Dragoon

A cavalryman, most famous during the 17 and 1800s. Typically wore no armor except a helmet depending on their respective regiments. Carried a carbine and saber to battle. Famous dragoon regiments include the 13th Light Dragoons or "Green Dragoons" as they became known, they are featured in the American film "The Patriot." The 2nd Dragoon Guards "Scots Greys", famous for their grand charge at Waterloo which was devastating but they were forced to flee by French lancers, Belgian Hussars (light cavalry) held the lancers off but at great cost. Other famous dragoon regiments include the French Empress Dragoons.

Teacher: Today we are going to learn about the Green Dragoons under Banastre Tarleton, who during the Revolutionary War, was known for his cold brutality yet gentlemanly composure.

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Hussar

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.

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