Régiment de Cambrésis

Régiment de Cambrésis 20éme Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne (Cambrésis)
Regimental Colours from formation until 1791
Active	1684–1775 1776–1793
Country	Kingdom of France Kingdom of France (1791–2) First French Republic
Allegiance	King of France French Nation
Branch	Kingdom of France Kingdom of France (1792–2) French Republic
Type	Line Infantry
Size	3 Battalions – 2 Line + 1 Militia
Headquarters & Recruiting Area	Cambrésis
Engagements	Nine Years' War War of the Spanish Succession War of the Polish Succession War of the Austrian Succession Seven Years' War Anglo-French War War of the First Coalition War of the Pyrenees

The Régiment de Cambrésis was an infantry regiment of the French Royal Army which was formed in 1684 and disbanded following the reduction of the army towards the end of the Seven Years' War. The regiment was then reformed in 1776 and served in the American Revolutionary War and War of the First Coalition before amalgamating with two volunteer battalions to form a new demi-brigade. The regiment's successor, the 20éme Régiment d'Infanterie would continue to serve in the modern French Army until 1984 when its traditions were transferred to the Camp de La Courtine, which continues to maintain the traditions of the regiment.

First Formation (1684)

Formation

On 11 September 1684 the Régiment de Cambrésis was formed through the redesignation of the 3rd battalion of the Régiment de Piemont and commanded by the Comte de Châteaurenaud for service in the Nine Years' War. In 1689 the regiment moved south to Cahours and joined the Army of the Alps and took part in the Battle of Staffarda the next year, where the colonel was wounded and command passed to the Comte de Montberon, and in 1694 was replaced by the Marquis de Presles. In 1696 the regiment took part in the Siege of Valenza but the next year transferred to the Army of Flanders.

Spanish Succession

When the War of the Spanish Succession started in 1701, the regiment transferred to the Army of Italy and in the next year took part in the Battle of Cremona where the colonel was killed, and replaced by the Comte de Marqueyssac. The regiment then moved further east into Northern Italy and took part in the Battle of Luzzara and in 1703 during the Tyrolean expedition. In 1704 and 1705 it saw service in the Siege of Vercelli, Siege of Yvrée and Siege of Vérue. In 1706 it formed part of the offensive force during the Siege of Turin and was forced to retreat. The next year in 1707 the regiment joined the Army of Dauphiné and placed on border duties until 1710, and the subsequent peace.

Polish & Austrian Successions

In 1708 the Marquis d'Arville took over as colonel and the regiment was transferred to the Army of Flanders just as the Spanish succession ended. After almost 30 years of peace, the Marquis de Pont sur-Seine took over as colonel. The regiment then joined the Army of the Rhine from 1733 to 1735 during the War of the Polish Succession, but didn't see any active service. From 1739 to 1741 the regiment served in Corsica during the Kingdom of Corsica crisis, but returned in 1742 as the War of the Austrian Succession began, and joined the Army of Flanders. In 1743 the regiment's colonel was replaced by the Marquis de La Châtre-Nançay and in the next year took part in the Battle of Alsace. In 1745 it was present at the Battle of Kronembourg, and in 1746 was part of the Siege of Mons, Siege of Charleroi, and Siege of Namur, and later the Battle of Rocoux. In 1747 the regiment was transferred south for the defence of Provence and took part in the Conquest of Nice later that year. In 1748 they transferred to the Army of the Var and served in Brittany in 1756.

Seven Years' War

In 1758, after being stationed in Brittany, the regiment joined the Army of Germany and took part in the Battle of Hastenbeck and subsequent Invasion of Hanover. Later that year, the Vicomte de Barrin was appointed as the new colonel and subsequently moved back to Brittany just in-time for the Battle of Saint Cast. In May 1760 the regiment embarked for the Île-de-France and the East Indies, and in 1762 de Gauville was appointed colonel. Following the Treaty of Paris in 1763, the regiment returned to France, but the next year embarked for Saint-Domingue. In 1765 the Comte de Béthizy was appointed colonel.

Disbandment

In 1766 the regiment again returned to France from the West Indies and successively occupied the garrisons of Rocroi, Longwy, Gex, Philippeville, Bouchain, Belle Île, Brest, Bordeaux, Bayonne, and finally again Belle Île. In January 1770 the Comte de Podenas took over as regimental colonel, thus becoming the final colonel of the regiment. Finally, as part of the reorganisation of the army in 1775, the regiment was incorporated into the Régiment de Saintonge.

During the first formation, the two ordnance flags of the regiment had their squares divided into four triangles, two of which were opposed green, the 3rd in red and 4th in yellow. Until 1763 the regiment word a white coat, breeches, collar, red facings and jacket, yellow buttons, large pockets decorated with nine buttons arranged in crow's feet, six buttons on the sleeve, and the tricorne edged with gold. After 1763 the regiment was distinguished with its Saxon facings and larger yellow buttons.

