Royal Corsican Rangers
| Royal Corsican Rangers | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1798–1802 1803–1817 |
| Country | Corsica (and Italy) |
| Allegiance |
Kingdom of Great Britain (to 1802) United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Size | Battalion |
| Decorations | Sphinx |
| Disbanded | 1817 |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Hudson Lowe |
The Royal Corsican Rangers was a unit of the British Army, composed mainly of Émigrés, which served during the later part of the French Revolutionary Wars and throughout the Napoleonic Wars.
In 1794, the Corsicans under Pasquale Paoli seceded from the French Republic, and invited British troops to assist in driving French troops from the island. For two years, the island was part of an Anglo-Corsican Kingdom. However, relations between British and Corsicans soured. Spain declared war against Britain in 1796, putting all British territories in the Mediterranean at risk and prompting the British to withdraw from Corsica. Several pro-Paoli Corsicans fled the island or were exiled, and in September 1798, they formed a light infantry company known as the "Franc Tireur Corses" on Minorca, which at the time was held by the British. The unit consisted of seven officers and 226 other ranks.
In July 1800, Captain Hudson Lowe of the 50th Foot was detached to command the unit, with the temporary rank of Major. Lowe had served on Corsica during the brief period of British control, and spoke both French and Italian. The unit was transported to Gibraltar, where they impressed General Ralph Abercromby, who was preparing an expedition to remove the French from Egypt, which they had conquered in 1798. Abercromby issued them with new uniforms and Baker rifles, and placed them in his Reserve Division. They took part in the opposed landing at the Battle of Aboukir after which they were re-titled the Corsican Rangers.
The unit took part in the subsequent actions in Egypt. They received praise, and were entitled to wear buttons and other equipment decorated with a sphinx. The Peace of Amiens was signed between Britain and France shortly after the French evacuated Egypt. The Corsican Rangers were disbanded in Malta.
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Wikipedia