Austrian Cavalry Regiments and Their Commanders 1792-1815: the Kurassiers
By Istvan Nagy
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Austrian Kurassiers
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The Kurassiers were the oldest type of cavalry in
the Imperial Army. The origins of the Kurassiers were in the end of
the 15th Century when they were mounted mercenaries in full
armour. These mercenaries fought originally in small companies but
from the early 17th Century they were formed into regular
regiments. The armour became lighter, but the role of the Kurassiers
-- the charge with sword remained unchanged.
The number of the regiments varied in times widely. In
1768, there were 15 regiments. That year two carabinier regiments were
formed from the carabinier companies of the kurassiers and the grenadier
companies of the Dragoons. These elite regiments were armed like the
kurassiers and had carbines.
In 1775, four kurassier regiments were disbanded and
one (in 1779 another one) converted to dragoons. In 1792 the army had
9 kurassier regiments. In 1798 the carabiniers were converted to kurassiers
and a new regiment was raised. The numbers were changed because the
kurassiers got their own numbers. In 1801-1802, three regiments were
disbanded and one converted to dragoons. In the period of 1802-1848
the army had eight kurassier regiments.
The strength of the regiment varied slightly. The overall wartime strength
of the regiments in 1792 was 1163 men. Each regiment had three divisions
with two eskadrons. The names of the divisions were: Colonel, Lieutenant
Colonel and Major Division. The eskadrons were the Number 1 and Number
2 in the Divisions. The eskadron contained 118 men in peace and 168
in war. The staff of the regiment had 16 men in peace and 18 in war.
The reserve-eskadron was raised during war and was authorized 137 men.
The men were armed with sword and pistols.
In 1798, the carabinier regiments were converted to kurassiers. In
each eskadron, eight men received short hussar carbines and 8 men cavalry
rifles. In 1802, the number of the divisions was raised to four in
the regiment and the regiment receive a second major. The strength of
the eskadron was raised by 10 men. In 1806, the 4th Division
was disbanded and the strength of the Eskadron was reduced to 141. The
2nd major was disbanded.
This organization remained unchanged to 1815.
Kurassier
Regiment Number 1
Raised in 1768 as Cavalry Regiment. In
1798 it was converted to Kurassiers.
Numbering
1769: Cavalry Regiment 15
1780: Cavalry Regiment 13
1789: Cavalry Regiment 6
1795: Cavalry Regiment 15
1798: Kurassier Regiment 1
Colonels-in-Chiefs
1770-1835: Franz Archduke of Austria and Crown Prince (Erbprince)
of Toskana
1790: Prince (Kronprinz) Franz
1792: Kaiser Franz II.” Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire
1806-1835: „Kaiser Franz I.” Emperor of the Austrian Empire
2nd Colonels-in-Chief
1774: Moriz Graf Lacy, FM
1801–02: Wolfgang Frhr. v. Zezschwitz, FML
1803: Joseph Prinz zu Lothringen, FML
1812–31: Heinrich Bersina Frhr. v. Siegenthal, FML, G.d.C.
Colonels (Commandants)
1783: Siegfried Frhr. v. Kospóth
1790: Rudolf Frhr. v. Kölbel
1795: Eugen v. Monroe
1797: Conrad Weeber
1800: Carl Frhr. v. Favier du Noyer
1805: Wilhelm v. Motzen
1809: Franz Graf Desfours
1813-1819: Carl v. Wibbeking
Recruitment Areas
1781: the whole German area except Kurassier Regiment aina, Görz,
Gradisen
1798 - 1799: Gradisen - Gradiska, Krai - Krain
Headquarters Location during Peacetime
1779: Brandeis
1791: Prag, Steinamanger
1792-93: Vienna
1797-99: Gaja
1801: Steinamanger, Vienna
1803-05: Pécsvár
1806: Sárospatak - Gyöngyös
1807 - 09: Miskolcz - Sárospatak
1810-13: Nagytapolcsán
1814-15: Ungarisch - Brod
1816-1818: Wels, Güns
Kurassier Regiment
Number 2
Raised in 1672
Numbering
1769: Cavalry Regiment 29
1780: Cavalry Regiment 23
1789: Cavalry Regiment 29
1798: Kurassier Regiment 2
Colonels-in-Chiefs
1767: Carl, Graf Caramelli, FML, G.d.C.
1789-1846: Franz Joseph von Este, Erzherzog, Herzog von Modena. (Franz
IV) G.d.C.
2nd Colonels-in-Chief
1789-1811: Joseph, Graf Harnoncourt, GM, G.d.C.
1811-14: vacant
1814-40: Ludwig Carl Graf Folliot de Creneville, FML, G.d.C.
