By one historian’s estimate, about one sixth of the soldiers and one third of the officers who served in the British Army in America during the Revolutionary War were Irish. This drawing shows a grenadier and officer of the 62nd Regiment of Foot which was stationed in Ireland prior to the war. In 1776, the regiment left Ireland for America with many new Irish recruits. 

Two Soldiers
Drawn by Charles Forrest
1772
Pastel, Charcoal, Chalk, Paper
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Museum Purchase.

Before the outbreak of war in America in 1775, the British Army was small with roughly 48,000 troops on paper (the French Army had about 160,000). Recruiting efforts in Ireland increased to meet the demand of the new war. 

Recruits
Drawn by Henry William Bunbury
ca. 1800
Etching 
Courtesy of The Lewis Walpole Library, Yale University