French Régiment des Volontaires du Hainaut, 1757–1768

By order of 25 March 1757, the Régiment des Volontaires de Flandre was divided into two regiments, under the title of Volontaires de Flandre and Volontaires du Hainaut (Haynault), composed of six companies each, the company of 70 men, of which 40 infantry and 30 cavalry.

By order of 25 February 1758, each of these regiments was increased to 600 men by raising two new companies, and adding five mounted men to each of the six existing ones, so that they are currently each composed of eight companies of 75 men, of which forty on foot and thirty-five mounted.

État-Major

  • Colonel (without Company)
  • Lieutenant-Colonel (without Company)
  • Major
  • Aide-Major d’Infanterie
  • Aide-Major de Cavalerie
  • Aumônier – Chaplain
  • Chirurgien

Plus one Enseigne to carry the flag.

Composition of each Company

  • one Capitaine Titulaire

For the Infantry

  • one Capitaine en second
  • one Lieutenant
  • two Sergents
  • three Caporaux
  • three Anspessades
  • 31 Fusiliers
  • one Drummer

For the Cavalry

  • one Capitaine en second
  • one Lieutenant
  • one Cornette
  • one Maréchal des Logis
  • two Brigadiers
  • 32 Cavaliers
  • one Trompette or Timballier

Uniform

Blue coat, waistcoat, and coat lining, vertical pockets, white breeches, white metal buttons and white boutonnières (buttonhole lace), tricorne with silver lace.

Commanding Officer

  • Colonel since its formation in 1758, M. de Bourgmary
  • Lieutenant-Colonel, M. Duvignau
  • Major, M. de Grandmaison

Campaign History

  • Deployed with the French Army of the Rhine
  • Battle of Hastenbeck, 26.07.1757
  • Capture of Hanover, 08.08.1757
  • Battle of Minden, 01.08.1759

Lineage

  • Légion du Hainaut, 1768
  • Disbanded in 1776

Bibliography

French Light Troops