SIEGE OF TURIN 1706 - THE TURIN'S MILITIA UNITS

 In preparation for compiling an order of battle of the troops assigned to the defence of the City of Turin, I have begun carrying out some particularly interesting research into the city’s urban militia. These units constituted an important support for the regular troops, since they performed mainly guard duties—thereby allowing the regular soldiers to rest—as well as a range of other service tasks.

As usual, when dealing with Piedmont, the Duchy of Savoy, and its army, the surviving sources are remarkably precise and detailed. The same is true of Turin’s urban militia: by bringing together the extensive documentation I have gathered from several different sources, it has been possible to arrive at a fairly precise reconstruction of both their uniforms and their flags.

There is an illustration in the 1765 Genta manuscript depicting the Turin Militia of 1706 in a red coat decorated with yellow. Guido Amoretti (thethe foremost scholar of the events aboutthe Siege of Turin)cautions, however, that this image cannot be applied literally to the uniform worn in 1706 (figure on the right).

Let's see it in details

In fact, Amoretti’s assertion is based on doubts concerning the cut and style of the uniform—which is obviously more modern than one dating from 1706. This view is partly understandable, and I hope Amoretti’s admirers will forgive me for saying so. Genta probably reproduced the correct colours used in 1706, but applied them to a later style of uniform, much as medieval artists depicted Roman or Greek soldiers wearing the armour and clothing of their own time.

Although it is evident that the figure depicted by Genta is an ordinary militiaman rather than an officer, this does not exclude the possibility that the artist used the appearance and equipment of a common soldier to represent the colours worn by the officers of the Urban Militia. The annotation accompanying the figure confirms that the colour scheme shown—namely a red coat with yellow cuffs and yellow trim—referred to the officers and not necessarily to the ordinary militiamen. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that the officers of Turin’s Urban Militia wore red uniforms with yellow cuffs, even though the figure itself is represented in the guise of an ordinary soldier.

The handwritten text does indeed read: “Uniforme delli Officiali della Militia Urbana ma non ij soldati” (“Uniform of the Officers of the Urban Militia, but not of the soldiers”), with an evident Piedmontese usage in which ij corresponds to the Italian dei. It is therefore explicitly stated that the uniform shown was that of the officers. The annotation, contemporary with the painting, may be understood as a correction: the figure was recognised as that of an ordinary militiaman, but the accompanying note clarified that the colours represented belonged to the officers, evidently on the basis of documentary sources or uniforms that were still in existence at the time.

It is therefore possible, for the very first time, to reconstruct the uniform worn by the officers of Turin’s Urban Militia.

Duchy of Savoy/Piedmont - Officer of Turin's Urban Militia 1706

Contrary to what Amoretti maintained at the time, the troops of Turin’s Urban Militia also had a uniform. Turin and Piedmont were, in fact, a veritable war machine, and the citizens courageously rallied to defend the city walls. As regards their uniform, an interesting annotated document has been identified in Pelet:

This list of troops includes a “Torino Regiment”, although no such regiment existed among the forces of the Duke of Savoy, nor does it appear in the list of units assigned to the defence of the city.

Also the amounts of men (consider just Piedmontese troops) matches 7981 vs 9.500

Returning, then, to the uniforms of the Urban Militia, Pelet’s annotation appears particularly significant. Indeed, this is the only unit for which he explicitly records the uniform, presumably because the uniforms of the other regiments were already well known. It is described as grey with red facings ("habillé de blanc et parements pourp(u)rés").

Turin's Urban Militamen

It should also be borne in mind that Piedmont had a strong tradition of raising militia units—known as Provincial Regiments—which were regularly supplied with uniforms. But there is more. Referring specifically to the Urban Militia, Pelet himself states that “Son Altesse lève à présent sa milice”—that is, “His Highness is now raising his militia.” In other words, His Highness, Victor Amadeus II, had personally undertaken the formation of “his” militia.

