Nizhegorodskiy Dragoons

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Origin and History

no information available yet on the Nizhegoródskiy Dragoons

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

• no information available yet

Service during the War

In 1756, at the beginning of the war, the regiment was initially stationed on the western frontier until the Autumn of 1756 and then in Smolensk.

In 1757, the regiment took part in the campaign in East Prussia under General Count Apraxin. On August 30, at the Battle of Gross-Jägersdorf, it was part of Morbvinov's Brigade belonging to the rearguard. When the army deployed, it was placed in the first line of the cavalry right wing.

In January 1758, the regiment took part in the Russian invasion of East Prussia. In July of the same year, it also took part in the invasion of Brandenburg. On September 11, during the retreat of the army after the Battle of Zorndorf, the regiment was part of Rumyantsev's Corps who made a junction with the main army at Landsberg and encamped on the left bank of the Wartha. About mid-November, the regiment took its winter-quarters in Rhein (present-day Ryn) and Nikolaiken (present-day Mikolajki) as part of Rumyantsev's 3rd Division.

On July 23 1759, 1 squadron of the the regiment took part in the Battle of Paltzig where it was deployed to link the second line of the right wing with the infantry centre.

To do: campaigns from 1760

Uniform

During summer, Russian dragoons did not wear coats. These were left in the baggage. For this reason, we present two different plates.

N.B.: another interpretation states that, on active duty, the dragoons did not wear their cornflower blue coat.

There seems to have been important variations of the uniform in the field:

• “kollet” edged with a cornflower blue braid or undecorated
• “kollet” totally absent due to supply problems and replaced by the cornflower blue coat and/or the cornflower blue waistcoat

Troopers

Uniform in 1757 - Source: Richard Couture Summer uniform in 1757 - Source: Richard Couture

Uniform Details Headgear Dragoon black felt tricorne laced white with a white cockade on the left fastened with a copper button Grenadier until 1759: mitre with a brass front plate embossed with trophies of weapons and standards and carrying in its centre the regimental coat of arms surmounted by the Imperial Eagle, a black leather skull-cap and neck guard with brass reinforcements and decorations, a white wool pompom from 1759: black felt tricorne laced white with a white cockade on the left fastened with a bronze button Neck stock black Coat cornflower blue lined red; with copper buttons and red trimmed buttonholes N.B.: the coat was not worn during summer Collar red Shoulder straps none Lapels none Pockets none Cuffs red with 3 copper buttons Turnbacks red Gloves buff Kollet chamois leather fastened with hooks and eyes; with cornflower blue collar and cuffs; horizontal pockets, each with 3 copper buttons. N.B.: this so-called “kollet” could also be edged with cornflower blue braid made from old winter capes Waistcoat a cornflower blue waistcoat made from old winter capes, which was worn under the “kollet” Breeches chamois leather with white knee covers Leather Equipment Crossbelt natural leather Waistbelt white Cartridge Box black with a copper plate carrying the regimental arms Scabbard black leather Footgear black boots Horse Furniture Saddlecloth cornflower blue without lace Housings cornflower blue without lace Blanket roll n/a

Troopers were armed with a short carbine, two pistols and a sabre. They also had a cornflower blue epancha (cape) for winter.

Other interpretations

The representations of the "tails" of the "kollet" differ widely. Some authors show rather long tails others illustrate short tails. If the "kollet" was sometimes worn under the coat, its tails were probably shorter than those of the coat.

NCOs

Corporals wore uniforms similar to those of the troopers.

Other NCOs wore uniforms similar to those of the troopers with the following distinctions:

• gold laced tricorne
• gold laced collar
• gold laced cuffs:
  • 1 stripe for Unterfähnrich
  • 2 stripes for armourers and quartermasters
  • 3 stripes for sergeant

Officers

Officers wore uniforms similar to those of the troopers with the following distinctions:

• gold laced tricorne
• gilt buttons
• no turnbacks
• black and gold silken sash
• cornflower blue saddlecloth and housings laced gold carrying the imperial cipher

Musicians

Musicians wore uniforms similar to those of the troopers with the following distinctions:

• swallow nests at the shoulders

The kettle-drum and the trumpets were made of copper. The banners were of the colour of the squadron standards. The banner of the kettle-drum was embroidered and fringed in gold.

Colours

Dragoons still carried standards of the 1731 pattern, measuring 123 cm by 142 cm (some sources indicate square 150 cm by 150 cm standards). The flagpole had a gilt finial.

Colonel Standard: white field fringed in gold; centre device: an Imperial Eagle, crowned double-headed, bearing the regimental arms on a breastplate encircled by the necklace of the St. George’s Order and the cross of St. Andrew.

Ordonnance Standard: light blue field fringed in gold; centre device: a red and gold crown surmounting a gold shield bearing the regimental arms.

Leib Standard - Source: rf-figuren from an original black and white plate by Viskovatov

Regimental Standard - Source: rf-figuren from an original black and white plate by Viskovatov

The first squadron carried the white colonel (Leib) standard while the 4 other squadrons each carried one ordonnance (Regimental) standard.

References

Großer Generalstab, Kriegsgeschichtliche Abteilung II (Publisher). Die Kriege Friedrichs des Großen, Part 3: Der Siebenjährige Krieg 1756–1763. Vol. 4 Groß-Jägersdorf und Breslau, Berlin 1902

• chapter A: Das Kaiserlich Russiche Heer, page 1-46
• appendix: supplement 1, Das Kaiserlich Russiche Heer, page 3-18

Konstam, Angus, and Bill Younghusband: Russian Army of the Seven Years War, vol. 2, Osprey Military, London, Reed International, 1996

Schirmer, Friedrich: Die Heere der kriegführenden Staaten 1756-1763, published by the KLIO-Landesgruppe Baden-Württemberg, Neuauflage 1989

Viskovatov, A. V.: Historical Description of the Clothing and Arms of the Russian Army, vol. 3, Petersburg: 1900

Volker Ziegler, Brühl: Die Russische Kavallerie zur Zeit des Siebenjährigen Krieges (1756-1763)

Zweguintzov: L'Armee Russe, 1973

N.B.: the section Service during the War is mostly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.