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List of Regiments of the Army of the Kingdom of Naples (Napoleonic) facts for kids

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Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Naples (1808)
Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Naples under Joachim Murat.

The Army of the Kingdom of Naples was, by the time's standards, a relatively sizeable force. At its height in 1815, it numbered close to 95,000 men. This large formation was modelled heavily on the French Grande Armée, and although the success of its service in the Peninsular War is questionable, the Neapolitan Army is still remembered as one of the better-organised examples of armies from Napoleon's client states.

Below is a mostly complete (with a few obscure exceptions) list of various units serving in the Murattian Neapolitan Army in the Napoleonic Wars. The units are listed by their respective army branches, i.e. Guard infantry and engineers. It must be noted that all of the regiments and units pertaining to the Guard had the phrase "della Guardia Reale" (Italian: 'of the Royal Guard') after their official name, to indicate their status as part of the Royal Household Guard.

Royal Guard

Neapolitan Grenadier Standard
Regimental flag of the Neapolitan Guard Grenadiers.

Guard Infantry

In 1815, the Guard Infantry Division totalled 57 companies organised into 4 regiments (9 battalions) and totalled 8,135 men.

English Name Italian Name Formation Date Disbanded Major Nationalities (other than Neapolitan) — if applicable Notes
Regiment of Foot Grenadiers Reggimento di Granatieri a Piedi 11 July 1806 20 May 1815 French, German and "other foreigners" Personal Guard of the King of Naples. Modelled on the French Old Guard.
1st Regiment of Vélités of Foot 1° Reggimento di Veliti a Piedi 15 July 1811 May 1815 Originally formed as the Vélité Hunters converted 15 July 1811 as Foot Velites, thereby becoming the 1st Velites.
2nd Regiment of Vélités of Foot 2° Reggimento di Veliti a Piedi 15 July 1811 May 1815 Converted from the old Guard Voltigeurs in 1811.
Regiment of Vélité-Hunters Reggimento Veliti Cacciatori 22 September 1808 15 July 1811 Originally formed as the Company of Chosen Civic Hunters in 1806, and expanded to a regiment in 1808 after their conversion. Became the 1st Regiment of Velites of Foot on 15 July 1811.
Voltigeur Battalion Battaglione Volteggiatori 30 May 1806 15 July 1811 French Disbanded in 1811 following the reorganisation of the guard. Re-raised in 1814, but the lineage wasn't transferred (see 12th Line below under Infantry and Voltigeur Regiment)
Regiment of Voltigeurs Reggimento di Volteggiatori 29 September 1814 May 1815 Formed as the 12th Infantry Regiment, later converted to the Guard Voltigeurs. See 12th Infantry under "Line Infantry" for more information.
Company of Chosen Civilian Hunters Compagnia Caccciatori Civici Scelti 1806 22 September 1808 Formed as a civilian unit, then transferred to the Guard, and finally expanded in 1808 into the Regiment of Velite Hunters.

Guard Cavalry

English Name Italian Name Formation Date Disbanded Major Nationalities (other than Neapolitan) — if applicable Notes
Regiment of Honour Guards Reggimento delle Guardie d'Onore 5 August 1809 10 March 1813 Redesignated as the Regiment of Life Guards in 1813.
Regiment of Life Guards Reggimento Guardie del Corpo 10 March 1813 28 July 1814 Redesignated back as the Honour Guards, soon reduced to a company and the remainder of the companies sent to the Guard Lancers Regiment.
Regiment of Lancers Reggimento dei Lancieri 1 October 1814 May 1815 Formed from the three squadrons initially intended for the Honour Guards Regiment.
Regiment of Cuirassiers Reggimento Corazzieri 18 March 1813 May 1815
Regiment of Chevaulegers Reggimento Cavalleggeri 30 July 1806 10 July 1808 French Raised as an early, impromptu cavalry regiment in Joseph's army in 1806 from French cavalrymen. Eventually disbanded in 1808.
Regiment of Chevaulegers Reggimento Cavallegeri 6 September 1808 May 1815 Berg (German) Raised as the Regiment of Berg Lancers, later transferred to the Neapolitan Guard. Not to be confused with the other Chevauleger regiment mentioned above; although these two bore the same name, they did not exist during the same time at once.
Regiment of Hussars Reggimento Ussari 11 April 1813 May 1815 Raised from the Mounted Velites.
Regiment of Mounted Velites Reggimento Veliti a Cavallo 22 September 1808 11 April 1813 Originally designated as a Corps rather than a regiment.
Company of Mounted Velites of Clary Compagnia Veliti a Cavallo Clary 22 November 1806 September 1808 Raised as an independent bodyguard for Marie Julie Clary, King Joseph Bonaparte's wife. Later merged with the Tascher Cavalry to form the Corps of Mounted Velites.
Selected Squadron of Gendarmerie Squadrone Gendarmeria Scelta 30 September 1806 18 March 1813 Initially raised as a Corps of Elite Gendarmerie. Only used for military police duty.

