British-Turkish Legion, 1855

A few weeks ago I put up a number of uniform illustrations of this Legion. They are based on a woodcut in the Illustrated London News of 1855. I was hoping to include the text from the paper but couldn't find my copy of it. It has now turned up & here is the missing information.

"The Legion is to consist of about 35,000 men. The officers &leading NCOs are to be of the British or East India service.....The latest supposition is that the Contingent will be manned from the Turkish troops lately on the banks of the Danube.
"The officers of the Cavalry will wear a long blue jacket, laced with gold, in the manner shown in the illustration; over this will be thrown a pelisse, also laced with gold in hussar style - by the way, a style which will soon cease in the British Army. The trousers will be blue, with leather strappings & overalls. The cap, for the present, will be of undress shape, the crescent being displayed in front. On the left arm of the inner jacket will be embroidered the crown & crescent; on the shoulders will be knots of gold. The belts & other fittings will be similar to ordinary cavalry. The arms will consist of a sword & Colt's revolver. The dress of the NCOs will be similar to the above, but the ornamental portion will consist of black, in lieu of gold.
"The dress for the artillery will be somewhat similar, but the infantry will be void of the quantity of lace & the leather fittings; nevertheless both officers and NCOs in the Foot corps will be mounted, and consequently will wear spurs. The dress, on the whole, which is from the design of the Queen's accoutrement-makers, Messers Harbinger & Rogers, is simple but soldier-like."

ILN, 23 Jun 1855, p 630, illustration on p 632.

May as well put a scan of the illustration in.

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