The Dauphin's Cavalry Regiment () was a line, later heavy cavalry regiment of the French Royal Army, and the last of its type to be formed by the time of the French Revolution. Formed in 1668, the Dauphin's Cavalry would see service in multiple conflicts, notably the War of the Spanish Succession, Austrian Succession, and Seven Years' War. However, following the French Revolution, the regiment was transformed into a heavy cavalry regiment, and later a cuirassier regiment which ended the royalist lineage of the regiment. After a brief reformation in 1814, the regiment was once again recreated in 1815 after the Bourbon restoration. The regiment then limited action during the Spanish Expedition, and was finally disbanded in 1830 following that year's Revolution. The regiment's successor, the 12th Cuirassiers would serve notably in the Revolution and Republican periods and continues to serve today as an armoured regiment.
War of Devolution
The formation of the Dauphin's Cavalry Regiment is rather obscure, as at the time of formation, two separate groups and dauphins were present in France. According to some sources, the regiment was formed by merger of various independent cavalry companies and one company of the Dauphin's Light Cavalry (Chevaulégérs du Dauphin).Susane, pp. 164–170Bukhari, p. 26
In 1667, following the French law signed by Louis XIV entitled Jus Devloutionis, a large part of the Spanish Netherlands and Franche-Comté was to be recognised as his, thereby being part of France. However, following a short war in 1667 and 1668, the Kingdom of France came out victorious and in the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, these regions, were ceded to France. However, before the cessation of hostilities, a new regiment of horse was being raised within the region, and was handed over to Louis de Bourbon, Dauphin of France, heir to the French throne. The reason for this appointment seems to be unknown, either because he was spontaneously chosen for this operation, or as a good courtier he had requested this favour. The new regiment, affectionately known as the Dauphin's Regiment of Light Horse (Régiment des Chevaulégers du Dauphin) was under command of the dauphin's sister, Louise, Mademoiselle de La Vallière, who already raised and oversaw the new unit for a short period.
Training for the new regiment took place in La Bassée in the Province of Flanders, where it was expanded to the size of a full regiment, and no longer that of a company. Here, the regiment was joined by one of the Companies of Ordnance belonging to the Dauphin, and soon eight other companies from other regiments. It was at this point that the Dauphin handed over operational control to the Marquis de Cornelius. Following the treaty and subsequent peace, on 2 May 1668 the regiment was disbanded and subsequently reformed on the 14th at the size of just one company, bringing it in line with the other regiments of the army. At this time, the Mademoisselle de La Vallière was replaced by the Marquis de Saint-Gelais, who took over previously on 15 April, and would remain commander until 1669, when the company was expanded back to regimental size. By this time the regiment was known simply as the Dauphin's Cavalry Regiment (Régiment de Dauphin-cavalerie).
Franco-Dutch War By 1669, the regiment was expanded to the size of 6 companies, and in 1672 the Dauphin ordered the regiment into the newly occupied French Flanders region. However, the new Dutch Republic, which had been formally recognised in 1648 became increasingly interested the Flanders region. Following several reorganisation of the army under the Secretary of State for War François-Michel le Tellier, Marquis de Louvois, the French army was rapidly expanded and formed into new field armies, which could at any time quickly mobilise and strike quickly. As the situation deteriorated, war was declared and the Franco-Dutch War began with the French Royal Army crossing the frontier.
The regiment's first objective was to make a rapid advance across the Wallonian region and cut off any planned support coming from the hostile Holy Roman Empire and the dual monarchy of Brandenburg-Prussia. Just a year into the war, the Spanish Empire along with the aforementioned nations joined on the side of the Dutch, and the plans were halted. Instead, priority was placed on the strategic cities in the western part of the county. The first strike occurred at the Siege of Orsoy, then at the Siege of Rheinberg, the Siege of Doesburg, and finally the crossing of the Rhine. The next year, in 1673, the regiment was present at the Siege of Maastricht, which resulted in a French victory at a heavy cost. In 1674, the regiment was present at the Battle of Séneff, and in 1675 at the Siege of Dinant, Siege of Huy, and finally the Siege of Limburg. In 1676, the regiment again saw much action, where it was involved at the Siege of Condé, Siege of Bouchain, Siege of Aire, and the Second Siege of Maëstricht. In 1677 they were present at the Siege of Valenciennes and Siege of Cambrai. Finally, in the last years of the war in 1678, the regiment was present at the Siege of Ghent, Siege of Ypres, and finally the Battle of Saint-Denis.
General Crisis By 1680 the regiment was stationed in Artois and two years later in the Saar camp. In yet another effort by Louis XIV to fortify and secure France's borders, the War of the Reunions broke out, leading to the Siege of Luxembourg, which the regiment partook in. Just a few years later relations once again fell apart, and the Nine Years' War began with the French invasion of the Rhineland. In 1688, the regiment was in the camp near the Meuse from where it was then dispatched to participate in the Siege of Philippsburg. In 1698 the regiment moved south and took part in the Siege of Mainz, and in 1690 moved back to the western side of the Rhine, and took part in the Siege of Mons the next year. From 1691 it returned to the Moselle only to be recalled again in 1692 to the Netherlands, where it took part in the Siege of Mons, Siege of Charleroi, and finally the Battle of Steenkerque. In 1693, the regiment was transferred to the western frontier, where it remained until the peace.
