Sacconay-Bursinel Infantry
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Origin and History
In November 1693, Jean de Sacconay, Seigneur de Bursinel (1646-1729) quit the French service after thirty years, to protest against the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes and the “dragonnades” conducted in some Protestant regions of France.
In 1694, Sacconay retired to his castle, where the King of England sent Lord Galloway to propose him to raise a regiment in English pay to assist the Duke of Savoy against Louis XIV. Sacconay accepted the offer.
This regiment was raised on 29 April 1694 by Sacconay in the Canton of Vaud and completed with four companies from the Oberkan Regiment from Zurich, which was already in the service of the Duchy of Savoy. The new regiment was originally destined to serve the Duke of Savoy during the Nine Years' War (1688-97).
In the spring of 1697, Sacconay is presented to William III, king of England and Stadhouder of the Dutch Republic, by Lord Galloway and Sacconay’s regiment joined the Dutch service.
Upon joining the Dutch service, the regiment numbered 1,600 men. Several of its officers came from Waadt and the Free-State of Graubünden, while its troops came from Bern, Waadt, Basel, Graubünden and Zürich.
During the War of the Spanish Succession, the successive colonels of the regiment were:
- from 29 April 1694 1o 12 December 1705: Jean de Sacconay-Bursinel (promoted to brigadier and appointed commander of Bergen op Zoom on 10 November 1704, resigned from his charge on 12 December 1705)
- from 1706: Antoine (dit Louis) de Mestral (the former lieutenant-colonel of the regiment)
The regiment was disbanded on 23 April 1714 and its troops transferred to Chambrier Infantry.
Service during the War
From April to June 1702, the regiment took part in the siege and capture of Kaiserswerth. By 21 December, it was quartered in Liège.
In April and May 1703, the regiment took part in the Siege of Bonn. By 1 December, the regiment was quartered in Flanders.
In 1704, the regiment accompanied the Duke of Marlborough in his march to the Danube. On 2 July, it was at the Battle of Schellenberg; and on 13 August, it fought in the famous Battle of Blenheim. From October to December, it was at the blockade, siege and capture of Trarbach.
On 23 May 1706, the regiment took part in the Battle of Ramillies.
On 11 July 1708, the regiment took part in the Battle of Oudenarde. It later took part in the capture of Ghent.
On 11 September 1709, the regiment fought in the Battle of Malplaquet.
In 1710, the regiment took part in the Siege of Douai.
In August and September 1712, the regiment took part in the unsuccessful defence of Douai, where it was forced tom surrender a prisoners of war.
Uniform
Privates
| Headgear |
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| Neck stock | white | ||||||||||||
| Coat | blue with red lining and with tin buttons on the right side
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| Waistcoat | red | ||||||||||||
| Breeches | blue | ||||||||||||
| Stockings | red | ||||||||||||
| Leather Equipment |
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Armaments consisted of a musket and a bayonet; and a sword.
NCOs
no information available
Officers
no information available
Musicians
no information available
Colours
no information available
References
Pochon: Les Suisses au Service de Hollande
Wikipedia German Edition - Schweizer Truppen in niederländischen Diensten
Acknowledgement
Jean-Louis Vial for the initial version of this article
