American War of Independence (1775-83)
George III’s maps and views showing the development of the war at home and abroad, from North America to India
Coxheath, 1778
SKETCH of Cocksheath / CAMP
c.1778Pencil, pen, ink and watercolour on paper | Scale: not stated. 1:7,500 approx. | RCIN 734033
A rough drawing of the camp on Coxheath, with little topographical detail to either side of the heath except for the depiction of Sir Horace Mann's House which served as the headquarters. The following regiments, with the colours of their facings in parentheses, are encamped: 1st Dragoons (blue); 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Foot (blue); 59th Foot (white; Lawson 1974, p.91, has red according to the 1768 regulations); 2nd battalion Royal Regiment of Foot (blue); Hampshire S. Battalion (black); West Middlesex Militia (blue); 1st or 2nd Surrey Militia (both had white facings); Royal South Lincolnshire Militia (blue); Hertfordshire Militia (buff); 1st or West Suffolk Militia (yellow); Cheshire Militia (blue); Berkshire Militia (light blue); Shropshire Militia (green); East Essex Militia (green); Derbyshire Militia (green); 1st or 2nd West Riding of Yorkshire Militia (each had green facings); 2nd or the Queen's Royal Regiment of Foot (blue); 65th Foot (white); 18th, or Royal Irish Regiment of Foot (blue); Radnorshire Militia (blue) and Pembrokeshire Militia (blue) were both employed with the artillery and are here shown encamped next to the Park of Artillery.
This plan omits the Montgomeryshire Militia who were placed to the west of the Park of Artillery on RCIN 734032.y, and adds a symbol of three balls and two cannon, the balls representing wagons of ammunition, to the right of the front of most of the regiments. The plan at RCIN 734032.y shows, additionally, a detachment of Artillery Drivers and a field with horses and Picquets to the north of the Artillery Park as well as many more topographical details.
Additional text: [bottom left, below title:] Line of Encampment A,B, 3438 Yards [410mm =].
Condition: one fold line; creases consistent with rolling; small tears to left and right edges; small piece missing, top left edge; surface dirt along right edge.
? Robert Johnstone (active 1778-9) (draughtsman) [bottom right, inside neatline:] R. J.
Watermark: Strasburg bend and lily, the letters G R below; countermark: JWHATMAN
Mark, stamped: 987
Condition: one fold line; creases consistent with rolling; small tears to left and right edges; small piece missing, top left edge; surface dirt along right edge
Scale: not stated. 1:7,500 approx.
36.1 x 56.6 cm (image and neatline)
40.3 x 59.9 cm (sheet)
Manuscript title:
SKETCH of Cocksheath / CAMP. [bottom left]
Additional text:
[bottom left, below title:] Line of Encampment A,B, 3438 Yards [410mm =].
Annotations:
George III heading: Encampment on Cox Heath under the command of the Hon.ble Lieut. Gen. Keppel from the 28.th of May to the 11.th of Nov.r 1778.
Other annotations: (Recto) [bottom left, below title, black pencil, erased: the old heading?; bottom right, black pencil, obscured by green wash and partly illegible:] Cocks Heath / [?]; bottom right, below neatline, black pencil, erased and partly illegible:] [?] Encampment [?]; [top right, black pencil annotations, illegible]. (Verso) none.
George III catalogue entry:
Encampment A drawn Plan of Cox Heath Camp under the command of General Keppel, from the 28.th of May to the 11.th of Nov.r 1778: by R.I.
Subject(s)
Coxheath, Kent, UK (51°14'03"N 00°29'34"E)
Bibliographic reference(s)
C.P. Lawson, A history of the uniforms of the British army, vol.III, London 1961, reprinted 1974, p.91
Page revisions
14 March 2024
Current version
