Quote Originally Posted by Bog Trotter View Post
In response to Cajunscot's question concerning Highlanders being kilted serving with Rogers Rangers. My first source for this is the book, 18TH Century Highlanders (Men-At-Arms Series) by Stuart Reid. On page 16 is an entry from a surgeon, an eye witness who stated," The Highlanders have put on breeches and Lord How's Filabegs".
The second book, "Armies of the American Wars 1753-1815 (page 35) by Philip Katcher, refers to the same entry from the surgeon. The Lord How referred to was Lord George Howe, then serving with Rogers Rangers. Lord Howe was trained by Major Robert Rogers, and was with a scouting party party of rangers and Light Infantry when he was killed in a brief firefight against the French near Fort Ticonderoga on 6 July, 1758. There were Highlanders serving with Lord Howe at the time, although I am not certain as to the number.
The source indicates that the Highlanders serving with Lord Howe were ordered to wear breeches, filabegs and other modified equipment ordered by Howe. I hope this info. is helpful.
Many thanks; I have the Reid book on a shelf about 10 feet away from where I'm typing this post.

The breeches in question may be a field-expedient adaptation of Indian leggings by Highlanders...

T.