THE HUNGARIAN ARMY: 1848-1849

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This book deals with a period in history that is little known outside the area of central Europe where the events took place. However, the Hungarian uprising was part of a great movement which spread across Europe in 1848. It was sparked off by the revolution in Paris which ousted the king and ushered in a republic, but the roots of the uprising in Hungary went much deeper into history. It was assisted, not directly, but indirectly by 'liberal' disturbances in Vienna, Italy, Prussia, Spain, Germany, and even in Britain where the Chartist movement profoundly shocked the government of the day.

The campaign by the Austrian Hapsburgs and their allies both within and outside the borders of the empire surged backward and forward across the area then referred to as Hungary (a much larger area than the present national state), as first the Hungarians and later the Austrians and Russians became ascendant.

The Hungarian government spared no efforts in raising troops, giving them uniforms and arming and equipping them with modern weapons, and when that was not possible, anything that could be pressed into service. Some troops carried the latest percussion weapons while others had pikes and scythes. Cavalry were given, or brought with them, axes and whips!

Illustrated with original color plates by Ron Poulter.