GEORGIAN HUSSAR REGIMENT (1738 - 1769): A SHORT HISTORY AND UNIFORMS DESCRIPTION

Angus Konstam, Bill Yunghusband

Excerpt from the book ”Russian Army of the Seven Years War”, London / 1996

Introduction: Andrew Andersen

In the middle of the 18^th century, the Russian imperial government allowed the formation of special hussar regiments manned with various immigrants (sort of “foreign legions” in the Russian army).

That was the period when Serbian, Moldovan, Hungarian and other hussar regiments were formed within the imperial Army, Among them was the Georgian Hussar regiment formed as early as in 1738 (by that time Georgian states were not yetr incorporated into the Russian Empire, and thus the Georgian refugees and immigrants were foreigners in Russia).

Georgian hussars took part in a number of wars including Russo-Turkish (1739), Russo-Swedish (1741-43) and the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763) where they were distinguished for high professionalism and bravery

Some details on their history and uniforms can be found below

Andrew Andersen, 2010-11-20

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Georgian Hussars
Gruzinskiy Hussarskiy Polk (Georgian Hussar regiment)

Origin
Georgian Hussars had origin from volunteer Hussar companies served in Russian army during the War 1736-39 with Turkey. During campaign 1739 in Wallachia Russian army under FM Minikh included 4 companies of Georgian Hussars, which were converted to the Gruzinskiy Hussarskiy Polk (Georgian Hussar regiment) on October 14, 1741.

New-formed Georgian Hussars took part in War 1741-43 with Sweden. They fought in campaigns 1741 & 1743 & presented at Wilmanstrand & Helsingforce.

Service during Seven Years War

Georgian Hussar regiment had battle history different from other Hussar regiments. It fought at: Gross-Jagersdorf (1757), Zorndorf (1758) & Kunersdorf (1759) & was in Totleben's Corps captured Berlin (1760). During campaign 1761 Georgian Hussars under command of colonel Kniaz (Prince) Amilokhvarov were in Rumiantsev's Corps at Colberg & took part in countless skirmishes with Vernec Hussars & Frei-corps.

Field Marshal Burkhard Christof von Munnich

Franz de Swatschek, Colonel of Georgian Hussars (1764)

Uniforms:

During the SYW Georgian Hussars wore the uniform of 1741 pattern. Pelisse & Dolman were yellow with red cords. Chashkiry were also yellow with red lace. Kushack (a barrel sash) was black with yellow barrels. Sabretache was yellow with red lace & monogram. Epancha (a cloak) is unknown. Buttons were cooper.

Hungarian, Yellow, Georgian, Moldavian and Serbian Hussars

Georgian hussar / 1758 , Unknown artist of the XVIII century

References:

Funcken, L. and F., Les uniformes de la guerre en dentelle

Gromoboy, Vlad, The Russian Pandours - Pandour Hussars (1741-61), Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. XII No. 1

Großer Generalstab, Kriegsgeschichtliche Abteilung II (Publisher). Die Kriege Friedrichs des Großen. Dritter Teil: Der Siebenjährige Krieg 1756–1763. Vol. 4 Groß-Jägersdorf und Breslau, Berlin 1902

Konstam A. & Younghusband B., Russian Army of the Seven Years War, Osprey, London, 1996

Schirmer, Friedrich; Die Heere der kriegführenden Staaten 1756-1763, hrsg. von der KLIO-Landesgruppe Baden-Württemberg, überarb. u. aktual. Neuauflage 1989

Vial J. L., Nec Pluribus Impar

Zweguintzov, L'Armee Russe, 1973