On 1 January 1690, the cavalry regiments' uniforms were standardised under the Cavalry Ordnance of that date signed by Louis XIV. Under this regulation, cavalry regiments were (for the most part) grouped into three 'divisions' of uniforms which were similar in several ways. The Régiment du Dauphin's new uniform was now as follows: black tricorne with yellow braiding, and white bourbon cockade with yellow centre. Dark 'Royal' blue coat with tan small clothes and trousers, red turnbacks and facings, dark blue saddle, and golden buttons.Leinhart & Humber, Plate 2
Spanish Succession In 1701 the, King Charles II of Spain died without an heir, leading to a succession crisis which in turn caused the eruption of the War of the Spanish Succession. On the German side was the House of Habsburg led by Charles VI of the Holy Roman Empire who vouched for a Hapsburg line to take over. While on the French side was the House of Bourbon led by Louis XIV who supported putting a Bourbon on the throne, specifically Philippe, Duke of Anjou.
Italy As the situation further deteriorated, tensions reached boiling point and the War of the Spanish Succession began. Just before the war began, the regiment was moved south to Savoy to join the newly formed Army of Italy, and shortly thereafter fought at the Battle of Carpi and Battle of Chiari. Between 31 January 1702 and 1 February 1702, the regiment was caught in an ambush, which led to the Battle of Cremona. Shortly thereafter the regiment was involved in the Battle of Luzzara. The army then moved back west and took part in the disastrous Siege of Turin, where the Mestre de Camp (commanding officer), the Marquis de Murçay was mortally wounded.
Germany and Flanders After the eventual evacuation of Italy, the regiment was sent north and joined the Army of the Rhine, led by the soon-to-be famed Marshal Claude, Prince of Martigues and Marquis of Villars. The regiment then partook in several actions in the regions of Swabia and Franconia.
In 1708 the regiment was transferred to Flanders where it was engaged at the Battle of Oudenarde and Battle of Malplaquet. From 1712 the regiment was once again in the Army of the Rhine and employed as frontier guards on the river's west bank. As the Prince of Martigues began another campaign, the regiment was once again heavily involved in several actions. The actions included those of the Battle of Speyer, Battle of Worms, Battle of Kaiserslautern, Battle of Landau, and finally the Battle of Fribourg.
Alliance and Polish Succession
At the end of the War of the Spanish Succession, the Peace of Utrecht was signed in which many of the remaining Spanish owned areas were given up to France, Austria or the Dutch Republic, which was not recognised by the new French bourbon Spanish king. However many of the old enemies were in the same area in which they recognised the treaty and were willing to uphold it by force if necessary. Once again, hostilities broke out in the War of the Quadruple Alliance with the Kingdom of Great Britain, Kingdom of France, Holy Roman Empire, and Dutch Republic on one side, and the Kingdom of Spain on the other.
War of the Quadruple Alliance In 1719 in response to the conflict, the regiment was brought up to strength and sent to the Basque Country where it took part in the Battle of Fuenterrabía, Siege of San Sebastián, and finally the Siege of Roses.
War of the Polish Succession Just thirty years after a major succession crisis, another one began, the War of the Polish Succession. In 1733, the regiment was sent to Italy and joined the Army of Italy and fought at the Battle of Gera d'Adda and Battle of Pizzighettone. The following year the regiment continued its campaign in Northern Italy, and was involved in the Battle of Tortone, Battle of Novara, Battle of Colorno, Battle of Parma, and finally the Battle of Guastalla. In 1735, the regiment was further involved in a number of actions, included the Battle of Gonzague, Battle of Reggiolo, Battle of Revere, and finally the Battle of Governolo. In 1736, the regiment was withdrawn into France and took up garrison in Caen, Normandy. It was here where the first permanent regimental depot was set up.
Austrian Succession
Only seven years following the last succession crisis, yet another one began, known as the War of the Austrian Succession. In 1740, just before the beginning of the new conflict, a new uniform ordnance was published. By this time, the regiment was 15th in Precedence, being just after the Queen's Cavalry Regiment and before the Dauphin's Foreign Cavalry Regiment. Under the new uniform ordinance, the regiment was now uniformed as follows: black tricorne with a white bourbon cockade and yellow centre plume, dark blue coat, golden buttons, silver epaulettes, red turnbacks and facings, tan small clothes and trousers, and dark blue with tan faced horse saddle.Leinhart & Humber, Plate 3
Bohemia In 1741, one year into the new conflict, the regiment joined the Army of the Meuse, commanded by Marshal Jean Baptiste, Marquis de Maillebois. On 31 August 1741, the regiment along with the army left its camp in Givet and marched into Westphalia, where it spent the winter in Münster. In 1742, the regiment left Westphalia and marched across central Europe and joined their allies, the Prussian Army in the Kingdom of Bohemia, then part of the Holy Roman Empire.