Chartres Infanterie
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Origin and History
The regiment was created on November 14 1691 for Philippe d'Orléans, Duc de Chartres and son-in-law of King Louis XIV; who would later become regent of the kingdom of France. It initially consisted of a single battalion of 13 companies.
In 1692, during the Nine Years’ War (1688-97), the regiment took part in the siege of Namur and in the Battle of Steenkerque; in 1693, in the Battle of Landen and in the siege of Charleroi. In 1694 and 1695, it campaigned in Flanders. In 1696 and 1697, it served in the Army of the Meuse.
On 1 February 1701, the regiment, which initially counted a single battalion, was increased to two battalions by the incorporation of part of the militia of Metz.
During the War of the Spanish Succession, the regiment was commanded by
- from 27 February 1695: Colonel-Lieutenant Louis, Marquis d’Arpajon
- from 23 April 1709 to 2 February 1731: Colonel-Lieutenant Philippe-Charles, Marquis d’Etampes
Service during the War
On 1 February 1701, the regiment, which initially counted a single battalion, was increased to two battalions. In May, the regiment occupied Namur for Philip V, the new king of Spain.
In 1702, the regiment joined the army of the Duc de Bourgogne. On 8 June, the regiment was sent from the Spanish Netherlands to the Rhine where it served under Villars. Susane mentions that, on 14 October, it was present at the Battle of Friedlingen.
In February 1703, the regiment took part in the Siege of Kehl. In April, it was at the attack of the Lines of Stollhofen where a grenadier captain died. At the end of April, it followed Villars in his march to Bavaria. On 1 May, it fought in the Combat of Hornberg. On 31 July, it took part in the Combat of Munderkingen. On 20 September, it was at the Battle of Höchstädt. In December, it took part in the siege and capture of Augsburg.
On 13 August 1704, the regiment fought in the disastrous Battle of Blenheim where it formed part of Marsin’s Corps. After retreating to Alsace, the regiment guarded Fort-Louis. In December, it took up its winter-quarters at Phalsbourg, after having zealously worked at the improvement of the fortifications of Fort-Louis.
In 1705 and 1706, the regiment remained in Alsace, taking part in the relief of Fort-Louis, and in the capture of Drusenheim, Lauterbourg and the Marquisat Island.
Around mid-1706, the regiment was transferred to Flanders. On 23 May, it took part in the Battle of Ramillies. It then retired to Thionville to recover and wintered there.
In 1707, the regiment returned to Flanders where it formed a brigade with Poitou Infanterie.
On 11 July 1708, the regiment, along with Piémont Infanterie, fought valiantly in the Battle of Oudenarde where it charged five times. His colonel-lieutenant, the Marquis d’Arpajon received two severe wounds. The regiment took refuge in Ghent but was soon forced to evacuate the place.
In 1709, the regiment was once more brigaded with Poitou Infanterie. On 11 September, it fought in the sanguinary Battle of Malplaquet.
In 1710, the regiment was brigaded with Royal Infanterie.
In 1711, the regiment took part in the attack on Arleux. Shortly afterwards it was transferred to the Rhine. Upon arrival, it was thrown into the Lines of the Lauter where it remained until 1713.
In 1713, the regiment contributed to the capture of Landau and Freiburg.
Uniform
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Colours
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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. 218-222
