Perry Miniatures: AWI Volunteers of Ireland!

Hi, I just found out that Perry Miniatures has finally released another blister pack for their excellent American War of Independence range. Alan Perry's returning to the American Revolution is probably fastened by the upcoming plastic British infantry set which we all eagerly await. As mentionned in the title, this blister pack contains the brave Volunteers of Ireland:  It was formed by Francis Hastings, an Irish lord who had joined the British army and risen through the officer ranks, Rawdon had been given permission to form a British regiment from Irishmen serving in other provincial units in the 13 colonies.

The unit was raised in Philadelphia in the fall of 1777 and went to New York with the army in April 1778. It was sent to Charleston in December 1779 as part of a force to augment the attack on that port city. The regiment was placed on the American establishment as the 2nd American Regiment on May 2, 1779. Following Charleston, the regiment helped win the Battle of Camden (1780), where Sergeant Thomas Hudson received a decoration for heroism; one of only two decorations for heroism given throughout the war for the British Army. The regiment was the primary unit in the Battle of Hobkirk's Hill, as well as the relief of Fort 96. It remained in South Carolina, until news of the surrender of General Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown was received. It was removed from South Carolina, and taken by ship to New York. The unit was put on the British establishment as the 105th Regiment of Foot on December 25, 1782.

The soldiers of the Volunteers of Ireland were mustered out in New York City, and taken by ship to Nova Scotia. This was in response to the policy of resettlement for British colonists displaced from their lands during the war. Coupled with the fact the vast majority of soldiers were Irish, and England had no desire to return Irish emigrants back to England or Ireland, as it needed new settlers in Canada. It was also much cheaper to move them to Canada than to bring them to England. The regiment was placed in a cadre status, and officially "moved" to England in April 1783. Source: Wikipedia