The reenactment group, His Majesty’s Tenth Regiment of Foot, American Contingent (the Tenth Regiment), was founded on July 15, 1968, by Chelmsford native Vincent J-R Kehoe. Having seen the earlier reenactments at the Old North Bridge in Concord, where men portrayed British Regulars by dressing up in red bath robes and papier mâché caps, Kehoe had a vision to accurately portray and honor the British soldiers who fought at the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. Kehoe selected the Tenth Regiment out of the numerous British regiments in Boston in 1775 as an homage to his own service in the United States Army 10th Mountain Division in WWII. 

The original Tenth Regiment of Foot was raised as the Earl of Bath’s Regiment in 1685 under the orders of King James II. Renamed the Tenth Regiment of Foot in 1751, the regiment served in Ireland for a number of years before traveling to North America, reaching Quebec in 1767. The regiment was called to Boston in 1774 after being stationed at forts around the Great Lakes. On April 18 - 19, 1775, under orders from General Gage, the commanding officer of the regiment, Lt. Colonel Francis Smith, led the British column of approximately 700 men to Concord to search for military supplies that were being stored to support a potential rebellion against His Majesty’s government. The Tenth Light Infantry Company was present on Lexington Green as well as Concord’s North Bridge when the first shots of the American Revolution were fired. The Tenth Grenadier Company also took part in this expedition and the desperate battle along the retreat to Boston. The regiment served in numerous battles throughout the war, including the Battle of Bunker Hill, the invasion of Long Island, and the Battles of Germantown and Monmouth. The regiment returned home in September 1778.

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A typical British regiment in 1775 consisted of 10 companies totaling approximately 470 officers, non-commissioned officers (NCOs), and private soldiers. There were eight battalion companies and two flank companies, the Grenadier Company and the Light Infantry. The Grenadier Company represented the most senior company in a British infantry regiment. Made up of the tallest and strongest soldiers, the Grenadiers would advance close to the battle front and throw grenades into the enemy line. Though this practice had been discontinued by the time of the American Revolution, the company remained, forming on the right flank of the regiment. Wearing the iconic bearskin caps, the forerunners of those worn by the Grenadier Guards in London today, the Grenadiers have maintained an elite status for hundreds of years.

The Colonel’s Company was one of eight battalion companies in a British regiment; the battalion companies making up the majority of a regiment. The battalion soldier was the most common soldier of the 18th century and is what one often pictures when they think of a British soldier. These soldiers wore the iconic “cocked” hat and were trained in every aspect of military life and duty that was expected of them. The battalion companies were ranked by seniority, with the most senior of those companies being the Colonel’s Company. The Colonel of the Tenth Regiment of Foot in 1775 was Major General Edward Sandford, who oversaw the needs of the regiment but remained in England during the American Revolution. The day-to-day running of a British regiment was left to the Lt. Colonel, Francis Smith being the Lt. Colonel of the Tenth Regiment. His company, the Lt. Colonel’s Company, was the next most senior of the battalion companies. Third in line was the Major’s Company with the remaining companies bearing numbers.

Light Infantry companies were formed in 1771 to adapt to the terrain of North America. The Light Infantry was the second flank company and formed on the left of a regiment. This company consisted of men who volunteered from the battalion companies. They were well trained in both the standard drill of British infantry soldiers, as well as specialized tactics developed to be successful in the North American terrain, which was much different than the open field of Europe. These soldiers wore a slightly different uniform, including shorter coats and small leather caps, to help them move through the woods. Being highly trained, these men were often first into battle, forming thin skirmish lines and operating in an irregular, more guerrilla style, compared to the large company fronts of the other companies.

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Each regiment also had a compliment of drummers and fifers. Not only would these soldiers keep a cadence while the regiment was marching, but they also were used as signal men both in battle and around camp. During battle, when voices were often drowned out by musket fire, the drums could reach the ears of soldiers to order them to load, fire, and move. Around camp, they would signal times for waking up, duties, meals, and turning in for the night. Perhaps the best-dressed soldiers in a regiment, drummers and fifers had very ornate uniforms. They had bearskin caps similar to those of the Grenadier Company, and in many regiments, their coats were of opposite colors. Whereas the Tenth Regiment had red coats with yellow facings (cuffs, collar, and lapels), the drummers and fifers had yellow coats with red facings.

It is important to remember that the British Army did not only include soldiers. Soldiers’ families often followed their loved ones on campaign. Wives and children were a part of everyday life in the Army and contributed greatly to the operation of the Army by taking up trades and duties that helped the Army from day to day, such as tailoring, laundry, cooking, and even working in the hospital. The Corps of Civilians in the current day Tenth not only represent camp followers but also civilian lifestyle in the 18th century, which is often under-represented at reenactments.

As we celebrate the Semiquincentennial, His Majesty’s Tenth Regiment of Foot in America continues to uphold the vision of Vincent J-R Kehoe. With approximately 70 people in the organization, the Tenth Regiment accurately portrays the British Army of 1775, including three different companies of soldiers, Grenadiers, Colonel’s (Battalion), and Light Infantry, but also drummers, fifers, and civilians.

His Majesty’s Tenth Regiment of Foot in America fulfills its mission to educate people by bringing this important part of our history to life through demonstration, interpretation, and collaboration with other non-profit organizations and historical sites. The Tenth encourages all those with a passion for history to visit our website at Redcoat.org, visit us in person at a monthly drill or event, and to join an amazing organization, whether it be as a soldier or civilian. Positions within The Tenth are open to everyone regardless of gender identity.