Supporting Arms

English Name Italian Name Formation Date Disbanded Notes
Royal Halderbiers of Naples Alabardieri Reali di Napoli Formed as palace guards for King Joseph Bonaparte.
Battalion of Veterans Battaglione dei Veterani 21 April 1809 May 1815 Originally a company; created for invalids and old soldiers unfit for active service.
Royal Guard Sailors Battalion Battaglione Marinai 30 September 1806 10 July 1808
Horse Artillery of the Royal Guard Artiglieria a Cavallo della Guardia 22 September 1809 May 1815 Regiment sized
Foot Artillery of the Royal Guard Artiglieria a piedi della Guardia Reale 30 September 1806 10 July 1809 Later expanded into two separate artillery regiments.
Artillery Train of the Royal Guard Treno di Artiglieria (della Guardia Reale) 30 September 1806 May 1815

Cavalry of the Line

During the 1813 reorganisation of the Neapolitan Army, the light cavalry were converted to line cavalry.

Light Cavalry

English Name Italian Name Formation Date Disbanded Notes
1st Regiment of Horse Hunters 1° Cacciatori a Cavallo 18 February 1806 10 March 1813 Reorganised into the 1st Regiment of Chevaulegers
2nd Regiment of Horse Hunters 2° Cacciatori a Cavallo 4 June 1806 10 March 1813 Reorganised into the 2nd Regiment of Chevaulegers
English Name Italian Name Formation Date Disbanded Notes
1st Regiment of Chevaulegers 1° Reggimento Cavallegeri 25 December 1810 10 March 1813 Transferred to become the 3rd, and remade from the men of the old 1st Horse Hunters
2nd Regiment of Chevaulegers 2° Reggimento Cavallegeri 10 March 1813 May 1815 Formed from the old 2nd Horse Hunters
3rd Regiment of Chevaulegers 3° Reggimento Cavallegeri 10 March 1813 May 1815 Formed from the old 1st Cavalry Regiment
4th Regiment of Chevaulegers 4° Reggimento Cavallegeri 7 July 1814 10 March 1813
Municipal Guard Squadron of Naples Squadrone Guardia Municipale di Napoli 26 September 1809 25 December 1810

