Galloping Major Kickstarter: "Compagnies Franches de la Marine"

[Malamute]

Lol
You really don't know how difficult it is to resist this,having seen the work Jeff is doing on Mark's Natives last week,in the flesh so to speak,tattoos,leggings etc they are lush.Beautiful castings 
I will though,keeping my powder dry,waiting for Confirmation 

 

I think we will definitely be having another game of M&T at BLAM.

[Romark]

I think we will definitely be having another game of M&T at BLAM.

Will look forward to that 
Do you think La Longe Baguette will have escaped or been exchanged by then ? 

[Galloping Major]

Rough concept sketch for this gentleman representing Montreal born Daniel Hyacinthe de Lienard de Beaujeau at the battle of Monongahela, but could easily well be used to represent other officers of La Marine in “native dress”.
I decided to allow M. de Beaujeau to "keep his hat on" and what I'll paint as a powdered wig, to differentiate him from his allies.
This figure will go out free with all pledges of 6 or more packs.  

Cheers,
Lance

www.gallopingmajorwargames.com

[RC_Robert]

I'm in for the one of everything pledge.   I expect to revisit that amount later when you add more info on ordering extra packs or add new packs to the KS.   Are you going to provide some concept art for the packs wearing Veste and Chapeau/Bonnet ?   I'm assuming the these minis are wearing a military jacket and tricorn hat/cap.

Also a question about the Compagnies Franches de la Marine.  The info in the kickstarter says they are raised in France.   Out of curiosity if you were born/live in a French colony in 1750 is there no opportunity to join a la Marine company ?

[Malamute]

Will look forward to that  
Do you think La Longe Baguette will have escaped or been exchanged by then ?  

His Canadian and Indian allies tried to prevent him being deposited in a British blockhouse several weeks ago. They were unsuccessful. He is now awaiting transportation to Albany. They will attempt another rescue then.

[Dr DeAth]

I'm in.  Compagnies Franches Collection 1

[Romark]

His Canadian andIndianallies tried to prevent him being deposited in a British blockhouse several weeks ago. They were unsuccesful. He is now awaiting transportation to Albany. They will attempt another rescue then.

Here's hoping then 

[El Frantico]

Backed!

[Galloping Major]

Are you going to provide some concept art for the packs wearing Veste and Chapeau/Bonnet ?   I'm assuming the these minis are wearing a military jacket and tricorn hat/cap.

Also a question about the Compagnies Franches de la Marine.  The info in the kickstarter says they are raised in France.   Out of curiosity if you were born/live in a French colony in 1750 is there no opportunity to join a la Marine company ?

Thanks RC_Robert: yes, I'll start putting up some concept sketches of soldiers in veste etc., that's the blue sleeved waistcoat, breeches and tricorn or bonnet with gaiters, except pack 7 where they'll be wearing Indian leggings instead of gaiters.

Now the second part is a very interesting one, part of which my research hasn't turned up a full answer to  . While the other ranks were raised in France, most of the officers came from the "upper echelons" of Canadian colonial families, which as well as some training with and working alongside the Canadian militia gave these regular soldiers a better understanding of the terrain and "light infantry" tactics than would be the case in the army regiments. The compagnies Franches were not only recruited with the intention of defending and policing the French colonies, but the secondary purpose was to increase the comparatively low population of their colonies after their term of service was up by giving them land grants etc, they were then enroled in the militia. The militia in Canada was a very different kettle of fish to those in the British colonies, every male from 16 to 60 was obliged to serve in it, and a high proportion had military experience and/or were used to campaigning in potentially hostile terrain. Elements of the militia would be selected to accompany all expeditions and campaigns alongside Indians, regular army and La Marine - so there was something of a continuity and working inter-action especially between La Marine and the militia. My feeling is that while La Marine was the chosen route for or entry into a military career for "officer classes" in French colonies; most colonists, already enlisted in the militia, would have little inducement to enter the military as a way of life - the exception being those who entered as a "cadet". Cadets were young gentlemen who served in the ranks effectively as a private soldier but were socially more linked to the officers and were effectively serving their apprenticeship as "officers in waiting".  

Having said that, you've raised a really interesting question there which, when I get the time I'll look into more specifically - were there actually any Canadians serving as private soldiers in the Compagnies Franches de la Marine?  

Lance

www.gallopingmajorwargames.com

[Galloping Major]

That's the 7 packs of Compagnies Franches de la Marine secured, the Kickstarter hit the first target in less than a day - many thanks all. Now lets see how much further we can get, I have things in mind ;-)

Cheers,
Lance

[Malamute]

That's the 7 packs of Compagnies Franches de la Marine secured, the Kickstarter hit the first target in less than a day - many thanks all. Now lets see how much further we can get, I have things in mind ;-)

Cheers,
Lance

Excellent news Lance, well done

[Mindenbrush]

Another link to the unit with some background
http://www.militaryheritage.com/c_franch.htm

I have asked some friends here in Montreal if they have any info on the unit, most of them have served in the Montreal Militia Black Watch or Grenadier Guards.

[Captain Reid]

were there actually any Canadians serving as private soldiers in the Compagnies Franches de la Marine?  

 It had apparently been fairly common for soldiers of the CFdlM recruited in France to swap places with someone they were billeted with (their barracks being inadequate, billeting was commonplace) - so they'd do the civilian work and the Canadian would go soldiering when required in his stead. I think this had lapsed by the time of the FIW - at least. I'm not quite sure what might have been in this for the Canadian. Presumably he was better suited to soldiering, and it may be that the CFdlM recruits were more inclined to civilian labour.

[Galloping Major]

It had apparently been fairly common for soldiers of the CFdlM recruited in France to swap places with someone they were billeted with (their barracks being inadequate, billeting was commonplace) - so they'd do the civilian work and the Canadian would go soldiering when required in his stead. I think this had lapsed by the time of the FIW - at least. I'm not quite sure what might have been in this for the Canadian. Presumably he was better suited to soldiering, and it may be that the CFdlM recruits were more inclined to civilian labour.

It was certainly normal pactice for soldiers of the Compagnies Franches to run small enterprises of their own, especially when posted to the more remote outposts, individually or in groups in their "down time" (which was the biggest part of most days); this included growing vegetables and other crops for sale as well as to supplement their own diets. An officer would often hold the trading concession for such a post, which would provide a very healthy additional source of income. Soldiers were also hired out temporarily to enhance the meagre local labour force.

www.gallopingmajorwargames.com

[Galloping Major]

Selected list of a few titles with useful reading for anyone wanting to find out a little more about the life of the soldier of The Companies Franches de la Marine in North America:

"La Marine" by Andrew Gallup and Donald F Shaffer. Heritage Books
"Memoir of a French and Indian War Soldier" by "Jolicoeur" Charles Bonin. Edited by Andrew Gallup. Heritage Books
"The French Soldier in Colonial America" by Rene Chartrand. Museum Restoration Service.
The "Canadian Military Heritage" Series by Rene Chartrand

I've selected these in particular, but please feel free to add more titles 


Cheers,
Lance


www.gallopingmajorwargames.com