Capol Infantry
Hierarchical Path: War of the Spanish Succession (Main Page) >> Armies >> Dutch Army >> Capol Infantry
Origin and History
This regiment was raised on 27 March 1693 in the Republic of the Three Leagues (Grisons) by Hercules de Capol (1642-1706). It initially served in Italy as part of the Savoyard Army during the Nine Years’ War (1688-1697). When Duke Victor Amadeus II of Savoy signed a separate peace with Louis XIV in 1695, De Capol asked to be transferred to the Dutch services and was allowed to do so in February of the same year.
Upon joining the Dutch service, the regiment consisted of 2 battalions, each of 4 companies of 200 men for a total of 1,600 men.
During the War of the Spanish Succession, the successive colonels of the regiment were:
- from 27 March 1693: Hercules de Capol (promoted to brigadier on 15 January 1701, killed in action during the siege of Menin on 9 August 1706)
- from 10 August 1706 to 30 October 1730: Christoffel Schmid von Grüneck (aka Grünegg) (formerly lieutenant-colonel of the regiment since 24 July 1705, died in Maastricht on 30 October 1730)
The regiment was disbanded in 1797.
Service during the War
From April to June 1702, the regiment took part in the siege and capture of Kaiserswerth. By 7 July, the regiment was encamped at Nijmegen as part of Marlborough’s Army, forming part of Agrim's Brigade. It later participated in the capture of Liège. By 21 December, it was quartered in Flanders.
In April and May 1703, the regiment took part in the Siege of Bonn. By the end of May, it was posted at Axel. By 24 June, it formed part of Spaar’s Corps in Western Flanders. It then participated in the siege of Huy. By 1 December, the regiment was quartered in Berg-op-Zoom and Steenbergen.
On 23 May 1706, the regiment took part in the Battle of Ramillies.
In 1706, the regiment took part in the siege of Menin where its colonel was killed in action.
On 11 July 1708, the regiment took part in the Battle of Oudenarde. It later took part in the capture of Ghent.
On 11 September 1709, the regiment fought in the Battle of Malplaquet where its colonel was wounded.
In 1710, the regiment took part in the Siege of Douai.
In August and September 1712, one battalion of the regiment took part in the unsuccessful defence of Douai
Uniform
Privates
| Headgear |
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| Neck stock | white | ||||||||||||
| Coat | blue with tin buttons on the right side
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| Waistcoat | red | ||||||||||||
| Breeches | red | ||||||||||||
| Stockings | red | ||||||||||||
| Leather Equipment |
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Armaments consisted of a musket and a bayonet; and a sword.
NCOs
no information available
Officers
Officers wore a uniform similar to the one of the rank and file but of a better quality. Pochon depicts an ensign whose coat has a white braid along the front; white piping around the buttonholes; red slit cuffs edged white, each with 4 tin buttons; a red waistcoat edged white; and white stockings.
Musicians
no information available
Colours
Ordonnance colours: white cross; each canton consisted of 13 flames (red, black, white, red, white, black, red, black, white, red, white, black, white)
References
Belaubre, J.: Les régiments suisses au service des Provinces unies, 1970
Het Staatsche Leger, VIII – 3
Legermuseum – Nederlandse Infanterieuniformen Omstreeks 1700
Pochon: Les Suisses au Service de Hollande
Wikipedia German Edition - Schweizer Truppen in niederländischen Diensten
Acknowledgement
Jean-Louis Vial for the initial version of this article
