Prinz Karl Chevauxlegers

From Project SYW

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Contents 1 Origin and History 2 Service during the War 3 Uniform 3.1 Privates 3.2 Officers 3.3 Musicians 4 Colours 5 References

Origin and History

The regiment was raised in 1733. It originally consisted of 2 squadrons of mounted Jägers serving in Poland. In 1735, it was augmented to 4 squadrons entitled Prinz Karl Chevaulegersregiment.

During the War of the Polish Succession, the regiment took part in the campaigns of 1734 and 1735 in Poland against the “Confederates”.

During the War of the Austrian Succession, the regiment took part in the campaigns of 1742, 1744, and 1745 in Bohemia and Saxony.

Typically, the Saxon chevauxlegers regiments were mostly mounted on cheaper Polish horses than the Saxon cuirassiers and the Graf Rutowsky Light Dragoons who rode more expensive German horses.

At the outbreak of the Seven Years' War, in 1756, the regiment consisted of 8 companies in 4 squadrons for a book strength of some 762 men.

During the Seven Years' War, the Chef of the regiment was:

• until 1758: prince Karl von Sachsen
• from 1758: duke of Kurland

During the Seven Years' War, the Kommandeur of the regiment was:

• from 1745 to December 1757: lieutenant-general Nostitz (mortally wounded during the battle of Leuthen)
• from December 1757 to 1765: colonel von Benkendorf.

Service during the War

In 1756, during the invasion of Saxony by the Prussians, the regiment was stationed in Poland when much of the Saxon army surrendered at Pirna. It thus avoided the fate of theese Saxon units who were forcefully enlisted into the Prussian service.

In 1757, the regiment served with the Austrian army, a situation which persisted till the end of the war. On June 18, the regiment took part in the battle of Kolin. It was deployed in the first line of the extreme right wing in Morocz Division. At the end of the afternoon, as the Wied's Austrian division was wavering in front of Hülsen and Tresckow attacks, the Saxon Chevaux-légers along with the Ligne Dragoons and the Kommandierten cavalry fell of the right flank on the exposed Prussian corps. They broke Hülsen's cavalry and thrown his infantry into confusion. As they hacked into the Prussian infantry the Saxon battle cry was "Dies ist für Striegau!" ("This is for Striegau!", the Saxon name for their defeat at Hohenfriedberg in 1745). Wied's infantry division rallied and the Austrian and Saxon cavalry attacked again. Hülsen's infantry was broken and formed squares. After a short fight, the Austrians captured 14 Prussian battalions along with all their guns. On September 7, when general Nádasdy attacked Winterfeldt's corps isolated at Moys, the regiment was deployed in the second line of the right wing under major-general Gosenitz. On November 22, the regiment took part to the victorious battle of Breslau where it was deployed in the first line of the cavalry left wing of Nádasdy's Corps. On December 5 at the battle of Leuthen, the regiment was part of the cavalry vanguard detached at Borne under marshal Nostitz which was attacked and driven back on the Austrian right wing by the Prussian vanguard. They were then sent to the left flank, where they were thrown against the main Prussian flank attack that routed the Austrian and allied army. Nostitz, the commander of the regiment and "a first class officer" (Duffy, "Prussia's Glory"), was mortally wounded and out of a total of around 1,200 men in the 3 Saxon chevauxlegers regiments, 479 were killed, wounded or captured. Prinz Karl alone lost 214, probably more than 50% of the regiment.

In June and July 1758, the regiment particularly distinguished itself at the relief of Olmütz when a large Prussian convoy was destroyed forcing Frederick to abandon the siege with heavy losses.

On October 29 1762, the regiment took part in the battle of Freiberg.

To do: campaigns from 1758 to 1763

Uniform

Privates

Uniform Details

Headgear	Trooper black tricorne laced yellow with red pompoms and a white cockade Grenadier n/a
Neckstock	red
Coat	green with yellow buttons Collar red Shoulder strap red fastened with a small yellow button (yellow aiguillette on the right shoulder) Lapels none Cuffs red with 3 yellow buttons Turnbacks red
Waistcoat	red with yellow buttons
Breeches	buff leather
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt n/a Waistbelt n/a Cartridge Box n/a Scabbard n/a Footgear black boots
Horse Furniture	Saddlecloth green bordered with a yellow braid ornamented with two red stripes Sabretache green bordered with a yellow braid ornamented with two red stripes Blanket roll n/a

Troopers were armed with a sword, a pair of pistols and a musket.

Officers

n/a

Musicians

n/a

Colours

Colonel Flag: unknown

Regimental Flag: red field fringed in gold; centre device consisting of the monogram of the king of Saxony; various secondary distinction in each corner

References

Dorn G. and J. Engelmann; Die Schlachten Friedrich des Gossen

Duffy, C.; Instrument of war, Vol 1 & 2

Duffy, C.; Prussia’s Glory, Vol 1 & 2

Funcken, Liliane and Fred; L’uniforme et les armes des soldats de la guerre en dentelle

Geschichte und gegenwärtiger Zustand der Kursächsischen Armee. [History and present state of the Saxon Army.] 2nd edition, part IX, Dresden 1793

Not by Appointement

Szabo, A.J.; The Seven Years War in Europe: 1756-1763

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

Acknowledgments

Fabrizio Baratto for additional information added to this article