Victor Amadeus II of Sardinia
After the ascension to the throne of Charles Albert of Sardinia on 27 April 1831 a major reform of the military of the Kingdom of Piedmont was undertaken. Thus on 25 October 1831 the "Acqui" Brigade was raised in Nice and consisted of the 1st Infantry Regiment and the 2nd Infantry Regiment. The 1st Infantry Regiment continued the traditions of the "Desportes" Regiment founded on 27 October 1703 by Victor Amadeus II of Sardinia as a foreign volunteer regiment. By 1839 each regiment fielded four battalions, which in turn fielded 4 companies of 250 men each. In 1839 the regiments of the "Acqui" were numbered and renamed as 17th Infantry Regiment "Acqui" and 18th Infantry Regiment "Acqui".