Carraciolo Cavalry

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Origin and History

The regiment was raised in the Vice-royalty of Naples by Giovanni Carraciolo on 1 November 1703. It initially consisted of 12 companies of 40 men each..

During the War of the Spanish Succession, the colonel of the regiment was:

• since 1 November 1703 to 1706: Giovanni Carraciolo (promoted to maréchal de camp on 15 December 1709)

Service during the War

On 8 May 1704, along with Dentici Cavalry, the regiment was transported from Naples to serve in the Duchy of Milan. They disembarked at Finale, then marched to Tortona. The regiment then marched back to Finale in preparation for its transfer to Spain.

On 21 March 1705, the regiment embarked for Barcelona without its horses. It then took part in the defence of the place. After the surrender of Barcelona, the 160 survivors were transported to Almeria by the British.

In 1706, the regiment took part in the defence of Alicante which capitulated on 4 September. Once more, the regiment was transported by British vessels, this time to Cádiz where it was disbanded and incorporated in Dentici Cavalry.

Uniform

Privates

Uniform in 1704 - Copyright Kronoskaf

Uniform Details

Headgear	black tricorne laced yellow, with a red cockade
Neck stock	white cravate
Coat	red with brass buttons on the right side (along the coat edge and the centre back vent); yellow laced buttonholes on both sides (along the coat edge and the centre back vent) Collar none Shoulder straps 3 white ribbons on each shoulder Lapels none Pockets horizontal pockets, each with 4 brass buttons and four yellow laced buttonholes Cuffs white, each with 3 brass buttons and 3 yellow laced buttonholes Turnbacks none
Waistcoat	straw yellow
Cape	white with red lining and red collar
Breeches	natural leather
Leather Equipment	Bandolier natural leather Waistbelt natural leather worn above the coat Cartridge Box natural leather ventral cartridge box Scabbard black leather with a white metal tip Footgear black boots
Horse Furniture	Saddlecloth no information found yet Housings no information found yet Blanket roll no information found yet

Troopers were armed with a sword, a pistol and a carbine.

Officers

Uniforms of officers differed from those of privates and NCOs by the finer material used. Their waistcoat, saddle cloth and housings were edged with a wide golden braid. They always wore a tricorne notwithstanding the headgear worn by soldiers.

The regulation of 30 December 1704 specified the distinctive of each military rank:

• colonel: a baton with a gold knob
• lieutenant-colonel: a baton with a silver knob
• sargento mayor: a baton with a silver topped knob
• captain: silver or golden epaulettes (according to the metal colour of the regiment) on both shoulders
• lieutenant: silver or golden epaulette (according to the metal colour of the regiment) on the right shoulder
• cornet: silver or golden epaulette (according to the metal colour of the regiment) on the left shoulder

NCOs

The regulation of 30 December 1704 specified the distinctive of each military rank:

• sergeant : baton without knob and halberd
• mariscal de logis (quartermaster): small woolen epaulette (red or of the distinctive colour of the regiment)
• brigadier: swagger stick
• corporal of squadron: swagger stick
• second corporal of squadron (rank suppressed in 1706): swagger stick

Musicians

no information found yet

Standards

no information found yet

References

Dragonas Magazine, 1998

Acknowledgement

Jean-Pierre Loriot for the initial version of this article.