Regiment Monferrato

Regiment of infantry of national ordinance MONFERRATO 1619 - 1798 Giovanni Cerino-Badone

The history of this regiment starts in 1619 when it is raised a new sabaudian regiment with the name of Du Cheynex. It is originally organized in 10 company. In 1660 all the men came from piedmontese countries. In 1664 it takes the new name of Regiment de Monferrato du S.A.R. It is the 4th regiment in order of seniority. In 1703 it raised a 2nd battalion.

Service during the Polish Succession War During this war Monferrato takes its first combat action during the conquest of Milan and it is present with its 2nd battalion in the trenches around Castello Sforzesco (16 december 1733 &emdash; 2 january 1734). In 1734, Monferrato is present during the spring campaign and it fights at the battle of Parma (6 november). In 1735 Monferrato is campaigning in the east of Lombardy. In september it is present on the West side of lake of Garda supporting the action of the french army on the East side.

Service during the Austrian Succession War Regiment Monferrato starts the war marching in the direction of Parma and Piacenza. In 1742 Monferrato is transferred to the Alp. The 16 september the regiment is camping at la Thuile and in a matter of days it starts the Piedmontese counteroffensive against spanish forces invading Savoy. The struggle is goin on for 100 days. In 1744 the whole regiment is again on the Alps, at Casteldelfino in Varaita Valley, to stop the french-spanish offensive (24 september; 10 october 1743). The follow year the combined french-spanish army is able to break the front of the Alps in the Stura Valley. The 2nd battalion of Monferrato fights for the defence of the city of Cuneo (9 september; 22 october 1744). The 1st battalion of Monferrato is present in the relief Army and it fights at the battle of Madonna dell'Olmo (30 september 1744). The battalions is situated on the centre, first line. In 1745 at Bassignana (27 september) Monferrat is probably in the right of Sardinian line, attached to the Schoulembourg's brigade. After this sad defeat the 2nd battalion of Monferrato defends again the walls of a forteress; it helds the defences of Alessandria (6 october; 11 october) and after the surrender of this city it defendes the new strong fortress of the Citadel of Alessandria during the Maillebois' blockade (12 october 1745; 11 marzo 1746 ). In 1746 the 1st battalion fights in the west, during the offensive in Provence in november and, the follow year, around Oneglia in the ligurian theatre.

Commanders of Regiment Montferrato under Charles Emmanuel III Giulio Cesare Bertone Compte du Sambuy Giovanni Amedeo Capris du Cigliè Giovanni Francesco Pallavicino du St. Etienne Giuseppe Alciati Carlo Costa d'Arignano Carlo Giacinto di Coudray Angelo Solaro di Moretta

26- 3- 1730 10- 4- 1739 1- 3- 1744 4- 5- 1746 25- 3- 1747 27- 9- 1756 16- 12-1763

Uniforms

1730-1750: Grey-white coat, blue lining, cuffs, waistcoat, breeches. White gaiters for fusilier, black for grenadiers. Seven tinned buttons on each side of the coat, three on the cuffs. Horizontal pockets. Tricorne with dark blue cockade on the left brim and white hem for fusiliers, bearskin cap for grenadiers.

1750-1773 (only principal differences from the previous issue): Dark blue coat with white lapels and collar. White lining, cuffs; Dark blue waistcoat, breeches. Tricorne with a blue and white pompon on the right brim. Bearskin cap with blue tail and blue and white pompon.

Colours

Colonel's Colour: Blue with black eagle in the centre, decorated with the Savoy's cross and overhanged by royal crown.

Regimental Colour: White cross over red. Blue hem decorated with a white cordon. Coat of arms of Monferrat in the first quarter.