Glengarry Light Infantry-- Part 5: Uniforms and Equipment

When Governor General Sir James Craig first tried to form the unit he proposed that it wear the dress of the Scottish highland regiments with a Glengarry tartan plaid.  Prevost intended the unit to be used as a skirmishing light infantry and it adopted a dark green uniform with black facings as worn by the 95th Rifles.

However, they were armed with the smoothbore Brown Bess musket rather than the Baker Rifle.

Also, unlike the 95th, the Glengarry Light Infantry were granted colors.

The regimental badge, worn on the  front of the shako  (cap), was a strung bugle on which the letters "G L I" were superimposed in white metal.  The crossbelt featured the thistle surrounded by   the words "Glengarry Light Infantry."

Officers' uniforms consisted of a dark green dolman and pantaloons, with a crimson sash. They also wore a black shoulder sash, with a silver whistle and chain.  Their shako  badge was the same design as that of other ranks, but was of solver.  They may also  have had a dark green pelisse (a short fur trimmed jacket), with black chords and black fur trim.

Now You Know.  --Brock-Perry

Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles-- Part 4: About Toronto's Mystery Murder

During the remainder of 1814, the regiment performed outpost duty during the unsuccessful Siege of Fort Erie and a detachment was present  at the Battle of Malcom's Mills, the last action of the war  on the Niagara Peninsula.

Two Irish-born soldiers of the regiment, John Henry and John Blueman, are notable for their alleged involvement  in one of Toronto's most enduring mysteries -- the 2 January 1815 murder of John Paul Radelmuller, keeper of the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse.  Tradition holds that Radelmuller was killed by several soldiers from Fort York in a dispute over alcohol.

Research by one person has shown that these two were tried in March 1815 for the murder, although they were ultimately acquitted of the crime.

The regiment was disbanded in 1816.

Today the regiment's history and service is commemorated by  the Canadian Army's Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, an Army Reserve regiment headquartered in Cornwall, Ontario.  It has the words Glengarry Fencibles on its badge.

--Brock-Perry

The Glengarry Light Infantry-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

Alexander Macdonell was much involved with this military organization. 

The Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles  was a light infantry group raised primarily in the Glengarry District of Upper Canada shortly before the outbreak of the Anglo-American War of 1812 (another name for the War of 1812).  It was disbanded shortly after the war ended.

Many of the inhabitants of the Glengarry District  were Catholics from Glengarry, Scotland and many had already served in the Scottish Glengarry Fencibles from 1794 to 1802.  During that time, they performed duty on the Channel Islands and fought in the Irish Rebellion of 1798

The fencible unit raised in Canada would serve the same enlistment as  regular soldiers, but would only have to serve in North America.

By 1812, as war with the United States appeared more and more inevitable,  Governor General of Canada, George Prevost,  decided he'd raise the unit of his own accord, and appointed Captain George Macdonell of the 8th (King's) Regiment to raise the "Glengarry Levy."

Originally it was to have  376 members.  Recruits received a bounty of  four guineas on enlistment and were promised 100 acres at the war's conclusion.

Partly through the efforts of the unit's chaplain, Alexander Macdonell (it was composed mostly of Catholics), the unit soon exceeded 600 men.  Prevost raised the corps level to regiment and named it the  Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles.

--Brock-Perry

Alexander Macdonell in the War of 1812

From the Catholic Encyclopedia.

"During the War of 1812, Alexander Macdonell's powerful influence was successfully used  in rousing the martial spirit of his countrymen, and, indeed, the other inhabitants in defence of their adopted land.

"With the reorganized 'Glengarry Fencibles' he was present at several engagements against the American forces.

"His civil and military service was recognized by the British government in 1816 by an addition to his own government allowance, and by  an annual grant of 100 pounds (money) each, to three clergymen and four school-masters."

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Veteran Honoured in 2014-- Part 1: Col. James Vrooman

From the Nov. 13, 2014, My Kawartha.com by Scott Howard.

The heroism of Brook Township's Col. James Vrooman was recognized on the plaque installed at his grave at St. James United Church in Vroomanton.  The colonel's father, Adam, though living in the American colonies, remained loyal to Britain.

He later left the United States and came to Canada as a United Empire Loyalist.

Jame Vrooman was born in 1798 and joined the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles along with his brother when the War of 1812 started.  He fought in many battles throughout Upper Canada.  Among them were the capture of the American Army at St. Regis, the storming of Ogdensburg, Raid on Oswego and the Battle of Lundy's Lane.

At the end of the war, every British veteran was awarded land.

--Brock-Perry