Hussars

[ole]

Yes. Reminds me of my high school band uniform.

You mentioned the tradition of sabrage --- which I didn't know was a tradition of the Hussars. But you didn't menion the Sabretache or the queue & plaites.

Speaking American Hussar units/uniforms, I recall that on the Freedom Trail in Boston, there was one of the small museum stops that had an example of a uniform of a Massachusetts Hussar or Light Dragoon from a local militia. I forget the date of the uniform but I was sure it was post 1815 and maybe as late as 1880.
Does anyone have a link to a photo of that uniform? Or the identity of this American regiment?

I have heard the argument that the Hussara wore the Pelisse (outer jacket) attached loosely around the neck to use as defense from sabre cuts. I don't see the logic in that as one good tug on it and the rider would be toppled.

If you want to really get into the Hussar from the Napoleonic era, check out the movie "The Duelists". It followed two Hussars who begin a feud and fight duels throughout the campaigns in Europe. As I recall, they even began a duel during the retreat from Moscow in the freezing cold only be be interrupted by attacking Cossacks.

Here is an excerpt of the Fourth Duel----a mounted duel. The colors are subdued but the all-grey uniform is the 4th Hussars of the Line and I think the other chap is the either the 7th or 8th Hussars.

Keitel and Carradine, right? A great movie. Will try to find the time to watch it tonight.

 

[major bill]

Before the Civil War a few militia companies portrayed themselves as "Hussars". Perhaps not as popular as Zoauve uniforms the United States did have Hussar units.

The reason I am bumping this is that I was giving some thoughts about their American version of the Hussar uniform. One normal Hussar item not seldom seen was the fur lined pelisse worn over the right shoulder to help protect the Hussar from saber cuts. The cost of the uniforms and horse equipment was high and membership in these units was limited to men of means. This brings me to my question.

Why was the fur lined pelisse not common with American Hussars? The heavily corded fur lined pelisse would have been costly to obtain, but the men in most American Hussar units were men of means. About the only Civil War era images of the use of the pelisses are photos of officers. Does anyone remember seeing American Hussar enlisted men wearing pelisses?

 

[major bill]

Here is a uniform plate by Ron Field from his article American Hussars 'Militia Hussar Units,1810-65'. Note The left three figures are Civil War era, the left man is obviously the Georgia Hussars from 1860. The Hussar on the far right is a Boston Hussars enlisted man of 1812. Note that in 1812 enlisted Hussars wore the pelisse as seen here. So why were few enlisted Hussars of the Civil War era?

 

[major bill]

Also a second question. I have seen the term 'attila' used for a jacket worn by Hussars. Are the terms 'dolman' and 'attila' interchangeable? The military dolman and the braided attila are both terms used for the corded short jacket worn by Hussars but I am not sure atilla was a Civil War period term. It seems to me the term 'atilla' seems to mostly be used for the braided jacket worn by German Hussars of the late 19th century and early 20th century. This type of jacket is similar to the classic military dolman, but seems a bit longer in the skirts. I am not sure an atilla and a dolman are one in the same.

 

[Hussar Yeomanry]

I can't immediately answer your questions but as to what was going on in Britain immediately prior to the Civil War then Hussars had been gaining in popularity with at least one Light Dragoon regiment being transformed to Hussar status during the very late 1840's/ early 1850's.

The Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimea also created some mythology about Hussars (and Lancers).

Would this have had some say in America? It seems possible.

 

[major bill]

The classic dolman.

The later atilla.

 

[major bill]

I can't immediately answer your questions but as to what was going on in Britain immediately prior to the Civil War then Hussars had been gaining in popularity with at least one Light Dragoon regiment being transformed to Hussar status during the very late 1840's/ early 1850's.

The Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimea also created some mythology about Hussars (and Lancers).

Would this have had some say in America? It seems possible.

American Hussar militia units go back to at least the War of 1812.

 

[major bill]

The American militia soldier in post #8 does kind of have a more "German" Hussar look than the normal American militia uniform which had more of a British or French look.

 

[major bill]

1st William J. Sparks of the 1st U.S. Hussars appears to be wearing his fur lined pelisse as a jacket.

 

[major bill]

This officer on the right of the 3rd Regiment New York (Hussars) wears his pelisse in the more traditional way. Ca. 1850-1860. The cost of this uniform and horse equipment was above what most pre-War militiamen could afford.

 

[mofederal]

I like the uniforms, but they look a little on the hot side. I can see their popularity, but a little showy for their time and place in the Civil War. I think they were more at home in the Napoleonic Wars. Flashy they definitely were, and so colorful.

 

[BillO]

"Queer eye for the cavalry guy"

 

[Belle Montgomery]

Prior to the Civil War many mounted militia companies in both the North and South fancied themselves as Hussars. Although expensive the colorful stylish Hussar uniforms were considered stylish. The realities of war ended any hope of retaining these outlandish uniforms and only a few units during the Civil War wore Hussar uniforms and even these were not elaborate. A couple of examples were the Union men in the 3rd Mew Jersey Cavalry and the Benton Hussars. For the Confederate see the Georgia Hussars. One very plan example of a semi Hussar style uniform was the 1st Virginia Cavalry but there were other early war Confederate hussar units..

During the Napoleonic Wars most European armies had regiments of Hussars. This style of light cavalry were styled after early Serbian warriors and by 1485 Hungary had formed hussar units. The trend was spread throughout Europe and by the Napoleonic Wars Hussar uniforms had reach it peak.

Hussar uniforms consisted of a pelisse, worn like a cape over the shoulder, which is fur lined or fur collared and fur cuffed jacket extensively adorned with braid. A dolman (tunic) with extensive braiding across the chest, tight breeches, and a cord waist sash. Many pre Civil War American Hussar units dispensed with the pelissie but retained the heavy braided dolman, tight breeches.

The tradition of sabrage is tied to Hussars. Sabrage involves drinking a bottle of champagne which one has opened by cutting/breaking the bottle neck off with one's sabre.


View attachment 72866

 

[frontrank2]

The 3rd NJ Cavalry was formed in 1863. They modeled themselves after the European Hussars. Their hats were the standard forage hat but without the brim. They were so colorful that cynics nicknamed them the Butterflies. A hard fighting regiment nonetheless, their list of engagements is quite long including: the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, the Crater ( 2 companies ), Sheridan's Valley Campaign, Third Winchester, and Cedar Creek. The regiment lost a total of 157 men during service; 3 officers and 47 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 2 officers and 105 enlisted men died of disease. They were mustered out Aug 1, 1865.

 

[Jimklag]

Winston Churchill was in Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars - in later years he was the colonel of the regiment.

 

[Jimklag]

For my friend, @Schwallanscher .Bavarian Hussars.

 

[Schwallanscher]

For my friend, @Schwallanscher .Bavarian Hussars.

View attachment 202176

2nd regiment, ca 1810-20

 

[major bill]

Bumping this thread because I asked a question about a Hussar uniform in another thread.