BATTLE OF TURIN 1706 - FRENCH REGIMENT BRESSE

 The regiment was created on 14 September 1684 from a battalion of Normandie Infanterie and took the name of the Province of Bresse. Its formation formed part of the extensive military expansion ordered by Louis XIV in anticipation of a new coalition against France. Between 1 and 30 September 1684, the king raised thirty new regiments, one on each successive day. This unusual arrangement was intended to prevent disputes over precedence among the newly created units. The regiment was entrusted to René-Alexis Le Sénéchal, Comte de Carcado-Molac.

During the Nine Years’ War, the regiment initially served with the Army of Germany in 1691 before being transferred to the Army of the Alps in 1692. In the following year, it participated in the defence of Pinerolo and fought at the Battle of Marsaglia. In 1694, it served in Provence and then embarked for Catalonia, where it took part in the relief of Palamós. The regiment returned to Italy in 1696 and participated in the siege of Valenza, before being transferred to the Army of Flanders in 1697.

At the outbreak of the War of the Spanish Succession, the regiment remained under the command of René-Alexis Le Sénéchal, Comte de Carcado-Molac, who had held the colonelcy since its creation. On 10 October 1706, command passed to François, Marquis de Montmorency-la-Neuville.

In 1700, the regiment was assigned to the Army of Italy. On 1 September 1701, it fought at the Battle of Chiari, where it was deployed in Carcado’s Brigade on the extreme left of the second line of infantry. On 26 July 1702, the Comte de Carcado-Molac commanded a brigade of grenadiers at the Combat of Santa Vittoria, and in August the regiment participated in the capture of Luzzara.

Drapeau d'Ordonnance

The regiment remained active in northern Italy throughout 1703, taking part in the capture of Nago and Arco and, in November, in the occupation of Asti. On 4 January 1704, it participated in the assault on the entrenchments of Stradella, which were defended by the rearguard of Starhemberg’s army. A week later, on 11 January, it fought at Castelnuovo de Bormia. During the remainder of the campaign, it took part in the sieges of Vercelli, Ivrea and Verrua.

Regiment Bresse - Officer
NB: the Officer as distinctive sign had usually the breeches of the same colour of the socks, like here

At the beginning of 1705, the regiment participated in the final capture of Verrua. On 16 August of the same year, it fought at the Battle of Cassano. On 19 April 1706, it was engaged at the Battle of Calcinato and, from May onwards, took part in the Siege of Turin with 1 battalion.

Regiment Bresse - Private
NB: the waiscoat was light blue edged yellow with laced buffonholes with copper buttons. Not visible here, because usually the coat was kept closed

Following the withdrawal of the French army from Piedmont, the regiment served with the Army of Dauphiné from 1707 to 1709. In 1709, it was transferred to the Army of Flanders. On 24 July 1712, it fought at the Battle of Denain and subsequently participated in the Siege of Douai during August and September. After the fortress was captured, the regiment was placed there in garrison.

Drapeau Colonel