Russian Napoleonic Hussars

Hussars had all but vanished from the Russian army by 1784, however Czar Paul resurrected the arm, creating 8 regiments of line Hussars (Akhytrsk, Alexandria, Elizabethgrad, Isum, Mariupol, Olviopol, Pavlograd and Soum). In 1803 two more regiments were added, the White Russia and Odessa, but the Odessa was soon converted to Uhlans in 1805. The Grodno regiment was raised in late 1805, followed by the Loubny in 1807.

In 1804, the strength of the Hussar regiments were increased to 10 squadrons each, plus 2 depot squadrons. As of late 1812, theoretically a Russian Hussar regiment (NOT including the Depot troops, stats from Nafziger) consisted of : 1 Colonel, 1 Lt. Colonel, 2 Majors, 8 Rittmeisters, 2 Staff Rittmeisters, 20 2nd Lieutenants,  5 Wachtmeisters, 10 Cadets, 10 Junkers, 90 NCO'S, 1,320 Privates, 1 Trumpet Major, 20 Trumpeters, 1 Quartermaster Lieutenant,  1 Treasurer Lieutenant, 2 Military Judges, 1 Greek Orthodox Priest, 2 Altar Boys, 1 Regimental Surgeon, 2 Battalion Surgeons, 2 Battalion Field Surgeons, 1 Regimental Bonesetter, 10 Barbers, 1 Hospital Supervisor, 10 Hospital Attendants, 1 Riding Master, 1 Wagon Master, 1 Regimental Scribe, 2 Battalion Scribes, 2 Scribes, 5 Gunstock Makers, 1 Armorer, 4 Apprentice Armorer, 1 Saddlemaker, 6 Apprentice Saddlemakers, 1 Veterinarian, 10 Apprentice Veterinarians, 12 Blacksmiths, 10 Carpenters, 2 Provost, and 27 Train Drivers. Total 1,900 - obviously not all combatants! Because of their large size, Russian Hussar regiments often operated in "Battalions" of five squadrons each.

In all honesty, the Russian Napoleonic army can be a bit drab compared with some of the others, especially after 1809. The Hussars, however are a riot of color, and probably my favorite troops in the army. This is well illustrated in the following tables, which give the uniform distinctions of the individual regiments.

Russian Hussars 1805

Regiment	Dolman	Pelisse	Buttons Braid	Cuffs/ Collars	Sabre- tache	S’tach Orn.	Schab- raque	Shabr. teeth
Soum	Lt Yellow	Turqu-oise	White	Turqu-oise	Turquoise	White	White	White piped Turquoise
Pavlograd	Dk Green	Turqu-oise	Yellow	Turqu-oise	Dk Green	Yellow	Turquoise	Yellow piped Dk Green
Elizabeth-grad	Lt Yellow	Lt Yellow	White	White	Red	Yellow	Red	Yellow piped Yelllow
Marioupol	White	Dark Blue	Yellow	Yellow	White	Yellow	Dark Blue	Yellow piped Yellow
Alexandria #	Black	Black	White	Red	Black	White	Black	White piped White
Olivopol	Dk Green	Dk Green	White	Dk Green	Dk Green	White	Dk Green	White piped White
Isoum	Red	Dk Blue	White	Dk Blue	Yellow	Yellow	Dk Blue	Yellow piped Yellow
Akhtyrsk	Brown	Brown	Yellow	Yellow	Brown	Yellow	Brown	Yellow piped Yellow
White Russia	Dk Blue	Dk Blue	mixed Red & White	Red	Dk Blue	White	Dk Blue	Lt Blue piped White
Odessa*	Dk Blue	Dk Blue	Yellow	Red	Dk Blue	Yellow	Dk Blue	Lt Blue piped Yellow
Grodno**	Dk Blue	Dk Blue	mixed Red & White	Sky Blue	Dk Blue	White?	Dk Blue	Sky Blue piped White

For all regiments, pants were white for full dress, and grey otherwise.

