"Fusilier caps and Mitres in Flanders for Hesse-Kassel 1793" Topic

Thought I would throw this out for consideration.

By the outset of the French Revolution H-K regimental grenadiers all seem to have adopted the Austrian bearskin in place of the mitre. In M-a-A 122 Pivka/Smith notes that the Fusiliers of the two Fusilier regiments and the guardsmen of the Garde-Gren are still wearing the old caps and mitres.

I can't seem to find any illustrations contemporary to 1793-1795 that shows their continued use. Anyone have any insight?

According to "Hessisches Militär -Die truppen der landgrafschaft Hessen-Kassel1672-1806" the fusilier regiments did wear the normal bicorn since 1789.
I have the impression that MaA122 the organisation (and uniforms) of 1789 is given eg garrison regiments are mentioned but these were before the FR period disbandend. Also in 1793 there existed a fusilier battalion (served in Flanders) which according to the MaA was only raised in 1803

Thank you Brownand – very informative.

Does the same document you are referring to also describe the headgear of the Light Infantry battalion? Pivka/Smith has it as 'unknown' in MaM122 while there is a Knotel plate of a light infantry officer and soldier, illustrated with a Jaeger officer and soldier, wearing the British light infantry helmet from 7YR/AWI dated from 1789.

Many thanks again for your response!
B.

Beeker,
afaik from 1788 there existed a light battalion Bülow which later was renamed Lenz. This battalion fought from 1792 on the Rhein front against the French.
This battalion wore cf the plate in the earlier mentioned book the British style light infantry helmet as you mention and buff facings. Knötel shows the helmet but also red facings. According to link in 1789 show also the facing as red.
In 1793 a new fusilier battalion of 2 companies was raised for the war in Flanders (in British pay). Somewhere I have read that its origin was the Light infantry battalion Lenz so probably it had the same uniform. A plate in the book "We are accustomed to do our duty" show indeed a same uniform (with helmet) and the facings as red. This last print is form the "Album de Berlin" but haven't found this book yet.
Hope to be of help

Paul Demet's book on German contingents1793-95 shows Hessian Grenadiers in bicornes or in the case of Garde-Grenadiers a fur cap a bit like that worn by the British.

Regarding the fusilier caps I have no doubt that in 1792 and later years the "normal" bicorn was worn by he fusiliers. In 1789 the Hessian army was reorganized and the original single battalion regiments became double battalion regiments so the earlier fusilier regiments were combined with other regiments with bicorns. I think it would be cheaper to change the fusilier caps into bicorns.
Of course this change would be gradual but 3 year whould be sufficient for a change.

Green Tiger
correct but in the text is mentioned that although they had recived an order to discard the grenadier bearskin, the grenadier battalion LeLong reported losing 52 bearskins and 241 worn out bearskins so probably at least one grenadier battalion kept them.

Many thanks Brownand and GT.

Brownand, agreed. Indications are that the fusilier caps / kasket did not continue in use beyond 1792 for H-K. Looks like I'm going to have to paint more 1799 Russian Grenadier Regiments! :)

On the positive side… I have extra British AWI Lts so I can add a H-K Lt Inf battalion to my Piedmontese (1794-96) Lt inf battalion! I nice mix of green and blue! :)

Nice, always good to see FR armies. Love to see pictures

Speaking of Russians!

Did any of the Guard Grenadier Regiments at Zurich wear Fusilier caps? I'm thinking it was mostly bicorns for guardsmen and Mitres for Grenadiers.

Thanks!

I have not seen any reference to Russian Guard units in OOBs for the 1799 campaign

Whoops! You are correct Chad47… no Guards units at Zurich. I miss-read the Colonel's names of musketeer regiments in Essen's Reserve Brigade. My error.

Sorry to come into this topic late, but which figures would you use for the allied contingents in 1793/94? 15/18mm.

Mark,
Sho Boki makes pretty much everyone's line infantry. Austrian, Netherlands, British/Hanoverian, Hessian, and even Prussian (and Bavarians, but they were on the Rhine).
For light infantry, cavalry and artillery you will have to look elsewhere.

I thought this Helion Blogpost on the Prussian Army in 1792-5 might be of interest;
link