Clare Infanterie
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Origin and History
In May 1690, during the Nine Years' War (1688–97), a large number of Irish soldiers arrived in France with their dethroned King James II. On 18 June of the same year Louis XIV formed three regiments with them. The present regiment was immediately employed for the conquest of Savoy under M. de Sainte-Ruth, and distinguished itself in a combat fought in a pass of Savoy. The same year, it took part in the siege of Montmélian. In 1691, it was stationed at Pinerolo. In 1693, it took part in the Battle of Marsaglia In 1697, it was transferred to the Meuse. in Flanders where it took part in the siege of Ath.
In 1698, the regiment was reduced to one battalion.
During the War of the Spanish Succession, the regiment was commanded by:
- from 8 April 1696: Charles O’Brien, Comte de Clare (promoted to brigadier on 2 April 1703, and to maréchal de camp on 26 October 1704)
- from 11 August 1706 to 3 August 1720: Morogh (aka Morgan) Comte O’Brien (promoted to brigadier on 29 March 1710, and to maréchal de camp on 1 February 1719
Service during the War
In 1701, the regiment which was stationed in Alsace was increased to two battalions.
In February and March 1703, the regiment took part in the Siege of Kehl. On 31 July, it fought in the Combat of Munderkingen. On 20 September, it took part in the Battle of Höchstädt.
On 2 July 1704, the regiment bravely fought in the Battle of Schellenberg. On 13 August, it took part in the disastrous Battle of Blenheim. It then retired to Alsace and took up its winter-quarters at Metz.
In 1705, the regiment formed part of the Army of the Moselle.
On 7 July 1706, the regiment served in Flanders. On 23 May, it fought in the Battle of Ramillies where it was almost annihilated when a large Allied corps debouched through the hedges and attacked its brigade (its was brigaded with Picardie Infanterie) which, despite its inferiority, advanced against this corps. The shock was violent and the regiment was on the verge of being crushed when its was very timely assisted by Royal-Italien Infanterie and Gondrin Infanterie. Thanks to this support, the regiment was bale to retire, but it left a large number of officers and men on the battlefield, including its colonel, the Comte de Clare.
In 1707, the regiment was brigaded with Piémont Infanterie.
On 11 July 1708, the regiment took part in the Battle of Oudenarde along with Bourbonnais Infanterie. It was encamped at Saulsoy during the siege of Lille.
On 11 September 1709, the regiment took part in the Battle of Malplaquet.
In 1711, the regiment took part in the attack on Arleux.
On 24 July 1712, the regiment fought in the victorious Battle of Denain. It then took part in the Siege of Douai and in the recapture of Le Quesnoy and Bouchain.
In 1713, the regiment took part in the siege and recapture of Landau and in the siege and capture of Freiburg which surrendered on 1 November. At the end of the year, the regiment was reduced to a single battalion.
Uniform
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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. 194-197
