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Saxon Auxiliary Corps 1735 In the beginning of 1734 Emperor Karl VI asked August of Saxony to provide Kreis contingent for the war against France. The treaty was concluded in January 1735 and was decided that a Corps of 6,000 was to join Imperial army under Prince Eugene of Savoy. Saxons had waited until actions in Poland were completed and their troops moved on the Rhine only in the end of May 1735. Saxon Auxiliary Corps Commanding officer: General-Lieutenant Count Friesen Second-in-command: General-Lieutenant v. Diemar General-Majors v. Rutowski, v. Criegern Infantry regiments 1-st Garderegiment zu Fuss Cuirassier regiments Leib-cuirassiers Artillery 6 field pieces under Captain Jahn.
The Auxiliary Corps marched in 3 columns via Thuringia and Franconia and at the beginning of June 1735 joined Kreis army under Count Seckendorf replacing Prince Eugene of Savoy. First Saxons stayed near Ladenburg then moved to Mainz. The summer campaign of 1735 proceeded on the Rhine evenly without any serious actions, only some local. On the night 11-12 July 1735 Saxons attacked a French detachment under colonel Lorrain at Lorch and captured the most part of it including commanding officer. In August 1735 French army under Coigny and Belle-Isle moved back on the left bank of the Rhine and imperial troops followed it. On 20 October 1735 enemies met at Salmbach. Superior French forces attacked left flank of the Imperial army, but were repulsed and retreated on next day. Schuster /3/ writes, that Saxons didn't take active part in this battle and BO's of the Imperial Army confirms this: Saxon cuirassiers are shown on the right flank of the Seckendorf's army, and infantry in the second line of the centre. So apparently Saxons didn't participate in the actions on 20 October, because French assault was assumed by right flank troops (Hanoverians, Hessians and Austrians), but next day Saxon cuirassiers together with Austrian Hussars and Illirian (Grenz?) infantry under command of v. Diemar took part in the pursuit of the retreating enemy. French fell back to the Trier and the rest of war was spent in unimportant skirmishes. Meanwhile in Vienna started peace negotiations, hostilities were suspended and Saxon Auxiliary Corps received an order to return home, where they arrived in January 1736. Organization Infantry regiments. During the War of Polish Succession Saxon infantry regiments consisted of regimental staff & 12 musketeer companies in 2 battalions, total 1 463. Regimental staff: 1 Oberst, 1 Oberst-lieutenant, 2 Major, 1 Regimentsquartiermeister, 1 Adjutanten, 1 Arzt (Stabsfeldscher), 1 Geistlicher, 13 others. Total 21 men. Company (12): 1 Kapitan, 1 Premierleutnant, 2 Sousleutnante, 2 Sergeanten, 1 Gefreitenkorporal, 1 Fourier, 1 Feldscher, 5 Korporale (incl. 1 Grenadierkorporal), 4 Gefreite, 2 Tamboure, 1 Zimmermann, 11 Grenadier, 88 Musketiere. Total 120 men. Cuirassier regiments. Authorized strength of the cuirassier regiment was 461 men and it consisted of the regimental staff & 3 squadrons each of 2 companies. Regimental staff: 1 Oberst, 1 aggregierter (zugeteilter) Oberst, 1 Major, 1 Regimentsquartiermeister, 1 Adjutant, 1 Auditeur, 1 Feldprediger, 1 Regimentsfeldscher, 1 Pauker, 1 Profosm, 1 Knecht. Total 11 men. Company (6): 1 Rittmeister, 1 Premierleutnant, 1 Sousleutnant, 1 Kornett, 2 Wachtmeister, 1 Standartenjunker, 1 Feldscher, 4 Korporale, 2 Trompeter, 60 Reiter, 1 Fourier. Total 75 men. Battle order of the Imperial army of Moselle (summer 1735) shows Saxon cuirassier regiments of 2 squadrons, so either squadrons during campaign 1735 were of 3 companies each, either regiments in field were only 4 coys, total 311 men. Uniforms On 23 July 1734 Saxon army adopted a new uniform pattern and dressed up from original red coats to the dress similar to Austrian one. Infantry (1-st and 2-nd Garde and Sachsen-Weissenfels rgts). Coat: white without shoulderstrap and collar. Skirts were turned back and fastened with button. Buttons were either brass (yellow) or pewter (white). 6 buttons were in pairs (2:2:2) on the each lapel & 2 from lapel till waist. The coat had horizontal pockets with 3 buttons. The cuffs, lapels & coat lining were in the regimental facing color (see chart below). Each cuff had 3 buttons. Kamisol: in the regimental facing color (see chart below) with brass or pewter buttons along its full length (exact number is unknown). Breeches: in the regimental facing color (see chart below). Stockings: white reaching over the knee and secure under the knee by a leather strap. Belts: buff leather. Cartridge box belt was worn over left shoulder. Neckcloth: red. Tricorn: black, trimmed with white lace & pompon. Grenadiers wore the same uniform as other ranks, but with grenadier cap instead of tricorn and addition of a small grenadier box on the waist belt. Officer's uniform was similar to other ranks, but better decorated with gold lace. Neckcloth was white. Officers wore white or silver sashes around the waist or over left shoulder & had gorget of white metal with gold FA and crown.
Cuirassiers Cuirassier uniform of 1734 pattern is less known then infantry one. Coat: white with small collar. Skirts were turned back and fastened with button. The cuffs, lapels & coat lining were in the regimental facing color. Each cuff had 3 buttons. Kamisol: long-sleeved waistcoat in the regimental facing color with buttons along its full length (exact number is unknown). No buffs and collar. The vest had horisontal pockets with 3 buttons. Lederkollet (worn in field): a buff leather coat (or vest) with buffs and vertical pockets, each with 3 buttons. No collar. Lederkollet was fastened with hooks, the skirts were turned back and also hooked. Cuirass: blackened front plate without fittings and edged in regimental color. Breeches: cloth, in the regimental facing color. In field cuirassiers wore leather breeches. Boots: black leather. Belts: buff leather. Broadsword scabbards were worn on the belt over right shoulder. Neckcloth: red. Tricorn: black, with trim in the color of regimental metal (yellow or white) and white rosette on the left side. Officers had a white sash worn around the waist and a gorget of white metal with gold FA and crown. Neckcloth was white. Their cuirass was of 2 (front and back) blackened plates with gold fittings and edged in regimental color. Cuirassier's regimental colors in 1735 are unknown perhaps Leib-regiment was dark blue with brass buttons. Sources: 1. Friedrich W. "Die Uniformen der Kurfurstlich Sachsischen Armee 1683-1763", Dresden, 1998. 2. Muller R. and Friedrich D. & W., "Die Armee Augusts des Starken. Das Sachsische heer von 1730 bis 1733", Berlin, 1984. 3. Schuster O. and Francke F.A. "Geschichte der Sachsischen Armee", Leipzig, 1885, pg-s 212-220.
Vlad Gromoboy
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