The Kingdom of Italy was formed from Lombardy, Tsispadanskaya and Tsizapilskaya republics on March 17, 1805. In 2 months, on May 26, 1805 in Milan, Napoleon was crowned with the Iron Crown of Lombardy.
After the war with Austria, the Republic of Venice and South Tyrol were annexed to the Kingdom of Italy by the Pressburg Peace Treaty. Eugene de Beauharnais, Napoleon's stepson received the title of Viceroy of Italy. The primary duty of viceroy was the reorganization of the army. At the National Archives in Paris there is a note about the state of the army:
Guardia del Presidente – the Presidential guard - infantry, cavalry, and artillery;
Fanteria di Linea - the line infantry - 5 regiments;
Fanteria di Leggera – the Light infantry - 2 regiments;
Legione Italiano – the infantry unit, an auxiliary regiment;
Cacaciatori a Cavallo - horse huntsman’ regiment - 1 regiment;
The Hussars – 2 regiments;
The Artillery Corps;
The Corps of Engineers;
Gendarmeria nazionale - the National Gendarmerie - 2 regiments;
Invalidi e veterani – the invalids and veterans - one battalion;
The Battalion of the Coast Artillery.
Polish infantry (1) and cavalry (1) regiments that were in the Italian service were transferred to the army of the Kingdom of Naples in 1806.
By the end of 1805, there were formed parts, which laid the foundation of the entire army. They were formed mainly from the Italians.
The Royal Guard:
The Honour Corps of the Royal Guard, 4 cavalry companies - Guardia Reale d'Onore;
The Corps of the Royal Bids (velites) - 12 companies - Veliti reale;
The corps of the line Guard - Guardia di Linea- which was consisting of:
- The line Infantry, the Guard Grenadier - Grenatieri a Piedi- and the Guard huntsmen - Cacciatori a Piedi - battalions.
- One regiment of mounted dragoons - Dragoni della Guardia Reale;
- One company of Mounted Guards artillery;
- One battalion of Breshiar huntsmen, - Cacciatori de Bresc.
During various changes and innovations to the 1808 the Guard had in its composition:
The Infantry of the line Guard. There was one grenadier battalion. There were 5 regiments with 105 people in each of them.
One huntsmen’s Battalion. There were 5 companies with 105 people in each.
The Bids (velites). Three Battalions were consisted of 5 regiments with 120 people in each.
The Marine squadron consisting of 60 people.
The Walking artillery - 1 company that was consisted of 8 captured Austrian 6-pound guns.
The Horse Artillery - 1 company that was consists of 8 captured Austrian 6-pound guns.
The Dragoons - 2 squadrons and 2 companies that were consisted of 104 people in each.
The honor Royal Guard - 5 regiments with 108 people in each.
One squadron of elite gendarmes - 43 people.
The next transformations appeared in the army of the Kingdom of Italy in 1810. Three battalions of Bids (velites) were joined in 2 major Guards regiments. One of these battalions became a grenadier, and two others - huntsmen. A little bit later the huntsmen battalions were renamed into Carabinier.
The number of Bids battalions was reduced from 3 to 2. One of them was the Grenadier and another one was the Carabinier. The huntsmen’s regiment was renamed into the line Guard, and it became known as the Carabinier.
The companies of artillery received the regiments of Bids, of the line Guard and of the Konscripts. They also got an artillery convoy.
Innovations had touched the Guards sailors too. They were combined
into one crew, which had 152 people, as well as into a company of foot
artillery where 100 people were.
The commanding of the Fourth Army Corps of the Grand Army in the Russian
Campaign was entrusted to the Viceroy of the Italian Kingdom, stepson
of Napoleon, Josephine's son - Eugene Beauharnais.
Commander: Major-General Count Domenico Pino (Pino), Prime Captain of the Royal Guard, the commander of the 15th Infantry Division.
Commander: Brigadier General Baron Teodoro Leckie (Lecchi), commander of an infantry brigade of the Royal Guard.
Chief of Staff: Captain Badalassi (Badalassi).
Junior Inspector Looks: Belfort (Belfort).
Military commissars: Gini (Gini), Forti (Fortis).
In the Russian Campaign by June 25, 1812, it was divided into:
- The Guard brigades of infantry:
Commander: Brigadier General Baron Teodoro Leckie (Lecchi).
Adjutant: Captain Migliorini (Migliorini).
- The Royal Regiment of Bids – there were 43 officers and 1105 established men.
Commander: Colonel Pietro Angelo Moroni (Moroni).
Grenadier battalion: Battalion Chief Bastide (Bastides).
Carabinieri Battalion: Battalion Chief Maffei (Maffee).
Roth regimental artillery: two 6-pounders.
Total: 2 Battalion, 2 guns.
Before the Russian Campaign the regiment had fought in El belly, Mataro, Gerona, Piave, Raab and Wagram.
In March 1812 the entire company took part in fights in Maloyaroslavets, Vyazma Dukhovshchina, Krasnoye.
After 1812 they fought in San Marco and Volano.
- The Guard Regiment of Carabinier Infantry – there were 45 officers and 1137 established men.
Commander: 2nd Colonel Blood (Crovi).
Grenadier battalion: Battalion Chief Sakina (Sacchini).
Jaegers Battalion: Battalion Chief Bonfanti (Bonfanti).
Roth regimental artillery: two 6-pounders.
Total: 2 Battalion, 2 guns.
Before the Russian Campaign the regiment had fought in Soave, Kastelcherino, Piave, Raab and Wagram.
In March 1812 the entire regiment took part and fought in Maloyaroslavets, Vyazma Dukhovshchina, Krasnoye.
After 1812 they fought in San Marco, Volano, Feystrits, Veyzelburg, Chernuts.
- The Guard Regiment of the Konskripts – there were 40 officers and 1084 established men.
Colonel Antoine Constant Olve Peraldi (Peraldi).
Grenader battalion: Battalion chief Kazim Del Fante (Del Fante).
Egerej battalion: Battalion chief Sûbervilʹ.
Rota polkovoj Artillery: 2 6-funtovyh rifle.
Total: 2 Battalion, 2 Seeding.
The Italian corps that was under the command of Eugene Beauharnais crossed the Neman River on June 30, 1812 in the village of Prena.
July 20 Surazh in its ranks housing - 5300 people., Before the performance from Smolensk to Moscow - 6600 thousand. Pers., Under Gzhatsk - 4100 people. with 18 guns (2600 people. infantry and 940 people. cavalry).
During the retreat to Smolensk Italian Royal Guard fought at Vyazma in battle on November 4 at the Red sensitive suffered damage. Her remains of 17 November crossed the river. Berezina and 30 November left Russia clicking Neman at Kovno.
Passing the whole Campaign, participating in various battles, experiencing all the hardships retreat the corps retain orderliness and organization.
On December 12, 1812 the remains of the corps of the Italian Kingdom were able to cross the border of the Russian Empire near Kovno.
On December 31, 1812 there were only 452 people of the entire body who gathered in Marienwerder. According to other data gathered 112 officers and 149 soldiers and non-commissioned officers.
After the end of the Russian Campaign the changes in the army happened again. In January 1813 the Guard regiment of infantry was renamed as the Guard Grenadiers. Konskripts were renamed as Guards rangers.
The number of battalions was reduced to 2 battalions in both new regiments. But by March, the number of battalions in the regiment of huntsmen was increased to 4. The guard of Honor was reduced to the 1st company.
