The Dutch Army in the French Revolution 1792-1795 (4)
5. CAVALRY OF THE REPUBLIC 1792-1795
5.1 Cavalry organisation and strength
The strength of the regiments given, are theoretical. The real strength was mostly far lower as is shown in the 1793 battlefield organisation where only part of each regiment was fit to go into the field; the rest formed a small depot (the same as for the infantry already mentioned).
The given strenght is based on H.Hardenberg: "Overzicht der voornaamste bepalingen betreffende de sterkte, zamenstelling, betaling, verzorging en verpleging van het Nederlandsche leger" (The Hague 1858).
In the table I have given the strength as mentioned in the 1792 budget, the 1793 augmentation (a) or the reinforcements at the beginning of 1793 and the new 1793 strength. In the table are the strength of regimental staff and the various squadrons and companies of the regiment. Remember, these are theoretical.
Guard Cavalry
In 1792 the guard consisted of the Gardes du Corps with a strength of only one company, the Regiment Gardes te Paard of 4 squadrons and the Gardes Dragonders, also of 4 sqadrons.
Line cavalry
In 1792 there were 6 cavalry regiments (for their names see in the uniform table) of 4 squadrons. Each squadron had 2 companies.
One peculiar regiment was the Regiment Carabiniers Orange Vriesland which in fact consisted of 2 regiments, each of 2 squadrons namely the Regiment Orange Vriesland and the Regiment Orange Carabiniers.
Dragoons
Besides the Gardes Dragonders, in 1792 existed 2 other regimenten dragoons but these had a strength of 8 squadrons each; each squadron had again 2 companies.
Hussars
In 1792 existed the regiment Huzaren van Heeckeren also called "zwarte huzaren" (black hussars) because of their black outfit. They were also called "Huzaren op Holland" because when in 1787 the Legion of the count of Salm was disbanded (to which the hussars belonged), they were kept in the service of the Province of Holland and were not in the pay of the United Provinces. In the budget of 1792 they became part of the army of the United Provinces.
There also existed the Huzaren Hoop or Roode Huzaren (red hussars) because of their red outfit.
I can't find the regiment on the 1792 budget although it existed already in 1790. In 1794 they were called Huzaren van Timmerman after the death of its colonel Hoop.
1793 Augmentation
As with the infantry, before the campaign of 1793 men were added to the cavalry regiments, the so called augmentation.
The staff of each regiment received 3 men and to each company were added 18 men; so per regiment in total 147 men were added.
The Guardes du Corps received an extra 9 men.
5.1 Cavalry organisation and strength
The strength of the regiments given, are theoretical. The real strength was mostly far lower as is shown in the 1793 battlefield organisation where only part of each regiment was fit to go into the field; the rest formed a small depot (the same as for the infantry already mentioned).
The given strenght is based on H.Hardenberg: "Overzicht der voornaamste bepalingen betreffende de sterkte, zamenstelling, betaling, verzorging en verpleging van het Nederlandsche leger" (The Hague 1858).
In the table I have given the strength as mentioned in the 1792 budget, the 1793 augmentation (a) or the reinforcements at the beginning of 1793 and the new 1793 strength. In the table are the strength of regimental staff and the various squadrons and companies of the regiment. Remember, these are theoretical.
Guard Cavalry
In 1792 the guard consisted of the Gardes du Corps with a strength of only one company, the Regiment Gardes te Paard of 4 squadrons and the Gardes Dragonders, also of 4 sqadrons.
Line cavalry
In 1792 there were 6 cavalry regiments (for their names see in the uniform table) of 4 squadrons. Each squadron had 2 companies.
One peculiar regiment was the Regiment Carabiniers Orange Vriesland which in fact consisted of 2 regiments, each of 2 squadrons namely the Regiment Orange Vriesland and the Regiment Orange Carabiniers.
Dragoons
Besides the Gardes Dragonders, in 1792 existed 2 other regimenten dragoons but these had a strength of 8 squadrons each; each squadron had again 2 companies.
Hussars
In 1792 existed the regiment Huzaren van Heeckeren also called "zwarte huzaren" (black hussars) because of their black outfit. They were also called "Huzaren op Holland" because when in 1787 the Legion of the count of Salm was disbanded (to which the hussars belonged), they were kept in the service of the Province of Holland and were not in the pay of the United Provinces. In the budget of 1792 they became part of the army of the United Provinces.
There also existed the Huzaren Hoop or Roode Huzaren (red hussars) because of their red outfit.
I can't find the regiment on the 1792 budget although it existed already in 1790. In 1794 they were called Huzaren van Timmerman after the death of its colonel Hoop.
1793 Augmentation
As with the infantry, before the campaign of 1793 men were added to the cavalry regiments, the so called augmentation.
The staff of each regiment received 3 men and to each company were added 18 men; so per regiment in total 147 men were added.
The Guardes du Corps received an extra 9 men.