PAPERSOLDIERS JOURNAL: FIRST ITALIAN WAR OF INDIPENDENCE 1848 - 1849

I have to admit: I am proud of my Piedmontese roots and therefore I do like to reproduce the Piedmontese Army (that is called, Savoyard, Sabauda, Piedmontese, Sardinian,,,,) in the different periods of its glorious history.

So for a little I shifted my interest from the WSS to the 1848 First Italian War of Indipendence. The English source for this matter are quite reduced, and - I would add - not precise. I hope this little effort will make you know a quite harsh fighting that took place in Northern Italy in the years 1848 - 1849.

The Piedmontese Army was very well looking and some uniforms of that period are still used nowadays in parades (the Guardia Regiment, now become the Primo Reggimento Granatieri di Sardegna)

1848 - Piedmontese/Sardinian Army - Infantry Regiment "Piemonte"

3rd "Granatieri" Company

1848 - Piedmontese/Sardinian Army - 1st Grenadier Regiment "Guardie"

1848 - Piedmontese/Sardinian Army - Infantry Regiment "Piemonte"

3rd "Granatieri" Company

The Piedmontese (Sardinian) Army started the war (1848) with 18 Infantry Regiments and 2 Guardie (Guards) Regiments. Every Regiment was on 4 Battalions, 800 men each. The first, and the second battalion of every regiment were on 3 fusiliers ("fucilieri") companies (about 200 men each) + 1 grenadiers company (200 men) each.

The third battalion of every regiment was on 4 companies of Chasseurs ("Cacciatori") , while the fourth battalion served as deposit battalion, i.e. for recruits and reinforceements during the campaign. (this latter just in case of war and on 4 Fusiliers companies).

The 2 Reggimenti della Guardia were on 2 battalions of greandiers each + 1 Chasseurs ("Cacciatori") battalion each. Every battalion on 4 companies of around 200 men.

There were then the famous (to be) Bersaglieri on 5 indipendent Battalions on 4 companies each.

1848 - Piedmontese/Sardinian Army - Infantry Regiment "Piemonte"

I & II Battallions Fucilieri

1848 - Piedmontese/Sardinian Army - Infantry Regiment "Piemonte"

III Battallions Cacciatori

1848 - Piedmontese/Sardinian Army - Infantry Regiment "Aosta"

I & II Battallions Fucilieri

The uniform distinction were on Brigade basis; so every Brigade was on 2 regiments, identical as uniform (exept the number); for instance the Brigade Piemonte was on the 3rd and 4th Regiments, while the Brigade Aosta was on the 5th and 6th Regiments; in fact the number of regiments were following so "Cuneo" Brigade had the 7th and 8th Regiment and so on.

The Birgades were:

SAVOIA

PIEMONTE

AOSTA

CUNEO

LA REGINA

CASALE

PINEROLO

SAVONA

ACQUI

One could wonder which is the difference between the uniforms of the Piemonte and Aosta Brigades. Well it was just that little tiny red line on the coat that the Piemonte Brigade had and Aosta birgade didn't. Please have a look!