Osprey Men-at-Arms 76 : Napoleon's Hussars

Napoleon's Hussars made their first real impact in 1806 with their astonishing pursuit of the Prussians over 1,160kms from the river Saale to the Order in twenty-five days, capping this feat on arrival when, by dint of audacious demonstrations by the 500 men of the combined 5th and 7th Hussars, the 6,000-strong Prussian garrison was bluffed into capitulating its fortress at Stettin along with 160 cannon. Actions such as this, combined with their unique 'trouble-shooting' role resulted in the light cavalry believing itself to be rather more than just a cut above the rest. Indeed, such was the audacity of the hussars that their arrogant indiscipline brought a specific rebuke from the Emperor himself: 'These hussars must be made to remember that a French soldier must be a horseman, infantryman and artilleryman, and there is nothing he may turn his back on'. Nowhere is evidence of their excesses, indulgences and pure egotism better illustrated than in their near-anarchic mode of dress. Emir Bukhari describes the organisation, war records, dress and equipment of these most colourful of Napoleon's troops, covering such topics as saddles, harness, headgear and tunics. Illustrated throughout with eight full page colour plates by Angus McBride.

Contents

• Organisation
• Dress and Equipment
• Saddles and Harness
• War Records and Regimental Histories
• The Plates