A most unusual affair of cavalry is recorded by Colonel H.C. B. Rogers in his book Napoleon's Army at the Battle of Wagram. Serving in the IX French Army Corps, which was composed of two divisions of Saxon troops, were three squadrons of the Prince Albert Hussars, numbering some two hundred forty three officers and men.
This particuliar regiment was the property of the Colonel-Proprietor Prince Albert of Saxe-Tescher, who also owned a second regiment, the Prince Albert Cuirassiers, then serving in the Austrian Army. This unusual circumstance had been brought about because of marriage and social position which allowed Albert to be a prince in both countries.
In accordance with the customs of both states, the Prince had nominated all of the officers in both regiments. Since Saxony and Austria had shared a long peace together, whenever the Prince had an officer to place, he placed him in whichever regiment had a vacancy. One could see members of the same family in opposite regiments.
By the most extraordinary and cruel circumstances, both regiments happened to be in the order of battle of their respective forces opposite each other. Each felt honor bound to support their regimental honor: Each charged the other. Under the eyes of Napoleon, the Hussars drove the six squadrons of cuirassiers off the field. Honor had been satisfied.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON THE WAR OF 1809
We are getting many questions and some answers on the War of 1809, so, we are trying to segragate them in a separate section. We seek our readers' cooperation to answer some of the unusual questions that are coming up during the study of that neglected Napoleonic Campaign.
- --Jean A. Lochet (Mr.)
Question 1809-58-1: What was the Polish, Saxon and Austrian Orders of Battle for the Battle of Raszyn, fought on April 19th, 1809? Can anyone document troop strength?
Question l809-58-2: Should the Saxon Artil1ery Company of the Royal Household rate as Guard or Line in a wargame?
Question 1809-58-3: Howard Gilles has written the Senior Editor stating that the 1810-1812 drill used by the Saxon Army was indeed a Saxon drill NOT French. Can anyone provide any information on this drill?
Question 1809-58-4: What was the organization of the Saxon Leib Garde Regiment in 1809? Ray Johnson states a regiment; Scotty Bowden, a battalion; Fred Tietmeyer say a regiment; Otto von Pivka states a battalion. What was it?
Question 1809-58-5: What's the difference in military rank between a Stuckknecht and a Provient Fuhrknect?
Partial Answer:
Proviant Fuhrkencht is related to ordinance or provisions for the army. "Fuhr" deals with the drivers of horses, so it is the drivers provisions for the army. It is the lowest rank, though usually no rank for it in the army. The word "knecht" in German means servant.
Stuckknecht: "Stuck means piece; could be regarding artillery pieces. Knecht means servant.
- --William Froede, German Teacher, Upper Elementary School, Budd Lake, N.J.
From a series of colored post cards sent me by Howard Giles, there is an illustration of a figure whose uniform matches several descriptions of the Saxon pre-1810 train. The figure wears knee-length black riding books and carries what appears to be a drivers whip.
Again referring to the same colored post card and references, the uniform is that of a driver of the artillery train.
- --Senior Editor's Note
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