Infantry of the Line

Line Infantry

English Name Italian Name Formation Date Disbanded Title (if any) Notes
1st Regiment of the Line 1° Reggimento di Linea 13 June 1806 1811 "del Re" Formed during Joseph's reign.
2nd Regiment of the Line 2° Reggimento di Linea 13 June 1806 1811 "della Regina" Formed during Joseph's reign.
3rd Regiment of the Line 3° Reggimento di Linea 10 March 1809 May 1815 "del Principe Real" Raised by decree of Murat in 1809.
4th Regiment of the Line 4° Reggimento di Linea 27 August 1809 May 1815 "Real Sannita" Raised by decree of Murat in 1809.
5th Regiment of the Line 5° Reggimento di Linea 12 September 1809 May 1815 "Real Calabria" First regiment to receive a title.
6th Regiment of the Line 6° Reggimento di Linea 10 December 1810 May 1815 "di Napoli"
7th Regiment of the Line 7° Reggimento di Linea 17 December 1810 1812 "Real Africano" Formed from the "Corpo Reale Africano", a Negro unit from Saint-Domingue in French service
8th Regiment of the Line 8° Reggimento di Linea 14 October 1811 1814 "Principe Luciano" Made up from the two Neapolitan battalions serving in Spain and the remnants of the 2nd Light Regiment at Saragossa
9th Regiment of the Line 9° Reggimento di Linea 28 June 1813 May 1815 Raised from the "Reggimento Provvisorio".
10th Regiment of the Line 10° Reggimento di Linea 8 March 1814 May 1815
11th Regiment of the Line 11° Reggimento di Linea 3 May 1814 May 1815
12th Regiment of the Line 12° Reggimento di Linea 29 June 1814 29 September 1814 "della Marca" Brought into the Royal Guard in September 1814 as the Regiment of Voltiegeurs, later reformed out of Italian veterans.
Neuchatel Battalion Battaglione Neuchatel 4 October 1808 19 May 1815 Formed in 4 October of Swiss Mercenaries who enlisted in Neapolitan Service.
MacDonald's Elite Regiment Reggimento scelto MacDonald 12 January 1813 10 June 1813 Formed through the remnants of the Neapolitan troops in the Grande Armée for service in Germany under command of General Macdonald. It was formed from all of the elite companies of the Neapolitan regiments (5th, 6th and 7th line) serving in Germany and the Marines of the Guard.

Light Infantry

English Name Italian Name Formation Date Disbanded Major Nationality (other than Neapolitan) — if applicable Notes
Royal Corsican Legion Legione Real Corso 30 June 1806 (transferred from French service) 16 February 1813 Corsican Formed from the French "Legion Corse".
1st Light Infantry Regiment 1° Reggimento Leggero 16 February 1813 May 1815 Corsican Formed from the old Corsican regiment, designated as a formal light infantry regiment.
2nd Light Infantry Regiment 2° Reggimento Leggero 16 February 1806 May 1815 Originally the 1st Light Regiment - during the reorganisation of 1813, it was redesignated as the 2nd.
3rd Light Infantry Regiment 3° Reggimento Leggero 16 February 1806 May 1815 Originally the 2nd Light Regiment - during the reorganisation of 1813, it was redesignated as the 3rd.
4th Light Infantry Regiment 4° Reggimento Leggero 20 February 1812 May 1815 Originally a provisional light infantry regiment, reorganised into the 4th Light Regiment in 1813.

Reserve Units

In 1815, the Army of the Reserve numbered 91 companies split into various gendarmerie and police legions and units.

Provincial Infantry

English Name Italian Name Formation Date Disbanded Notes
Provincial (District) Chosen Companies Compagnie Scelte Provinciali (Distrettuali) 12 June 1812
Provincial Battalions Battaglioni Provinciali 10 January 1815 May 1815 Formed for service in the Neapolitan War
1st Provincial Regiment of the Line 1° Reggimento Provvisori di Linea March 1815 May 1815 Formed for service in the Neapolitan War
2nd Provincial Regiment of the Line 2° Reggimento Provvisori di Linea March 1815 May 1815 Formed for service in the Neapolitan War
3rd Provincial Regiment of the Line 3° Reggimento Provvisori di Linea March 1815 May 1815 Formed for service in the Neapolitan War
4th Provincial Regiment of the Line 4° Reggimento Provvisori di Linea March 1815 May 1815 Formed for service in the Neapolitan War
5th Provincial Regiment of the Line 5° Reggimento Provvisori di Linea March 1815 May 1815 Formed for service in the Neapolitan War

Royal Gendarmerie

English Name Italian Name Formation Date Disbanded Notes
1st Legion (of Naples) 1° Legione di Napoli 3 March 1809 13 September 1816 Formed through the expansion of the old Legion of Naples
2nd Legion (of Bari) 2° Legione di Bari 3 March 1809 13 September 1816 Formed through the expansion of the old Legion of Naples and the Legion of Foggia.
3rd Legion (of Salerno) 3° Legione di Salerno 3 March 1809 13 September 1816 Formed through the expansion of the old Legion of Naples
Legion of Naples Legione di Napoli 5 January 1808 3 March 1809 Formed through the merger of the old 1st and 2nd Legions
Calabrian Armiger Hunters Armigeri Cacciatori Calabresi 16 April 1807 Formed to combat brigands and rebels in Calabria
Auxiliary Gendarmerie Gendarmeria Ausiliaria 23 November 1807 Originally formed as the Royal Armigers to combat brigands.
Provincial Infantry Companies Compagnie Provinciali di Fanteria 4 May 1810
Gendarmerie of the Royal Navy Gendarmeria Reale di Marina 30 March 1810

