Agenois Regiment

The Régiment d'Agenois was a French infantry regiment created under the Ancien Regime in 1595. It participated in the American War of Independence.

The regiment, commanded by Baron de Cadignan, suffered heavy casualties in D'Estaing's unsuccessful assault at Savannah (1779). Two of its battalions were among forces under Saint Simon brought from the West Indies to Yorktown (1781). Under its commander, Comte d'Autichamp, it participated in capturing a British redoubt on 14 October. Its principal engagements in that theatre also included St Christophe, Pensacola and Les Saintes.

In 1791 the Agenois lost its traditional title and was retitled the 16e Regiment. In 1794 all regular infantry regiments of the old Royal Army were amalgamated with newly raised volunteer battalions, thereby losing their former identity.

According to the 1776 dress regulations, the Agenois Regiment wore the usual off-white uniform of the French line infantry with light red (effectively pink) lapels and cuffs and green collars. Buttons were of white (silver or pewter) metal. On the eve of the French Revolution (1789) their facing colour had changed to a deep shade of purple.