When I transcribed all the establishments in the National Archives for the period 25 Dec 1802 to 24 Dec 1815, I took a detailed note of the full costings of one typical battalion. This was 1st Battalion 1st Foot (Royal Scots) for the period 25 Dec 1808 to 24 Dec 1809. The battalion was on a standard Field Army establishment of 1,000 Rank & File, organised as 10 companies and comprised 1 Col, 2 Lt Cols, 2 Majs, 10 Capts, 22 Lts, 8 Ensigns, 1 Paymaster, 1 Adjt, 1 QM, 1 Surgeon, 2 Asst Surgeon, 1 Sgt Maj, 1 QMS, 1 Pay Sgt, 1 Armourer Sgt, 50 Sgts, 50 Cpls, 20 Drummers, 2 Fifers and 950 Ptes. The total annual cost, that is: pay, allowances, clothing and agency (in pounds/shillings/pence) came to £32,642/17/10. This would have been the same for any other 1,000 Rank & File 1st Battalion. 2nd Battalions would have been slightly cheaper since they did not have a Colonel, saving £501/17/6. Most battalions only had 1 Lt Col so you can deduct a further £310/5/-. The cost rose slightly later in the war with the promotion of one drummer to Drum Major (the latter having the same pay as a sergeant) increasing costs by approximately £13 per year, promotion of 10 Sergeants to Colour Sergeant, increasing costs by approximately £50 per year) and adding an extra post of Schoolmaster Sergeant at a cost of £33/9/2.

Rod