Second Formation (1776)

Formation

When Louis XV reviewed the French Royal Army after the end of the disastrous Seven Years' War, he insisted all regiments be equipped and organised the same way. As a result, all infantry regiments of more than two battalions, with some notable exceptions, were divided. The 1st and 3rd battalions disbanded and reformed the old regiment while the 2nd and 4th battalions formed a new provincial regiment and granted a number of precedence just below the former.

Anglo-French War

Fusilier of the Régiment de Flandre and ensign of the Régiment de Cambrésis in 1789 just before the revolution. Uniforms under the 1779 ordnance.

One example of a split four battalion regiment was the famed Régiment de Flandre. Therefore, in 1776 the 3rd and 4th battalions of said regiment formed the new Régiment de Cambrésis. Unluckily for the new regiments, it had no combat power directly available, as the 1st battalion was in Belle Île and preparing for deployment to sea, while the 2nd battalion was in Saint-Domingue. On 21 May 1776, a uniform ordnance was announced, and the regimental uniform became; white coat, violet facings, violet lapels, pink collar, violet cuffs, and white buttons, and a white trimmed black tricorne. On formation of the new regiment, a 'garrison' battalion was formed, which became known as the Bataillon de Péronne, which was composed of 4 fusilier companies and a grenadier company, the later joining the Régiment des Grenadiers Royaux de la Picardie in 1778. The new battalion also oversaw the two regimental depots for the regular battalions.

Plans of the Perpignan Citadel as designed in 1691. The outer defences to the south, and the citadel to the north.

In September 1777, the 1st battalion embarked for Saint-Domingue and joined the 2nd battalion, in preparation for the coming Anglo-French War (American Revolutionary War). The 2nd battalion was in the strategically important port of Môle-Saint-Nicolas (North-West Peninsula) and would remain here until the peace in 1783. In 1779, 50 volunteers under command of Colonel-en-Second the Comte de Durac contributed to the Capture of Grenada and Siege of Savannah, where three officers were wounded. The regiment left the colony on 22 May 1783, and arrived in Brest on 22 July, after a 61-day crossing and moved to Montauban in October. After arriving back in Brest, almost four years after the 21 February 1779 ordnance was announced, a new uniform was introduced which consisted; white jacket, steel grey facings, steel grey lapels, steel grey cuffs, and no buttons.

Peacetime

In June 1785, the regiment moved to Bayonne, and shortly after was separated between the towns of Dax and Bayonne as the revolution escalated it was still stationed here. In 1790, the 1st battalion moved to Navarrenx, and the 2nd went to Orthez, and in January 1791 both battalions left their respective towns for Perpignan.

Revolution

Following the French Revolution, the provisional regulations of 1 April 1791 grouped all regiments minus the foreign regiments into the same uniform category, and the uniform became; revolutionary blue coat, violet facings, yellow buttons, vertical pockets, black bicorne with the 'revolutionary' cockade of France, and violet collar/cuff flaps. Another thing which changed was the loss of provincial titles, therefore the regiment became the 20éme Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne (Cambrésis), although most regiments didn't take well to the new change, and maintained the provincial titles well into 1796.

War of the First Coalition

Perpignan Insurrection

Just as the regiment arrived in Perpignan, the majority of the officers émigrated en-mass into the local Spanish province of Catalonia. The situation worsened as soon very serious disturbing news arrived that officers of the 20th Infantry and 12th Chasseurs à Pied had planned to sneak into the town and deliver the citadel to the Spanish who were approaching from the south-west. During the night of the 6 and 7 December, these officers went to the barracks and attempted to seduce the men; but this odious scheme failed, and in the face of patriotism and courage of the battalion lieutenant-colonel Desbored, who, remained the soldier of their duties, forcing the conspirators to disperse. The regiment then fought bravely during the subsequent Battle of Perpignan. After this scuffle, the lieutenant-colonel was promoted to colonel of the regiment, and the National Assembly Assemblé Nationale issued a decree of indictment against the 27 officers if the regiment.

Pyrenees Service

Shortly after the kerfuffle in Perpignan, the regiment moved to Collioure and joined the garrison shortly after, the 1st battalion then moved to Tarbes and 2nd to Carcassonne. The 1st battalion then joined the Army of the Western Pyrenees Armée du Occidentales Pyrénées and saw much glory in 1793. The grenadiers of the 2nd battalion proved extreme courage on the 22nd of June, during the action of the Mountain of Louis XIV. Later that year, the 1st battalion amalgamated with the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Lower-Pyrénées Volunteers to form the 39éme Demi-Brigade de Bataille. On 20 October 1793, the 2nd battalion amalgamated with the 3rd Landes Battalion and 3rd Upper-Pyrénées Volunteers to form the 40éme Demi-Brigade. After the 2nd battalion amalgamated, the royal lineage was ended, thus marking the official disbandment of the regiment.

