Regiment of infantry of national ordinance
MONFERRAT
1619 - 1798
par Jean Cerino
Badone
The history of this regiment starts in
1619 when it is raised a new sabaudian regiment with the
name of Du Cheynex. It is originally organized in 10
company. In 1660 all the men came from piedmontese
countries. In 1664 it takes the new name of Regiment de
Monferrat du S.A.R. It is the 4th regiment in
order of seniority. In 1703 it raised a 2nd
battalion.
Service during the Polish
Succession War
During this war Monferrat takes
its first combat action during the conquest of Milan and it
is present with its 2nd battalion in the trenches
around Castello Sforzesco (16 december 1733 &emdash; 2
january 1734). In 1734, Monferrat is present during
the spring campaign and it fights at the battle of Parma (6
november). In 1735 Monferrat is campaigning in the
east of Lombardy. In september it is present on the West
side of lake of Garda supporting the action of the french
army on the East side.
Service during the Austrian
Succession War
Monferrat starts the war marching in the
direction of Parma and Piacenza. In 1742 Monferrat is
transferred to the Alp. The 16 september the regiment is
camping at la Thuile and in a matter of days it starts the
Piedmontese counteroffensive against spanish forces invading
Savoy. The struggle is goin on for 100 days. In 1744 the
whole regiment is again on the Alps, at Casteldelfino in
Varaita Valley, to stop the french-spanish offensive (24
september &emdash; 10 october 1743). The follow year the
combined french-spanish army is able to break the front of
the Alps in the Stura Valley. The 2nd battalion
of Monferrat fights for the defence of the city of
Cuneo (9 september &emdash; 22 october 1744). The
1st battalion of Monferrat is present in
the relief Army and it fights at the battle of Madonna
dell'Olmo (30 september 1744). The battalions is situated on
the centre, first line. In 1745 at Bassignana (27 september)
Monferrat is probably in the right of Sardinian line,
attached to the Schoulembourg's brigade. After this
sad defeat the 2nd battalion of Monferrat
defends again the walls of a forteress; it helds the
defences of Alessandria (6 october &emdash; 11 october) and
after the surrender of this city it defendes the new strong
fortress of the Citadel of Alessandria during the
Maillebois' blockade (12 october 1745 &emdash; 11 marzo 1746
). In 1746 the 1st battalion fights in the west,
during the offensive in Provence in november and, the follow
year, around Oneglia in the ligurian theatre.
Commanders of Regiment
Montferrat under Charles Emmanuel
III
Giulio Cesare Bertone Compte du
Sambuy
|
26- 3- 1730
|
Giovanni Amedeo Capris du
Cigliè
|
10- 4- 1739
|
Giovanni Francesco Pallavicino
du St. Etienne
|
1- 3- 1744
|
Giuseppe Alciati
|
4- 5- 1746
|
Carlo Costa
d'Arignano
|
25- 3- 1747
|
Carlo Giacinto di
Coudray
|
27- 9- 1756
|
Angelo Solaro di
Moretta
|
16- 12-1763
|
Uniforms
1730-1750: Grey-white coat, blue
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 white
lapels and collar. White lining, cuffs; Dark blue waistcoat,
breeches. Tricorne with a blue and white pompon on the right
brim. Bearskin cap with blue tail and blue and white
pompon.
Colours
Colonel's Colour: Blue with black
eagle in the centre, decorated with the Savoy's cross and
overhanged by royal crown.
Regimental Colour: White cross
over red. Blue hem decorated with a white cordon. Coat of
arms of Monferrat in the first quarter.
Jean Cerino Badone
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