This passage is particularly significant, since it shows that the sovereign himself played an active and diligent role in organising these units, presumably also providing them with uniforms. It is moreover reasonable to suppose that grey coats could easily have been obtained from the well-stocked municipal stores, or recovered from units stationed in the city, particularly from wounded soldiers. Since the officers wore red uniforms, the same red cloth could have been used to make the militia’s cuffs and facings. It would likewise have served for the uniforms of the drummers, who at this point must undoubtedly have worn the livery of the Duke of Savoy, since this was expressly described as “his militia.”

Turin's Urban Militia - Drummer

SIEGE OF TURIN 1706 - FRENCH REGIMENT LA FARE - SOUSTELLE

The regiment was raised on 7 May 1702 by Charles-Auguste, Comte de La Fare-Soustelle, who remained its colonel until its disbandment on 7 October 1714.

Its first recorded service during the War of the Spanish Succession came in 1703, when it was employed against the Camisard insurgents in the Cévennes. Two years later, in 1705, the regiment took part in the conquest of Savoy.

In the following year, it was sent to Piedmont and participated in the Siege of Turin from May to September 1706. On 7 September, it also fought in the disastrous Battle of Turin, which ended in a crushing defeat for the Franco-Spanish army.

In 1707, the regiment was stationed in Guyenne. From 1708 to 1711, it served with the Army of Dauphiné, remaining deployed on the south-eastern frontier of France.

In 1712, the regiment was transferred to Flanders. On 24 July, it was present at the Battle of Denain, although it was not directly engaged in the fighting. It subsequently took part in the Siege of Douai during August and September, and was later present at the Siege of Le Quesnoy. In October, it also participated in the Siege of Bouchain.

The regiment continued in service until 7 October 1714, when it was finally disbanded. 

Drapeau d'Ordonnance

Regiment La Fare Soustelle.
(NB: the vest of privates was grey/white and not red like NCO and Officers)

Regiment La Fare Soustelle - Officer

For the first time, I am beginning to depict an NCO of this regiment. All the others will be published in the book I intend to write.

Regiment La Fare Soustelle - NCO

Regiment La Fare - Soustelle. Drummer

Drapeau Colonel

Starting with this regiment, and thanks to the discovery of an old map, I have been able to identify its exact position within the siege lines and determine precisely where it was stationed.

After identifying the unit’s exact position on the original 1706 map, I then plotted it onto my own map (below).

Exact position of the Rgt. La Fare Soustelle during the siege

The unit was positioned near the Ospedale Maggiore, which served as the main reception centre for all Franco-Spanish soldiers wounded during the siege. Its proximity to the hospital, together with the small number of men composing the battalion, suggests that it was assigned to protect the hospital and provide services for its patients, at least during the initial phase of the siege.

SIEGE OF TURIN 1706 - THE CAVORETTO FORT

For many years—indeed, for a great many years—I lived in the Turin district known as Cavoretto, from the Piedmontese Caùret, meaning “kid” or “young goat.” For all that time, I was living right beside History without realizing it, as I suspect is also true of most of the people who live there today.

Cavoretto was once a small independent municipality, before being incorporated into the City of Turin in 1889. Today it is a predominantly residential district, green and hilly in character.

The area is dominated by Parco Europa, which to me had always been simply a pleasant park for a walk or for practising martial arts outdoors. Yet the park overlooks the city from the south and offers an extraordinary view across the southern part of Turin, towards Moncalieri.

Indeed, the role played by Cavoretto, and the military dynamics that developed around it, have never been examined in any real depth. My work consists precisely in searching for and uncovering information that may have long been available, but has never been properly interpreted or explained from a logical and functional point of view.

At first glance, after consulting various websites and books, Cavoretto always appears to have formed part of the French lines of circumvallation. This is how it is represented on virtually every map, including the most detailed maps of the Turin hills, several of which are in my own collection.

The reality, however, appears to have been rather different. Evidence of this can be found in a particularly interesting booklet entitled Ragguaglio Giornale dell’Assedio di Torino, cominciato il 13 maggio 1706, e Liberazione del Medesimo seguita li 7 settembre del medesimo anno. Manoscritto finora inedito (A Journal Account of the Siege of Turin, begun on 13 May 1706, and of its Liberation on 7 September of the same year. A Previously Unpublished Manuscript).

