Listenois Dragons

Hierarchical Path: War of the Spanish Succession (Main Page) >> Armies >> French Army >> Listenois Dragons

Origin and History

The regiment was raised on 14 September 1673 in Franche-Comté by N. de Beaufremont, Marquis de Listenois. The House of Beaufremont (also spelled Baufremont, Bauffremont, Beauffremont) would remain proprietor of this regiment during a century.

By the beginning of the War of the Spanish Succession, the regiment counted 3 squadrons.

During the War of the Spanish Succession, the successive mestres de camp of the regiment were:

• since 20 May 1699: Jacques-Antoine de Beaufremont, Marquis de Listenois (maréchal de camp on 20 March 1710. killed during the siege of Aire on 23 September 1710)
• from 1 November 1710: Louis-Benigne, Marquis de Beaufremont (maréchal de camp and lieutenant-general)

Service during the War

In 1702, the regiment campaigned with the Army of the Rhine.

From 20 February to 9 March 1703, the regiment was at the siege and capture of Kehl. During the siege, d'Arche, a cornet of the regiment distinguished himself at the head of a dozen of dragoons against a party of 150 enemies. On 1 June near Ulm, another detachment of the regiment, under Captain de Lescure, took part in a raid on a camp of the Imperialists. On 30 September, the regiment fought in the Battle of Höchstädt where it captured 2 standards.

On 3 July 1704, the regiment distinguished itself at the Combat of Donauwörth where its 3 squadrons served dismounted and covered the retreat of the Bavarian Army led by the Marshal d'Arco and saved it from destruction. The young Marquis de Listenois (21 Years old), mestre de camp of the regiment was wounded during this action. By the end of the year, the regiment was in Alsace, severely weakened.

In 1705, the regiment was at the passage of the Rhine and, on 10 August, distinguished itself at the attack of a ford on the Rechen.

In 1706. the regiment was stationed in Alsace, at Drusenheim, Lauterbourg and Marquisat Island.

In 1707 and 1708, the regiment served on the Rhine.

On 11 September 1709, the regiment was at the Battle of Malplaquet in Flanders.

In 1710, the 3 squadrons of the regiment defended Aire, besieged by the Allies. During a sortie, the Marquis de Listenois was mortally wounded. Aire finally capitulated after a siege of 48 days. The brother of the deceased colonel took command of the regiment which took the name of Beaufremont.

In 1711, the regiment was brigaded with Colonel Général Dragons. It served with the Army of Flanders.

On 24 July 1712, the regiment was at the Battle of Denain where it was deployed on the right of the first line, between Royal Dragons and Epinay Dragons.

From 30 September to 16 November 1713, the regiment contributed to the siege and capture of the castle and town of Freiburg.

In 1714, the regiment was at the camp of the Saône.

Uniform

Troopers

Uniform in 1710 - Source: Copyright Richard Couture

Uniform Details as per Lemau de la Jaisse and Letrun

Headgear	black tricorne laced white or red fatigue cap edged white with a yellow flame
Neck stock	white
Coat	red with yellow lining; white laced buttonholes along the entire length Collar none Shoulder straps none Lapels none Pockets none Cuffs yellow, each with pewter buttons Turnbacks none
Waistcoat	yellow with white laced buttonholes
Breeches	red
Leather Equipment	Bandolier natural leather (often whitened with pipe-clay) with a brass buckle Waistbelt natural leather (often whitened with pipe-clay) with a brass buckle, worn above the coat Cartridge Box no information found Scabbard black leather with a white metal tip Footgear black boots
Horse Furniture	Saddlecloth yellow edged white Housings yellow edged white Blanket roll red

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

NCOs

no information found

Officers

no information found

Musicians

no information found

Guidons

Regimental guidons (3 silken swallow-tailed guidons) embroidered and fringed in gold;

• obverse: blue field; centre device consisting of a golden royal sun surmounted by a red scroll bearing the motto “NEC PLURIBUS IMPAR”.
• reverse: gold and red champaine field with a vertical white scroll bearing the motto of the House of Beaufremont “DIEU AIDE AUX PREMIERS CHRETIENS”

N.B.: In 1730, Lémau gives 3 red guidons fringed in gold and sown with gold bells which is another way to designate the heraldic champaine of the arms of the House of Beaufremont.

Listenois Dragons Regimental Guidon – Source: Jean-Louis Vial of Nec Pluribus Impar

References

Lemau de la Jaisse, P.: Abregé de la Carte Générale du Militaire de France, Paris, 1734, p. 152

Lienhart, Constant; Humbert, René: Les Uniformes de l'Armée Française de 1690 à 1894, Vol. II, Leipzig 1899 – 1902

Pajol, Charles P. V.: Les Guerres sous Louis XV, vol. VII, Paris, 1891, p. 430

Martinet, M.: Historique du 9e régiment de dragons. Thomas Harel, 1888

Susane, Louis: Histoire de la cavalerie française, J. Hetzel et Cie, Paris, 1874

Acknowledgment

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