Neumark Land-Battalion II

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Origin and History

In June or July of 1757 the Chamber President of Neumark, von Rothenburg, personally requested Berlin for permission to recruit a militia force for the defence of the province. On August 10 1757 permission was granted to raise the units, which were to come under supervision of Department 6 of the General Directory.

The present battalion was established in August 1757 under Major de Rège (from DR Meinicke) in Drossen. It assembled for service at Drossen, from men recruited in Drossen, Sternberg, Züllichau and Kottbus districts and comprised four musketeer companies. At the beginning of October, it counted 13 officers, 40 NCOs, 8 drummers and 488 privates.

During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was under the command of:

• from August 1757: Major de Rège

Service during the War

In 1758, the battalion was in action against the Russians, defending Krossen, Pietz and Friedeberg. It was forced to retire by the Russian advance and joined Wedell's corps.

In the Summer of 1759, after the Battle of Paltzig (July 23), the battalion was assigned to escort a large convoy to Glogau. On August 18, the convoy was intercepted near Grünberg by a large Austrian force and the escort nearly wiped out. The survivors of the battalion managed to reach Glogau, where they were absorbed by Battalion von Arnim, till the winter 59/60, when they came to IR von der Golz.

Uniform

Uniform from 1757 to 1759

Privates

Uniform in 1757 - Source: Dal Gavan

Uniform Details as per Bleckwenn

Headgear	Personnel had to supply their own hats. It is expected that dark brown, dark grey and black felt tricorns predominated.
Neck stock	no information found
Coat	pale Grey, single breasted coat with six cloth-covered buttons Collar blue Shoulder Straps n/a Lapels none Pockets none Cuffs blue Turnbacks none
Waistcoat	Personnel supplied their own waistcoat, where they could
Breeches	Personnel supplied their own breeches. These would most likely be light coloured browns and greys.
Gaiters	Personnel who could afford to purchase their own gaiters would have used those. Personnel who could not would only wear hose.
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt one belt over the left shoulder for the cartridge box Waistbelt n/a Cartridge Box black Bayonet Scabbard n/a Scabbard n/a Footgear Personnel supplied their own footwear.

NCOs

no information found

Officers

no information found

Musicians

no information found

Colours

Colours were not carried by militia units.

References

Bleckwenn, Hans: Die friderzianischen Uniformen 1753-1786, Osnabrück 1984

Cremer, Peter: Die Preussischen Landregimenter & - milizen, die Stettiner Haff-Flotille und das Verpflegungswesen der Armee 1756-1763, KLIO-Arbeitsgruppe 7jähriger Krieg, Friderzianische Epoche, Manuskript, o.J.

Grosser Generalstab Kriegsgeschichtliche Abteilung II, Die Kriege Friedrichs des Grossen, Part 3 Der siebenjährige Krieg 1756-1763

• Vol. 1 Pirna und Lobositz, Berlin, 1901, Appendix 1
• Vol. 6 Leuthen, Berlin, 1904, Appendix 6

Acknowledgments

Dal Gavan and TheBaron for the initial version of this article