coats and waistcoats. This is very clear in Xavier della Gatta's depictions of the 2nd Battalion of Light Infantry in the Battle of Germantown and the Paoli massacre. Richard St George Mansergh-St George, a former officer of the King's Own, which shows soldiers retreating from Germantown in 1777.. These soldiers, shown wearing red sleeved waistcoats with blue collars and cuffs may very well be soldiers of the 4th Regiment, though this is up to much debate.
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Necessaries were reduced to the bare essentials on campaign; an extra shirt and socks, black linen roller, extra soles, extra shoes, soap, shoe brushes, black ball, pipeclay, fatigue clap, and any personal items the soldier saw fit. Some Regiments rolled their necessaries in market wallets in their blankets, while others retained knapsacks.
The 4th Light Infantry retained the same whitened-buff leather shoulder belts, and 29 hole pouch. Linen haversacks for rations, and tin canteens were still worn as well.
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