Capol Infantry

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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

Uniform in 1695 - Copyright Kronoskaf
Uniform Details in 1695 as per Belaubre and Pochon
Headgear
Fusilier black tricorne without lace
Grenadier no information available
Neck stock white
Coat blue with tin buttons on the right side
Collar none
Shoulder Straps none
Lapels none
Pockets horizontal pockets, each with 3 tin buttons
Cuffs red, each with 3 tin buttons
Turnbacks none (it seems that the basques of the coat could be turned back if needed but this was a rare practice during this period)
Waistcoat red
Breeches red
Stockings red
Leather Equipment
Crossbelt natural leather
Waistbelt natural leather, worn above the coat
Cartridge Pouch no information available
Bayonet Scabbard no information available
Scabbard natural leather
Footwear black shoes fastened with a strap and buckle


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)

Ordonnance Colour - Source: Kronoskaf

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