This small volume was published in Turin in 1906, on the bicentenary of the siege, by the Tipografia degli Artigianelli, and I own a copy of its first edition. It was edited by Dr Costantino Coda.

The original manuscript was written by an unknown author, although he was probably a nobleman who took part in the defence of the Citadel of Turin. It was discovered at Alpignano and was subsequently transcribed and published.

Of particular relevance here is its account of the events of May 1706. It states that, only a few days after the siege had begun on 13 May, the French started digging and preparing their line of circumvallation. By 22 May 1706, the works extended from Cascina Crocetta (1) down towards the River Po (2), with the purpose of cutting off the supply routes used by the Savoyard forces.

Map with total view

Details of the Cavoretto's zone

1) Farmstead "Crocetta"

2) Zone of the Circumvallation that approaches to the River Po

3) Cavoretto

4) Road to Pinerolo

A) Piedmontese artillery Range from the Cavoretto's Fort

On 24 May 1706, Duke Victor Amadeus II ordered the construction of two fortified positions on the hills overlooking Turin: one near the Vigna di Madama Reale and the other at Cavoretto. The two positions were reportedly assigned a total battery of thirty-three artillery pieces.

The number of guns mentioned in the Ragguaglio appears somewhat approximate and is not specified with sufficient clarity. This problem can be resolved by turning to another source, the Journal Historique du Siège de la Ville et de la Citadelle de Turin. L’Année 1706, of which I possess copies of both surviving versions. This work is, in fact, considerably more precise and may therefore be regarded as the more reliable account.

                           

It states that, on 23 May, in order to protect the Valentino, a battery of four guns was established on high ground “to the left” of the Vigna di Madama Reale. Its purpose was to cover the Valentino area. At the same time, a substantial battery of thirty guns — therefore one more than the number given in the Ragguaglio — was positioned during the night at the foot of the Cavoretto hill. Its purpose was to bombard the French and prevent them from approaching the River Po and cutting the supply routes to the besieged city.

The French were forced to flee in disorder and suffered losses. Meanwhile, several infantry battalions were ordered to encamp at the foot of the hill, in order to protect it along the sector extending from the Valentino towards Moncalieri, thereby covering the lower slopes of the Cavoretto hill. Observation posts were also established along the entire course of the River Po, while additional artillery pieces were placed at “several points”, once again with the purpose of preventing the French from approaching the river.

On 24 May, the French attempted to advance towards the Chapel of the Pilone — a church which still exists today. To keep them at a distance, another battery of twenty-six guns of various calibres was deployed. Some of the guns were positioned on the lower ground at the foot of the Cavoretto hill, while the remainder were placed on the slope of the hill itself.

Once again, the bombardment kept the French at bay and destroyed a French dragoon regiment. Taking advantage of the rising mist, however, the surviving French troops managed to disengage and withdraw towards a farmstead known as Cascina del Fiume.

On 25 May, the Duke ordered three further batteries, each consisting of four guns, to be positioned around the hill. This new batteries opened fire on the French troops engaged in constructing their lines of countervallation. The bombardment was so intense that the source describes it as a veritable “hail of cannonballs.” Under the fire of the Savoyard artillery, the French work parties and supporting troops were forced temporarily to abandon their works and withdraw as far as the road to Pinerolo.

These details make it possible to redraw the map, showing the precise deployment of the Piedmontese artillery.

Cavoretto Map 1: Artillery deployement & range 23.5.1706

Cavoretto Map 2: Artillery deployement & range 24.5.1706

Cavoretto Map 3: Artillery deployement & range 24.5.1706

The situation continued for some time. On 17 June, Victor Amadeus II, Duke of Savoy, left the city of Turin in order to continue conducting the war from outside its walls.