# Prior to 1805 all items in black were raspberry instead
* Converted to Uhlans 1805
** Raised 1806

Russian Hussars, 1809

Regiment	Dolman	Pelisse	Button Braid	Cuffs/ Collar	Pants	Sabre- tache	S’tach ornament	Schab- raque	Schab Teeth
Soum	Grey	Grey	White	Red	Red	Red	White	Grey	Red
Pavlograd	Dark Green	Turqu-oise	Yellow	Turqu-oise	Dark Green	Dark Green	Red	Dark Green	Red
Elizabethgrad	Grey	Grey	Yellow	Grey	Dark Green	Dark Blue	Yellow	Dark Blue	Yellow
Alexandria	Black	Black	White	Red	Black	Black	Red	Black	Red
Olviopol	Dark Green	Dark Green	Yellow	Red	Dark Green	Dark Green	Red	Dark Green	Red
Isoum	Red	Dark Blue	White	Dark Blue	Dark Blue	Red	White	Dark Blue	White
Akhtyrsk	Brown	Brown	Yellow	Yellow	Dark Blue	Brown	Yellow	Dark Blue	Yellow
White Russia	Dark Blue	Red	White	Light Blue	Dark Blue	Red	White	Dark Blue	White
Loubny	Dark Blue	Dark Blue	White	Yellow	Dark Blue	Dark Blue	White	Dark Blue	White
Grodno	Dark Blue	Dark Blue	White	Light Blue	Dark Blue	Dark Blue	White	Dark Blue	White
Marioupol	Dark Blue	Dark Blue	Yellow	Yellow	Dark Blue	Dark Blue	Yellow	Dark Blue	Yellow
Irkhutsk*	Black	Black	Yellow	Rasp- berry	Rasp- berry	Black	Yellow	Black	Yellow

* Raised 1812 from remnants of Irkhutsk Dragoons and augmented by the Duke of Saltikoff’s Hussars (volunteers), whose uniforms they retained.

According to the uniform regulations, the barrel sashes were to be in the colors of the pelisse and the braid; thus the Pavlograd regiment would have turquoise and yellow barrels. Exceptions were known, however.

First up is one of the newest units in my collection, just completed yesterday! This is the Alexandria Hussars, in their black dolman, pelisse, and pants. These highly animated figures are Old Glory (28mm). 

As usual in the Russian cavalry, the trumpeter has a red plume, as well as "wings" on the pelisse in the lace color, and is mounted on a grey (or white) horse. Contrary to regulation, I've painted their barrel sashes red and white (instead of black and white). 

. 

The fur lining of the pelisse is white for the men, brown for NCO's, and grey for officers. This is common to all Russian hussar regiments. The officers would also have braid in the corresponding metal (silver or gold), although by 1812 they were allowed to forgo this very expensive adornment!

The next unit is the Akhtyrsk Hussars; try saying that name when you need to clear your throat! These are classic Minifigs, painted 20+ years ago, but still looking quite nice. The shabraques should really have a yellow wolves' teeth design instead of the straight edge seen here, and the portemanteau  behind the rider should be a drab grey instead of being in the same colors as the shabraque, as I painted them. 

A nice view of the very handsome uniforms of this regiment. The Russian hussars didn't carry flags, but I gave them one of standard Russian Cavalry pattern anyway!

A final view of the Ahktyrsk regiment; the cords of the shako are in the same color as the lace/braid, in this case, yellow. Once again, note the differing colors of the fur trim for troopers, NCO, and officer.

Some more vintage Minifigs; this unit is the Pavlograd Hussars. The same comments apply to the shabraque edging and the portemanteau as for the preceding regiment.

The turquoise pelisses make a striking contrast to the dark green of the rest of the uniform. This unit actually *did* carry a standard of honor, awarded to them in 1805 as a special distinction!

As the regiment has yellow braid, the shako cords should be yellow as well. The Osprey  [The Russian Army of the Napoleonic Wars (2): Cavalry 1799 - 1814. Phillip Haythornwaite and Bryan Fosten (illus)] actually shows a trooper in campaign dress 1813 with *red* cords on the shako, without commenting upon it at all.

The second of the two Hussar regiments I just finished painting, this is the Isoum regiment, once again 28mm Old Glory figures. The camera makes the blue look lighter in color than it actually is.

Another view of the Isoum Hussars; I've left the flag off the standard bearer figure (so far);   in 1812, many of the hussars were equipped with lances as well, so while while awaiting their flag we can just pretend this fellow is one such!

A final view of the Isoum regiment; the tall, narrow plumes on these OG figures are impressive, but probably rather prone to breakage!

Back to the vintage Minifigs again; this regiment is the Soum hussars, wearing perhaps my favorite uniform of the bunch. The grey pelisse and dolman accentuated by red collar and cuffs is very striking, I think.

Another view of the Soum Hussars; note the red breeches. No dull campaign wear for them!

One final view; note the red sabretaches with white decoration/Imperial monogram. Once again, allowing the unit to carry a standard is artistic license!

I hope you enjoyed these five colorful units; with the completion of the Alexandria and Isoum regiments, I have all my painting done for the partial Borodino scenario we're running at Ellis Con this weekend, Saturday November 19, in Danielson, CT. Never fear, I  still have more troops to paint for the full size version we're running at Historicon in July 2012!

Peter