Colonels (Commandants)
1784: Wenzel von Seddeler
1790: Anton Frhr. von Barco, Oberstlieutenant - Oberst
1794: Johann Graf Nobili
1796: Joseph Vigili von Kreuzberg
1797: Carl Wilhelmi von Willenstein Oberst
1800: Bernhard Frhr. von Degelmann
1800: Stanislaus Auer
1801: Joseph von Theumern
1809: Joseph, Chevalier de Hennuy
1813-1823: Carl von Schaeffer
Recruitment Areas
1781: Ober- und Nieder - Österreich
1800: also from Bohemia
1809: also from Bohemia
Headquarters Location during Peacetime
1785-88: Kecskemét
1790: Mähren, Gyöngyös
1792-93: St. Georgen
1798-99: Vienna
1801: Gyöngyös
1804-05: Miskolcz
1806: Moór, Vienna
1807: Güns
1808-09: Margarethen (Oedenburg)
1810-13: Güns
1814-15: Saaz
1816-1817: St. Georgen
Kurassier Regiment
Number 3
Raised in 1768 as a Carabiner Regiment.
In 1798 it was converted to Kurassiers.
Numbering
1769: Cavalry Regiment 5
1798: Kurassier Regiment 3
Colonels-in-Chiefs
1768-1822: Albert, Herzog zu Sachsen - Teschen, FM
Colonels (Commandants)
1784: Franz Friedrich Graf Hoditz
1790: Johann Frhr. von Hildebrandt
1791: Friedrich Frhr. von Seckendorf
1794: Mathias Karst
1795: Hieronymus Frhr, von Vimereatti
1798: Christian Frhr. von Wolfskehl
1800: Joseph Graf Radetzky von Radetz
1805: Carl von Kroyher
1809: Ferdinand Kuttalek von Ehrengreif
1813-1823: Heinrich Frhr. von Bayerwerk
Recruitment Areas
1781: the whole German area except Kraina, Görz, Gradisen
1798 - 1799: Gradisen - Gradiska, Krai - Krain
1799: Moravia and Silezia
Headquarters Location during Peacetime
1782: Ungarisch Hradisch
1781: Pardubitz
1790: Sternberg, Pardubitz
1791-93: Oedenburg
1798-99: Ungarisch Brod
1801-05: Oedenburg
1806: Oedenburg
1807: Pardubitz
1808-09: Oedenburg
1810: Oedenburg, Vienna
1811-1813: Oedenburg
1814-15: Oedenburg
1816-1837: Oedenburg
Kurassier Regiment
Number 4
Raised in 1672
Numbering
1769: Cavalry Regiment 12
1780: Cavalry Regiment 10
1789: Cavalry Regiment 12
1798: Kurassier Regiment 12
1801: Kurassier Regiment 4
Colonels-in-Chiefs
1786: Moriz Graf Kavanagh, GM, FML
1801-1835: Erzherzog Ferdinand, Kronprinz, Oberst, FM
2nd Colonels-in-Chief
1801-08: Andreas Graf Karaiczny, FML
1809: Joseph Graf Radetzky von Radetz, FML
1809-31: Ferdinand Peter Graf Hennequin von Fresnel und Carel, FML,
G.d.C.
Colonels (Commandants)
1786: Ignaz Carl Graf Mercandin
1792: Friedrich Xaver Prinz zu Hohenzollern - Hechingen
1796: Leopold, Graf Pálffy ab Erdöd
1799: Heinrich Bersina von Siegenthal
1801: Anton von Ricking
1807: Philipp Christoph Frhr. von Bechthold
1811: Paul Frhr. von Taxis
1814-1820: Georg von Mann
Recruitment Areas
1781: Ober- und Niederösterreich
Headquarters Location during Peacetime
1779-87: Ost-Galizien
1790-99: in Friaul
1802: Bursztyn
1803-05: Brzezany
1806: Pécsvár
1808: Neusatz
1810-13: Maria-Theresiopel
1814-15: Pécsvár
1816-1818: Neapel
Kurassier Regiment
Number 5
Raised in 1721
Numbering
1769: Cavalry Regiment 14
1780: Cavalry Regiment 12
1789: Cavalry Regiment 14
1798: Kurassier Regiment 9
1801: Kurassier Regiment 5
Colonels-in-Chiefs
1781: Friedrich August Prinz von Nassau - Usingen,
FML, FM
1806-1829: Hannibal Marquis Sommariva, FML, G.d.C.