Meanwhile, further French forces were massing around Turin. Of particular importance was the detachment commanded by General d’Estaing, which was advancing from Chieri—already captured without any resistance—towards Moncalieri, and therefore approaching from the side of the hills behind Cavoretto. This force consisted of 5,000 cavalrymen and fifteen infantry battalions, together with a substantial artillery train. Its arrival would almost certainly have resulted in the capture of the Cavoretto redoubt.

The Ragguaglio confirms that, when the French troops—including the main body under the Duke de La Feuillade—arrived on 19 June, they occupied Moncalieri, on the outskirts of Turin, and immediately afterwards the Castle of Cavoretto, which had already been abandoned several days earlier. The same had occurred with the defensive works on the Colle dei Camaldolesi, now known as the Eremo, which were likewise occupied by the French.

Map of the French lines of attack on the hillside - June 1706

In essence, the Piedmontese commanders chose not to commit themselves to battle over an isolated outlying position such as Cavoretto. Instead, they withdrew both the troops and the artillery within the defensive perimeter of the city and the hill sector

Below is a view of the Turin hills today. The considerable distance between Fort of Cappuccini, and  Cavoretto Castle, is quite evident: almost two and a half kilometres, or more precisely 2,430 metres.

In red, the first line of circunvallation of the French heading towards the Pilonetto. In colours the zone where the batteries were arrayed 23-25 May 1706

Here below the same map with the lines of the firing of the batteries

Below, I have attempted to reconstruct the original bastions of Cavoretto Castle. Although it is well known that, in 1729, the Counts Balbo sold part of the fief and the title of “Lords of Cavoretto” to the Marquises of Ormea for 41,000 lire, and that Carlo Vincenzo d’Ormea, minister to Victor Amadeus II of Savoy, subsequently demolished the walls of the old castle in order to build a new residence—whose bastions can still be seen today within Parco Europa—it is equally reasonable to conclude that he removed only the masonry above ground. The underlying bastioned foundations should therefore be regarded as the original structures, already in existence in 1706.

Map of the former Castle/redoubt of Cavoretto

However, by examining a (absoloutly unique though partial) contemporary map dating from the first half of the XVIII century, it has been possible to reconstruct the original layout of the Cavoretto redoubt, at least in its uppermost section. The map hereunder is a personal reconstruction under copyright.

Map of the former "Castello di Cavoretto"

Recustrucion of the Castle and inner Redoubt of Cavoretto

To illustrate the soundness of this interpretation—particularly regarding the preservation of the castle’s original outer walls, corresponding to the redoubt and marked in red—the wall is shown here as viewed from the outside. There can be little doubt that it was originally a defensive military structure rather than a garden wall.

View of the Walls of the Redoubt of Cavoretto

Details

TURIN 1706 - MY PERSONAL SOURCES

 It may often be wondered where I obtain all the information that I publish on my blog concerning the Siege and Battle of Turin of 1706. Unlike the rest of Italy, Piedmont has a distinctly military tradition—indeed, it was once known as the “Prussia of Italy.” Until quite recently, and this was true in my own case as well, respectable families traditionally encouraged their sons to perform military service and, whenever possible, to become officers.

It is largely thanks to this deeply rooted tradition that the memory of those epic events of the spring and summer of 1706 has been preserved. Unfortunately, no commemorative works could be published in 1806, since Piedmont was then part of the French Empire. Nevertheless, many studies were written around 2006 to mark the three-hundredth anniversary of the battle, while a considerable number of works published for the bicentenary in 1906 can still be found today on second-hand bookstalls in Turin and the surrounding area.

Over time, almost without realising it, I found that I had become a compulsive collector of material on this subject. I have purchased virtually everything published in 2006 and continue to seek out as much material as possible from 1906—and, whenever possible, from even earlier periods.

In this post, I will begin by presenting some of the books in my collection. Later, however, I will be pleased to examine them individually and discuss their contents in greater detail. Naturally, I will be able to provide a more extensive treatment of the older works and reproduce more material from them, since they are no longer protected by copyright under Italian law. For the more recent publications, by contrast, I will necessarily have to limit myself to brief reviews. Here, then, is a quick overview of the books currently in my possession.