Regiment of infantry of national ordinance
PIEMONT
1636-1798
par Jean Cerino
Badone
This regiment is raised in 1636 with the
name of Catlano Alfieri. It is originally organized
in 8 company and all men became from Piedmontese landscape.
Since this fact it receives the name of Regiment
Piemontaise du S.A.R.. In 1664 it takes the official
name of Regiment de Piemont du S.A.R. It is the
5th regiment in order of seniority. From 1673 to
1679 Piemont is fighting under the french flag. In
1710 it raised a 2nd battalion.
Service during the Polish
Succession War
During this war Piemont takes its
first combat action during the conquest of Milan and it is
present in the trenches around Castello Sforzesco (16
december 1733-2 january 1734). In 1734, after an higly
manouvred campaign, Piemont fights at Guastalla (19
september); it helds with Rgt. Gardes at the centre
of allied front, entrenched in a fortified farm. The
austrian concentrated artillery fire can do little
damage against these protected positions In 1735
Piemont is again campaigning in the east of Lombardy.
In september it is present on the West side of lake of Garda
supporting the french action on the East side. King Charles
Emmanuel III's will of fight is now low and so at the end of
the year, the 8 november, Piemont takes winter
quarters.
Service during the Austrian
Succession War
Piemont's reports during the War
of Austria Succession tell us a more intense operational
history. In 1742 Piemont is campaigning in Italy and
Savoy: the 1st battalion is in garnison in
Modena, the 2nd is in action on the Alps. The 8
february 1743 1st battalion fights at the battle
of Camposanto. From the second line, in coordination with
Rgt. Savoye and Rgt. Rhebinder,
Piemont's battalion breaks the first spanish line on
the right wing. The whole regiment is present at Madonna
dell'Olmo (30 september 1744). The two battalions are
situated on the right wing, second line. During the struggle
Piemont retakes a battery captured by the enemy,
after an hard clash with Lyonnais' and
Stainville's brigades. In 1745 at Bassignana (27
september) Piemont is in the centre of Sardinian line
but a wrong movement on the left leaves alone Rgt.
Guibert against the approching Compte de Dumontal's
column. After this sad affaire, Piemont
(2nd battalion) defends the walls of the city of
Valenza (20-30 october). In 1746 the two battalions are
again divided. The 1st battalion fights in the
west, in Provence and around Oneglia. The 2nd
battalion is employed at the siege of Genoa, where the 21
may 1747 it beats off an enemy attack at Madonna della
Misericordia.
Commanders of Regiment Piemont
under Charles Emmanuel III
Luigi Canalis, Compte du
Cumiana
23- 3-
1730
Giacinto Antonio Canale di
Cumiana
.27- 1- 1734
Giovanni Battista Settimo di
Numaglio
.....1-11- 1745
G. Francesco Bonaventura
Sesto
...4- 5-
1746
Compte Francesco
Tana
25- 3- 1747
Giuseppe Massetti Compte du
Frinco
..27- 9-
1756
Pietro Novarina du S.
Sebastiano
.16-
12-1763
Uniforms
1730-1750: Grey-white coat, red
lining, cuffs, waistcoat, breeches. White gaiters for
fusilier, black for grenadiers. Seven tinned buttons on each
side of the coat, three on the cuffs. Horizontal pockets.
Tricorne with dark blue cockade on the left brim and white
hem for fusiliers, bearskin cap for grenadiers.
1750-1773 (only principal differences
from the previous issue): Dark blue coat with red lapels
and collar. Tricorne with a red and white pompon on the
right brim. Bearskin cap with red tail and red-blue-yellow
pompon.
Colours
Colonel's Colour: Blu with black
eagle in the centre, decorated with the Savoy's cross and
overhanged by royal crown.
Regimental Colour: white cross
over red, with white flames from the corner. Blue decorated
hem. Coat of arms of Piedmont in the first
quarter.
Jean Cerino Badone
|