Swiss regiments in the Army of the Spanish Bourbons during the 18th century

Since the capture of Menorca by the Duke of Crillón, the presence of Swiss infantry regiments garrisoned Menorca was common. The Helvetian regiments had been contracted by the Spanish Bourbon monarchy since 1742 and, according to their regulations, they had to renew their contract every 20 years. These units adopted the canton from which they came, followed by that of their colonel. Generally, the Swiss regiments were garrisoned in Majorca and went to Menorca, changing from time to time.

Thus, to relieve Berstchard’s, the Sant Gall regiment arrived on 4/12/95 commanded by the colonel graduated as Field Marshal, Cristóbal de Ruttiman, who stayed in the Es Castell barracks. The vicissitudes of this regiment changed when General Bonaparte invaded the canton of Sant Gall in 1798 and dismissed the abbot, who, in addition to being the first ecclesiastical authority, was its ruler.

At that time and due to circumstances, the capitulations with Spain were broken, and Colonel Ruttiman took charge of the regiment, signing new ones and since then being called the Ruttiman Regiment.