Beards and more beards

[Captain_Cogle]

Well, yes & no....troops known as Pioneers in the service of Spain (in paticular) were allowed beards.

I have also seen period art from Alta California during the late 18th century of Spaniards (mostly Soldados de Cueras) sporting trimmed facial hair (mostly goaties as I recall).

I also have read an account from a Hessian Jäger diary (Ewald) describing, during the Southern Campaign, a local Indian chief being fascinated by his jagers/the Hessians "beards", and having to touch them to see if they were real.

So, while beards were not common per say, there were some documented (mainly amongst the Spanish, and some foreign specialty troops). But your correct, in the 18th century it was not the norm.

You also have to consider the context of which the word "Beard" is used in the 18th century. One often finds that the word beard has been used often to describe mustaches and in the most frequent cases 3 days hair growth. Up to 3 days hair growth was permitted among soldiers, and Hessians were expected to keep long mustaches but were not permitted beards.

As for the Spanish I cannot say, I know some Grenadiers were to keep beards in some European Armies in the last quarter of the 18th century and more so in the early 19th century. I know the Spanish Marines, 3rd La Corona Regiment, that landed in Scotland in 1719 were in the habit of keeping a mustache.

But being as here we are primarily dealing with Scots of the 18th century whether they be civilian or soldier or in the Americas beards are DEFINITELY not correct for ANY 18th century Scottish/American Impression. The only beard I have ever seen was a painting of Grant of Lurg who was over 90 years old at the time the painting was made. This should not be taken as the norm in any regard.