Unlike the majority of the Jacobite army, which consisted of hastily raised Highland clansmen or Lowland volunteer levies, the British army in 1745 was a trained, professional fighting force. Sources indicate that in 1745 there were 18,507 men in the British army at home, whilst others were abroad, either fighting in the War of Austrian Succession on the continent, or guarding outposts of Britain’s already expanding empire. Many of these troops on the continent were brought back to meet the Jacobite threat, as the less experienced troops left at home fell before the Highland charge at Prestonpans.

1) Infantry - At the start of 1745 there were 56 regiments of foot in the British army, each consisting of one battalion; plus 5 battalions of foot guards - the elite infantry of the Royal bodyguard. By the end of the year more troops were being raised in response to the Jacobite threat. Each of these battalions of foot wore the same red uniform - standard for a hundred years by now, but were distinguished by the different facing colours (coat linings, cuffs, turnbacks etc.) and patterns of lace that they wore. The Regiments were numbered by this time, but they were known principally by the name of the Colonel who commanded them, for instance the 13th being Pulteney’s, the 36th being Flemyng’s and so on. This was because the Colonel was responsible for the unit and was often expected to subsidise it’s cost.

Each battalion of infantry in theory consisted of ten companies, each of 70 men, which with officers added in was supposed to mean that they each were 815 men strong. In practice the army was always short of men, and during the ‘45 battalions never numbered more than 300 - 500 men, although those abroad tended to be stronger. One of these companies was the Grenadier company, which in the past had carried grenades into battle, although by 1745 these were virtually obsolete and the Grenadiers were an elite company to use as shock troops in battle. The standard tactic for the infantry of the battalion was to draw up in line, three ranks deep, and proceed to fire volleys at the enemy, usually platoon volleys where small parts of the battalion would fire one after the other to create a constant and rippling fire. The men were unused to hand-to-hand combat, unlike the Highlanders who were used to fighting this way, which goes some way to explain the early defeats of the redcoats by the Jacobites early on in the ‘45. It should be pointed out that during the ‘45 a third of the government regiments were raised in Scotland, such as the 1st (Royal Scots) which were a regular regiment, as well as Government Highland regiments such as the 43rd (Black Watch), and the 64th (Loudon’s Highlanders). By no means was this another English vs. Scots war.

For further details on the redcoat’s equipment, clothing and weapons of the period, see our ‘Redcoat of the ‘45’ page.

2) Cavalry - In 1745 there were 14 Dragoon regiments and 8 cavalry regiments in the British army. The cavalry regiments were expected to act as shock troops in battle, riding in on horseback knee - to - knee to ride down the enemy, whilst Dragoons could either fulfil this role or dismount and fight on foot with muskets, although by 1745 the latter role was becoming increasingly rare. Cavalry units were supposed to consist of six troops of 59 men, which plus officers made 435 in total, although as for the infantry in 1745 they tended to be under-strength. They were equipped with a musket (for Dragoons) or a carbine (for Cavalry), a pair of pistols and a heavy 35-inch bladed sword, all of which they were all trained to use from horseback. Horses had to be less than 15 hands high, and preferably black in colour. Cavalry units were uniformed like the infantry in red coats (with coloured facings distinguishing between units) and a tricorn hat.

3) Artillery - The Royal Artillery consisted of 8 companies altogether, each of 105 men,. but most of these were spread all over the empire. One was present with Cumberland’s army, and was equipped with 3pdr. cannon which could fire either a 3 pound iron cannon ball or canister, which was essentially a bag of nails and bits of metal which had an effect rather like a giant shotgun. The artillerymen themselves were highly professional and more highly trained than other parts of the army. They were uniformed in blue with red facings with a tricorn, and armed with a sword and musket. With the shortage of gunners at various times during the campaign Dutch mercenaries and even Royal Navy sailors were used to operate cannon.

4) Officers and Men - It is worth pointing out the class distinction in the British army at this time. The ordinary soldiers were in theory volunteers, mostly unemployed agricultural workers, although some men were pressed in times of emergency - some prisons were emptied to fill the ranks during the ‘45. Pay was poor - sixpence a day, and most of this taken to pay for food and equipment. Rations were also bad, and discipline harsh - floggings were more than common. In contrast the officers were all gentlemen, often titled or landed gentry, who bought themselves a commission. Many spent more on their uniforms than their men earnt in a year. Whilst most took their duties seriously, as gentlemen and officers first they could hardly be called professional. How far you rose depended on seniority, and whether you could pay for a further commission, which perhaps accounts for the elderly state and incompetence of many British generals of this period.