La Marche Infanterie
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Origin and History
The regiment was created on 15 September 1684 and wore the name of the Province of La Marche. Indeed, expecting a coalition to soon form against France, Louis XIV had raised 30 new regiments from September 1 to 30 for the defence of the various places of the realm. By raising one regiment a day, he avoided any problem of precedence among these new regiments. The regiment was given to Armand-Charles de Gontaut, Baron de Biron.
In 1688, the regiment took part in the conquest of Palatinate.
In 1689, during the Nine Years' War (1688-97), the regiment joined the Army of the Flanders and fought in the Combat of Walcourt. In 1690, it formed part of the expeditionary force sent to Ireland and fought in the Battle of the Boyne. In 1691, it was transferred to the Army of the Alps and took part in the siege of Nice and in the defence of Suza. In 1692, it was sent back to Flanders where it participated in the siege of Namur and in the Battle of Steenkerque. In 1693, it took part in the Battle of Landen and in the siege of Charleroi; in 1695, in the bombardment of Bruxelles; and in 1697, in the siege of Ath.
During the War of the Spanish Succession, the regiment was commanded by:
- from 15 September 1684: Armand-Charles de Gontaut, Baron de Biron
- from 15 February 1702 to 1 February 1719: Alexandre-Thomas du Bois de Fiennes, Bailli de Givry
Service during the War
In 1701, the regiment was allocated to the Army of Germany.
In August and September 1703, the regiment took part in the Siege of Alt-Breisach. In October and November, it was at the Siege of Landau. On 15 November, it fought in the Combat of Speyerbach where it was deployed in Calvos’ Brigade in the first line of infantry.
In 1704, the regiment was transferred to the Army of the Alps and took part in the defence of Chambéry and in the siege of Suza.
In 1705, the regiment took part in the conquest of the County of Nice.
From May 1706, the regiment took part in the siege of Turin. On 7 September, it fought in the disastrous Battle of Turin.
In 1707, the regiment took part in the defence of Toulon.
From 1708 to 1710, the regiment served with the Army of Dauphiné.
In 1711, the regiment was transferred to the Army of Catalonia and took part in the siege of Girona.
In 1713, the regiment took part in the relief of Girona.
In 1714, the regiment took part in the siege of Barcelona.
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 8, pp. 229-230
