French Régiment des Volontaires d’Alsace, 1758–1759

Created in 1747, under the name of Geschray, on the footing of eight infantry companies of 100 men and eight dragoon companies of 50 men each, reduced by Order of 25 March 1749, to 120 men, officers included, in two infantry companies of 40 men and two dragoon companies of 20 men each; was increased, by order of 1 February 1758, to 420 men in six companies of 70 men each, of which 40 infantry and 30 dragoons, officers not included. Took the name of Volontaires d’Alsace.

Composition of each Company

  • one Capitaine en premier titulaire

For the Infantry

  • one Capitaine en second
  • one Lieutenant
  • two sergents
  • one Capitaine d’Armes
  • three Caporaux
  • 33 Fusiliers
  • one Tambour

For the Dragoons

  • one Capitaine en second
  • one Lieutenant
  • one Maréchal des Logis
  • 27 Dragoons
  • one Drummer or Trumpeter

État-Major

  • Colonel (without company)
  • Lieutenant-Colonel (without company)
  • Major
  • Aide-Major
  • Aumônier – Chaplain
  • Chirurgien

There is also one Ensign and one Cornet to carry the flag and the standard.

Uniform

Blue coat, red lapels, cuffs, waistcoat, breeches and coat lining, yellow buttons and boutonnières (buttonhole lace), three below the lapels on each side, two below the stomach and one at each corner, two red boutonnières above the coat lapels, open cuffs without buttons, one vertical pocket on each side, garnished by three buttons and buttonhole lace; black boutonnières on one side of the waistcoat, black collar, tricorne with golden lace.

Commanding Officer

  • Colonel, M. de Beyerlé
  • Lieut.-Col., M. Berquein de Gromont
  • Major, M. Canver

Campaign History

  • Engaged in the Petite Guerre of the French Army of the Rhine
  • Battle of Bergen, 1759
  • Raid on Hemeln, 04/05 July 1759
  • Engagement at Münden and Bursfelde, 05 July 1759
  • Engagement at Wellingholzhausen, 07 July 1759

Lineage

Bibliography

French Light Troops