Regiment Piemonte

Regiment of infantry of national ordinance PIEMONTE 1636-1798 Giovanni Cerino-Badone

This regiment is raised in 1636 with the name of Catlano Alfieri. It is originally organized in 8 company and all men became from Piedmontese landscape. Since this fact it receives the name of Regiment Piemontaise du S.A.R.. In 1664 it takes the official name of Regiment de Piemont du S.A.R. It is the 5th regiment in order of seniority. From 1673 to 1679 Piemonte is fighting under the french flag. In 1710 it raised a 2nd battalion.

Service during the Polish Succession War During this war Piemonte takes its first combat action during the conquest of Milan and it is present in the trenches around Castello Sforzesco (16 december 1733-2 january 1734). In 1734, after an higly manouvred campaign, Piemonte fights at Guastalla (19 september); it helds with Rgt. Gardes at the centre of allied front, entrenched in a fortified farm. The austrian concentrated artillery fire can do little damage against these protected positions In 1735 Piemont is again campaigning in the east of Lombardy. In september it is present on the West side of lake of Garda supporting the french action on the East side. King Charles Emmanuel III's will of fight is now low and so at the end of the year, the 8 november, Piemont takes winter quarters.

Service during the Austrian Succession War The Regiment Piemonte 's reports during the War of Austria Succession tell us a more intense operational history. In 1742 Piemonte is campaigning in Italy and Savoy: the 1st battalion is in garnison in Modena, the 2nd is in action on the Alps. The 8 february 1743 1st battalion fights at the battle of Camposanto. From the second line, in coordination with Rgt. Savoia and Rgt. Rhebinder, Piemonte's battalion breaks the first spanish line on the right wing. The whole regiment is present at Madonna dell'Olmo (30 september 1744). The two battalions are situated on the right wing, second line. During the struggle Piemonte retakes a battery captured by the enemy, after an hard clash with Lyonnais' and Stainville's brigades. In 1745 at Bassignana (27 september) Piemont is in the centre of Sardinian line but a wrong movement on the left leaves alone Rgt. Guibert against the approching Compte de Dumontal's column. After this sad affaire, Piemonte (2nd battalion) defends the walls of the city of Valenza (20-30 october). In 1746 the two battalions are again divided. The 1st battalion fights in the west, in Provence and around Oneglia. The 2nd battalion is employed at the siege of Genoa, where the 21 may 1747 it beats off an enemy attack at Madonna della Misericordia.

Commanders of Regiment Piemonte under Charles Emmanuel III Luigi Canalis, Compte du Cumiana………………23- 3- 1730 Giacinto Antonio Canale di Cumiana…………….27- 1- 1734 Giovanni Battista Settimo di Numaglio…….....1-11- 1745 G. Francesco Bonaventura Sesto…………………...4- 5- 1746 Compte Francesco Tana………………………… …… 25- 3- 1747 Giuseppe Massetti Compte du Frinco……………..27- 9- 1756 Pietro Novarina du S. Sebastiano………………….16- 12-1763

Uniforms

1730-1750: Grey-white coat, red 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 red lapels and collar. Tricorne with a red and white pompon on the right brim. Bearskin cap with red tail and red-blue-yellow pompon.

Colours

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

Regimental Colour: white cross over red, with white flames from the corner. Blue decorated hem. Coat of arms of Piedmont in the first quarter.