"Cossack Horse Artillery at Heilsberg 1807?" Topic

Hi all.

I would like to use the great Cossack horse artillery by Commissar Miniatures (28mm) for my battle of Heilsberg 1807 army. According to OOBs, there was a Cossack battery there.

Which Cossacks would man the battery, and would the uniform be the same as in 1812 (the one with the Cossack cap, not the busbies)?

Thanks for your help and cheers,
Peter

The Don Cossacks had horse artillery added to their establishment (2 batteries) in 1797 and the uniform was the same as their cavalry counterparts. The uniform didn't change until 1816 so should be the same in 1807 as in 1812 (officially busby with red bag – from period paintings could be the cap, blue tunic and trousers, may have a light blue sash); the battery would most certainly have been manned by Cossacks

I think that you could use either busby or cap; with the Cossacks you have a lot of leeway in uniforms with the possible exception of the Cossacks of the Guard

Thanks, Frederick! That's what I hoped for.

Cheers,
Peter

Happy to help

Did this Cossack battery fight in any of the other engagements and battles of 1807? I would be interested to know as I couldn't find it on either the Eylau or Friedland OBs.

I can't find anything as well, but at Eylau, Platov's Cossack Brigade (Reserves) could have had a Cossack Horse Battery… but that's pure guessing.