Royal Velites of the Italian Guard

The unit which fought in Catalonia was the Velite Grenadier of the Guard. This unit and a detachment of the Italian Guard Artillery Train were the only Guard Units which entered Catalonia within Duhesme’s Corps.

1808

The battalion was composed of between 407 and 519 men and formed part of the Duhesme Corps, 2nd Division (Pino), 1st Bigade (Millossewitz).

June: First action of El Bruc (06/06). Formed part of the vanguard of the Schwartz brigade (with the 3rd bon of 2nd Swiss regiment) received a severe fusillade from the somatents. First siege of Girona (20/06).

September-November: Small engagement in San Boi de Llobregat (02/09) where 4 officers were killed, Battle of San Cugat (12/10) one officer wounded. A small detachment of 122 men fought in the siege of Rosas (Div. Pino).

December: Engagement at Creu Coberta at the outskirts of Barcelona (5/12). During the battle of Molins de Rei was situated in the left wing guarding the artillery park (21/12.

1809

The battalion fought in the 3rd siege of Girona (2/05 – 11/12). At the end of the year the unit quitted the peninsula to fight in other theaters.

Credits

The miniatures are Wargames Foundry french imperial guard grenadiers and chasseurs that I had in my lead pile from long ago the officer is one of my favourite miniatures. 12 miniatures that form a nice little unit painted with Vallejo paints and The Army Painter shades and varnish.
This unit didn't have a flag so after some research (follow this link for discussion on TMP) and the help of the TMP members Prince of Essling and XV Brigada(who sent me a scan) I decided to make a guidon for the unit.

Fight for Freedom!

Encampment of the A company, XXXI Penn. Vols. February the 28th 1862

Dear Lis,

As you know, I received my commission as a lieutenant in the new regiment that is being raised in Central Pennsylvania, the XXXI Pennsylvania Volunteers. I have started my camp life and I can proudly say that I don’t miss the commodities that can be found in a city like our beloved Philadelphia. The joy to serve our country and to fight for the freedom of all the people on earth fills all my needs…Well, except not having you with me.

Every day new recruits are arriving to full fit our ranks and in few days we will be marching to the front. We have settled a small encampment for our company: A company XXXI Penn. Vols. There are people from all over the state. From Philadelphia lawyers like the captain to students from the Pennsylvania State University with the main lot being farmers from Bellefonte, Boalsburg, Scranton or Port Matilda.

I think that this war is not going so well for the Union. Maybe the government will use our regiment in a new offensive or perhaps in a raid in enemy territory. What is for sure is that they won’t use us in guard duty or frontier watch.

Hopefully, we are fighting in the side of the liberty and the truth so God is with us.

Every day I pray for you and our two daughters.

Your husband who deeply loves you

Joseph Waterwell.