Bayreuth Dragoons, 1745 and Don Cossacks, 1812

Above are one of the Royal Prussian Army’s most reputable units. The Bayreuth Dragoons distinguished themselves at the Battle of Hohenfriedberg in 1745, during the Austro-Prussian War. During the battle, they ran down the Austrian infantry, capturing 67 infantry standards, 2,500 prisoners, and five cannons. King Frederick the Great of Prussia himself was so impressed by their audacious and successful charge, that he composed the Hohenfriedberger Marsch in their honor.

First is a Hauptman, or captain. His uniform is not much different from those of 

the other ranks. The only differences are the white cockade on his tricorn, lace 

ascot at his neck, white breeches, and saddle design. Since officers were difficult 

to distinguish in the 18^th Century, rank insignia were introduced by the Napoleonic 

Era.

Next is a reiter, or private. He is armed with a straight-edged saber and carries a carbine musket on his saddle. When the dragoons were first conceived in the 17^th century, they were intended to be mounted infantry: meaning they would ride into battle and dismount and fight on foot. However, due to the wide open battlefields of Europe, the dragoons preferred to charge the enemy with swords drawn. Since the muskets at the time were inaccurate and slow to reload, this would remain an effective tactic until the advent of machine guns. Nevertheless, dragoons remained armed with a carbine and a pair of pistols.

Finally, is a sergeant with one of the captured Austrian colors. His uniform is almost identical to those of his subordinates. The only difference are his cuffs, which have silver lining to denote NCO rank.

Pictured above is another renowned cavalry unit: the Don Cossacks. The Cossacks were Russian and Ukrainian cavalry irregulars first hired to protect Russian settlers, during the period of Russian expansion from the reign of Ivan the Terrible in the 16^th Century to the reign of Catherine the Great in the 18^th Century. They continued to serve in the Imperial Army and the Soviet Army.

Here they are pictured in 1812, when Napoleon invaded Russia. During Napoleon’s fateful retreat from Moscow, the Don Cossacks harried the French rearguard. This was a traumatic experience for Marshall Michel Ney who commanded the French rearguard and following the retreat, he showed signs of what we now know as post-traumatic stress disorder.

First is a yesaul, or Captain. Since the Cossacks were irregulars, their ranking system differed significantly from that of the regular Russian Army. A yesaul was in command of a sotnia, or squadron which consisted of approximately 117 horses. He wears a tall fur hat, or busby and silver epaulettes to denote his rank. He is armed with an officer’s shashka, or sabre.

Next is an uriadnik, or sergeant. He wears a forage cap and is armed with an enlisted man’s shashka. Officers and NCOs were trained in sabre combat, although they were constantly bested by other European cavalry officers.

The last Cossack pictured is a Kazak, or private. He wears a different style forage cap and an overcoat. He is armed with a lance, the preferred weapon of the Cossacks. Cossacks were also armed with muskets and pistols, although they preferred to use these as psychological  weapons, than to actually kill the enemy.

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