Regiment of infantry of national ordinance

Saluce
1672 - 1798

par Jean Cerino Badone

In 1672 it is raised a voiard regiment with the name of Lullin de Geneve, from the name of its commander. In 1676 this unit is renamed Bagnasco. In 1678 it has the name of Masino. In the 1680 it has the official name of Regiment Saluce du S.A.R.. From 1703 it has a strenght of two battalions.

 

Service during the Polish Succession War

 In the spring of 1734 Saluce is present at the battle of Parma (29 june) where it fights on the right win. After a manouvred campaign in the summer, Saluce fights at Guastalla (19 september). In 1735 Saluce is campaigning in the east of Lombardy. In september it is present with the whole Piedmontese army on the west side of lake of Garda supporting the french action on the East side. at the end of the year, the 8 november, Saluce takes winter quarters in the country around Cremona and Brescia.

Service during the Austrian Succession War

 In 1742 Saluce is campaigning in in the Po plains. In august it is in garrison in the Citadel of Parma. In 1743, in the mountains around Casteldelfino in Varaita Valley Saluce fights to stop the french-spanish offensive (7-10 october 1743). The follow year Saluce defend the harbour of Villefranche. Grenadiers of Saluce the 20 april 1744 fight very well during the bloody defence of the entrenched camp. Saluce defends Villefranche until 22 April. Saluce is one of the units that fight at the redoubt of Mount Cavallo (19 july 1744). During this bloody combat, Saluce is present with only a battalion, probably the 1st, losing 98 men. The regiment is present at Madonna dell'Olmo (30 september 1744). The two battalions are situated on the centre, second line. In 1745 Maillebois' offensive gives no match to the Piedmontese Army. At the battle of Bassignana (27 september) Saluce defends the village of Rivarone in vain. The follow year Saluce takes part in the Leutrum's counter offensive. Then the two battalions fight in the south-west in the mediterranean theatre; the 2nd battalion fights during the offensive in Provence. The 1st battalion of Regiment Saluce is employed at the siege of the fort Priamar in Savona (1 december-18 december 1746). Then the Regiment is reunify in 1747 to defend the south frontiers of Piedmont.

Commanders of Regiment Montferrat under Charles Emmanuel III      

Teodoro Faletto du Barolo

25- 3- 1730

Giuseppe faletto du Castagnole

11- 3- 1735

Carlo Amedeo Isola

13- 8- 1744

Vincenzo Alessandro Ferrero Marquise d'Ormea

28- 4- 1769

Carlo Cacherano

15- 10- 1763

Giuseppe Coardi Compte du Carpenetto

14- 12- 1771

Uniforms

 

1730-1750: Grey-white coat, red lining, cuffs, waistcoat, breeches. White gaiters for fusilier, black for grenadiers. Seven tinned buttons, two ranks of three and one in the bottom 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, red lapels and collar. Seven tinned buttons on the lapels, one in the top, two ranks of three in the bottom. Tricorne with white pompon. Bearskin cap with red tail with white hem and red 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. White decorated hem. Coat of arms of Saluce's Marquisade in the first quarter.

 

Jean Cerino Badone