Saint-Pouanges Cavalerie
Hierarchical Path: War of the Spanish Succession (Main Page) >> Armies >> French Army >> Saint-Pouanges Cavalerie
Origin and History
The regiment was created 6 January 1647, after the failure in front of Lerida, by Joseph d'Ardenne d'Aragon, Comte d'Illes. It was then placed under the command of the Viceroy of Catalonia.
At the beginning of the War of the Spanish Succession, the regiment counted 2 squadrons.
During the War of the Spanish Succession, the successive mestres de camp of the regiment were:
- since 20 December 1696 till 1721: François-Gilbert Colbert, Marquis de Saint Pouange et de Chabanais (born in 1676, served with the Mousquetaires during the Nine Years' War)
Service during the War
In 1701, the regiment served in Germany.
In 1702, the regiment served once more in Germany. By 3 June, it was brigaded with Conflans Cavalerie. By mid-September, it was part of the army destined to join the Bavarian Army. On 14 October, its colonel distinguished himself in the Battle of Friedlingen.
In August and September 1703, the regiment was at the Siege of Alt-Breisach whose governor, de Marcilly, capitulated on 6 September. Then, in October and November, it took part in the Siege of Landau which hit abandoned to confront an Allied relief army led by the Prince of Hesse on 15 November in the Combat of Speyerbach. During this victorious battle, the regiment was posted on the right wing under Lieutenant-General de Locmaria. Two days later, the governor of Landau, the Count von Friesen, capitulated.
On 13 August 1704, the regiment was present at the disastrous Battle of Blenheim where it served under the command of Lieutenant-General de Zurlauben. Its colonel was immobilized in the village of Blenheim and taken prisoner. He was freed shortly afterwards.
In 1705, the regiment campaigned with the Army of the Moselle. On 26 October, the colonel of the regiment was promoted to brigadier.
In 1706, the regiment took part in the capture of Drusenheim, Lauterbourg and the Marquisat Island.
In 1707, under Villars, the regiment took part in the expeditions in Franconia and Swabia. On 22 July, it captured Marienthal by surprise.
In 1708, the regiment served with the Army of the Rhine.
In 1709, the regiment was transferred to the Army of Flanders. On 11 September, the regiment fought in the Battle of Malplaquet where it was part of the cavalry who charged under the command of Boufflers. The regiment suffered so heavy losses that it was not fit for duty anymore.
In 1710, the regiment served with the Army of Flanders.
In 1711, the regiment served once more with the Army of Flanders.
In 1712, the regiment served on the Rhine.
In 1713, the regiment took part in the sieges of Landau et Freiburg and in the defeat of General Vaubonne.
In 1714, the regiment was at the camp on the Meuse.
Uniform
Our only sources are Colbert-Thurguis and Lemau de la Jaisse who, in 1721, mentioned that the uniform consisted of a white coat with red cuffs.
Troopers
all unknown details are in grey
| Headgear | black tricorne laced white/yellow, with a black or white cockade fastened with a pewter or copper button | ||||||||||||
| Neck stock | white | ||||||||||||
| Coat | grey-white with red lining and pewter or copper buttons
| ||||||||||||
| Waistcoat | buckskin | ||||||||||||
| Breeches | buckskin | ||||||||||||
| Leather Equipment |
| ||||||||||||
| Horse Furniture |
|
Troopers were armed with a sword, a pistol and a carbine.
NCOs
no information found
Officers
no information found
Musicians
no information found
Standards
References
Colbert-Turguis, L. de: in Carnet de la sabretache 1937
Pajol, Charles P. V.: Les Guerres sous Louis XV, vol. VII, Paris, 1891, p. 339
Lemau de la Jaisse, P.: Abregé de la Carte Générale du Militaire de France, Paris, 1734, p. 145
N.B.: the section Service during the War is partly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.
Acknowledgment
Jean-Pierre Loriot for the initial version of this article.
