A History of the Fife Light Horse (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1892 Excerpt: ... HISTORY OF THE FIFE LIGHT HORSE. CHAPTER I. FORMATION. ONE evening in March 1860, a party of gentlemen were assembled in the smoking-room at Dysart House. One of them happened to read the following extract from the newspaper of that day: --"the Volunteer Uniform At The Levee.--The Volunteer uniforms grow in favour. The Duke of Manchester appeared in one at the levee. It attracted great attention, and seemed universally approved of. It was a corps of Mounted Rifles, and like the revival of the Light Horse uniform of George III.'s reign. A scarlet tunic of fair proportions, and not at all suggestive, as is the case sometimes in the regular service, of the wearer being in his little brother's coat--the collar and cuffs slightly ornamented with silver lace; a white leather cartouchebelt very elegantly ornamented with silver, as was also the sword-belt to match; and tight-fitting kerseymere pantaloons, with Hessian boots edged with silver lace and silver tassels. These were the leading characteristics of this most effective and tasteful military costume. The Duke, who has a good figure, never looked to greater advantage." A 2 FIRST LIST OF MEMBERS. After some remarks, Lord Loughborough (the late Lord Rosslyn) said, "Why should we not have a cavalry regiment in Fife?" The idea was favourably received, and turning to Colonel Anstruther Thomson, he said, "Will you undertake it?" He replied, "If you will give me a something to start on--a requisition with a sufficient number of names." A paper was at once drawn out, and shortly afterwards passed round in the hunting-field and at the various markets, and very soon in names were on the list. The following are the names: --Fife Mounted Volunteer Rifle Corps, March 1860. We, the undersigned, volunteer to form a Mounted Ri...