Angoumois Infanterie
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Origin and History
The regiment was created on 6 September 1684 from a battalion of Champagne Infanterie. Indeed, expecting a Coalition to form soon against France, Louis XIV raised 30 new regiments from September 1 to 30 for the defence of the various places of the realm. By raising one regiment a day, he avoided problems of precedence among these new regiments.
During its first years of existence, the regiment was not included in field units.
By 1688, at the outbreak of the Nine Years' War (1688-97), the regiment garrisoned Calais. In 1693, it was sent to Huy where it distinguished itself in the glorious defence of the place. The remnants of the regiment (only 150 men) evacuated Huy with the honours of war. After this feat of arms, the regiment was admitted in the filed units.. In 1697, it took part in the siege of Ath.
In 1700, on the eve of the War of the Spanish Succession, the regiment was sent to Italy.
During the War of the Spanish Succession, the regiment was commanded by
- from 26 September 1690: N. Duluc
- from 1702: N. de Rougé, Marquis du Plessis-Bellière
- from 19 June 1707: Hardouin Gauffreteau de Puynormand
- from 29 March 1710 to 13 June 1725: N. de Coetancourt
Service during the War
On 1 February 1701, the regiment, which initially counted a single battalion, was increased to two battalions. These two battalions served independently for most of the war.
First Battalion
On 1 September 1701, the first battalion fought in the Battle of Chiari where it was brigaded with Bretagne Infanterie in the second line of the centre.
On 15 August 1702, the first battalion took part in the Battle of Luzzara where it was brigaded with Royal Comtois Infanterie. It later took part in the capture of Luzzara and Borgoforte.
In 1703, the first battalion belonged to the corps of observation under the command of the Comte de Vaudémont.
In 1704, the first battalion took part in the sieges of Vercelli, Ivrea and Verrua.
On 16 April 1705, the first battalion distinguished itself in the Battle of Cassano, where its colonel, the Marquis du Plessis-Bellière was severely wounded.
On 19 April 1706, the first battalion distinguished itself in the Battle of Calcinato, where it belonged to the same brigade as Piémont Infanterie. Reduced to only 300 men after the siege of Turin, the first battalion returned to France.
In 1707, the first battalion was sent to Spain. In October, it took part in the siege of Lérida and shared the glory of Auvergne Infanterie in the assault of the place, making a lodgement under a furious fire.
In 1708, the first battalion was brigaded with Normandie Infanterie. On 26 June, it distinguished itself when it drove back a sortie of the garrison of Tortosa. After the capture of this place, it contributed to the submission of the Kingdom of Valencia.
At the beginning of 1709, the first battalion was charged to chase the migueletes in Catalonia. On 9 March, it drove them out of Roda and, on 22 April, out of Venasque. In July, it was transferred to Roussillon where it participated in the defeat of General Frankenberg before being placed in garrison at Puigcerdà.
At the end of 1710, the first battalion was sent to reinforce the troops besieging Girona which capitulated on 24 January 1711.
From 1711, the first battalion remained with the Army of Catalonia.
In 1714, the first battalion took part in the siege and capture of Barcelona.
Second battalion
In November 1703, after the capture of Landau, the second battalion was placed in garrison in this place.
In 1704, the second battalion served in Bavaria under Tallard. On 13 August, it took part in the disastrous Battle of Blenheim. The remnants of the battalion retreated to Landau where they were besieged in September. During this siege, the second battalion was used, to the exception of its grenadiers, was used to serve the artillery. On 3 October, the grenadiers of the battalion took part in a sortie. After the capitulation of Landau, the battalion retired to Schlestadt.
From 1705 to 1710, the second battalion served in the Lines of the Lauter.
In 1711, the second battalion was sent to Dauphiné. It ended the war at the camp of Sault-d’Oulx.
In 1715, the second battalion was disbanded.
Uniform
To do
Colours
To do
References
This article incorporates texts from the following books which are now in the public domain:
- Susane, Louis: Histoire de l'ancienne infanterie française, J. Corréard, Paris, 1849-1856, Tome 7, pp. 101-105