Provincial Legions

English Name Italian Name Formation Date Disbanded
Provincial Legion of Central Calabria Legione Provinciale Calabria Citra 15 May 1806 May 1815
Provincial Legion of Upper Calabria Legione Provinciale Calabria Ultra 15 May 1806 May 1815
Provincial Legion of Central Abruzzo Legione Provinciale Abruzzo Citra 15 May 1806 May 1815
1st Provincial Legion of Upper Abruzzo Legione Provinciale Abruzzo Ultra I 15 May 1806 May 1815
2nd Provincial Legion of Upper Abruzzo Legione Provinciale Abruzzo Ultra II 15 May 1806 May 1815
Provincial Legion of Molise Legione Provinciale Molise 15 May 1806 May 1815
Provincial Legion of Casilicata Legione Provinciale Basilicata 15 May 1806 May 1815
Provincial Legion of Capitanata Legione Provinciale Capitanata 15 May 1806 May 1815
Provincial Legion of Bari Legione Provinciale di Bari 15 May 1806 May 1815
Provincial Legion of Otranto Legione Provinciale d'Otranto 15 May 1806 May 1815
Provincial Legion of Naples Legione Provinciale Napoli 15 May 1806 May 1815
Provincial Legion of Lavoro Legione Provinciale di Lavoro 15 May 1806 May 1815
Provincial Legion of the Upper Principality Legione Provinciale Principato Ultra 15 May 1806 May 1815
Provincial Legion of Central Principality Legione Provinciale Principato Citra 15 May 1806 May 1815
Civic Regiment of Circeo Reggimento Civico del Circeo 1809 May 1815
National Guard of Benevento Guardia Nazionale di Benevento 1813 1814
Departmental Legion of the Tronto Legione Dipartimentale del Tronto 1814 May 1815
Departmental Legion of the Musone Legione Dipartimentale del Musone 1814 May 1815
Departmental Legion of the Metauro Legione Dipartimentale del Metauro 1814 May 1815
National Guard of the King Guardia Nazionale del Re 1814 & 1815 May 1815

Provisional Units

English Name Italian Name Formation Date Disbanded Notes
Italian Volunteers Brigade Brigata Volontari Italiani April 1815 May 1815 Formed for service in the Neapolitan War.
Calabrian Free Corps Corpo Francho Calabrese September 1806 April 1808 Formed as a counter-brigand/insurgency unit in Calabria.
Regiment of Veterans Reggimento Veterani 22 December 1806 May 1815 Originally designated as a Corps.
Mountain Hunters Battalion of the Principality of Citra Battaglione Cacciatori di Montagna del Principato Citra 4 October 1806 25 August 1809
Selected Battalion of Italian Officers Battaglione Scelto degli Ufficiali Italiani April 1815 May 1815 Formed for service in the Neapolitan War from officers of the defunct Kingdom of Italy.
Franca Guides of Abruzzi Compagnia Franca Guide degli Abruzzi 5 September 1806 26 March 1808
Franche Voltigeurs of Abruzzi Compagnie Franche Volteggiatori Abruzzesi 18 December 1806 1807

