Tuesday, 20 September 2022

Forces of the Confederation of the Five Duchies - The Duchess du Burgoyne`s Own Fusiliers

 

The Duchess du Burgoyne`s Own Fusiliers



Commanding officer: Brevet Colonel Christophe de la Côte D'or

Motto: "I serve"

Garrison/HQ: Cerisier

Nickname: The Cherry Blossoms


Origin

The Duchess du Burgoyne`s Own Fusiliers were raised during the war of independence in 1668 by the duke du Burgoyne to serve as his personal bodyguard and were known as the Duke`s Own Bodyguard. 

The war of independence

The regiment served under Duke Henri du Burgoyne throughout the 1669 to 1671 campaign in Volgar, including the Battle of Hen-Bei in July 1670, and the Battle of Iytstelbel in 1671, which brought the campaign in Volgar to an end.  The Burgoyne forces joined the other Duchies in fighting in the Nine-month campaign at Saufend in August 1672 and took part in the storming of the earthworks there.

On the renewal of conflict in 1673, the Cherry Blossoms were assigned to protect the duchy of Burgoyne`s artillery.  As such they were equipped with light-weight muskets or `fusils`, and they became the duke du Burgoyne`s Own Fuzilieers.  The regiment served throughout the various campaigns in the war of independence, including the battles of Sainte Marguerite, Falaise de l'abbé, and Vallée des ormes.

In 1688, the Five Duchies were able to secure their freedom from the Kingdom of Volgar, but in the final hours of the war Duke Henri du Burgoyne was killed by a stray shot. The loss of their beloved leader caused consternation in the Duchy of Burgoyne and from that point onwards the Duchess du Burgoyne`s Own Fusiliers would no longer be led in combat by their liege.  Instead, combat command of the regiment was given over to a brevet colonel.

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