Figure 1.--

We do not know much about Hussar-styled outfits. The Hussars were originally Hungarian cavalry. The first Hussars were raised by King Matthias I (1448). The King required the families in every twenty houses to furnish a man. The word Hizzar was thus based on the Hungarian word for 20--husz. Another source suggest the origin of the term is the omes from the Serbian husar or highwayman (highway brigand). The dashing Hungarian cavalry impressed Europe at the time. King Matthias organized his Hussars into a strong, mobile attack force that proved effective against the Ottoman Turks Spahis and in engagements with the Bohemians and Poles as well. Light calvalry proved useful in breaking up infantry and artillery formations. While generally used to describe light calvalry, there were also heavy calvalry units. Ottoman Emperor Süleymân the Magnificent defeated the Hungarians at the Battle of Mohács (1526). Many hussars fled to Christian states and brought Hungarian light cavalry tactics and organization. The Austrian Hapsburgs engaged Hungarian hussars in their wars with the Ottomans. Frederick the Great used Hussars during the War of the Austrian Succession. Britain hired German mercinaries to try to supressthe rebellion in SAmerica. Best known are the Hessians, but there were also Hussars. Over time Hussars became applied to light calvalry forces. During the Napoleonic Wars, the calvalry was seen as the most prestigious service and the men wore very dashing uniforms. The cavalry was the best uniformed of all the diffeent services. Hussar uniforms often envolving elaborate horizontal breat work. We do not see very many of the Hussar-styled outfits in America. We have seen some in Germany. We also note Hussar influenced garments. A good example is a dress worn by an American boy, Gordon Bently in 1879.