Slobodskiy Hussars

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Origin and History

The Slobódskiy Hussar Regiment was created in Bielgorod on September 26, 1756 with ten companies of Slobodian Cossacks. It totaled some 1,200 men.

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

• no information found yet

Service during the War

From 1759, the regiment was stationed on the western border of the Russian Empire. It then consisted of 35 officers, 1,200 men (including 100 non-combatants).

During the winter 1760-61, the regiment was attached to Tottleben's corps stationed at Karlin. After the conclusion of a cease-fire, it took its winter quarters at Berent.

In 1761, the regiment, then having only 300 horses, took part in the campaign in Pomerania where it was attached to Amialchnaroy's brigade in Rumyantsev's Corps and was involved in the siege of Colberg. The regiment wintered in Pomerania. During the same year, it was reorganised in squadrons.

Uniform

Privates

Uniform in 1757
Source: David at Not By Appointment

Uniform Details

Headgear	white mirliton laced white; with a white flame and a white tassel
Neck stock	black
Pelisse	white Fur trim black Lace 8 light blue braids Buttons brass
Dolman	light blue with 8 white braids and brass buttons Collar light blue edged white Cuffs light blue edged with a white chevron
Breeches	light blue decorated with intricate white loops
Cloak	unknown colour
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt black leather Waist-sash black and white barrel sash Scabbard black leather with iron fittings Boots black Hungarian boots
Horse Furniture	Saddlecloth white with light blue wolf tooth edging Sabretache white, wearing a light blue “EP” monogram and bordered with a light blue lace

Troopers were armed with a short, curved sabre and two pistols (no carbine). Zweguintzov mentions that Russian hussars also carried a carbine.

Officers

Officers wore uniforms identical to those of the troopers with the following differences:

• gold cords and lace
• yellow Hungarian boots
• pelisse trimmed with grey fur

NCOs

NCOs wore uniforms identical to those of the troopers with the following differences:

• gold tassel on the mirliton
• gold lace
• a golden braid on the border of the collar
• golden braids on the sleeve (2 for the vakhmistr, 1 for quartermaster)

Musicians

There was 1 kettle-drummer for the regiment and 1 trumpeter for each of the 10 companies. They wore uniforms identical to those of the troopers with the following differences:

• small wings on the shoulders
• braids of an unknown colour

Trumpets and kettle drums were made of copper and decorated with light blue (maybe white) lace and cords.

Colours

Russian hussar regiments carried no standards during the Seven Years' War.

References

Funcken, L. and F., Les uniformes de la guerre en dentelle

Gromoboy, Vlad, The Russian Pandours - Pandour Hussars (1741-61), Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. XII No. 1

• Großer Generalstab, Kriegsgeschichtliche Abteilung II (Publisher). Die Kriege Friedrichs des Großen. Dritter Teil: 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

Karpiński, Tomasz; Kampania 1761 r. na Pomorzu Zachodnim, manuscript

Konstam A. & Younghusband B., Russian Army of the Seven Years War, Osprey, London, 1996

Schirmer, Friedrich; Die Heere der kriegführenden Staaten 1756-1763, hrsg. von der KLIO-Landesgruppe Baden-Württemberg, überarb. u. aktual. Neuauflage 1989

Vial J. L., Nec Pluribus Impar

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.