BATTLE OF TURIN 1706 - FRENCH REGIMENT MARSILLY

The regiment was raised on 25 July 1702 by Achille Poulet, Marquis de Marcilly, who remained its colonel throughout most of the War of the Spanish Succession. On 28 October 1710, command passed to François Perron de Belleisle, under whom the regiment continued to serve until 12 November 1714. On that date, it ceased to exist as an independent unit and was incorporated into Touraine Infanterie.

The regiment first saw active service in 1703, when it was employed against the Camisards in the Cévennes. In the following year, it was assigned to the Army of the Alps and took part in the siege of Annecy. In 1705, it was transferred to the Italian theatre. During June and July, it participated in the siege of Chivasso in Piedmont, and on 16 August it was present at the Battle of Cassano.

From May to September 1706, the regiment took part in the Siege of Turin, serving with the Franco-Spanish army engaged in the operations against the Piedmontese capital with 1 battalion. After the failure of the siege and the French withdrawal from Piedmont, it participated in the defence of Toulon in 1707.

In 1709, the regiment served with the Army of Dauphiné, before being transferred to Flanders in 1710. On 24 July 1712, it was present at the Battle of Denain, although it does not appear to have been directly engaged in the fighting. Later that same year, it took part in the siege and capture of Le Quesnoy. 

Regiment de Marsilly - Drummer (reconstruction)

This is one of those regiments for which comparatively little information has survived. Fortunately, its ordonnance colour has been identified, and its colours correspond exactly to those appearing in the arms of the de Marcilly family. This provides a valuable basis for reconstructing the regiment’s appearance.

Drapeau d'Ordonnance

The predominance of black seems beyond doubt and supports the use of black facings on the soldiers’ uniforms, together with gilt buttons matching the gilded hilts of their swords. The close correspondence between the colours of the ordonnance flag and those of the family coat of arms also helps to remove any uncertainty concerning the livery worn by the regimental drummers.

Regiment Marsilly

In several surviving representations, when a black livery had to be depicted for drummers, artists tended to use a very dark grey rather than absolute black. The same approach has therefore been adopted in this reconstruction, with the main coat rendered in dark grey while the facings remain black.

Drapeau Colonel

Regiment Marsilly - Officer