Napoleon’s Hussars and Chasseurs: Uniforms and Equipment of the Grande Armee, 1805-1815

The hussars of Napoleon's army wore some of the most flamboyant and stylish uniforms of the epoch, and this book discusses the uniforms of the seventeen regiments of hussars and the thirty-two regiments of Chasseurs à cheval in detail. Access to over 1,000 archive boxes provides insight into how the 1806 uniform regulations and the more famous Bardin regulations were adopted in practice. The author has constructed how the regiments were dressed from diaries, letters, and even cases of fraud, and includes beautiful illustrations of each regiment's appearance.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 02 November 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

The hussars of Napoleon's army were known for their flamboyant and stylish uniforms, which were a reflection of their big egos and moustaches. In this book, renowned historian Paul L. Dawson delves into the uniforms of the seventeen regiments of hussars and the dress of their brethren in the thirty-two regiments of Chasseurs à cheval. He emphasizes the elaborate dress of the trumpeters, who wore some of the most extravagant uniforms of the era.

Dawson has been granted access to over 1,000 archive boxes held in the Service Historique de l'Armée de Terre in Paris and the Archives Nationales. This vast resource provides detail never previously revealed to the general public. Each year, a regiment would be inspected, and the condition of the uniforms assessed. A return of all the clothing to be disposed of was made, and the appropriate number of new items ordered. Items of clothing and equipment needing repair were also recorded, as was how many pieces had been repaired since the last inspection.

Upon joining a regiment, the recruit was given his first full set of clothing and equipment, which came from stoppages in his pay. Each item of clothing had a specified life, such as a bearskin that had to last twenty years. If the items needed repair or replacement within the prescribed period due to misuse, the cost was borne by the soldier. All of this was recorded, providing invaluable sources of empirical data from which we can reconstruct the life story of a regiment, its officers, and above all, its clothing and equipment.

The uniforms of the hussars and Chasseurs à cheval were not only a reflection of their military prowess but also of their cultural and social status. The hussars were considered the elite of the French army, while the Chasseurs à cheval were known for their speed and agility on horseback. The elaborate dress of the trumpeters, with their brightly colored jackets and plumes, added to the spectacle of the battlefield.

Dawson's book is a valuable addition to the literature on the Napoleonic era, providing a detailed account of the uniforms and dress of the hussars and Chasseurs à cheval. It sheds light on the social and cultural context of the time and helps us to understand the role of these soldiers in the history of France.

Weight: 852g
Dimension: 179 x 406 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399030786