Hesse-Cassel Infantry Regiment Prince Ysenburg, 1748–1759
Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Ysenburg was owned by Prince Johann Casimir zu Ysenburg, the younger brother of Hesse-Cassel Generalleutnant Prinz Christian Ludwig zu Ysenburg. The regiment was in English pay during the Seven Years’ War, to fight for the Anglo-Prussian alliance. From 1756 to late 1757, the unit deployed to England with the Hessian expeditionary force, to avert the danger of a French invasion. After its return to Germany, Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Ysenburg served with the allied Army of Observation fighting the imperial Reichsarmee and combined French army in western Germany.
The dark blue uniform with straw-coloured facings and white lace makes this regiment a prime choice for wargamers interested in building a colourful army of the 18th century. Hesse-Cassel infantry was dressed and equipped in the Prussian fashion.
Proprietor
- Generalmajor Johann Casimir Prinz zu Isenburg-Birstein, 1748–1759
- Generalmajor J.A.F. von Bischhausen, 1759–1762
- Generalmajor E.H. von Wilcke, 1762–1764
Commanding Officer
- von Urff, 1754–1759
- Oberst J.A.F. von Bischhausen, 1759
- Oberst W.A. von Donop, 1760–1765
Uniform
- dark blue coat with yellow buttons and white lace
- straw-coloured collar
- straw-coloured lapels with white lace and yellow buttons
- straw-coloured cuffs, two buttons and lace above each cuff
- straw-coloured turnbacks
- straw-coloured shoulder strap on left shoulder
- red stock (white for officers)
- straw-coloured waistcoat with yellow buttons
- straw-coloured breeches
- black gaiters with yellow buttons
- black tricorne hat with yellow edging and straw-coloured pompom
- Prussian grenadier mitre cap with yellow metal plate, yellow metal base, straw-coloured bag, yellow lace, and straw-coloured pompom
- red and white pompom for NCOs
- Officer’s sword, silver and red sash, and silver gorget for officers
Grenadiers of the Hessian Infantry Regiment Prince Ysenburg marching off the Battlefield at Bergen. These 40 mm miniatures were cast in a Nürnberger Meisterzinn mould, and painted with artists‘ acrylics.
Campaign History
- Expedition to England, 1756–1757
- Battle of Hastenbeck, 1757
- Engagement at Sandershausen, 1758
- Engagement at Landwehrhagen, 1758
- Battle of Bergen, 1759
- Battle of Minden, 1759
- Siege of Cassel, 1761
- Battle of Vellinghausen / Kirch-Denkern, 1761
- Rearguard Action at Hofgeismarer Tor in Grebenstein, 1762
Lineage
- 2. Kurhessisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 82, 1902
- 17. Infanterie-Regiment, 5. Kompanie, 1921
Generalmajor Prinz Johann Casimir zu Ysenburg fell at the Battle of Bergen, 1759. He was one of the highest-ranking casualties of the Seven Years’ War.
Illustrations
- Funcken, L. & F.: Historische Uniformen des 18. Jahrhunderts, 2. Band, p. 90
- Funcken, L. & F.: Historische Uniformen, p. 48
- Deutsche Uniformen im Zeitalter Friedrichs des Großen, Sturm Zigaretten, Dresden
- Witzel, Rudolf: Hessen Kassels Regimenter in der Alliierten Armee 1762 (Norderstedt 2007)