Full Organisation

The full organisation of the regiment in 1779 included:

• Regimental Headquarters and Headquarters Depot in Le Cateau-Cambrésis (recruiting from Cambrésis)
• 1st Battalion (Regular Line)
• 2nd Battalion (Regular Line)
• Battalion of Péronne (Militia/Garrison)

Regimental Uniforms

Regimental uniforms throughout the 18th century included:

First official regimental uniform of the regiment in 1720.

Regimental uniform after the 1734 uniform ordnance.

Regimental uniform after the 1757 uniform regulations.

Grenadier's regimental uniform after the 1757 uniform regulations.

Regimental uniform after the 1757 uniform regulations.

Regimental uniform after the 1767 uniform regulations.

Fusiliers uniform under the 1776 regulations.

Chasseurs uniform under the 1779 regulations (not issued until 1783 due to the regiment being in the West Indies).

Fusiliers uniform under the provisional 1791 regulations.

Regimental Colours

A typical regiment consisted of (until 1791) two colours; Regimental Colours Drapeau d'Ordonnance and the Colonel's Colours Drapeau de Colonel, which the later normally consisted of the bourbon flag (pure white) with a light grey trimmed cross imposed throughout. The regiment's colours was divided into four segments each of two coloured triangles, in opposites of violet purple and yellow.

Colonel's Colours Drapeau Colonelle during the Ancien Régime.

First regimental colours, showing the very elaborate design.

Regimental colours during the Ancien Régime time, in the same colours as the Régiment de Flandre.

1st battalion's colours, adopted after the republicanisation of the army in 1791, the golden lilies of the monarchy still present.

2nd battalion's colours, adopted after the republicanisation of the army in 1791, the golden lilies of the monarchy still present. The checkered pattern was used by the 7th regiment of the series, and the colours in violet, representing the regiment's facings.

1st battalion's colours, adopted after the declaration of the republic in 1793, the golden lilies of the monarchy removed and top replaced with a spear point.

1st battalion's colours, adopted after the declaration of the republic in 1793, the golden lilies of the monarchy removed and top replaced with a spear point.

Commanding Officers

First Regiment

• 1684–1693 Comte de Châteaurenard
• 1693–1694 Charles-François-Anne, Comte de Montberon
• 1694–1702 N. de Vienne, Marquis de Presles
• 1702–1708 François-Louis de Hautefort, Comte de Marqueyssac
• 1708–1732 Jérôme-Augustin de Boisset, Marquis d'Arville
• 1732–1743 Claude-Louis de Bouthiller de Chavigny, Marquis de Pont sur-Seine
• 1743–1758 Charles-Pierre, Marquis de La Châtre-Nançay
• 1758–1762 Armand-Charles de La Galissonnière, Vicomte de Barrin
• 1762–1765 Louis-Charles Le Pellerin de Gauville
• 1765–1770 Eugène-Eustache de Mézières, Comte de Béthizy
• 1770–1775 Jean-Gabriel de La Roque, Comte de Podenas

Second Regiment

• 1776–1780 Jean, Chevalier de Maillé de La Tour-Landry
• 1780–1784 Paul, Marquis d'Angosse
• 1784–1788 Jean-Charles-Théodore, Marquis de Moges
• 1788–1791 Charles-Louis-Secoundat, Baron de Montesquieu
• 1791–1793 Charles-Étienne-Marguerite Desbordes
• 1793–1793 Hyacinthe-Roger Duprat

References

• Louis Susane, Historie de l'Ancienne Infanterie Français, Volume I, 1849 Naval and Polytechnical Military Library of Paris, Paris, France.
• Louis Susane, Historie de l'Ancienne Infanterie Français, Volume IV, 1851 Naval and Polytechnical Military Library of Paris, Paris, France.
• Louis Susane, Historie de l'Ancienne Infanterie Français, Volume VII, 1853 Naval and Polytechnical Military Library of Paris, Paris, France.
• Louis Susane, Historie de l'Ancienne Infanterie Français, Volume VIII, 1853 Naval and Polytechnical Military Library of Paris, Paris, France.
• Dr. Constance Lienhart & Réne Humbert, The Uniforms of French Armies 1690–1894; Volume 3: The Infantry, Originally published in 1906, re-printed in 2020, Zanica, Italy. ISBN 978-8893275255.
• Digby Smith, Kevin E. Kiley, and Jeremy Black, An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Uniforms of the American War of Independence, 2017 Lorenz Books, London, United Kingdom. ISBN 978-0-7548-1761-1.
• Digby Smith & Jeremy Black, An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Uniforms of the Napoleonic Wars, 2015 Lorenz Books, London, United Kingdom. ISBN 978-0-7548-1571-6.