THE BLACK HUSSARS: A Brief and Concise History of Frederick Diemar's Hussars

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Captain Diemar's Troop of Hussars was raised in 1779. This unit was composed mainly of escaped German prisoners of war from the various Brunswick regiments that had accompanied Burgoyne at Saratoga. Having made their way back to New York without their officers, these men had become somewhat unruly but were well suited for service in a unique independent hussar troop. Hussars were cavalry troops who dressed lightly, traveled quickly on fast horses and could inflict a devastating blow on the enemy at just the right moment during battle.

Diemar's Hussars found themselves attached to Provincial regiments, including Tarleton's Legion and the Queen's Rangers, and they served in the environs of the British garrison in New York City. They were involved in numerous skirmishes in the area known as the 'no-man's land' in Westchester County, participated in raids into New Jersey, and patrolled the north shore of Long Island against Connecticut whaleboat raiders.

The Rangers also had a hussar company, and given the fact that the Black Hussars, as they were to become known, spent much of their time with, and eventually were joined to the Rangers, their dress was similar. The illustration on the cover depicts their previously unknown appearance, based on documentation which is presented in this work.