This 1778 idealized portrait of Lieutenant Sir Thomas Wallace, 82^nd Foot, was painted in the historical style depicting manners and position in the 18^th century. Its artificial landscape and the romantic pose of the subject are meant to convey leadership. It actually presents, at least, a good study of the Hamilton Regiment's dress uniform—for officers. A basic or 'Private' man's uniform differed only in degree; i.e. its coat was red, rather than scarlet, and the 'issue' footwear was heavy brogues. The distinctive feature of the 82^nd uniform was black facings on a scarlet waistcoat, which are clearly visible in the Wallace portrait. His white breeches and leggings were standard issue, although, for the record, in America in winter the regiment adopted "blue cloth gaitor trowsers".¹ The 82^nd was not a kilted regiment.

Sir Thomas Wallace enrolled as a Lieutenant on the 8^th January 1778 (Succession Books – WO 17). He is one of three brothers in the noble Dunlop family of Ayrshire who achieved rank in the Duke of Hamilton's regiment. He was joined by his brothers, Lieutenant James Dunlop (later promoted to Captain) and Captain Andrew Dunlop (later promoted to Major). In 1750 Sir Thomas, the oldest of the three, had been born Thomas Wallace Dunlop, but following his Grandfather Wallace's death, he had his name transposed to Thomas Dunlop-Wallace and, according to the Dictionary of National Biography, he "assumed the style" of a baronet and inherited the estate of Craigie.

War Office document (WO 17) refers to the 82^nd Regiment specifically as the Duke of Hamilton's Regiment indicating it was "raised for rank". The military historian, John Houlding, explains: "the duke's patronage extended to many officers and young gentlemen within his "family" and tenants who were willing to use their own money and influence to recruit men for the duke's regiment, in return for a promotion or a first commission." An example: The mother of Douglas, 8^th Duke of Hamilton, (who raised the 82^nd Regiment) was Elizabeth Gunning, sister of Colonel John Gunning, the Lt. Col charged with recruiting the officers.

The 8^th Duke was only 21 when he undertook 'the raising' and he had just returned to Scotland following five years of his education on the Grand Tour of Europe under the guardianship of Dr. John Moore. The doctor’s son, John, who was about the same age, had accompanied his father and the Duke. In 1777, (Succession Books – WO 17) John Moore was named a Captain-Lieutenant in the 82^nd. History of the 82^nd