06/03/2026
As our regiment continues to focus on the initial appearance of the Die Furstin zu Anhalt-Zerbst Infanterie Regiment we are also researching and gathering details on other appearances our troops took on during their time in the service of his Britannic Majesty.
We do not want for uniform variation in this regiment! Once we get our early appearance set, we have many options based on time and location. If you are interested in this impression, from any point in its service, please reach out!
One such appearance is the "ala Hussar" look that was reported by Mackenzie in July of 1781 (1).
Often guessed as possibly being "Irregular Pandour" as often seen in Austrian Service, so far, we have found that the records do not suggest this.
Recently we did another round of documents from the Saschen-Anhalt archives. Contained therein was a partial copy of the Princely orders of February 23rd 1780. In this order the Prince orders the Green and Red regiment (green clad infantry) to convert all four fusilier companies to take on the following "Croatian like" appearance. (2) Note: The other 5 infantry regiments, besides what is noted later in this post, remained the same. Fusiliers in Austrian organized states are the equivalent to musketeers in Prussian aligned states in appearance as they wore cocked hats vs the Prussian Fusiliermutzen.
1. Die Chacul Hauben. This is a plain black cap with no markings or plates. Upon its right side sat a black cockade with a green and white cockade place on top of it. From behind the cockades came a "Federbuechel". It is noted that the style was intentionally Croatian. Evidence was found that the Jager companies had been wearing these as early as January of 1778. (2)
2. Die chisma (boots). These were specified as black leather boots made from thin leather. They went over the knee. The Prince Specifies that they were to have ties just below the knee to hold them in place. It is noted in the order that these ties are an unusual request for the type of boot. These boots were also ordered to have "pointed toes". Officers were excused from these boots and were permitted to wear standard footwear.
3. Die "Scheefen" (sash). The sash was ordered to be worn from the rank of Feldwebel and up for the companies changed. The sash was yellow with a singular red stripe in the middle equal in width to the yellow above and below it. The sash wrapped the body one time and tied with simple yellow ribbon and had no tassels.
4. Die Langen Hosen. The long trousers, these were not the gaiter trousers in service in North America but were the Austrian patterned Long Trousers that ended at the ankle with no covering of the shoe/foot. They were ordered to be white in color (linen in summer and cloth in winter).
5. Camisoler Aufschläge. The vests received points on the cuffs as decoration, in red. It was to be sewn down and non-functioning. The vests were white with brass buttons.
6. Die Mantel. The "cape" that they just called "die mantel" was to be made of madder red broadcloth. Initially ordered with a yellow flannel lining but was later ordered to not be done out of concern for it being too heavy. They were to fit the soldier fitted around the shoulders when closed, but flow down and outwardly. They went to the knee. When closed, the soldier was covered entirely to his knees. The cape used hooks to secure in different positions. One position was rolled up on the back resting just above the cartridge box. They also had a hood that was tall enough to go over the Chacul Hauben in rain or cold weather.
When putting on their uniform and equipment the following was observed: The coat is to be buttoned closed in the front. From there the sash is put on for Feldwebel and up. Then the sword belt, followed by the rest of the gear, cartridge box, ect. Then the cape went over all of it. (2) Note: it is possible the cut of the coat was also changed, but the earlier half of the order is missing. Von Krause complains in his journals that the coats he observes in 1781-83 were "sack like" and were "sloveny" in cut, reminding him of the Austrian "Grenitzer" units. (3) It is unclear when this change took place. However, it is likely with nature of the changes made it was changed in the 1780 orders. The coat remained the same in regard to cuffs, facings, turn backs ect. making a very unique cut and appearance. (3)
Further research has revealed that it was green and red regiments fusilier companies that received these changes was pulled from in June of 1780 and their coats changed to "red and white" to be placed under command of Von Weitersheim to reinforce the Princess regiment.(4) In December of 1780 they are listed as not yet at full strength and were reinforced by more men from the "all white regiment", also converted to white and red, to meet the reinforcement numbers requested by General Faucitt. (4)
The Green and Red regiment had initially been a company of Green Clad Fusiliers in the Princess regiment. When the regiment deployed to Canada this green company remained in Jever as the 2nd battalion. They are listed as being in English pay as late as September 1779 (5). There is no evidence thus far that this element was recruited outside of their normal recruiting areas primarily consisting of Zerbst, Coswig, Fulda and Jever. Unless changes occurred before deploying this reinforcement wave to New York, it would seem, according to the Princely Order, that Mackenzie observed a Feldwebel that warranted his description as the sash was present: "The Anhalt Zerbst troops look more like Dragoons than Infantry. They are clothed in white, faced with Red; Felt Caps, a la Hufsar; Boots, and a Red Cloak. Their arms are a Musquet, & bayonet, and a short Sword. Over their waistbelts, which are buckled over their coats, they wear a kind of Sash of red & yellow worsted. They are good looking, well sized young men." (1)
Note: The Canadian Garrison did not receive these modifications nor did the other regiments in Jever and Zerbst aside from: The cape, the chisma and for only the Canadian Garrison and the Green and Red Regiment: the Langen hosen. The Canadian Garrison had been in their original deployed appearance up until that point. Rauchenplatt wrote in early 1780 that the gaiters and hosen were wearing out and becoming unserviceable. (5) Another Princely Order came March 31st 1780 that clarified what the Canadian garrison was to receive. (5)
Another note: The green jacketed Fusiliers were in green due to time spent in Russian service in the early 1770's according to the Journal of Von Krause (3)
In summary. This puts us at our current understanding with what information we have found. That these grenzer appearing Fusiliers from the Green and Red regiment, later changed to red and white, were indeed the "Pandour" or "ala hussar" troops observed by their allies in July of 1781. They were however, standard line infantry Fusiliers by description, there are no references to them being light infantry or irregular seen yet in any Anhalt-Zerbst document that we have seen thus far. They have no other designation so far other than “Fusilier”. Why the Prince decided to change this regiment to this very unusual look is entirely unknown at this time. All that is stated in the order was that he desired them to look like this, which I suppose is reason enough for a Prince!
Sources used in this post:
1. The diary of Frederick Mackenzie by Mackenzie, Frederick, -1824. Havard University Press https://archive.org/details/diaryoffrederick0002mack_p4i4/page/596/mode/2up?q=anhalt+zerbst
2. Landesarchiv Sachsen-Anhalt: Z 88, F 137 Nr. 1 Bd. 1
3. Johann Wilhelm von Krause, Erinnerungen, Vol. 4 University of Tartu digital archive, dspace.ut.ee/collections/1ce29b72-89ba-4ff4-8d21-053a45ca8a69
4. Landesarchiv Sachsen-Anhalt: Z 88, Fach 138 Nr. 2 Bd. 1,
5. Landesarchiv Sachsen-Anhalt: Z 88, F134
