Although he was the commander of a very important and pioneering unit of light troops during the War of the Austrian Succession, biographical information concerning the Chevalier de Grassin is quite sketchy. Even the dates of his birth and death remain elusive, although it seems likely that he was born around 1715 and may have died in 1776.

Grassin was a captain of grenadiers in the infantry regiment of Picardy in 1742 and distinguished himself in the campaign in Bohemia. At the beginning of the year of 1744, a new regiment was formed with Grassin as its colonel. It consisted of 900 infantry and 300 light cavalry. The men wore uniforms inspired by the styles worn by the famous Pandours of Austria. Named the Arquebusiers de Grassin, this regiment's function was to perform reconnaissance work and act as skirmishers. During the campaign of 1745, the Grassins fought under Maurice de Saxe in the Army of Flanders, where they performed valuable service.

It was during the battle of Fontenoy that Grassin and his regiment made their most important contribution to martial glory. Positioned in the wood of Barry in support of the regiment of d'Eu that occupied an important redoubt, the Grassins were able to halt and utterly frustrate the advance of an entire brigade of foot under the command of the English Brigadier General Ingoldsby. By halting this advance, the Grassins were able to keep the vital redoubt from being outflanked and taken.

Grassin continued to campaign with Maurice's army for the remainder of the war. In 1748, he was promoted to marechal de camp. On August 1st 1749, the Grassins were incorporated into a new mixed corps to be known as the Volunteers of Flanders. In subsequent years, many new units of foot and cavalry were to be created, especially with the outbreak of the Seven Years War. Grassin's corps of light infantry and cavalry was one of the inspirations for this phenomenon.

If any of the members have further information pertaining to this interesting fellow, please send it to me.

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