13th Dragoons

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Origin and History

The regiment was raised On July 22, 1715 as the “Richard Munden's Regiment of Dragoons” to crush the Jacobite Rising against George I.

On July 1, 1751, when a Royal warrant reorganised the British cavalry, the regiment was designated as the "13th Regiment of Dragoons".

During the Seven Years' War, the regiment was commanded by:

• from 1756 to 1758: Mostyn
• from 1758 to 1763: Archibald Douglas

In 1783, the regiment was converted into a Light Dragoons Regiment known as the "13th Light Dragoons".

Service during the War

As of May 30, 1759, the regiment was stationed in Ireland and counted 2 squadrons for a total of 180 men. It was not involved in any campaign during the war.

Uniform

Privates

Uniform in 1758 - Source: Ibrahim90 from a template made by Frédéric Aubert

Uniform in 1758

Headgear	black tricorne laced gold with a black cockade on the left side
Neck stock	white
Coat	double breasted red lined light green with yellow buttons and very narrow yellow buttonholes grouped 3 by 3 Collar none Shoulder strap left shoulder: red fastened with a yellow button right shoulder: yellow aiguillette Lapels none Pockets long vertical pockets with yellow buttons and very narrow yellow buttonholes in a chevron pattern Cuffs light green (slashed in the British pattern) with yellow buttons and very narrow yellow buttonholes in a chevron pattern on the sleeve Turnbacks light green
Waistcoat	light green with yellow buttons and very narrow yellow buttonholes
Breeches	light green with white knee covers
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt natural leather Waistbelt n/a Cartridge Box natural leather pouch Scabbard n/a Bayonet scabbard n/a Footgear black boots
Horse Furniture	Housings light green with rounded corners decorated with the rank of the regiment (XIII D.) on a red ground within a small wreath of roses and thistles; bordered with a white braid with a central yellow stripe Holster caps light green decorated with the King's Cypher in yellow with the Crown over it; bordered with a white braid with a central yellow stripe Blanket roll light green and red

Troopers were armed with a sword, a pair of pistols and a musket.

Officers

As per the regulation of 1751, the officers wore the same uniform with the following exceptions:

• a narrow golden lace at the lapels, cuffs and pockets
• a crimson silk sash worn over the left shoulder
• crimson and gold striped sword knot
• light green housings and holster caps laced gold

NCOs

Sergeants were distinguished by a narrow golden lace on the lapels, cuffs and pockets; a golden aiguillette; a light green worsted sash about their waist.

Corporals were distinguished by a narrow golden lace on the cuffs and shoulder strap; yellow silk aiguillette.

Musicians

Drummers rode grey horses. They wore light green coats lined and turned up with red and laced with a white braid with a yellow stripe. Red waistcoats and breeches.

Drummers wore a mitre cap similar to the grenadier mitre cap but with a lower crown and the tassel hanging behind; light green front decorated with a trophy of guidons and drums; little frontal red flap with the White Horse and the motto “Nec aspera terrent”; red backing, light green headband with a drum and the rank of the regiment (XIII. D.) in the middle part behind.

The drums were of brass with a light green forepart carrying the rank of the regiment (XIII. D.) in golden characters on a crimson ground within a wreath of roses and thistles on the same stalk.

Guidons

The guidons were made of silk, fringed in yellow and silver, and embroidered in silver. The tassels and cords were of crimson silk and gold mixed.

King's Guidon: crimson field decorated with the rose and thistle conjoined surmounted by a crown. Underneath the central decoration: the king's motto “Dieu et mon Droit”. In the first and fourth corners the White Horse in a compartment. In the second and third corners: the rank of the regiment (XIII. D.) in silver characters on a light green ground.

Regimental Guidon: light green field with its centre decorated with the rank of the regiment (XIII. D.) in silver characters on a crimson ground within a wreath of roses and thistles on the same stalk. In the first and fourth corners the White Horse in a red compartment. In the second and third corners: the Rose and Thistle conjoined upon a red ground.

King's Guidon - Copyright: Kronoskaf

Regimental Guidon - Copyright: Kronoskaf

References

Funcken, Liliane and Fred: Les uniformes de la guerre en dentelle

George II: The Royal Clothing Warrant, 1751

Lawson, Cecil C.P.: A History of the Uniforms of the British Army - from the Beginnings to 1760, vol. II

Mills, T.F.: Land Forces of Britain the Empire and Commonwealth through the Way Back Machine

Schirmer, Friedrich: Die Heere der kriegführenden Staaten 1756 - 1763. Edited and published by KLIO-Landesgruppe Baden-Württemberg e.V., Magstadt, 1989

Wikipedia - 13th Hussars

Acknowledgements

Digby Smith for additional info on the regiment.