The Highland Bagpipes

42nd Pipers, Fort Massac

In the American Revolution, the Army did not officially authorize pipers for the highland regiments, but they were present: One of the Black Watch mutineers in 1743 was piper Donald MacDonald; The 42nd was known to have a piper attached to the grenadier company in 1759, who was appointed pipe major, interesting if nothing else for the fact that he was appointed, suggesting that there must have been more than two pipers. Additionally, inspection returns of regiments show that in 1768, the 25th Foot "had a bag piper in the Band of Music", in 1773, the 42nd had "two Pipers and a very good band of music".²

In September, 1776, between Long Island and White Plains, a piper was known to have been killed in battle.³

For more about the long history of the bagpipes themselves, read on.

Additionally, please read our blog post studying the history and dress of pipers in the 18th century 42nd.

Footnotes:
¹ Cuthbertson, Chap. IV, Sec XI, XII, XIII
² Camus, Military Music, Appendix A
³ Cannon, Historical Record

psmith@42ndRHR.org