Hussar uniforms were perhaps the most colorful of any worn during the era. The hussars were not just style and dash, however. They could be effective light cavalry and the 7th bis Regiment (the bis indicating that another 7th Regiment of higher ranking existed) proved that during Napoleon's Italian campaign.

Chasseurs a cheval (mounted chasseurs), on the other hand, were not as picturesque as the hussars, but they formed the bulk of the French light cavalry in 1798 (25 regiments compared to 13 of hussars). One regiment of each type of light cavalry accompanied the expedition to Egypt, and they received priority for mounts after the Guides, headquarters, and staff. (Only a fifth of the available horses were used to pull artillery; most guns were left behind in Alexandria when the army marched on Cairo.)

The duties of the light cavalry were scouting and screening the army from enemy cavalry. However, the two French light cavalry regiments would not get the opportunity to do much against the vastly superior numbers of Mameluke horsemen. During the Battle of the Pyramids, the light cavalry remained safely within the division squares, protected by infantry and artillery.

After the Battle of the Pyramids, the 22nd Chasseurs would get a new commander: former hussar Antoine Charles Louis Lasalle. This 23-year old would become one of the most famous cavalry leaders of the Napoleonic Wars. A general by 1805, he would die in the 1809 Austrian campaign having said "A hussar who is not dead at 30 is a bungler."

In addition to the dragoons, hussars, and chasseurs, Napoleon's other light cavalry included elements of his bodyguard, called the Guides, which consisted of 300 foot soldiers and 180 cavalrymen.

Large French light Cavalry Uniform Guide (slow: 117K)

More Napoleon in Egypt

Napoleon in Egypt: Introduction
Napoleon in Egypt: Why Egypt?
Napoleon in Egypt: Alliance and Assembly
Napoleon in Egypt: Expedition Commences
Napoleon in Egypt: Expedition Arrives
Napoleon in Egypt: Battle of the Pyramids
Napoleon in Egypt: French Artillery Strength
Napoleon in Egypt: French Dragoons Uniform Guide
Napoleon in Egypt: French Light Cavalry Uniform Guide
Napoleon in Egypt: French Army of Orient Order of Battle (text: fast 10K)
Napoleon in Egypt: French Army of Orient Order of Battle (graphics: very slow: 314K)
Cover Illustration: Napoleon in Egypt