Royal Barrois Infanterie

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Origin and History

During the War of the Austrian Succession, a first regiment named Royal Barrois was created on November 1 1745 from the militia of the province of Lorraine.

This first regiment was disbanded on December 31 1754. However, during the Seven Years' War, the regiment was re-established on March 20 1757 from the militia battalions of Mirecourt and Neufchâteau in Lorraine.

This new regiment counted only one battalion.

During the Seven Years' War, the regiment ranked 105^th, it was under the command of:

• since March 20 1757: ???

The regiment was disbanded on November 25 1762.

Service during the War

Somewhere between August 23 and September 6 1757, the regiment joined the Army of Saxony, led by Soubise, in the area of Erfurt and Eisenach. On September 27, it is brigaded with the Royal Lorraine and Beauvoisis regiments under M. de Rivray in the first line of the left wing of the Franco-Imperial Army. However, the regiment did not take part to the battle of Rossbach. At the end of the year, it took its winter quarters in Babenhausen in Hessen.

At the beginning of June 1758, the regiment left its winter quarters in Hanau County to reinforce Clermont's army on the Lower Rhine. By June 12, it was still on its way. On August 5, the regiment formed part of Chevert's corps and took part to the combat of Mehr where it was brigaded with Reding Infanterie to form the left wing. It did not behave very well and was broken by an enemy charge. In Mid August, after Ferdinand's retreat to the east bank of the Rhine, the regiment, as part of the army of the Lower Rhine now under Contades, recrossed the Rhine to follow the Allied army. On August 20, it was encamped near Wesel where it was placed in the centre of the second line.

Uniform

Privates

Uniform in 1758 - Source: Kronoskaf

Uniform Details as per
Etrennes Militaires 1758, Abrégé du Dictionnaire Militaire 1759
Etat Militaire 1760 and Etat militaire 1761

Headgear	Musketeer black tricorne laced gold with a black cockade Grenadier black tricorne laced gold with a black cockade towards 1759, bearskins became increasingly common among grenadiers
Neckstock	black
Coat	white Collar yellow (black in 1760) Shoulder Straps n/a Lapels none (black in 1760) Pockets horizontal pockets (3 yellow buttons on each pocket) Cuffs yellow with 3 yellow buttons (white cuffs in 1760) Turnbacks none
Waistcoat	white
Breeches	white
Gaiters	white
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt natural leather Waistbelt natural leather Cartridge Box natural leather Bayonet Scabbard n/a Scabbard n/a

Armaments consisted of a musket and a bayonet. Fusiliers carried a sword (brass hilt) while the grenadiers had a sabre.

Officers

n/a

Musicians

The drummers of the regiment wore the Royal Livery: blue coat lined red; red cuffs, waistcoat and breeches; laced with the braid of the small Royal Livery.

Drummer wearing the Royal Livery - Source: Jocelyne Chevanelle

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

French Royal Livery - Source: reconstruction based on a sample from Jean-Louis Vial's collection

Colours

The colonel flag was white with a white cross. Ordonnance flags had a white cross with yellow and black opposed cantons. The cross had 12 golden fleur de lys in each of its branch.

Colonel Colour - Source: Kronoskaf

Ordonnance Colour - Source: Kronoskaf

References

Menguy, Patrice; Les Sujets du Bien Aimé

Pajol, Charles P. V., Les Guerres sous Louis XV, vol. VII, Paris, 1891

Rogge, Christian; The French & Allied Armies in Germany during the Seven Years War, Frankfurt, 2006

Vial J. L.; Nec Pluribus Impar