Chasseurs de Cambefort

Hierarchical Path: Seven Years War (Main Page) >> Armies >> French Army >> Chasseurs de Cambefort

Origin and History

The unit was raised on December 12 1759. It initially counted 155 men and consisted of:

• 1 fusilier company
  • 2 officers
    • 1 lieutenant
    • 1 sub-lieutenant
  • 10 NCOs
    • 4 sergeants
    • 6 corporals
  • 6 anspessades (lance corporals)
  • 82 fusiliers
  • 2 drummers
• 1 dragoon company (3 officers and 50 dragoons)

On September 13 1761, the fusilier company received 1 additional officer while the dragoon company was increased with 2 additional officers and 50 dragoons. The unit now counted 208 men and consisted of:

• 1 fusilier company (3 officers and 100 fusiliers)
• 1 dragoon company (5 officers and 100 dragoons)

Service during the War

On July 5 1759, during the French offensive in West Germany, d'Armentières sent this unit to Coesfeld. On August 5, the unit was part of Chavigny's advanced guard and took part to the combat of Mehr where it was engaged in the fighting inside the village.

By May 25 1760, 150 men of the unit were part of Saint-Germain's left reserve. On November 28, the unit, along with the Chasseurs de Fischer took position on the right bank in front of Wesel.

In 1762, at Ibbenbüren, the unit took prisoners the two aides-de-camp of Ferdinand of Brunswick.

To do: campaign of 1761

Uniform

Fusilier

Uniform in 1759 - Source: Richard Couture adapted from a template by Jean-Louis Vial

Uniform Details as per
Raspe in 1761 and 1762
completed when necessary as per Mouillard

Headgear	black tricorne laced gold with a white rosette fastened with a yellow button
Neck stock	black
Coat	blue lined yellow (lined red in 1762) with yellow buttons on the right side and a yellow button on each side at the small of the back Collar none Shoulder Straps n/a (red epaulet on the left shoulder in 1762) Lapels none Pockets horizontal pockets, each with 3 yellow buttons Cuffs blue, each with 3 yellow buttons Turnbacks yellow (red in 1762) fastened with a yellow button
Waistcoat	yellow (red in 1762) with yellow buttons on the right side
Breeches	blue
Gaiters	black
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt white Waistbelt white Cartridge Box no information available Bayonet Scabbard no information available Scabbard black with brass fittings

Armaments consisted of a musket a bayonet and a short sabre.

Dragoon

Uniform Details as per
Raspe in 1761 and 1762
completed when necessary as per Mouillard

Headgear	black bearskin with a yellow (red in 1762) bag and a yellow (red in 1762) tassel
Neck stock	black cravate
Coat	blue with 3 yellow buttons under the right lapel and a yellow button on each side at the small of the back Collar none Shoulder straps none Lapels yellow (red in 1762), each with 8 yellow buttons Pockets horizontal pockets, each with 3 yellow buttons Cuffs blue, each with 3 yellow buttons Turnbacks yellow (red in 1762) fastened with a yellow button
Waistcoat	yellow (red in 1762) with yellow buttons on the right side
Breeches	blue
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt white Waistbelt white Cartridge Pouch no information available Scabbard brown leather with copper fittings Footgear soft black boots
Horse Furniture	Saddlecloth blue bordered with a red braid Housings blue bordered with a red braid

Dragoons were armed with a carbine, 2 pistols and a sabre.

NCOs

no information available

Officers

no information available

Musicians

no information available

Colours

no information available

References

This article contains some texts taken from the following book which is now in the public domain:

• Pajol, Charles P. V.: Les Guerres sous Louis XV, vol. VII, Paris, 1891, pp. 225

Other sources

Anon.: Recueil de toutes les troupes qui forment les Armées Francoise, dessinés et illuminé d'après nature; Nuremberg: Nicolas Gabriel Raspe; 1761

Anon.: Recueil de toutes les troupes qui forment les Armées Francoise, dessinés et illuminé d'après nature; Nuremberg: Nicolas Gabriel Raspe; 1762

Bacquet, Capitaine d’infanterie: L’infanterie française au XVIIIe siècle – L’organisation, Paris: Berger-Levrault, 1907, p. 59-60

Mouillard, Lucien: Les Régiments sous Louis XV; Paris 1882

Rogge, Christian: The French & Allied Armies in Germany during the Seven Years War, Frankfurt, 2006

N.B.: the section Service during the War is mostly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.