Tscharner Infantry
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Origin and History
This regiment was raised on 24 July 1693 in the Canton of Bern by Albert van Mülinen (his family name meant “de Melun” in France). On 1 January 1697, it was given to Niklaus Tscharner, who left his previous regiment, when Mülinen abandoned his charge to take possession of his bailiff of Nyons.
Upon joining the Dutch service, the regiment consisted of 2 battalions, for a total of 1,700 men. It was later increased to 2,000 men in 2 battalions (each of 5 companies of 200 men). 3 companies came from Neuenburg; 2 from Bern (including Waadt and Aargau); 1 from Waadt; 1 from Schaffhausen; 1 from Appenzell; and 1 from Ausserhoden.
In 1693 and 1694, the regiment encamped near Breda.
During the War of the Spanish Succession, the successive colonels of the regiment were:
- from 1 January 1697: Niklaus Tscharner (1650-1737)
- from 21 April 1707: Gabriel May von Hünigen (1661-1747, previously in the French service until 1693, promoted to brigadier on 19 April 1709)
- from 17 July 1716 to 1717: Jacques François de Goumoens.
The regiment was disbanded in 1717.
Service during the War
In August 1702, the regiment took part to the defence of Hulst. In October, the regiment took part in the capture of Liège.
In April and May 1703, the regiment took part in the Siege of Bonn. It later participated in the siege of Huy. By 1 December, one battalion of the regiment was quartered in Venloo and the other, in Grave.
In 1704, the regiment accompanied the Duke of Marlborough I 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. Tin August, it was at the Siege of Menin.
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.
From August to September 1711, the regiment took part in the Siege of Bouchain.
In 1712, the regiment took part in the defence of Le Quesnoy, where he had to surrender as 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 | blue with red lining | ||||||||||||
| Breeches | red | ||||||||||||
| Stockings | red | ||||||||||||
| Leather Equipment |
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Armaments consisted of a musket and a bayonet; and a sword.
NCOs
no information available
Officers
Officers wore a uniform similar to the one of the rank and file but of a better quality.
Musicians
no information available
Colours
Ordonnance colours: white cross decorated with a bundle of golden arrows tied with a red ribbon, the horizontal branches of the cross also carried the date “1690” in gold; each canton consisted of 9 flames (yellow, blue, yellow, blue, yellow, blue, yellow, blue, yellow).
References
Belaubre, J.: Les régiments suisses au service des Provinces unies, 1970
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
