Light cavalry, historically Hungarians who fought for
Poland as mercenaries. Their value in combat became realized and countries all over Europe started to employ regiments of Hussars. A Hussar during the 18th and 19th century wore no armor, instead wearing a dolman underneath a pelisse, a
short-waisted overjacket that was slung over the shoulder
like a cape, and a shako. Hussars used light sabers and did not carry any firearms or lances except officers who would keep a pistol. Hussar's were famous throughout the world for their dashing and cavalier manner, especially in
America where stories of French Hussars fascinated Americans. But Hussars in
reality were rather rude, brash people and were also known to get
drunk and start fights in taverns and inns. But their bravery in battle was unquestioned. They would just get rowdy and often times demand
food from villages they passed through. Often disguising it by seducing the town's womenfolk. Hussars were also mustachioed, in fact, British hussars were the only mustachioed troops in the whole British army.
So I heard this story about a French Hussar who surprised a group of
British troops just before Waterloo. He came out of the trees and challenged a
British dragoon. The dragoon was so scared that instead of fighting the Hussar he pulled out his carbine and tried to shoot him but he missed. So he kept reloading his carbine and shooting and missing. This went on for some
time, the French Hussar shouting to the British Dragoon to fight
like a
man, until a Belgian hussar rode forward and accepted the French Hussar'
s challenge. They fought for a while but neither bested the other and they sheathed their sabers and shook hands and rode their separate ways. As he rode back, the Belgian Hussar just looked at the British dragoon and shook his head and laughed.