Colonels (Commandants)
1780: Gottlieb Frhr. von Schmerzing
1788: Johann Frhr. von Risch
1793: Ferdinand Bouget
1794: Franz Chevalier de Valvasor
1799: Peter Frhr. von Brady
1802: Anton Kirchner
1805: Friedrich von Minutillo
1809: Maxmilian Graf Auersperg
1813-1825: Franz von Seymann
Recruitment Areas
1781: Steiermark, Karnten
Headquarters Location during Peacetime
1787: Wien
1789: Göngyös
1790: St. Georgen
1791: Neutra (Nyitra)
1792-93: Wien
1798-99: Neutra (Nyitra)
1801: Wien (Herzogenburg)
1802: Steinamanger (Szombathely)
1803: St. Georgen
1805: Wien
1806: Rzeszów
1807: Niedwiecz
1808-09: Rzeszów - Krakau
1810: Wien
1811: Oedenburg, Báth
1812-13: St. Georgen
1814-15: Wien, St. Georgen
1816-1820: Pardubitz
Kurassier Regiment Number
6
Raised in 1701
Numbering
1769: Cavalry Regiment 20
1780: Cavalry Regiment 18
1789: Cavalry Regiment 20
1798: Kurassier Regiment 10
1801: Kurassier Regiment 6
Colonels-in-Chiefs
1779: Heinrich Frhr. von Jacquemin (Schackmin), G.d.C.
1793: Carl Mack, Frhr. von Leiberich, FML
1807: vacant
1808: Friedrich Frhr. von Gottesheim, FML
1809-1819: Moriz Fürst Liechtenstein , FML
Colonels (Commandants)
1782: Carl Heinrich Frhr. von Einsiedel
1789: Johann Karwinsky von Karwin
1794: Franz Graf Rosenberg - Orsini
1796: Joseph Walthür von Waldenau
1800: Friedrich Frhr. von Wöllwarth
1806: Franz Vicomte Roussel d´Hurbal
1809: Carl Frhr. von Flachenfeld
1813-1826: Andreas von Laitner
Recruitment Areas
1781: Bohemia
1807: Moravia and Silezia
Headquarters Location during Peacetime
1780-88: Gross-Kanizsa
1789: Fünfkirchen
1790: Gross-Kanizsa
1792-93: Vienna
1797: Saaz
1798-99: Pilsen
1801: Vienna
1802: Gross-Kanizsa
1803: Kesthély
1805: Moór
1806: Grosswardein, Moór
1807-09: Gyöngyös
1810: St. Georgen (Pressburg)
1812-13: Vienna
1814-15: Gaja
1815: Pécsvár
1820-1825: Arad
Kurassier Regiment
Number 7
Raised in 1663
Numbering
1769: Cavalry Regiment 21
1780: Cavalry Regiment 19
1789: Cavalry Regiment 21
1798: Kurassier Regiment 7
Colonels-in-Chiefs
1786: Ferdinand Graf Harrach, GM - FML
1790: Christoph Frhr. von Wallisch, FML
1794-1826: Carl Eugen Prinz Lothringen - Lambesc, GM - G.d.C.
Colonels (Commandants)
1788: Joseph Graf Auersperg
1789: Joseph Frhr. von Roth
1794: Nicolaus Graf Pálffy ab Erdöd
1796: Johann Graf Mercandin
1800: Max Graf Kollonits von Kollograd
1801: Clemens Frhr. von Thünefeld
1806: Johann Piccard von Grünthal
1809: Ferdinand Prinz Hessen - Homburg
1814-1819: Ernst Frhr. von Penz
Recruitment Areas
1781: Moravia and Silezia
1817: Bohemia
Headquarters Location during Peacetime
1787-88: Rákos-Palota
1790: Nagy-Patak
1792: Csaba
1794-95: Vienna
1798-99: Bechin
1801: Nagy-Patak
1803: Ungvár
1804-05: Sáros-Patak
1806: Gródek
1807: Krakau
1808-09: Ziolkiew
1810: Zombor
1811-13: Grosswardein
1814-15: Klattau, Grosswardein
1816-1823: Kecskemét
Kurassier Regiment
Number 8
Raised in 1619
Numbering
1769: Cavalry Regiment 4
1798: Kurassier Regiment 8
Colonels-in-Chiefs
1780: Friedrich Anton Fürst Hohenzollern - Hechingen, GM - G.d.C.
1813-1831: Constantin Cesarewitsch, Grossfürst von Russland
2nd Colonels-in-Chief
1775-80: Friedrich Anton Fürst Hohenzollern - Hechingen, GM
1813-31: Ignaz Graf Hardegg, FML
Colonels (Commandants)
1787: Friedrich Chevalier de Hotze
1793: Caspar Frhr. von Oppeln
1797: Fabricius Graf Serbelloni
1800: Joseph von Clary
1807: Jakob Chevalier O´Ferral, Oberst
1809: Clemens Frhr. Grosselsberg von Hohenforst
1813-1818: Valentin Veigl
Recruitment Areas
1781: Bohemia
Headquarters Location during Peacetime
1787: Steinamanger, Vienna
1788-92: Saaz
1798-99: Wittingau
1801: Grosswardein
1802-05: Nagy- Károly, Szatmár
1806: Nagy Károly
1807: Szikszó
1808-09: Kittsee
1810: Báth (Frauenmarkt)
1811: Vienna
1812-13: Gaja
1814-15: Vienna
1815: Brandeis
1819-1820: Vienna
Placed on the Napoleon Series: September 2005
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