“In this book, historian John Mollo describes the conception, gestation, birth and adolescence of the first British Regiments of Hussars – the byproducts of the Prince Regent’s passion for military finery and dandyism – leading on to their full maturity in the grim realities of war in the Iberian Peninsula between 1808 and 1814, first under Moore and then under Wellington, in two widely different campaigns.
Basing his story on contemporary letters, diaries and reports and a comprehensive bibliography, John Mollo takes the reader into the heart of the Hussar Brigade in peace and war, depicting its many colourful characters with a sure hand and describing every facet of day-to-day life, in barracks and on the battlefield. In so doing he highlights the extraordinary contrast between the foppish dandyism so beloved by the Prince Regent and the dashing courage and fortitude of all ranks as they fought under the most severe conditions of climate and terrain, often against considerable odds and lacking many of the bare necessities of military life.
This is a story based on the harsh realities of war in the early years of the nineteenth century and both sides of the coin have to be examined. On the obverse we find the brutal imposition of discipline by the excessive use of the lash, the devastating effect upon the Peninsular Army of easy access to almost limitless supplies of alcohol, leading to situations which have had no military parallel in our own time, and human suffering almost beggaring belief. Mollo’s description of the Hussars part in Moores retreat to Corunna is unforgettable.”