Schorlemmer Dragoons
From Project SYW
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Origin and History
In May 1716, Friedrich Wilhelm I acquired this regiment from August II of Saxony. Maybe, part of the value of the regiment was paid with valuable porcelain and, thereafter the regiment retained the nickname Porzellan Dragoons. Another simpler explanation for this nickname was that their uniform was white and blue...
In June 1727, the units was divided into 2 distinct regiments giving birth to Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 7, placed under the command of colonel von Dockum.
At the end of 1740, the regiment was increased to 10 squadrons. Thus, exceptionally, this dragoon regiment counted 10 squadrons rather than the usual 5 squadrons.
During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was under the command of:
- since May 17 1747: Ludwig Wilhelm von Schorlemmer
- from November 9 1760 to January 24 1777: Carl Friedrich von Meier
The numbering system (Stammliste) was first used by Leopold I., Fürst von Anhalt-Dessau (Der alte Dessauer) in the Dessauer Spezifikation from 1737. Around 1780 the numbers were used in the printed Stammlisten, still with some variations for the fusilier regiments. It became official by "Cabinets-Ordre" from October 1, 1806. The present dragoon regiment was attributed number 6.
Service during the War
In 1757, the regiment was part of Lehwaldt's army assigned to the defence of East Prussia against a Russian invasion. On August 30, at the battle of Gross-Jägersdorf, five squadrons were deployed in the first line of the cavalry right wing under the duke of Holstein while the five remaining squadrons were deployed in the first line of the cavalry left wing under lieutenant-general Schorlemmer. In this defeat, the regiment lost 5 officers and 105 privates.
On August 2 1758, during the Russian invasion of Brandenburg, Manteuffel reinforced the Prussian detachment at Reppen with this regiment along with Plettenberg Dragoons (5 sqns). On August 25, the regiment fought at the battle of Zorndorf where it formed part of the reserve. It was part of the brigade of dragoons who, around 11:50 am, delivered a deadly counter attack and threw Gaugreben’s brigade back into the ranks of the Russian infantry causing disorder and confusion. On September 25, the regiment was part of the detachment of major-general Wobersnow who was sent by Dohna from Blumenberg to cut off the Russian detachment left at Landsberg by the retreating main army. On September 26, this Prussian detachment captured Landsberg. Two days later, on September 28, the regiment took part in the failed attempt to capture Fehrbellin.
In 1759, the regiment fought at the battle of Paltzig on July 23. A few weeks later, on August 12, it took part to the bloody battle of Kunersdorf, loosing 18 officers and 234 privates.
On October 29 1762, the regiment took part to the battle of Freiberg.
To do: more details on the campaigns from 1759 to 1762
Uniform
Privates
| Headgear | black tricorne (no lace) with a black cockade fastened with a small white button and red pompons
N.B.: for combat, the tricorne was reinforced with an iron cap | ||||||||||||
| Neckstock | black | ||||||||||||
| Coat | cobalt blue with 2 white buttons under the lapel and 3 white buttons on each side to fasten the skirts forming the turnbacks
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| Waistcoat | lemon yellow with one row of small white buttons and horizontal pockets, each with white buttons | ||||||||||||
| Breeches | buff | ||||||||||||
| Leather Equipment |
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| Horse Furniture |
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Troopers were armed with a sword, a pair of pistols, a musket and a bayonet.
Officers
The officers wore the same uniform with the following exceptions:
- black tricorne (no lace) with a black cockade (attached with a silver fastener) and red and silver pompons
- silver buttonholes under each lapel on the coat
Musicians
Drummers of the regiments wore the same uniform as the troopers but decorated on the seams with a white lace decorated with 2 (narrow lace) or 4 (wide lace) blue lateral bands.
Colours
Standards were made of damask. They were swallow-tailed and measured some 50 cm along the pole, 65 cm from the pole to the extremity of a point and 50 cm from the pole to the centre of the indentation. The cords and knots were of silver threads. The pole of the standard was a blue tournament lance reinforced with iron hinges. The golden spearhead wore the crowned monogram of Frédéric Wilhelm (FWR).
N.B.: standards captured by the Russians at the battle of Palzig prove that the regiment simultaneously carried standards dating from Frederick Wilhelm I and wearing his monogram (FWR) and standards wearing Frederick II's monogram (FR).
| Colonel Standard (Leibstandarte): white field with golden corners, fringed gold with a blue central medallion surrounded by a golden laurel wreath and decorated with an armed black eagle surmounted by a white scroll laced gold bearing the golden motto "Pro Gloria et Patria". Decoration in gold in each corner (crowns, laurel wreaths and “FR” ciphers). | Squadron Standard (Eskadronstandarte): blue field with golden corners, fringed gold with a silver central medallion surrounded by a golden laurel wreath and decorated with an armed black eagle surmounted by a blue scroll laced gold bearing the golden motto "Pro Gloria et Patria". Decoration in gold in each corner (crowns, laurel wreaths and “FR” ciphers). |
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N.B.: the Dessauer Spezifikation of 1737 and the Darmstädter Fahnenbuch of 1742 both mention red corners instead of golden corners as illustrated above. It is possible that the original colour of these corners was red since faded red silk looks golden.
References
Funcken, Liliane and Fred , Les uniformes de la guerre en dentelle
Nelke, R., Preussen
Thümmler, L.-H., Preußische Militärgeschichte
Vial J. L., Nec Pluribus Impar
N.B.: the section Service during the War is mostly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.
