French Légion Royale, 1758–1776

This corps was created by order of 15 August 1745, from the old Compagnies franches; before the peace there were 2531 men; at the peace it was reduced to 640, not counting 46 officers. By order of 18 November 1756, it was increased to 950 men, not counting 72 officers. By that of 25 February 1758, to 1200 men, officers not included, divided in 15 companies, of which two of grenadiers of 45 men, 12 companies of Volontaires of 90 men each of which 50 foot and 40 mounted, and one company of workers of 30 men.

Finally, by order of 7 May 1758, this corps took the name Légion Royale, and was augmented by 225 men, in such a way that it currently has 1425 men distributed in 16 companies, namely two companies of grenadiers each composed of two sergeants, three corporals, three Anspessades, thirty-six grenadiers, and one drummer, commanded by one captain, one lieutenant, and one second lieutenant.

Twelve companies of 100 men each, of which 60 infantry and 40 dragoons, composed for the infantry element of three sergeants, four corporals, four Anspessades, 48 fusiliers and one drummer, commanded by a Capitaine titulaire to whom the entire company belongs, one Capitaine en second, one Lieutenant and one Lieutenant en second.

And for the dragoon element, by one Maréchal des Logis, two Brigadiers, thirty-six dragoons and one drummer, commanded the Capitaine titulaire of the entire company, one Capitaine en second, one Lieutenant and one Lieutenant en second.

One company of hussars of 75 men, namely a Fourier, six Brigadiers, sixty-seven hussars and one trumpeter, commanded by one Capitaine, one first and one second Lieutenant, and two Maréchaux des Logis.

One company of workers of 60 men, namely three sergeants, three Maîtres Ouvriers, three Sous-Maîtres, twenty-one carpenters, twenty-nine apprentices and one drummer, commanded by one Capitaine, one Lieutenant, one Lieutenant en second and one Sous-Lieutenant.

État-Major

  • Colonel-Commandant (without Company)
  • Major
  • Aide-Major d’Infanterie
  • Aide-Major de Dragons
  • Aumônier – Chaplain
  • Chirurgien-Major
  • Aide-Chirurgien
  • Prévôt – Provost

Two artillery pieces à la Suédoise attached to the infantry element.

Uniform

Blue coat, cuffs, and collar, red waistcoat and coat lining, white breeches, white buttons on both sides of the coat and waistcoat, diagonal pockets garnished with three buttons, tricorne with silver lace for the dragoons; the fusiliers, grenadiers and workers have a bearskin cap.

Commanding Officer

  • Col. Commandant, M. le Comte de Chabo
  • Major, M. Sicard, Rang de Lieut.-Col.
  • Aide-Major d’Inf., M. Gompertz
  • Cap.Aide-Major de Dragons, M. Aucler

Bibliography

French Light Troops