Pruschenk Cavalry

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

Originally formed in 1704 as the Hansteinische Reiter, it fought in the War of the Spanish Succession.

During the War of the Austrian Succession, the unit fought at Chotusitz, Hohenfriedberg and Soor.

At the beginning of the Seven Years' War, the regiment counted 360 men formed into 2 squadrons. In 1760, it was increased to 400 men.

In the years following the war, the unit was steadily reduced in status becoming the Heistersches Dragoons in 1775. As Dragoons, the unit fought in the Coalition Wars and was disbanded in 1806.

The regimental inhabers were:

• 1713 von Diemar
• 1735 von Gräffendorf
• 1738 von Diemar
• 1740 Prinz Ysenburg
• 1757 von Prüschenk
• 1761 von Wolff
• 1775 Heistersches Dragoons
• 1777 von Diemar
• 1786 von Dalwigk

Service during the War

During the Seven Years War, the regiment was engaged at Hastenbeck, Sandershausen, Lutterberg, Bergen, Minden, Warburg, Kloster Kamp, Sachsenberg and Gruningen.

At Hastenbeck, on July 26 1757, the regiment fought in the center of the second line.

At Sandershausen, on July 23 1758, the regiment was placed on the left wing near the Ellenbach woods. It fought bravely, breaking the opposing French cavalry. On October 10, it was present at the battle of Lutterberg where it was placed in the second line of the left wing.

At Bergen, April 1759, the regiment was in the left column of the Anglo-Allied army. The infantry in the column were fed into the initial assaults on Bergen and beaten back while the cavalry protected their flank.

At Minden, August 1759, two squadrons fought on the left flank in the first line brigaded with Hammerstein Horse (Hanoverian), Lieb (Hessian), and Holstein Dragoons (Prussian). The brigade was under the command of Lieutenant-General Duke von Holstein.

Uniform

By the 1740's the horse troopers did not wear a cuirass anymore.

Privates

Uniform Details

Headgear	Musketeer black tricorne laced white with oak leaves as a field sign and a black cockade Grenadier none
Neckstock	black
Coat	white Collar none Shoulderknot white Lapels sky blue Buttons pewter Cuffs sky blue Turnbacks sky blue
Waistcoat	sky blue
Breeches	pale straw
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt white Waistbelt white Cartridge Box black Scabbard black Footgear black
Horse Furniture	Saddlecloth sky blue with white bordering. Landgraf's monogram in the corner. Sabretache sky blue with white bordering with the Landgraf's monogram in the centre Blanket roll sky blue

Troopers were armed with a straight steel hilted sword, two pistols and a carbine. The carbine was slung from the shoulder belt on a swivel hook.

Officers

The officers had silver trim rather than white on their tricorne.

Musicians

Trumpeters wore reversed colours. They were usually mounted on white or grey horses.

The bugle cord was made of interwoven white and light blue braids. Any banner from the trumpet would use the same markings as those on the sabretache.

Colours

The flag poles were red. The regiment probably carried a white Leib (colonel) standard and a light blue regimental standard. Both standards were of the same pattern and wore the same cypher.

Image:Pruschenk Cavalry Colonel Standard.jpg        

References

Henry, Mark, Hessian Army of the 7 Years War, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. VII No. 3

Pengel & Hurt, German States in the Seven Years War 1740 to 1762, Imperial Press

Rogge, Christian, The French & Allied Armies in Germany during the Seven Years War, Frankfurt, 2006

Trenkle, K., Nix wie weg… die Hesse komme, Verlanganstalt Marburg