43rd Light Infantry

 43rd Light Infantry (Monmouthshire) First Battalion

One of the latter created light infantry units, in 1803 the 43rd Foot was authorized to dress as the 52nd Light infantry but retained its white facings. 
Like most British light infantry units the 43rd browned the barrels of their muskets to minimize detection when deploying or skirmishing. This unit continued to wear its stove piped shakos after the 1812 regulations were enacted. Their shako was adorned with a the classic light infantry symbols, the brass bugle horn and green plume. After 1811 they wore the standard grey trousers with gators.

The officer's tended to be cavalier in their dress. They wore red hussar style pelisses with light grey fur and silver braiding and ornaments. The photo of a painting of Captain William Napier and the following print gives one and impression of the pelisses worn by officers of the 43rd.

The bugler is shown in reversed colours but should be adhering to the 1812 order of dress that required the red tunic.

My rendition of the 43rd Light Infantry for the Battle of New Orleans.

The figures are all from the Perry metals range. Most fortunately the range models the 43rd Light Infantry as a specific items of their peninsular Napoleonic range.

A good view of a 43rd officer (right hand figure) wearing his pelisse. Also note the pioneer to the left.

The outer two companies or wings were mounted on individual stands so that up to four companies may deploy into a skirmish formation.

A close up of the command base with mounted commander, which is from a mounted light infantry officer set of three from Perry.

The two outer companies are deployed as skirmishers in front of their formed battalion. I think I have painted all British units for New Orleans. So, my next New Orleans projects is some more Louisiana militia.