Mounted Corporal 1813

This Colnaghi print drawn by C Hamilton Smith, engraved by Stadler, was no.21 in the series, published in January 1813. The title of the print states that this hussar is a corporal in review order. The blue dolman and pelisse have red facings and white cords and lace. The distinctive regimental white frame around the lateral rows of cord on his chest is clearly shown. There is decorative white braid on the collar and cuffs, with braid above the cuff formed into a trefoil. Above this, on both the dolman and the pelisse, are a single inverted chevron with a Prince of Wales feathers badge above that. This, according to the artist, denotes the rank of corporal, but it does not agree with Dighton’s painting of the regiment in camp in the Peninsula which shows two chevrons, point down, on the right sleeve. Other differences include the red and yellow barrel sash and the three white slings on the sabretache instead of two.
Because this hussar is in review order he has a fur busby instead of the peakless shako, and white breeches with hessian boots instead of pale blue overalls. There is also a queue of hair coming out of the back of his head. These were abolished in 1808 for the rest of the army but the artist has assumed that the 10th Hussars retained them. It may have been a fashion for all the hussar regiments, influenced by French and German hussars. The shabraque is red with white vandyke pattern that can be seen in many other prints and paintings. A painting dated 1815 by J A Langendyk in the Royal Collection shows a private of the 10th in a similar uniform apart from blue grey overalls which have a red stripe. In this the horse furniture is the same, including the white sheepskin and the blue valise on the back of the saddle.

Regimental Details | Uniforms