Supporting Arms

Artillery

English Name Italian Name Formation Date Disbanded Notes
1st Regiment of Foot Artillery 1° Reggimento di Artiglieria a Piedi December 1810 May 1815 Formed from the old Foot Artillery Regiment
2nd Regiment of Foot Artillery 2° Reggimento di Artiglieria a Piedi 5 January 1814 May 1815 Formed through the expansion of the old 1st Foot Artillery
Regiment of Foot Artillery Reggimento Artiglieria a Piedi 31 July 1806 December 1810 Formed from the expansion of the old Artillery Companies.
Companies of Artillery Compagnie d'Artiglieri March 1806 July 1806 Expanded to form the new Regiment of Artillery in 1806
English Name Italian Name Formation Date Disbanded
Artillery Companies of Castelnuovo
1st Artillery Company 1° Compagnia Artiglieri 11 March 1806 May 1815
2nd Artillery Company 2° Compagnia Artiglieri 14 July 1813 May 1815
1st Company of Gunsmiths 1a Compagnia di Armaioli 16 December 1808 May 1815
Artillery Companies of Castelnuovo
2nd Company of Gunsmiths 2a Compagnia di Armaioli 30 October 1809 May 1815
3rd Company of Gunsmiths 3a Compagnia di Armaioli 30 October 1809 May 1815
Coastal Artillery Companies
Gaeta Company Compagnia di Artiglieria di Gaeta 18 August 1807 May 1815
Baia Company Compagnia di Artiglieria di Baia 18 August 1807 May 1815
Pozzuoli Company Compagnia di Artiglieria di Pozzuoli 18 August 1807 May 1815
Castellammare Company Compagnia di Artiglieria di Castellammare 18 August 1807 May 1815
Sorrento Company Compagnia di Artiglieria di Sorrento 18 August 1807 May 1815
Salerno Company Compagnia di Artiglieria di Salerno 18 August 1807 May 1815
Calabrian Company Compagnia di Artiglieria di Calabria 18 August 1807 May 1815
Taranto Company Compagnia di Artiglieria di Taranto 18 August 1807 May 1815
Otranto Company Compagnia di Artiglieria di Otranto 18 August 1807 May 1815
Bari Company Compagnia di Artiglieria di Bari 18 August 1807 May 1815
Manfredonia Company Compagnia di Artiglieria di Manfredonia 18 August 1807 May 1815
Pescara Company Compagnia di Artiglieria diP escara 18 August 1807 May 1815

Artillery Train & Supply

English Name Italian Name Formation Date Disbanded Notes
Artillery Train Regiment Reggimento del Treno d'Artiglieria 26 May 1814 May 1815 Formed through the merger of the 1st and 2nd Artillery Train battalions
1st Battalion of the Artillery Train 1° Battaglione del Treno d'Artiglieria 30 July 1807 26 May 1814 Formed through the expansion and merger of the Compagnies of the Artillery Train
2nd Battalion of the Artillery Train 2° Battaglione del Treno d'Artiglieria 2 December 1813 26 May 1814
Companies of the Artillery Train Compagnia del Treno d'Artiglieria 7 October 1806 30 July 1807 Expanded to form the 1st Artillery Train Battalion
Company of Military Equipment Compagnia di Equipaggi Militari 21 May 1813 2 December 1813

Engineers & Miners

English Name Italian Name Formation Date Disbanded Notes
Regiment of Sappers and Miners Reggimento Zappatori e Minatori 26 May 1814 May 1815 Formed through the merger of the 1st and 2nd battalions of sappers and miners
1st Battalion of Sappers and Miners 1° Battaglione Zappatori e Minatori 21 April 1809 26 May 1814 Formed through the expansion of the old Sappers and Miners Companies
2nd Battalion of Sappers and Miners 2° Battaglione Zappatori e Minatori 2 April 1814 26 May 1814
Sappers and Miners Companies (6 coys) Compagnia Minatori e Zappatori 25 July 1806 21 April 1809 Expanded and grouped together to form the 1st Battalion of Sappers and Miners
7th Company of Sappers 7° Compagnia Zappatori 25 December 1810 1814 Formed for service in Corfu, French Ionian Islands

Internal Security Guard

English Name Italian Name Formation Date Disbanded
Civic Guard of Naples Guardia Civica di Napoli 15 July 1806 8 November 1808
Selected Volunteers of the City of Naples Volontari Scelti della Città di Napoli 16 June 1809 31 July 1809
Home Security Guard Guardia d'Interna Sicurezza 18 March 1813 May 1815
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List of Regiments of the Army of the Kingdom of Naples (Napoleonic) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.