Created by Dessaix in 1792, it was at first part of the Armée du Midi commanded by the marquis de Montesquiou that invaded Savoy. Later the legion took part in the siege of Toulon in 1793 and in fighting the Spanish in the Eastern Pyrenees in 1794-5. In 1796 it was transferred to the Armée d'Italie where it was badly mauled at the Battle of Rivoli.