As the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution begins to dominate headlines, clichés and old myths are already crawling back into the conversation. The Redcoats were robotic. Their officers were clueless aristocrats. They lost because they were hopeless. You’ve heard it all before.
But what if we told you the truth is far more interesting?
In this latest episode of the Redcoat History Podcast, I sit down with historian Paul Knight, author of A Very Fine Regiment, to explore the real story of the 47th Regiment of Foot — a British unit that served in North America throughout the French and Indian War and fought at the very heart of the American War of Independence.
Paul’s research, drawn from meticulous inspection reports and regimental records, paints a picture of a professional, adaptable fighting force. Far from being stiff automatons, the 47th were highly trained, battle-hardened, and deeply experienced — with nearly 20% of the regiment made up of veterans from the earlier war.
In the interview, we cover:
- The regiment’s early service in Nova Scotia and Quebec
- Their role at Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, and Trois-Rivières
- The myth of the British officer as an upper-class idiot
- The changing tactics and uniforms used in North American conditions
- Why the British Army in Ireland may have been better prepared than its counterpart in England
- And the fascinating story of Mrs Middleton, the Irish camp follower who captured American rebels during battle
If you’ve ever been curious about how Britain’s redcoats really fought — or want to know more about the forgotten campaigns in Canada and the American frontier — this is an episode worth your time.
👉 Watch the full interview below:
Enjoyed the episode?
Sign up for the free Redcoat History newsletter at redcoathistory.com/newsletter and get your copy of The Battle of Isandlwana: A Redcoat History Guidebook.
You can also support the channel and get early access to episodes by joining our Patreon community: patreon.com/redcoathistory
redcoathistory.com 