4th Line Infantry Regiment 'Real Sannita'

The 4th Line Infantry Regiment (In Italian: 4o Reggimento Fanteria di Linea) was one of the line infantry regiments of the Army of the Kingdom of Naples. It served extensively in the war against the brigandage under Manhés, while also taking part in the disastrous landings in Sicily in 1810, in which its colonel, D'Ambrosio was captured. It then remained in the southern tip of the Kingdom, fighting off Bourbon insurgents and British attempts to land troops. Unfortunately, its service in Calabria caused its ranks to be infiltrated by anti-Murattian Sanfedisti, almost causing a mutiny on one occasion. Its participation in the brigandage is covered within Alexandre Dumas’s book The Bourbons of Naples.

It was given the title “Real Sannita” or Royal Samnite in 1809 as an honorary formality.

Formation

The 4th Line Infantry Regiment was formed by Royal Decree N.450 on 27th August 1809. Its strength was decreed to be at three battalions. Each of these battalions counted 5 fusilier companies, one grenadier company and one voltigeur company, each 140 men in strength. The 5th fusilier company of each battalion was detached to form the depot, which totaled three companies and was commanded by the regiment’s Major. Overall, the regiment's on-paper strength was 2,946 men split into 21 companies and a regimental staff of 36 officers, non-commissioned officers, and artisans.

The regiment was raised from conscripts mainly from the province of Abruzzo, although its junior officers were promoted from the non-commissioned ranks of the Velites of the Guard, while some of the officers came from the existing regiments. It’s first Colonel was Angelo D’Ambrosio, an experienced soldier who had served in the Bourbon, Parthenopean and Austrian armies. He was widely known as a brave and competent soldier, and his appointment as Colonel came following his return from the Spanish Campaign, which he served as a Chef de Bataillon of the 1st Line Infantry Regiment. His conduct during the campaign gained him the admiration and praise of his superiors. Notably, he was one of the first men to reach the top of Girona’s walls during the escalade on 20th June 1808, during the First Siege of Girona. He would earn the award of Knight of the Legion d’Honneur for this.

The regiment’s formation would be overseen by General Antoine Charles Manhès, who would proclaim the regiment “his children” later in his career.

The regiment’s formation came as Murat’s initiative to expand the Army to fit the requirements of the Treaty of Bayonne. Prior to his reign, the Kingdom only had two Line Infantry regiments, which together amounted to little under 5,000 men, insufficient numbers to fit Napoleon’s demands for troops. The raising of further regiments also furthered Murat’s position within Neapolitan society by promoting loyalty to the Crown and creating opportunities for advancement for many young landowners and nobles.

Imperial Service

The 4th Line spent its initial existence in the occupation of the Papal States. It most probably suffered from desertion there, like the other new regiments sent to serve in the occupation force. Upon return stationed in Gaeta and reviewed by Murat on March 1st, 1810. It was then sent to Calabria Ulteriore to prepare for the invasion of Sicily.

Invasion of Sicily

The 4th Line was grouped into 2nd (Neapolitan) Division of the invasion force, which also consisted of the 2nd Light, 3rd Line, and Royal Corsican regiment. The commander of the division was Jacques-Marie, vicomte Cavaignac. The division would be destined to be the only Franco-allied troops to land on the island.

The attack began in the early morning hours of the 18th of September. Around 4:30am the entirety of the division had landed between the villages of Scaletta Zanclea and Santo Stefano Briga, some twenty kilometers south of Messina. These then formed up into battle order and around 5 set out along the coastal road to Messina.

Almost immediately upon landing, the invasion force was met by swarms of local armed peasants with rallied to defend the hilly terrain. Initially pushing forwards with some success, the Neapolitan attack stalled upon being confronted by formed British troops. More regular reinforcements arrived from the British garrisons at Contesse, Tremestieri and Pistunina, bringing the defenders to significantly outnumber the Neapolitans. Eventually, these pushed the Neapolitans back to the beach; the situation looked dire for the invaders, as they were slowly pushed into the sea.

Ordered to cover the retreat, D’Ambrosio personally led forwards the 4th Line’s remaining men in a heroic counterattack against the British lines, which pushed the enemy back and forced them to retreat momentarily. Unfortunately, a swift countercharge by British cavalry threw the 4th Line into disorder, and in the ensuing melee the colonel was captured. The survivors struggled back to the boats and fled. Fortunately, the remainder of the force managed to embark in time; had the 4th Line been unsuccessful in delaying the enemy, the entire force would’ve been captured. Thus ended the 4th Line’s first true pitched battle.

D'Ambrosio and the other prisoners would be sent to Malta. However, the energetic Colonel, always prepared to take risks, promptly escaped from the island on a friendly merchant ship after failing to secure his release in a prisoner exchange. He arrived triumphantly in Naples and in January 1811 he was made a Baron by the King and sent back to Calabria to rejoin his regiment. His arrival was undoubtedly met with much jubilation from the soldiers.

Sanfedisti Mutiny

COMING SOON.

Italian Campaigns of 1814-15

COMING SOON.